Well, the Wimble-Scramble never happened, and the Memorial Day event won't be happening either, but there are other things of note happening at Gulf Harbour. Two of the more important happenings pertain to major upgrades.
Your Facility
The first of those upgrades is the tennis enhancement project (one component of the overall project to improve our entire club façade), which will include new fencing, new pavers under the court cabanas, new drains, as well as foliage more conducive to court maintenance and aesthetic appeal, will begin on May 17.
The project, scheduled to run through July 9, may result in some minor inconveniences in court and event scheduling, but we believe the outcome will be well worth it. We are optimistically hoping for the project to be completed in time for our July 4th event.
Kudos to Captain’s Council
The second upgrade is the successful implementation of Gulf Harbour’s Ladies Captains Council. The Council navigated the choppy waters of the new process, and has selected the LCWTL teams for the 2010 – 2011 season. Gulf Harbour will field a total of 15 teams (10 rated & 5 Senior) next season, and should have every bit as much success, if not more, as we have had in previous seasons.
The Captains Council did a phenomenal job in creating and managing a new process of team formation and selection. Among the most noteworthy are Linda Van Wyk, who set an incredible standard as Council Chairperson, Norma Schuyler, whose database development and management were critical to the process, and Jenny Clark-King, who was caught between a rock and the hardest of places, and managed it as well as could be expected of anyone.
A new Captains Council will be in place after a meeting of the Council scheduled for Monday, May 17. A list of the new captains and the team rosters will be posted on the Teams & Leagues page of the Club website in the not too distant future.
Member Corner
Mondé Breton, a member of Gulf Harbour’s LCWTL 4.0- team this past season, has shown that in addition to being an excellent tennis player and golfer, she is one heck of a horse trainer. Mondé was honored with the designation of Canada’s Trainer of the Year for 2009. She is retiring as a trainer, so she has the distinction of going out on top of her game, something that is so difficult for most to do.
Speaking of distinction, Gulf Harbour's State Champion Men's Super Senior team traveled to Surprise, Arizona recently and played for a National USTA Championship. Captain, Ron Graham, lead our team of Bob Ostrom, Tim Jones, Tom Beckman, Tim Baldwin, Pet McElroy, Joe Schwartzel, Ted Watrous, to a 3rd place finish in their division. This is Gulf Harbour's second appearance on the national championship level in four years, and it's clearly a positive testament to the competitive spirit of our Club's tennis program.
Some of you who know Bob Ostrom realize he is undergoing some gruesome radiation treatments after recent cancer surgery. He traveled to Surprise with the team, and with his partner, Pete McElroy, they won their match against Hawaii. As usual, if you didn’t have inside info, you’d never know the man is successfully battling such a deadly opponent. Of course, he owes most of that tenacity to his ever faithful wife Pat, who could probably bring a marshmallow through Hades unscathed. Congratulations go out to everyone on this team!
In other competitive endeavors, two of our more talented tennis players, Alan Canfield and Maxwell Thompson, made the Ultimate Tennis (K-Swiss) League playoffs this past season. Although neither of them won their division title, it is an accomplishment just making it to the playoffs. And, if I’m not mistaken, Alan won his regional division for the second consecutive season.
Your Pros
Joel continues to sharpen his game playing USTA League tennis. Both Joel and his 4.5 League team finished with identical 4-1 records, clinching their regional competition. Apparently, as Joel goes, so goes his team.
Not too long after you read this, M.J. I will be on our way to Myrtle Beach. We’ll say “Hello” to the lovely fairways and greens for all of our talented two-sport members. For those who don’t already know, don’t play Pam Lemon and Robin Correnti in a best ball competition. Talk to Mike if you want the full scoop.
Mike will be holding down the Fort until we head for the USPTA Conference the first week of June.
Stay cool this summer and keep an eye out for the next installment of your Gulf Harbour Tennis Blog. Game, set, match...
