Well Folks, the time is now. Events are happening, team clinics are rolling, matches are being played, and our friends are returning. Yes, "Season" is here. Ok, there's a lot to this blog, so grab yourself a drink and sit a while, or just read it in installments.
Tennis Team Boot Camp
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| Boot Camp Grunts |
As usual, the Tennis Team Boot Camp marked the dawning of our favorite time of year. I could tell you how great our Boot Camp was this year, but I’ll let some of the attendees do it for me. They are, after all, unbiased critics. For example, Chris Barnes, while discussing Tuesday’s Boot Camp session exclaimed, “It was probably the best clinic I’ve ever been to.” Carolyn Finn, one of our new additions to the GH Tennis family, wrote in an email the day after Boot Camp wrapped up, “Hello T.A, Loved boot camp. Wish it was still going. Got so many great tips.”
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| The Most Senior & Most Dedicated |
The numbers were slightly down from last year (our biggest day this year being 43, while 48 was the high last season), but there was no shortage of fun or hitting of tennis balls. John Kupferer bit the dust in his enthusiasm, but that didn’t stop him from coming back for more. Thankfully the weather cooperated relegated the misery we experienced during last season’s scorching Boot Camp to a lukewarm memory. Thanks to all who participated and we look forward to having you again next season.
What’s Next?
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| Meg Jacobs Won; Didn't She? |
Next on the tennis agenda are our Halloween Round Robin Mixer on Saturday, October 30, Gulf Harbour’s hosting of the USPTA Pro League (Friday, November 5), and the Welcome Back event on Saturday, November 6. Yep, we hit the ground running round these parts once season starts.
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| Gabe Gebara in Spirit of Halloween |
Our Halloween event is usually a ghost...uh.. I mean gas. We’ve had some terrific costumes the past two years and would love to keep the tradition going this year. Linda V, Tom? Care to defend your titles? Or was that the year before? Nancy you can’t wear that Uncle Sam hat again. I think it gave you a permanent crick in the neck (lol). And PLEASE, no more Bill Wright impersonations. One Bill Wright is plenty; right Bill? Oh, by the way, you cannot win with the same costume you wore last year, and the year before (LOL).
Oh, almost forgot…If the kids or grandkids are around, they would probably enjoy the Children’s Halloween Party, complete with scavenger hunt and “tricky treats,” beginning at 11:00 a.m. that Saturday morning at the clubhouse. Click here (you'll have to login to Club website)for more info on the kids’ party and/or to sign up.
Welcome Back Mixer
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| Wennie & Joan Celebrate Victory for 60-Plus |
As soon as the costumes come off, it will be time for the Homecoming Tennis Festival (as named by George “Big Daddy” Kane), which will serve the same function as the Welcome Back Mixer. Many of our tennis friends will have just returned, and it is a great time to meet and greet the new and old, the meek and bold on and off the court.
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| Post Tennis Relaxation |
This year’s event consists of tennis in the late afternoon, followed by a poolside gathering catered by our outstanding Food & Beverage department. You know how sweet it is, after a good session of tennis, to sit and chat with friends, cuddling a glass of vino, a cold brewski, and/or a smorgasbord of culinary delights to make your tummy smile. That’s what we have in store for you on Saturday November 6. Just a heads up: This one will be a first-come-first-served affair for the 32 slots available for the tennis component of the evening. More details will soon be available online and on the bulletin board. Please check the tennis page of the Club Website for details.
League Play Preview
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| Jenny's Ladies Took the Title |
At least 23 teams (one more than last season) will represent Gulf Harbour in League play this season. Currently we have eight (8) rated teams and seven (7) senior teams in the Lee County Women’s Tennis League (LCWTL), seven (7) teams in Lee County Men’s Leagues, and one (1) USTA League team.
Terry Brady’s 70-plus 69-ers and Rich Fox and Tim Baldwin’s White-A team will be defending champions on the men’s side. Our 3.0-Minus Dream Team, formerly captained by Jenny King and Darlene Mattcheck, now led by Karen Brady and Darlene Mattcheck, is the only defending champion amongst our ladies teams.
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| Diehard Spectators Enjoying the Action |
We had a number of close finishes last season and are likely to have a few more this season. However, Val Steigerwald’s Silver Strings got us off to a great start last week with a sweep of the historically strong Landings team in the first match of the season on Friday, October 8. The Strings have their home opener this coming Friday, October 15 at 11:00 a.m. so come on out and cheer them on.
