Fundraiser To Benefit USTA Nationals-Bound Shore Shots

By Carolyn Murphy

An indoor tennis membership, tennis lessons, family portraits and wine are just some of the prizes that will be raffled off Sunday to raise money for the Guilford Shore Shots' trip to the USTA Nationals in Tucson, AZ.

The fund-raiser, which will include a doubles tournament pairing supporters with team members in a fun round-robin and silent auction, will be held from 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Guilford Racquet & Swim Club, 420 Church St. All proceeds will be used to defray the cost of the Nationals' trip Sept. 22-26. The Shore Shots team will compete with other 4.0 women's teams from around the country for the national title.

About 16 team members are making the trip to Arizona, but co-captain Michele Freund of Madison noted that the team's large roster helped get it to post-season play. The team notched the Districts title in early August in Springfield, MA., and secured its spot in the Nationals after winning New England Sectionals in Easthampton, MA. two weeks ago.

"This really was a whole team effort," said Freund, who has led the team for about seven years. "Having a large team roster really helped us this year. Everyone filled in, played and won matches during the year.  And the club has really been fantastic. It's been very supportive and is flying our coach Steve Godiksen out to Arizona to support us." 

Freund noted that the team has great comaraderie and members are friends on and off the court. The cooperative spirit has extended to the fund-raiser, with some team members donating their services as raffle gifts _ Ann Foley of Madison has donated her photography services for a family portrait, Andrea VonOstenbridge of Clinton has donated a one-hour Pilates lesson and Corinne Wilson of Guilford is donating an assortment of books and videos from her gift company.

Team members Christi Burton of Guilford, co-captain Ann Lefler of Madison and Sondra Baseggio of Branford have collected a long list of raffle prizes, including a tennis racquet donated by team member Dani Woods of Madison. Teammate Holly Brink of Madison is bringing her culinary skills to the event and organizing refreshments.

"We are obviously thrilled to be competing on a national level," Baseggio said. "Guilford Racquet has always  been really supportive of our USTA teams, and having this fundraiser is a great way to share our excitement with our fellow players. It's a great way to celebrate our bid and to offset some of the costs associated with travel and training."

Other team members include: Club manager Sarah K. Boone of New Haven; Mary Barnes, Eileen Limoncelli, Wendy Renz, Carolyn Murphy, Lynn Gurnham, Melissa Page and Nancy Lorenze, all of Guilford; Hilarie Yaggi Alden, Annie Kleinhenz, Laura Lovejoy and Kate McGetrick of Madison; Jane Farrington of Branford, and Sharon Marczewski of Killingworth. 

Cost of the fund-raiser is $35. Warm-ups will be from 1-1:30 and matches will be played until 3:30 p.m. The Silent Auction will be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

For more information, email sbaseggio@aol.com.