Local Tennis Pros Go Head to Head at Lake Club

Bragging rights were up for grabs at the Lake Club's Fifth Annual Pro-Night Saturday, not just for the players, but the for the spectators as well.

While the members compete at various levels in inter-club matches throughout the spring and summer, between all the lessons and the clinics the pros rarely get the opportunity to compete themselves.

But on Saturday night the pros got to put some of their world-class talent (no exaggeration) on display in what was a mix of serious tennis and a bit of fun.

Fans could bet on the matches( strictly on the up and up) using "funny money" and if they picked the right teams, some nice prizes awaited.

Spectators were issued $1,000 in Lake Club bucks upon arrival. They could bet only in $100 increments. There were five rounds of play—three tie-breakers played per round. At six-all, the next point was sudden death. If a bettor picked the winner they were paid at 4 to 1; if they picked the runner-up they were paid at 2 to 1. If they were out of the money, good luck in the next round. Luck was definitely a major factor in the wagering because they mixed up the teams from match to match.

"Since I was using 'house money' I wasn't too upset when I didn't come close to winning a prize," said Dennis Diehl, a veteran club player who was familiar with most of the players.

Spectators were encouraged to make noise (à la World Team Tennis) while players announced in advance to the fans before they served  when they were going to "rip one."

And there was some outstanding ripping with heavy hitters like Goran Dragicevic on the court; Head Pro at Rolling Hills, Dragicevic's serve was clocked at a high of 139 mph in a recent Florida tournament.

"You take lessons and play in clinics with the pros but not until you see them competing, do you realize how terrific they are," said A Team club player Cindy Herbert. "After giving lessons all day it was amazing to see how match-sharp they were."

Whitney Benik, just 5'3" and the only woman in the event, was returning kick serves that were about three feet over her head with precision and power.

"I've never seen balls kick like this on the women's tour (Benik was ranked No. 500 on the tour when she was just 15). It was quite a challenge."

Turned out it was a challenge she could meet.

Benik and Atilla Bucko teamed up to win the competition in an all Lake Club final beating Tennis Director Berend Van Toor and pro Alan Bohane.