By Kyle LoJacono
Karen Truman and Dean Colosimo both wanted an opportunity to spread their passion for tennis and they came up with a weekly round robin at Lake Padgett Estates.
“I tried starting something like this a couple of times at the (recreation) center on Collier Parkway, but this is working out much better,” Truman said. “Really we both just love tennis and want a chance to pass that on to other people…I’m hoping to coach the next Andy Roddick.”
Truman and Colosimo, both of Land O’ Lakes, are certified tennis coaches and conduct clinics at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center on Collier. Truman played tennis at Depauw University, while Colosimo picked up the game later in life.
“I played almost everything else but tennis as a kid,” Colosimo said. “One day I took my kids to a clinic and a coach asked me if I wanted to help. I said yes and as I got into it a found out how fun it is. It’s also great exercise, but it’s more than just physical. It’s like chess on the court.”
The round robins are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday at the Lake Padgett Estates tennis courts, which are located a little more than one mile east on Parkway Boulevard from Collier. Those who attend play mixed doubles matches.
The first night of the event was June 8 when about eight people attended. That number increased to 12 for the third evening with people from Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and even Hernando County.
One of those who came to the round robin for the first time June 22 was Land O’ Lakes resident Donna Lee. She said she regularly plays tennis, but usually on clay courts and is not accustomed to the faster hard courts of Lake Padgett.
“The ball comes at you so fast on hard courts for someone my age,” Lee, 67, said jokingly. “…I didn’t start playing until I was about 30-years-old, but I’m making up for lost time now. I really like the round robin format because you get to meet and play with a lot more people.”
In round robins people are randomly paired up and then rotated around.
Claudine and Rob Mipps, of north Hillsborough County, were attending their second round robin June 22 and the married couple said they would be coming back again. Both played tennis in high school.
“I grew up playing on these courts,” said Claudine, who graduate from Land O’ Lakes High. “It’s just fun to come out and play with people you know and people you’ve just met. There are some good players and some just starting, so it’s a real good mix.”
Rob went to Gaither High as a senior and graduated in 1991.
“It takes me back to playing in high school,” Rob said. “I didn’t play for a long time so I’m just getting back into the swing of things now.”
The evenings of tennis are not just for adults. Tim Falcon and Jordan Stewart, who both just graduated from Land O’ Lakes and were members of the Gators tennis team, also attend the round robins.
“We want anyone and everyone interested in tennis to come out and enjoy the game,” Truman said. “We’ve got nine courts out here, so we can accommodate more people than we could at the (recreation) center. Hopefully we can work on getting an adult and senior league going like (Colosimo) has with his youth league.”
Colosimo runs a junior tennis league from the Lake Padgett courts. Those interested in playing should come to the courts during the free practices each Friday morning during the summer. Children ages 8 and younger practice from 9 to 10 a.m., kids 9 to 14 from 10 to 11 a.m. and players from 14 to 18 from 11 a.m. to noon.
Anyone interested in attending the round robins who live in Lake Padgett only need to show up on Tuesday with a can of new tennis balls. Those from other places need to pay $3 to play as well.
“We’ve had good turnouts the first few nights and hopefully we can keep things going with fall round robins too,” Truman said. “I’d guess those would be each month instead of weekly, but we’d like to keep things going to spread the love of tennis.”
