Casino Tennis Final Results

Andrea Pagonis received the Most Improved Female Player award from Dian Kendrick

The Garden City Casino held its Tennis Championship Finals on September 18th, 19th, and 25th for those matches rained out on 18th.

During the afternoon on September 19th, there was a brief memorial to all 9/11 victims, especially those who resided in Garden City. All names were read aloud. Participants also remembered the armed forces, especially those now in harm’s way in Afghanistan and Iraq. After a moment of silence and prayer, Larry Murphy, in a tribute to America, led in singing a song he personally wrote which he originally introduced for the Port Authority Police Department. The title is “Justice for the Twins” and during and after Larry’s moving presentation, there wasn’t a dry eye at the Casino. He then sang “God Bless America.” All Final Weekends (which are usually held during the third or fourth weekend in September) are dedicated to the memory of victims and their families and friends, and as a salute to America.

Men’s “B” Doubles finalists

For the second year, the Casino gave a Distinguished Achievement Award to a member who served the country during war and distinguished himself at the Casino. This year’s award was presented to Lou Fasano, who was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for heroism in connection with military operations in Vietnam on February 7, 1971. Lou’s action was instrumental in suppressing an enemy rocket attack. Lou was also past president of the Casino in 2002 and 2003 and was instrumental in pushing for the renovations to the Casino facilities. He also sponsored a recruitment drive for members, resulting in many new younger tennis players and their families joining the Casino.

Women’s “A” finalists

The tennis matches were highly competitive and a great time was had by all participants and spectators. The results were as follows:

Women’s Tournaments

Men’s “A” Doubles finalists.

Women’s Wannabe Doubles

Lori Sbeglia & Kendall Gallagher defeated Anne Marie Kenny & Terry Smith in two sets.

Women’s “B” Doubles

Lori Sbeglia & Kendall Gallagher defeated Eileen Gallagher & Catherine Amato in two sets.

Women’s “A” Doubles

Cathy Guida & Diane Prime defeated Anne Marie Kenny & Lorraine O’Hanlon in two sets.

Mixed Doubles champions

Women’s “A” Singles

Lori Sbeglia won by default over Anne Marie Kenny due to injury.

Most Improved Women’s Player

Andrea Pagonis

Men’s Tournaments

Men’s “100” Doubles

Tom Adams & Mark Brosnan, defeated Phil Volz & Ken Warnock in two sets.

Men’s “B” Doubles

John Daley & John Garvey defeated Lou Fasano & Brad O’Neill in two sets.

Women’s “B”Doubles finalists.

Men’s “65” Doubles

Tom Adams & Jim King defeated Bill Lake & Don Noda in two sets.

Men’s “55” Doubles

Bob Chlupsa and Phil Volz again defended their championship, defeating Jim Healey and Ray Kessell in two sets.

Men’s “55” Singles

Ken Warnock defeated Jim Healey in two sets.

Men’s “A”Singles finalists

Men’s “B” Singles

Phil Volz defeated Bob Seaman in two sets.

Mixed Doubles

Eileen Connor & Charlie Cacciabaudo defeated Diane Prime & Phil Volz in two sets.

Men’s “A”Doubles

Mark Brosnan & Devin Poley, defending champions, defeated Jim Madelmayer & Brian Nicholas in three sets.

Men’s Singles Champion

Pete Galasso defeated Brian Nicholas in three sets, reclaiming the championship he won in 2001.

Men’s “55”

Most Improved Men’s Player

Rocco D’Errico

The Women’s C-1 team took first place in the Women’s North Shore League; they will be moved up to B-3 next year.

The Men’s Senior Team (60 and over) captained by Tony Giangrasso and inspired by the spiritual strength of Ralph Conti, who lost his life to cancer this year, won the Long Island Men’s Senior Country Club League. They were undefeated during the regular season, and then defeated Tam O’Shanter in the semi-final playoffs and a tough Great Neck team for the championship.

Lou Fasano received the Distinguished Service Award from tennis co-chair Ray McRory

Garden City residents who are interested in joining the Casino should contact Membership Chairman Dick Kendrick at 437-7233.

Tony Giangrasso announced the first-place award received by the Men’s Senior Team Tennis co-chair Ray McRory.