Multi-talented Warwick resident on first place team in national tennis competition

WARWICK — Warwick resident Rosita Gilsenan, an accomplished artist, musician, singer, actress, yoga instructor and businesswoman, is now a tennis champ.
Gilsenan, who winters in Florida, is a member of the women's 65 & over Pelican Marsh, Naples tennis team representing USTA Florida from Collier County.
USTA, the United States Tennis Association, offers tournament play at the national level.
And at the USTA Invitational 65 and over championships held in Surprise, Arizona, in late January, her team defeated the Harbour Square Athletic Club team from St. Edmonds, Washington, to capture the national division title.
In order to represent Florida, Gilsenan explained that her team had to first best many local teams to represent Collier County in the state finals.
Gilsenan's team won those finals to represent the State of Florida in the national competition.
There were a total of 15 teams competing in Arizona from all over the USA, including one from Hawaii and one from Puerto Rico.
"My tennis partner and I were the only members of our team to play all of the six matches it took to win the championship," she said. "We were undefeated. We won all six, playing two matches a day, for three days in a row."
When she's back home in Warwick, Gilsenan plays tennis at the Spa in Vernon, the Highland Lakes Country Club and the Warwick Country Club.
"I started playing when my children were small at Orange Hollow Racquet club in Goshen," she said. "It's a great way to stay fit and enjoy the fresh air."
Local residents may recall that in 2012 Gilsenan, owner of the Gilsenan Designs bathroom, cabinetry, design and sales firm on First Street in the Village of Warwick, closed her showroom.
Perhaps no one at that time had a greater impact on Railroad Avenue and First Street than Gilsenan, who had purchased the historic ballroom and stables next to the former Demarest Hotel, now an office building.
She was able to bring the building back to life, creating the courtyard on Railroad Avenue after the style of her hometown in Ireland, where she also owned the Maperath Art Center, Maperath, Kells, in County Meath.
As to her most recent success, she stated, "I'm still incredulous about it."
- Roger Gavan