Tennis tournament to benefit youth shelter

Eron Ben-Yehuda

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The city takes center court next month in the 12th

annual Top Gun tennis tournament to benefit the Huntington Youth Shelter.

About 1,000 players are expected to compete in one of the largest charity

tennis events in Orange County. The contest begins the weekend of Nov.

13, with games played at 10 clubs across the county, including the

Seacliff Tennis Club, which will host most of the final round action Nov.

20-21.

Although professionals such as doubles player Scott Davis are scheduled

to attend, the competition is open to amateurs as well. The tournament

will group competitors according to their skill level.

Organizers will continue accepting player applications through Friday.

There is a $50 entry fee

“There’s nothing like winning,” said 20-year resident Bob White, a 1993

champion at the intermediate level.

Like most players, White wishes he had a better backhand. But what he

lacks in technique, he more than makes up for in energy, he said.

White’s raring to go this year after an injury sidelined him last year.

“I missed the whole thing so much,” the 50-year-old said.

If there’s one thing White has learned from the competition, it’s not to

judge a tennis player by appearance. Even the ones who look out of shape

can surprise you.

“All of a sudden they’re running like a deer, and the tennis ball looks

like a golf ball because they put so much pace on it,” he said.

White owns a karate studio in Costa Mesa that will help sponsor the

event. Other contributors include the Independent and the Time Warner

Co., which will televise the finals on Channel 6.

The tournament’s founder, Jim Haley, hopes to raise up to $15,000 this

year for the shelter, which helps runaway teenagers find their place in

the world, he said.

Everyone who competes will receive a free tournament sweatshirt and a bag

of treats. The finalists receive memberships at Seacliff and cash prizes

up to $3,000, he said.

Spectators can enjoy the matches for free.

For more information, call Seacliff at 536-9368 or visit the Web site at

www.tennisonline.net/topgun/.