Florida Tour ‘Making Waves’ with Pro Style

By Tom Burke

Embracing a “runner-up” compliment is rare for most.  So, when Chris Colgan, in charge of the “ZephyrhillsTM Dig the Beach Series” Florida beach volleyball tour, was informed that many players compared his tournaments to those of the prominent AVP, he was ecstatic. 

“Wow, that’s really great to hear,” said Chris, whose company caters to players by providing “five-star service to the athlete” by addressing their needs.

The popularity of this Zephyrhills tour, formerly known as the “Bud Light Tour,” has grown in recent years.  After primary sponsorship changed from Anheuser Busch to Nestle’s Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water, Colgan and partner Matthew Lorraine purchased the Exclusive Sports Marketing (ESM) in April 2006.  Since then, the organization has been “making waves” by improving the tour each year. 

ESM is well-positioned in the lucrative Florida recreational market, where 90 percent of the population lives within 10 miles of the beach. It attracts a mixture of families and singles to the tournaments by choosing top locations.  Florida’s coastline, approximately 600 miles in length, offers a variety of beach towns to pick from.  On the laid-back Gulf Coast, where the water is tranquil and the sand base shallower, favorites include Siesta Key, Clearwater and Fort Myers.  And on the East Coast, where the surf is rougher and the sand deeper, the popular Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami beaches are selected for their excitement and nightlife.

This tour rules when compared to Florida tournaments conducted by other organizers.  Cindy Phillips, a two-time winner on this circuit, says “‘Dig the Beach’ pays attention to the athlete, and the tournaments are run very professionally.”  From March through September, this tour is preferred by players, in part, because the competition finishes in a single day and matches start “on-time, every time,” according to newcomer Mark Van Zwieten.

“Preparations take place between Wednesday and Friday to set-up the approximate 40 courts, stands, tents, sponsor banners, and a sound system,” said the ever-busy event director, David Swanson. He oversees the tournaments on both weekend days – Saturdays where double-elimination competition is held in Open, AA, A, BB, and B divisions, and Sundays for coed and junior teams. On Saturdays, Colgan, ESM’s president, said about 200 teams typically participate. ESM seeks to fill each level with “athletes, beach lovers, sports fanatics, health freaks, sunbathers, beer drinkers, and weekend warriors.”

The ESM motto, “You don’t have to be a pro to be treated like a pro,” has led to providing tents, misting stands, free water and food, and massage therapy for the players – many of whom were referred to Dig the Beach by other players.

The open-level athletes who compete in these tournaments are a supportive and talented posse.

 “We have a small group of us who train together, and that keeps us friendly,” said Phillips.

For example, a strong, elite player base thrives in southeastern Florida near Deerfield Beach – one of the few beaches with permanent courts.  Representing nearby Pompano Beach are the well-known DiPierro and Van Zwieten beach volleyball families.  

Mike DiPierro, who earned a spot in the recent AVP Miami Main Draw, remembers playing on the sand court as a kid in the Van Zwieten’s backyard with fellow AVP participating players, brother David and the three VZs,  Mark, Jim, and Steve. 

“When competing, sometimes the matches are heated.  But afterwards, everyone will hang-out,” Mike DiPierro said.

These men and women semi-pros, most all of whom have off-court occupations, contend for prize money and prestige on the seven, televised tour stops where points are earned towards seedings in the season-ending “National Championships” held in Miami.  These players’ competitiveness and skills are “second only to those in California,” says Nick Lucena, a former multi-tournament Florida champion who has progressed to the top ranks of the AVP. 

The fans also enjoy these events where DJs spin tunes and “miked” commentators roam through the courts.  And with free admission, sponsor gifts and skill contests such as precision serving and watermelon eating, what’s not to like?  

“The fans are great,” said Morgan Flarity, who has several high tournament finishes. “They are always cheering us on.”

The enterprising Colgan further attracts spectators by holding the finals inland and at night. As Tyler Lesneski, a four-time tour champion recalled, “The most fun I have ever had was in Siesta Key last year where we won the tournament in the sponsoring Hooters parking lot under the lights.”  

And at the end of an exciting day, the tour hosts its legendary Saturday night party at a local bar for both players and fans who party until last-call. Here, stoked players can be seen dancing with their oversized, cardboard prize checks – a sizeable amount of scratch, in some cases.

“We talk all about our funny plays and hard losses,” Morgan added. “It’s fun to share a drink with everyone at the end of the day.”

The future is bright for Florida beach volleyball, as anchored by the ever-improving “Zephyrhills Dig the Beach Series” tour.  In upcoming years, Colgan enthusiastically envisions increasing the prize money, adding more tour stops, attracting players outside of the state, contracting with more sponsors, and building-up the juniors division by supporting the upstart “Club Beach Dig” program that Phillips leads.

“It’s the best-run tour. They really put on a great show,” said Tyler.