PRO SPOTLIGHT.....JON BONGIOVANNI

Our spotlight series continues, this time with one of our most experienced pros, Jon Bongiovanni!! He has been a pro since 2002 and works with kids and adults ranging in ages of 3 to 83. He is our resident "guru" of quickstart tennis, the new format the USTA is implementing to get kids age 4-10 interested in tennis quickly through fun games, coordination and simple play. A graduate of P.K. Yonge High School, he currently coaches his alma mater and has captured back to back district titles with the girls team and was the 2009 Gainesville Sun's Coach of the Year on the girls side as well. He stops in after some lessons to talk with us here at the Gazette.....

Gazette: Jon, thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to talk to us!
JB: No problem, anything for my adoring fans (small chuckle)
Gazette: So, first things first... When do you start playing tennis?
JB: I started playing tennis when I was 5, but I really took it to another level trying out for the tennis team at P.K. Yonge. I tried out for the boys varsity team and built a strong bond with the high school coach there. He taught me how to really play and was a strong influence on me becoming a skillful teacher.
Gazette: That's pretty awesome! A good story to tell everyone. Who is your tennis idol and why?
JB: Roger Federer is my tennis idol. He is the definition of champion and he is a total class act. I totally enjoy his calm demeanor and I try to convey that message with my students of remaining calm during matches no matter what the situation .
Gazette: Can't argue with a guy who has 15 grand slams! So, when you get down in a match, what do you do to get yourself back on track?
JB: When I get down in a match I try to remain calm and zen-like. I usually try to bring myself from the darkest hole by thinking of a positive memory on or off the court.
Gazette: Any way you can tell us of an off the court positive memory??
JB: I could, but then I'd have to kill you. (laughs)
Gazette: We wouldn't want that! Now, back to you and your fans....What's your favorite music?
JB: I like all types of music except country music.
Gazette: No Jason Aldean or Tim McGraw?
JB: WHO?????
Gazette: Nevermind (smiling). What are you best and worst tennis experiences?
JB: Becoming P.K. Yonge's varsity coach and winning multiple district titles that I couldn't win as a player in high school. Secondly, being recognized as the best high school coach according to the Gainesville Sun last year. My worst is regretting not playing college tennis when I had some opportunities to do so.
Gazette: What makes tennis fun for you?
JB: I enjoy seeing my students succeed and work hard.
Gazette: If you weren't coaching tennis, what would you be doing??
JB: If I weren't teaching tennis I would like to succeed in the male modeling industry.
Gazette: I can see that.
JB: Of course.
Gazette: Last question but a difficult one...As a high school coach, what is the easiest and most difficult part of the job?
JB: The most difficult part of working as a high school coach is juggling what the parent and child's individual goals are and balancing it within the team concept. Tennis is more of an individual sport, so it's tough to keep the "team" concept be as important as the individual's goals. The easiest part is coaching the kids on the team. I try to treat them as adults. I want them to work hard and respect each other.
Gazette: Wow! Great philosophy to have. Thanks so much Jon for all of your answers!
JB: You are so welcome.

THANKSGIVING WEEK!!!!

Hello everyone! Everyone here at our offices are rapidly getting ready for their Turkey Day festivities with loved ones and gearing up for a great rivalry game here in Gainesville. However, there is plenty of tennis news abuzz here at Westside and we are ever vigilent to report it to you! So without futher adieu, here is the news.........


NEWS AND NOTES..............This week at Westside begins our renovation of our wall area. We will be pressure washing the area and begin lining out the floor with the dimensions of our new quickstart court area. The wall will still be intact for use, but we will be reserving the area during quickstart matches, which we hope to have begin in the spring! Our quickstart program is starting to grow and we would like to see these kids and more get into the league format sponsored by the USTA.. The new pro shop is coming along as scheduled! On Dec. 7th, the city will approve the official layout of the new building and later that month will begin the process of selecting a company who will build the facility. When the layout is approved, the Gazette will be posting the schematic in our newsletter and have pictures of construction once ground is broken. Special kudos goes out to Lindsey Cable on her recent signing to Stetson University! We would like to send congratulations to her family and ongoing success to Lindsey as she finishes her senior year at P.K.Yonge High School and transitions into college. We have so much more to tell you, but you'll have to keep reading to find out the new and improved programs we are launching... Now on to junior news!!!!

