Retape that grip and warm up those knees, the Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic is approaching

January 3, 2020

By Marcy Shortuse

■ STAFF REPORT The 2020 annual Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic sponsored by the Boca Beacon will be held from January 25 through February 8. This tournament is open to all area residents and members and guests of the island’s three clubs: Boca Bay Pass Club, Gasparilla Inn Tennis Club and the Boca Grande Club. Everyone […]

■ STAFF REPORT
The 2020 annual Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic sponsored by the Boca Beacon will be held from January 25 through February 8.
This tournament is open to all area residents and members and guests of the island’s three clubs: Boca Bay Pass Club, Gasparilla Inn Tennis Club and the Boca Grande Club. Everyone is welcome.
The entry fee is $30 per player per event. This includes tournament merchandise.
There are a variety of events to choose from, and the categories include open mixed doubles, 65+ mixed doubles, men’s singles, ladies’ singles, men’s open doubles, ladies’ open doubles, men’s 65+ doubles and ladies’ 65+ doubles.
In the first week of play, open mixed doubles and ladies’ singles will be played at the Boca Grande Club. 65+ mixed doubles and men’s singles will be played at the Boca Bay Pass Club. The second week will include men’s open doubles and ladies’ 65+ doubles at the Boca Grande Club. Ladies’ open doubles will be played at The Gasparilla Inn Tennis Club, and men’s 65+ doubles will be held at the Boca Bay Pass Club.
The Gasparilla Inn & Club started a tennis tournament in 1997 called
“The Gasparilla Inn Tennis Chapter Series.” The Inn hosted the annual event at the beach club until 2007. No one organized the tournament in 2008. In 2009, Boca Beacon publisher Dusty Hopkins revived the tournament, becoming the new sponsor and renaming it “The Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic.” He also opened competition up to all area residents and coordinated the matches to be held at all three clubs on the island. This year will mark the 11th anniversary of the annual event.
Applications are available at the Boca Beacon office, located at 431 Park Ave. Players should make checks payable to the Boca Beacon.
To qualify for the aged events, you must reach minimum age in 2020. Players should sign-up at the club holding the event a week prior to the match.
Call your club of choice for more information, or call 964-2995, the Boca Beacon office.