Speaking of cheering for our teams, you can find out when and where your favorite players and teams are playing during the season by clicking on the following links for rated teams match schedules and senior teams schedules. And don’t forget to check the Tennis Teams & Leagues page for the latest on your teams throughout the season.
Before the real madness of season descends, I’d like to thank last season’s team captains for doing such a terrific job of coordinating and managing our teams, and I’d also like to thank this season’s captains for taking on that difficult task.
USPTA Fort Myers Pro League
Phew! Can you believe you're still reading? Anyway...The USPTA Pro League opens play on Friday October 22, 4:00 p.m. at the Landings, and this season promises to be a really stimulating campaign. Two seasons ago Mike and I were on the same team and our team won. Well, we are back together again (although Mike’s on Court 1 and I’m on Court 2), and we will be looking to reclaim the title that neither of us held a piece of last season for the first time in several years (Mike had a nice streak going for a while there).
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| Enjoying Pro League at Gulf Harbour |
Mike will be playing with Scott Harrington, whom he partnered in 2007 to claim the USPTA’s No.1 national ranking in Men’s Open Doubles, and I will be sharing courts with Patrick Kangwa of the Landings at the No.2 position. Unfortunately Joel will be playing with Shawn Hedrick for another team, also on the No.2 court. Don’t worry; I won’t feel too bad if you cheer for Joel when we play each other. Be sure to pat him on the back and say, “good match” after Patrick and I put a spanking on 'em (LOL).
Stay tuned for a complete schedule of pro league matches which will be posted on our website and on the bulletin board adjacent to Court 1. Be sure to put Friday, November 5th on your calendar, because that is the day that Pro League comes to Gulf Harbour.
Members on Recovery Trail
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| Bob Ostrom: Mild Mannered He Ain't |
You probably couldn’t tell from his game or his demeanor, but Bob Ostrom had to visit the surgeon again on Monday (10/11) to have a cancerous lymph node and tissue around it removed. Apparently the surgery went well, and believe it or not, Bob was in our office today for a meeting. If it weren't for the staples in his neck, you would never know that the man underwent life-threatening surgery two days ago. Incredible!
Norma Schuyler continues her battle with breast cancer, and although she has escaped the crippling chemo, she will undergo radiation treatments for the next several weeks. Of course her friends, teammates, and our staff miss her and can’t wait for her to get back into her tennis shoes.
We’re sending out as much positive energy as we can to Bonnie Graham who is also in a fight with breast cancer. According to husband Ron, it was caught early and the prognosis is good. Bonnie we’re with you all the way!
While those above are in the midst of their toughest challenges, a few others have emerged victorious from theirs. Melanie Jackman made her debut on the courts after having a pacemaker installed just a few weeks ago. Melanie was either well-tanned or covered in Rustoleum, because during last Saturday’s round robin, you could hardly tell that she had been out for several weeks. Welcome back Melanie!
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| Peerless Leader Jenny King |
Jenny King, captain of our only LCWTL team that won its division (3.0-Minus) last season, made a cameo appearance during Boot Camp and you wouldn’t know that she had been on the mend from a gall bladder removal. Sturdy stuff is what Gulf Harbour tennis players are made of.
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| Always about the Smile |
As we show support for our fellow tennis family members who are having tough times, I would also like to note that although you seldom see Tim Baldwin do anything but smile and create situations for others to smile, he has major trials which include caring for a mom who’s struggling through the ebb and flow of senior survival, and a son who is recovering from horrific wounds suffered while serving his country. I’m sure Tim would welcome any show of support and fellowship.Bruno Glavich & Gina LaMana
Sheri & Robert Krzak
Rulx & Debra Ganthier (Solange & Isabella)
Tom & Kimberly Ghuman (Daughter Allison & son Joey)
I'm sad to say that it looks as though our planed two sessions of scary tennis will be whittled down to one. As of this writing, we only have seven (7) brave souls willing to display their wares that early on a Saturday morning, and that’s frightfully inadequate to hold the 8:00 a.m. round robin. If we can’t get that number up to 16, I’m afraid we will have to go with just one costumed session from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. That session is now filled, but you might want to get on the wait list in case we have the usual few who fall by the wayside just prior to the event.
