T. A.'s Gulf Harbour Hall of Game

The great thing about writing a blog is that you have a great deal of freedom to do just about anything you want...within reason of course. In addition to thanking the very thoughful members who have been so supportive during a difficult moment, I'd like to recognize the first inductees into T.A.'s Gulf Harbour Hall of Game.

What is the Gulf Harbour Hall of Game? The Hall of Game is intended to showcase tennis playing members who have made extraordinary contributions, past and/or present, to Gulf Harbour tennis...and....who have made signficant deposits into my checking and/or savings account. See me for the minimum donation. Seriously though, the off season is a great time to recognize some of those who make our program what it is.

Just so you know, neither the Tennis Advisory Committee, nor the Board of Governors, nor the US Senate, nor the Judiciary, nor President Obama has anything at all to do with the selection process for the Hall of Game. This is purely my invention, and even people who use steroids are eligible for inclusion...as long as they use those streoids for the enhancement of Gulf Harbour Tennis. Also, although many members may qualify for the Hall of Game based upon their contributions, induction is limited by my ability to find time and energy to do these. That said, on to our first inductees.

It seems appropriate to initiate the Hall of Game with the leader of Gulf Harbour's inaugural Captains Council, Linda Van Wyk. Linda was born and raised in Menasha, Wisconsin with her five brothers. She graduated from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a BS in Accounting, and received her Certified Public Accounting license in 1981.

Prior to her marriage to Tom Van Wyk in 1987, Linda worked for multiple financial institutions and Jack's Pizza (now owned by Kraft). Shortly after marrying, the couple purchased a union sub-contracting firm that performed work throughout Wisconsin. Linda's role included handling all of the administrative, insurance and accounting functions for the company.

Linda has been a founding board member of a regional chapter of the trade group Construction Management Association, board member of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters local chapter, Board member of the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley Foundation, and a member of Women in Construction.

A proud step-mom to two great sons and grandma to two wonderful grandkids, Linda retired with Tom in 2001 and moved to the paradise that is Gulf Harbour. It has been the great fortune of Gulf Harbour’s tennis program that the Van Wyks chose to retire here, because they have been extremely generous in their contributions to charitable causes, and Linda has given most generously of her time (much to Tom’s dismay).

In addition to serving as Co-Captain of the Lee County Women’s Tennis League Double Trouble 3.0 team during the 2009 – 2010 Season, Linda took on the daunting task of chairing the inaugural Captains Council. Linda’s previous administrative and leadership experiences were evident as she navigated the choppy waters quite well in establishing a new institution at Gulf Harbour that should enhance our team formation process for years to come.

At least as difficult as getting an institution started is moving it forward to the next level. Taking the helm to lead us in that process is another brave and hearty soul, Sally Mellendorf. Nicknamed “No Mercy Mellendorf,” for good reason, Sally has led the Double Trouble 3.0 team (the one Linda Co-Captained) for the past three years, finishing in second position in the division each of the past two, and has been our Club Champion in her division multiple times, most recently in the 2009 - 2010 season. 

This determined native of Clio, Michigan, the middle child of three, also brings a business background to the table that should assist her with the difficult task ahead. A graduate of Baker Business College in Saginaw, Michigan, Sally began her business career in the insurance industry, with an emphasis in accounting. The parallels with her Co-Captain are uncanny, as she also migrated to the construction industry in the early 80s.

Sally eventually returned to the insurance industry, and is licensed to meet consumers’ insurance needs in all 50 states. She and husband and partner George Mellendorf, also an insurance business owner at the time, married their businesses and personal lives in 1998. Despite holding licenses in every state, the Mellendorfs made Florida and Gulf Harbour their home base in 2001, and again, we are better off for it.

Sally and George’s clan are a modern day Brady Bunch plus. In Sally’s own words, “I brought to the marriage two handsome boys and he brought three beautiful girls. We now have nine fantastic grandchildren!“ Given all of the above and ailing family members to boot, Sally will need all of the help she can get from the other captains on the Captains Council this coming season. Kudos to Sally for taking on this incredible responsibility.

Ok tennis friends, that's it for the first edition of T. A.'s Gulf Harbour Hall of Game. Keep your eyes peeled, because if you're bringing your "A-game" to the program, chances are you'll find your picture in the Hall of Game. Until next...game, set, match....