LOCAL NOTES : Timmons Could Face AVP Fine

Newport Beach’s Steve Timmons could be facing a fine if he decides to return to the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals’ beach tour in two weeks.

Timmons would be fined a minimum $1,550 for skipping the AVP’s Seal Beach Open two weeks ago to compete in the Olympic year ’92 tournament in Almeria, Spain, a violation of the tour’s players agreement.

“I think any kind of fine is stupid,” Timmons said Sunday. “They were trying to get the best players over there (Spain) and give more exposure to the game. The AVP is only hurting itself.”

The fine would be at least half of the prize money Timmons and partner Steve Obradovich earned for their eighth-place finish ($3,100 each) in Spain. Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos, who won the Spain tournament, were fined $70,000, their entire Spain winnings, and suspended for one tournament for violating the players agreement.

AVP President Jon Stevenson said Timmons and Obradovich, neither of whom have played on the tour this season, were notified before leaving for Spain that they could lose half their prize money.

No action has been taken yet by the AVP board of directors.

Timmons played on the beach tour the past two seasons, but sat out this year to play indoors in Italy and with the U.S. Olympic team.

Stevenson said Timmons could be fined if he competes in an AVP event this season. Timmons said he is looking for a partner for a $100,000 tournament Sept. 10-12 in Santa Barbara. “They might wind up owing me money,” Timmons said.

Tony Lara of Oakland won the men’s open singles title at the Junior Wheelchair Tennis Championships at Felippe Tennis Center in Mission Viejo.

Lara beat David Hopler of Oakland, 6-2, 7-6, in the title match. Hopler and Vith Ing of Long Beach came back to beat Lara and Victor Villicana of Arcadia, 6-3, 6-2, in the doubles final.

Gina Jalbert of Arcadia beat Alycia Busciglio of Anaheim, 6-4, 6-0, for the women’s open title.

But Busciglio and Christine Isham of Sylmar beat Jalbert and Allie Heil of Tustin, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2, for the doubles title.