Friendly competition

SARASOTA — Brad Hahn recognized the tradition that lay before him.

When Hahn retired and moved to University Park Country Club in 1994, the expectation was that he would take up golf. That’s just what you did.

Hahn tried to take up the game, but he never really fell in love with the sport. A year after moving to the area, University Park built a set of tennis courts, and Hahn traded in his golf clubs for a tennis racket.

Hahn played on a men’s 50s league before joining the Suncoast Tennis League when he turned 60 years old.

Now, 19 years after he first picked up a tennis racket, Hahn, who plays on University Park’s men’s 70s team, is one of approximately 1,800 members involved in the Suncoast Tennis League.

“It was so much more my preference,” says Hahn, who also serves as the Suncoast Tennis League’s secretary. “I’m very competitive, and I enjoy that, personally. I also enjoy the camaraderie and the team spirit.”

Formerly the Sarasota County Senior Men’s Tennis League, the Suncoast Tennis League was founded in 1983 as a way to promote friendly, competitive league tennis among senior men in the Greater Sarasota area.

In 1983, the league consisted of 16 teams from 10 clubs. Today, the Suncoast Tennis League is home to 145 teams, comprising nearly1,800 players, from 30 clubs across Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Ultimately, the Suncoast Tennis League, which its members believe to be the largest independent men’s tennis league in the country, hopes to eventually have 10 teams in each division.

Longboat Public represents the largest contingent of players with 12 teams, followed by Sarasota Racquet Club and Jacaranda each with 10 teams and Lakewood Ranch and Plantation each with nine teams.

“A lot of the teams have been playing together for years,” says Suncoast Tennis League President Steen Carstensen, who plays for The Oaks Club’s 60s and 70s teams. “We want to make sure people have fun.”

Teams compete in five age divisions, ranging from 50s to 80s, with each team competing in three courts of doubles matches once a week. Players compete in a total of 18 matches throughout the season, which began Nov. 1 and runs through March 28. Over the course of the season, teams alternate between home and away matches, which creates an even playing field throughout the league.

The Suncoast Tennis League, which is not affiliated with USTA, is continually looking for new members and additional teams to join the organization at a cost of $95 per team.

“We are strictly an age division league,” Hahn says. “We have some very skilled tennis players in Sarasota and Manatee. Some of the strongest players (in the area) participate in our league.”

Following the season, the Suncoast Tennis League’s Board of Directors holds an awards luncheon at the Meadows Country Club. During the luncheon, players also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of skill clinics with local tennis professionals.

“We really think we’re providing a huge benefit to the older guys in the community,” Carstensen says. “Folks are out there enjoying themselves in a competitive but friendly environment.”

In 2013, the Suncoast Tennis League was formally recognized as a nonprofit organization. Since then, the league has been one of five sponsors for the 941 Junior Tennis Circuit, which provides tournament experience to junior tennis players, ranging in age from 8 to 18, through a series of bi-monthly Saturday tournaments.

“Our league is always looking to give back and promote tennis,” Carstensen says.

For more information on the Suncoast Tennis League, visit SuncoastTennis.net.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].

By the numbers
30 - Clubs across Manatee and Sarasota Counties that are represented.

5 - Age divisions within the Suncoast Tennis League.

18 - Matches members play throughout the season.

12 - Teams who play out of Longboat Public, which is the club with the most teams involved in the league.