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72 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, August 30, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 5, 2004 SOTC hosts growing net tournament By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune The fifth annual Cataract and Laser Institute tennis tournament kicks off Friday at the Southern Oregon Tennis Club. The three-day event, which culminates with championship matches on Sunday, boasts men’s and women’s singles and doubles at 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 skill levels. The mixed doubles will play at levels 6.0, 7.0 and 9.0. The C.L.I. has a field of about 75 competitors, estimates Larry Fields, who has played in the tournament since its inception. He took over organizing the event this year following the departure of Frank and Cheryl Inn from the SOTC. Advertisement "(The tournament) is considerably larger now than when it started," says Fields, who coaches the North Medford boys team. "This is (SOTC’s) big summer tournament." Among the players highlighting this year’s tournament are former North Medford High players Kevin Kauffman and Annie Chaney, who will team up in the mixed 9.0 doubles. Kauffman will also compete in 4.5 men’s doubles with partner Jason Rapp. Nick Millan, a sophomore-to-be at North, is set to compete in 4.5 singles, while Southern Oregon University tennis coach Gail Patton will play in the women’s 4.5 singles and doubles. Tom Knackstedt, the 3.0 singles champion at the Big Al’s tournament, will play 3.5 singles and 6.0 mixed doubles, and former Medford High standout Mike Naumes will join Mark Lerfald in 4.5 men’s doubles. "It’s not an open tournament, so we’re not necessarily going for the big names," says Fields. "It’s designed to be more of a fun tournament." Even so, Fields and his staff have been more proactive than in the past at spreading the word for the C.L.I. "We’ve taken fliers down to Yreka (Calif.), over to Klamath Falls and as far north as Roseburg," he says. "There’s a lot more people involved this year. "We’re trying to work out the kinks, trying to get the scheduling better. We haven’t been perfect (a junior tournament in Grants Pass is also this weekend), but it’s coming together." The tournament starts Friday with a handful of matches at 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s action starts at 9:30 a.m. Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities