For Coral Springs’ Len Okyn, the two main reasons behind him playing in the Northwest Broward 55-Over Men’s Senior Tennis League is the camaraderie and the quality of the competition.

Okyn and his Coral Springs Tennis Center teammates had the best of both worlds as they took the regular-season title and then swept the three-game championship series over the Parkland Country Club to win it all for the second consecutive year.

Coral Springs finished the season with a 26-4 record, and walked off the court not only with trophies but also bragging rights.

“The competition is very steep,” said Okyn, the team captain all three years the league has been in existence. “It was a difficult task to repeat. There are some really good senior players, including some who have played college tennis.”

Perhaps more important that the championship is the friendships Okyn has gained over those years.

“One of the best things about the league is that we get along with everybody,” he said. “With my own team, after we play we go out and have wings. It is a good social event.”

Coral Springs topped Heron Bay to reach the finals, while Parkland defeated Eagle Trace.

In the title match, the Coral Springs No. 1 doubles team of Jack Kowal and John Cisneros came away with a 6-4; 6-3 triumph over Parkland’s Brian Kritchman and Lee Sussman. Coral Springs’ No. 2 duo of Nick St. Cavish and Jim Howrey topped Parkland’s Steve Fink and Bob Lewis, 6-1; 6-2, while Okyn and Humberto Florez won a three-setter over Parkland’s Jack Solinsky and Lorne Katz, 6-3, 5-7; 10-4 in No. 3 doubles.

The Northwest Broward league was formed by Katz three years ago, and includes teams from Eagle Trace, Sunrise Courts of Welleby, Woodmont and Heron Bay along with the two finalists.

Katz, who is also the captain of the Parkland team, called the United States Tennis Association three years ago trying to find a senior tennis league. He wound up forming one.

“All of the leagues were competitive skill-level like 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5, so I just decided to start an over-55 league of my own,” Katz said. “We initially had four teams and now we have six. Next year we hopefully will have seven teams. The guys enjoy it and it is a lot of fun.”

Katz said the camaraderie is what wins over many players decided whether or not to participate.

“The reason it is a lot of fun is because when you play with the same guys week in and week out, you know their game and they know your game,” Katz said. “Playing different players helps your game, and it is a nice thing. I think that is why the guys enjoy it.”

Woodmont captured the league title in the inaugural year, and Coral Springs has won back-to-back titles. Katz explained that Coral Springs is a good team and deserved to win.

“We were expecting them to win,” Katz said. “Coral Springs was by far the strongest team this year.”

Katz said they have a captains meeting in May to work on some new ideas like a structure and possibly having each player contribute $10 or $15 each toward an end-of-year awards party/luncheon.

He said the majority of the players in the league are in their 60s, but there are some in their 70s.

“We always try to stay in the Northwest Broward area and if there are any other teams in that area that would like to play in the league, they are welcome to join,” Okyn said. “It’s an easy league to play in and have fun in. There are not a lot of strenuous rules.”

If you are interested in the league, visit the website at .

, @SoFlaCurreri