JUNIOR NEWS....... In junior news, the Junior Team Tennis fall league is wrapping up. It was a great turnout for Westside where we had 3 teams in 3 different catergories! We hope to improve on these numbers in the spring. With your help, we can make this possible. Head Pro Robert Taylor says that through the clinics that are running currently, there is a possiblilty of having 2 teams in each division... Quickstart, Under 12 beginner, Under 12 intermediate, and Under 18 intermediate. "We hope to reach each child and parent and have the kids experience some form of match play, gain confindence, learn the game, and most importantly have fun." Please contact either Jon Bongiovanni or Robert Taylor to learn more about Junior Team Tennis!! Special congrats goes out to the Under 12 Beginner team! In their first season of playing in JTT, they finished 2nd in their division. Coach Taylor tells us that he is super proud of his team and hopes all of them will return for spring with more players to add to the fun that he had coaching this team.
Our Under 12 and Under 18 Intermediate teams did extremely well also, placing 3rd in each of their respective divisions. Kudos goes out to Zachary Brandt who pulled off a thrilling victory in his last match of the season. Also congrats are in order for Garry and Bradley Cooper who went undefeated in their matches this season. Good luck in the spring season to these great kids!!!! As you know, Westside has an ongoing FRIDAY FREE PLAY DAY. However, since there is about a 6 week layoff before the spring season of Junior Team Tennis and High School Tennis, the pros at Westside have gladly offered their service of providing a list serve so that your kids will have scheduled matches during this period of time!! They will set up matches on Fridays from 3:00 til 6:30 based on your time availability and level. All of this will be FREE OF CHARGE!! All kids are encouraged to come and bring other kids that play!! We are happy to offer our service to other kids in the area! To get on the list serve, email Robert Taylor at rt4tennis@gmail.com. First matches will be scheduled Friday, December 4th. Keep checking www.gainesvilletennisacademy.com for more programs and updates on current ones. Now on to our Gainesville Ocala Womens Day League!


DAY LEAGUE NEWS.....Our teams are getting to the halfway point of their divisions and so far the competition has been tough, but we are doing well.. Our newly formed 3.0 team, The Pink Panthers, are beginning to form great chemistry as they head to the christmas break. They are currently jockeying for position in the middle of league as 3 or 4 teams have similar records. Their next match is at Country Club of Ocala on December 2nd. If you don't have much on your agenda, ask someone on the team for directions and check it out!! In the 3.5 level, the 10 S NUTS are in the middle of the pack, losing a very close match last week against one of the top teams in their division.. It was a 3-2 defeat that came down to a 3rd set on court 1. Good try ladies, you had 'em!! This team will be playing against the on Ft. King Matchmakers on December 3rd in Ocala. Come support the Nuts!! Finally, our wonderful 4.0 team, Friends of Joyce, are playing into form and are currently in 3rd place as we get near the Christmas break. They are on a 2 match winning streak and look to continue that trend on December 1st as they take on the Ft. King Twisted Sisters at Westside Park!!!! Come out and cheer them on as they look to add to the winning streak!! We are still looking for players!!! If you would like to play and have mornings available to play, we would love to have you! Please pass the info on to anyone you know that plays and is looking to join a league!! WESTSIDE WANTS YOU....... TO JOIN OUR DAY LEAGUE TEAMS!!!!!



