Sizzling Tennis Weekend in November!

Just lil ole me again folks. Don'tcha know I just love chatting informally with my favorite folks :). If you thought Boot Camp got the season off to a good start, wait until you get a gander at this weekend's activities!

USPTA Ritzman Tennis Pro League
The big “Battle of the Ages” is in the leadoff position, as Joel and I will square off for our respective teams this Friday, November 5, at 4pm right here at Gulf Harbour. If you didn’t already know, Mike and I are on the same team again this year, and Mike will be in action at the same time as we try to maintain the slim lead we took after the first match at the Landings.

Gulf Harbour has been a terrific venue for the Pro League, not just because we have one of the loveliest tennis venues in the southwest, but because we have some of the most enthusiastic tennis members on the planet! Let’s keep the tradition alive and come out in force this Friday.

If Gulf Harbour spirit and exciting tennis don’t motivate you, how about food and drink? There will be plenty available for your responsible (or otherwise- and I'll never tell) consumption at the event. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Homecoming Tennis Festival
Whether or not you make it for Friday's fun, I hope you are among the 32 enthusiasts who have already taken all of round robin slots in the Homecoming Tennis Festival, starting at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 6th.  There are 10 people on the waiting list, so if you haven't already registered for that, you are relegated to eating, drinking and making merry at the pool after the tennis (so sad :().

Thus far, in addition to the 32 players, there are 16 partiers on the list for the social gathering afterward at the pool (6:00 p.m. start), and that list is growing. We would love to see every tennis member at, what we hope will be, a standing room only event this Saturday afternoon. Set your DVRs and TIVOs for college football and come meet some new tennis members and reconnect with some familiar ones.

For a $10 donation, you reap two hours of fun tennis, refreshments provided by Food & Beverage, entertainment by Tribal Love, and most importantly, a good time shared with friends old and new. Even if you don’t play tennis, the festivities at the pool will begin after the round robin at 6:00 p.m. and everyone is welcome, so register online or on the bulletin board, and call 444-3644 if you have questions.

Team Report

We are sure you will not be surprised to know that several Gulf Harbour LCWTL teams are among the leaders in their divisions after the first few weeks of the season. Our Defending Champion 3.0-Minus team led by Karen Brady has yet to lose a single match (8-0 in individual match play), and is tied for first place. In the 3.5-Minus Division, Laurie Watson and Linda Van Wyk’s Power Shots hold their division lead after posting an 11-1 individual match record thus far, and Liz Byck and Becky Marshall’s Sure Shots are only a few points back in third position.

In senior division play, Val Steigerwald and Joan Palermo’s Silver Strings lead the way in the Silver Division with a 15-1 individual match record, sweeping three of their first four opponents. Hanging tough in fifth position in the Silver Division is our Silver Belles team, with Monnie Kane and Sue Weiss at the helm.

As far as I can tell from the intel coming in, our Men’s teams begin play Monday, November 15th at 2:00 p.m. at Gulf Harbour when John Hess’ White-B team takes on Lehigh. I believe John’s team took home the second place prize last season, and despite moving up a level this year, it should still be at or near the top of its division.

We have two Blue-A teams this year, with Jim Masiello and Tony Cupaiuolo (two rival factions from Sicily :)) vying for dominance in that division. Having been near the top of the division last season, Jim believes he should handle Tony’s boys with little problem, seeing that Tony’s team has moved up a division. Tony’s response? “Fugitaboudit!”

Ok, ok, I’m making it up. Neither Jim nor Tony was consulted prior to publication, but it should be fun with both teams beginning play at home on Tuesday, November 16th at 2:00 p.m. I’m still awaiting schedule information from our other men’s teams.

Please remember that you will be able to find out when all of our teams play at home and away, and how they are doing by consulting the Tennis Teams & Leagues link on the Tennis page of the Club website. Of course there is much more to tell, but I am out of time, so until next: game, set, match Gulf Harbour!!!