THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 21, 1996 TAG: 9607190222
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 98 lines
THE WAY WAYNE McCOY figured it, he'd met Ginny Powers at a tennis court. Spent many a date with her on a tennis court. Even proposed to her on a tennis court.
But marry Powers on a tennis court? Seemed logical to McCoy, who joined Powers in matrimony before a party of 130 bemused onlookers June 22 on center court at the Virginia Beach Tennis & Country Club.
``The majority of our friends play tennis and tennis is a major part of our lives,'' said McCoy, an environmental engineer who, like Powers, is one of the club's members. ``The tennis club seemed like the ideal place to do it.''
The groom wore black shorts and a tuxedo shirt; the bride was resplendent in a chiffon pleated skirt with satin trim and matching blouse.
A ballcap-wearing Rev. Stan Sawyer, another club member, officiated, counseling the newlyweds on the similarities between marriage and doubles - protect each other, communicate and know where your partner is at all times.
A rally of forehands and backhands over a net decorated with white bows replaced the traditional first dance. And a tennis party/round robin served as a reception, as guests took turns swatting at balls stamped ``Wayne & Ginny McCoy, June 22, 1996.
``Everyone agreed it was the most memorable wedding they'd ever been to,'' said the VBTCC's Karen Steenberg. ``We can't wait to see what they do for their first anniversary party.''
The relationship between McCoy and Powers began inauspiciously enough in the late spring of 1995 when the two 3.5-level players were paired together in one of the VBTCC's mixed doubles tournaments. In one of their matches, McCoy, annoyed because he felt their male opponent was playing his shots too forcefully at Powers, chastised the guy afterward. McCoy thought he was merely doing the right thing. Little did he know the move scored big points with Powers.
McCoy had to be persuaded to ask her out on a date. But before long, the two were inseparable, on and off the court. One minute into the new year, the two became engaged. The site McCoy chose to pop the question: the VBTCC's indoor tennis bubble, during a New Year's Eve party.
A little over six months later, McCoy and Powers made their union official. Their only concession to tradition: holding a small formal ceremony - family members only - at Sawyer's All Saints Episcopal Church before slipping into tennis togs and heading off to the racquet club.
CHARITY TENNIS: Ten sponsorship opportunities remain available for the 10th annual Central Fidelity Bank Tennis Auction and Pro-Am Tournament, which for the first time will direct its considerable revenue-generating power toward local charities and provide a financial boost to local junior tennis.
The event has raised nearly $500,000 since it began in 1987. Previously, the money raised in conjunction with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This year's proceeds will be divided among the Tidewater Scholarship Foundation, the YWCA's battered women's causes, Goodwill Industries and the junior-tennis oriented Virginia Beach Tennis Patrons.
The event will be held Oct. 10-12, beginning with the auction ball Oct. 10 at the Norfolk Marriott. The pro-am tournament will take place Oct. 11-12 at the Princess Anne Country Club.
Twenty-seven sponsors - up from 12 when the event began - pay $1,200 each to play or designate another amateur to play in the event. Amateurs are paired with pros from a list that includes virtually every top player in Hampton Roads. Pros who have agreed to play this year include Old Dominion University director of tennis Darryl Cummings, former national age-group champion Joby Foley, former North Carolina All-American Billy Brock, former Mid-Atlantic Tennis Association singles champion Tony Velo and four-time national mixed doubles champion Roy Beskin.
Admission is free for the tennis.
Teams are handicapped to ensure parity. The winning amateur receives a trip, usually valued at roughly $5,000. This year's winning trip package has yet to be put together. Past trips have been to Wimbledon and the French Open.
For more information about the event or on how to become a sponsor, call Rebecca at 468-5448.
NEW PRO: The Broad Bay Country Club, a place known primarily as the golf club of choice for local celebrities like the Buffalo Bills' Bruce Smith, could make some inroads with the tennis community after naming George Gamel as its head pro.
Gamel, 38, a teaching pro at the Virginia Beach Tennis & Country Club since 1985 who was once the top player in Ghana, fills a position that had been vacant for years.
``It was tough for me to leave (the VBTCC), but I feel this is a step up for me,'' Gamel said.
Gamel, who began at Broad Bay in April and currently teaches about 20 lessons a week, said he specializes in correcting improper form.
He's also not afraid to speak his mind - noting that Broad Bay has only two hard courts in an area where many prefer clay.
``If they would put up a couple more courts, add some lights and change the surface, this would be one of the best clubs for tennis in the area,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by ROGER TOPHAM
Joined by 130 bemused onlookers, the wedding party listened as a
ballcap-wearing Rev. Stan Sawyer conducted the ceremony June 22 on
center court at Virginia Beach Tennis & Country Club. From left are:
Bob Miller, the best man; Wayne McCoy, the groom; Ginny Powers, the
bride; Phyllis McKaughan, the bride's mother; and Donna Topham, the
matron of honor. The groom wore black shorts and a tuxedo shirt; the
bride was resplendent in a chiffon pleated skirt with satin trim and
matching blouse. by CNB