ADULT NEWS.....As previously reported, the combo season for USTA is winding down. With the season ending, the Adult season will start forming teams and Westside is proud to offer its facility to teams looking for courts to practice. We are currently taking names with your preference of day(s) and time(s). Since daylight savings time will be coming during the middle of the season, Westside will as they say "keep the light on" with court space being offered as late as 8pm! Lessons are ongoing with beginner and intermediate levels being offered two nights a week and a wonderful 3 hr clinic offered on Saturday mornings headed by one of Westside's favorite pros, Abdoulaye Toure. Please call 376-8250 for more info. TEAMS ARE FORMING!!!!! If you are interested in joining a league, but do not know how to join, let us know! At Westside, we can match you up with existing captains to join a team or form a new team to join! All levels are welcome from the novice 2.5 level to the more experienced 5.0 player. Call 376-8250 and ask us about USTA LEAGUES!!!! Head Pro Robert Taylor's 4.5 USTA Team@ Daytona Regionals



Have you always wanted that Roger Federer forehand or Serena Williams backhand but never knew how to get it??? NOW YOU CAN!! Mike Oransky and Westside introduce DARTFISH, a computer software that can analyze your strokes and compare them with the top players!!! A side by side, frame by frame analysis so that you can emulate your favorite player! It can also analyze your match strategy, tendencies of errors and much more.. DON'T BELIEVE ME?? CLICK HERE AND TAKE A TOUR!
Westside thanks all of you who are participating and playing at our facility. We would like to show our appreciation. We are in the process of creating a tennis mixer for all the adults and potential new players that want to play at our facility. We would provide, food, music, and beverage in a relaxed setting on a friday or saturday evening. We would like your feed back... No better way to do that, than a poll. So here is our poll...............

If Westside were to do a tennis mixer with food and drink, would you be interested?
	HECK YES!
	Eh.... Possibly
	No Way! I got CSI to watch on TV
Free polls from Pollhost.com

We will have the results on December 7th.. Finally in adult news, there is an adult prize money tournament being held at DB Racquet Club next weekend, Dec. 5th. Please contact Don or Dave Blair to register at 377-9580.


UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS:
Adult: Dec 5th: Mens & Womens Open, DB Racquet Club, Gainesville
Jan. 15: Heritage Classic, Westside Park

Juniors: Dec. 5: Sandlando Classic, Altamonte Springs
Dec.12: Harry Gilbert Championships, Palm Coast
Dec. 12: Lake Cane Classic, Orlando
Jan. 2: DB Super Series, DB Racquet Club, Gainesville
Jan. 15: Heritage Classic, Westside Park, Gainesville

Next week in the Gazette....How to get those pounds off after Turkey Day, spotlight on Skip Deist and of course...MORE NEWS!!!! GOBBLE GOBBLE :)

LINDSEY CABLE: ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

As promised, Lindsey stopped by our offices to give us a few minutes of her time.. The 5'2" senior from P.K. Yonge high school and recently signed Stetson Hatter has taken her team to back to back district titles and plans on getting the team to the state finals are definitely in reach. As the #1 singles player for her team, the pressure falls on her to set the tone for her team, but she seems to relish in it. Here is her conversation with our on-site reporter....

Gazette: Hi Lindsey, its great to meet you and take a few minutes out of your day to meet with us. We have a barrage of questions to ask you, A to Z that we like to call our High School Blitz. Are you ready?

LC: Ready and willing!!!

Area tennis player that impresses you the most? Jonathon Vesely. He has so much talent.

Best words of advice ever given to you? Give everyday your all, and never give up.

Colleges that you were considering before signing with Stetson University? Georgia Southern and Florida Atlantic.

Doubles in your opinion is...Fun! It's amazing to play with someone whose game clicks with yours.

ESPN's best program: uh... I don't watch ESPN, sorry :)

Favorite music, song, and artist? I like country, hip hop, rap and pop. I have so many favorite songs, but one is Big Green Tractor by Jason Aldean.

Greatest tennis achievement? Signing to Stetson!

Happiest day in your life? There are too many to just have one.

Interesting thing that most people don't know about you away from tennis? I actually sing well, and do impressions.

Juggling tennis with school is... Easy if you keep your priorities straight and set aside time for both tennis and school.

Keep balls in play or go for a winner to win a match?? Go for it

Least favorite tennis moment? Every time I lose.

Most inspirational person in your life? My parents.

Nickname? Shea, LC, lulu, donk

One or two-handed forehand? Two hands on both sides!!

Potential college major? Sports Management. I want to be a sports agent.

Quiet time activity? Listen to my iPod or read the Twilight saga.

Read or watch t.v.?? Read

Superhero you wanted to be growing up? Superheroes are for boys!! I was into Barbies

Toughest part of playing tennis? The mental aspect of the game

Unusual superstitions or habits before playing a match? Not before the match but I have a superstition of stepping on the lines.

Vacation Dream Spot? Austraila or Hawaii

Worst part of being a senior? The senior project!! I'm not looking forward to writing the 10 page essay.

Xbox, Wii, or PS3?? I don't play video games..

Year you were born? 1992!

Zoo animal you like the most?? Penguins

Gazette: Thanks for sharing so much with us! I hope our readers have a more in-depth look at who Lindsey Cable is and good luck on the upcoming season!

LC: Thanks so much!

WEEK OF 11/9-11/15

We are back everyone from a bit of a break. We had our on field reporter trying to catch a live turkey in Virginia for Thanksgiving, but we are turkey-less.. Oh well, Publix is not too far from our office!! :) We have had some new and exciting things happen in the past couple of weeks so kick back with that cup o' joe and relax, it's time to give you the news!!!!!!





News and Notes......... Plans for the new pro shop and tennis facility at Westside Park have offiically begun!! Engineers and surveyors have been out for the past two weeks marking off where the ideal spot for the building. Mike Oransky and the architects are in the final phases of deciding on which floor plan they will use for the building. Once approved, the Gazette will be sure to post the plans for everyone to take a look at and feel a part of. Once again, if it was not for everyone's help, this would not be possible.. On the Junior level, Ms. Lindsey Cable has officially signed a letter of intent to play at Stetson University.. Congratulations Lindsey!! You will get to know a little more about Ms. Cable in our interview with her tomorrow.. Junior Clinics have been phenomenal.. Thanks to all the kids and parents who want their kids to improve and to our wonderful staff using their knowledge and experience to help them excel in the sport and in life! We are creating more clinics for the kids, so parents if you know of a friend who's child plays tennis, let us know!!! The more the merrier and would like to see the junior program grow! In Adult news, The Gazette is pleased to inform you that there is a adult tennis mixer in the works! A reliable source tells me that it will be most likely on a friday night and there might be some sort of food and drink and entertainment..Stay tuned as when more information comes out, we will be there to provide it for you!! We are in the process of looking for USTA teams to practice at our facility..If you have a captain, are going to be a captain or know of a captain, looking for courts to practice, please contact us at rt4tennis@gmail.com or oranskym@bellsouth.net and we will get you going!! LADIES, LADIES, LADIES..... WE NEED YOU!!!!!!! Westside Day League Teams are looking for ladies in their league... If you like tennis and wanna pick up the racquets again or know of a friend who's looking to play, let us know... Weekly practices and matches until next spring.. YOU CAN'T GO WRONG!!!!! Now on to the week in review.......

WEEK OF 10/26-11/1

Hey everyone! This week sure went fast as most kids were out of school on friday, Florida/Georgia weekend plus Halloween!!! As for the Gazette, our work is never done and this weekend we were watching a weekend full of great tennis at Westside Park for their annual Junior Super Series Tournament. There were over 140 participants and the final matched concluded on Monday! Congrats to all participants and winners for a job well done! Now on to the news!!.........


NEWS AND NOTES>>>>> Earlier it was reported that there was a tournament at Westside Park this weekend. A superb turnout was had and there were many players from the gainesville area that participated. A special Gazette shout out goes to Ms. Lindsey Cable for winning the Girls 18's singles division. She did not drop a set as she worked her way through the bracket to the title. Congratulations Lindsey!!!
Westside Park in collaboration with the Alachua County Mamas, a well established mother's playgroup, are doing a demonstration day of quickstart tennis for our young and upcoming stars ages 3-5.. Quickstart is a innovative way to introduce tennis to younger kids by making the dimensions of tennis more kid friendly. Smaller racquets, smaller court size, bigger and softer balls make this experience fun!!!! This demonstration day will be Friday, November 6th at 9:30.. Come check it out!!!! On to Junior News.....


