For the second consecutive year, the Super Senior State Championships were held in the Pinehurst area. Using facilities at Pinehurst Resort, National Golf Club, Pinewild Country Club, Country Club of North Carolina, Beacon Ridge Golf and Country Club and Seven Lakes Country Club, champions were crowned in 10 divisions, with the local squads taking five of them.
State champions advance to sectional competition schedudled to be held in Alabama in a few months.
There are 12 leagues throughout the state, with most of them centered in larger metropolitan areas. The local teams compete in the Pines League, one of the smallest in the state.
“We are amazed,” said Barbara Horan, captain of the women’s 70s championship team based at Seven Lakes Country Club. “When you beat teams from larger areas, it just makes you feel good. The Pinehurst club has an excellent facility and program. Out here in Seven Lakes, we just seemed to rise up to the occasion. It’s nice, and exciting, to think about going to the sectionals.”
Three other local teams to win championships were based out of the Pinehurst Tennis Club. The state championship teams operating out of Pinehurst were the men’s 70s 3.0 team, captained by Terry Mason; the women’s 60s 3.5, captained by Ruth Bondurant; and the women’s 60s 4.0 squad, captained by Susan Foster.
“We practice a lot under the watchful eye of Carla Simpson, a pro at Pinehurst,” Foster said of her 60s 4.0 squad. “She is instrumental in helping us improve and gain a competitive edge.”
The men’s 60s 3.5 squad, captained by Bill Doerr, and based out of the tennis center at National Golf Club, suffered a sad note earlier this week. Team member Ed Ghiazza died Monday. Not only was Ghiazza an integral member of Doerr’s squad, he also won the state singles and doubles titles at the 2005 North Carolina Senior Games.
The Super Senior League has two sub-leagues: Super Senior 60s and Super Senior 70s. The different numbers (3.0, 3.5, etc.) indicate the talent level of the competition.
The teams compete in three doubles in each match, playing the best of three sets. Local league winners move on to the state competition.
Winners at the state level earn the right to compete in the USTA Southern Sectional tournament, which will be held in Pelham, Ala., March 31-April 2, 2006.