JUNIOR NEWS>>>>> EXTRA EXTRA!!!! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!! Mike Oransky Tennis at Westside Park now has MORE group clinics for your kids to enjoy!!!!!
THAT'S RIGHT!!!! You heard it here first! The gazette talked to many of the instructors and we were excited to leak this information out to you! Maybe times have been a bit difficult or days have been a little hard to work out.. Westside now is providing more clinics to ensure that your child has numerous opportunities to play any day of the week... This is the unofficial leak of programs that are being run... TELL A FRIEND, PASS IT ON! DON'T PASS UP THESE GREAT PROGRAMS!!! Please check with either Mike Oransky or Robert Taylor to get more info at 376-8250...

MONDAY: 3:30-4:30 Junior Beginner Clinic (ages 8-12): Some experience with tennis. Emphasis on technique, basic skills, and footwork.. Friendly play will be introduced as well..
5:30-6:30 Junior Clinic 2.0-3.0 (ages 8 and up): This group will be divided into courts where kids will be at or around the same age and ability level. The beginners will focus more on technique, strokes, and footwork with fun games included. The Advanced beginners to intermediate level will focus more on strategy and introduction of competitive play. However, technique, footwork, etc. will be coached and emphasized as well..

TUESDAY: 2:30-3:30: Junior Beginner Clinic (ages 6-11): little or no experience with tennis. The main focus will be fun, stroke mechanics and basic racquet, hand-eye coordination skills, footwork and games.
3:45-4:45: Junior Beginner Clinic (ages 8-12) : Same as Monday, but on a different day!


WEDNESDAY: 3:45-4:45: Middle School Tennis(6th-8th grade): Emphasis on all levels of play, basic skills, technique, strategy, friendly competition to get your child acclimated to a possibility of playing in high school or Junior Team Tennis.
5:30-6:30: Junior Clinic 2.0-3.0 (ages 8 and up): Same as Monday, offered 2 times a week! What a deal :)

FRIDAY: 4:00-5:00: RALLY BALL (ages 7-12): This clinic is geared to help with basic groundstroke production to introduce continuous play (rally). The instructor will also show the kids how to initiate rally play and incorporate friendly play.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE AGES ARE APPROXIMATE AND DOES NOT REFLECT THE ABILITY OF YOUR CHILD. PLEASE CALL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMODATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

In other junior news.....There was only one junior team tennis match this weekend due to the tournament at Westside. The Under 12 beginner team played and lost a very competitive match against a solid Jonesville team coached by Magdalena Hurtig.. Each match was really tough and points were fun to watch! Overall, the kids had fun and it was very friendly and sportsmanlike! That's what you wanna see in a match. Good try kids and good luck in your next match! Their last match is Sunday November 8th at 5:00 at Westside Park... Good Luck Team!! On to Adult News and Notes....



ADULT NEWS>>>>>> The combo season for USTA is winding down and that only means one thing....Time to get your teams formed for the Adult season... If you know you're going to be a captain or know someone who would like to be a captain and would like to sign up to hold practices at Westside, let us know! We have court availability Monday-Thursday 6pm-10pm.. Let Mike Oransky know and we will set you up!!! Womens League: The 10 S Nuts had a tough loss this past week to the Golden Ocala Thoroughbreds... Chin up girls and dust your shoulders off, I'm sure you'll get back on track this week!! The 3.0 Pink Panthers scores were not available due to rain.. As always, come out and support the team!!! BREAKING NEWS>>>This reporter has heard that there may be a "happy i'm off work and want to play tennis" round robin format coming soon to westside.. More as we hear of it!

Next week at the Gazette>>> As promised, our pro spotlight will be on Jon Bongiovanni, one of the integral parts of Westside. Also, a new high school feature on P.K. Yonge Senior Lindsey Cable as she accepts her tennis scholarship to.........???? If you wanna know, you'll have to read next week! Final quote: "My greatest strength is that I have no weaknesses"- John McEnroe

SEE YA NEXT WEEK!!!!!!! :)