Presidents' Parlay | From the Manager | USTA League Signups | Hunter's Lair | New Members | Last Month's News
December end of the year time for reviews and retrospectives. I'll make this one short so stay with me.
First, thanks to all our outgoing board members for their service throughout the year, but especially to Liz and Pam, the co-presidents from 2002 who have been great advisors this year and have put in more than their share of work this year. Gay and I will be returning next year as past co-presidents to advise the new board members. Definitely the most excitement and concern last year came when Tom Simas came to the board and said he wanted to buy the club. Visions of a club with saunas, exercise equipment, no leaks, and insulation, were tempered by the reality of loss of ownership and loss of charting our own future. You voted overwhelmingly to keep ownership and it's still our club and we love it.
What's the positive been? Although some of us "elderly" people don't see it directly, everyone connected heaps great praise on our junior program. Hunter has done a terrific job. Keep up the good work! We've seen (or soon will) some club improvements too. New surface on the parking lot. New stove, new carpet and paint in the clubhouse. New fixtures (let's hear the cheers, ladies) in the bathrooms as well as new colors there too. We hope to follow that up with new mats, lights, and sinks next year. The bathroom improvements were mainly financed with the proceeds from our first annual silent auction.
The only real downer was the break-in this fall. The biggest loss was the rackets from the pro shop, but those have been recovered. Doors and locks have been improved and the police have leads on the culprit. All-in-all it was a good year. Don't forget the New Years' Eve party!
Gary Watson (co-president)
THREE NEW YEARS TENNIS RESOLUTIONS
1. I promise I will practice the new things I have learned, when I'm in my practice matches. How about that for a toughy! You're going to practice during your practice matches!!! It still amazes me how difficult this is, but this year we'll improve! Here's a pointer that will help. One reason why you do not practice is because you may lose and never be asked again to play with these better players. This is understandable, but how about this approach. Practice new things in your fun matches just for 5 minutes. You do not have to practice the whole time, just 5 minutes here and there during the match. As you have more success with the new technique add additional time. Before you know it, it will become part of your game!
2. I will not get down on myself when I make mistakes or begin losing. This is a problem for most people, but this year will be different...right! You'll clearly realize this year that mistakes and losing are part of learning how to win. Even if you are number one in the world you'll make mistakes and lose. Accept it as part of the process and learn to deal with it and move on. If you have trouble, remember, "mentally tough people can think in terms of negatives without getting discouraged" or the old reliable "the next shot is more important than the last mistake." Either way forget it and keep moving!
3. I'll remember to use the Australian formation in doubles more often this year. This is important because it's time to have another weapon in your doubles arsenal. Use the Australian formation in your fun matches more often this year, even if it's not necessary. By the end of the year your goal should be to become so familiar with the Australian formation that you can pull it out in an important match and confound your opponents not yourself!
Well, there you have three New Years resolutions. The rest is up to you! Let's see is there anything else I forgot...oh yea!...Happy New Year! Gary
JOHN & PHILS TOYOTA CHAMPIONSHIPS
The premier tennis event in Corvallis will be here on January 16-18 with many of the best male and female tennis players in the Pacific Northwest. There are open and senior singles, doubles and mixed doubles events offered. Spectators are free and encouraged to come out and watch the best tennis at the club for the whole year.
RESERVATION QUIRKS
Timberhill has one of the most unique and user friendly service for making court reservations. After having this computer system for a few years it does (as most computer systems do have) a few quirks in it. Here are a couple of things you may have run into before.
NEW YEARS EVE PARTY
Timberhill will be hosting its annual New Year's ever tennis party on December
31 starting at 8:00pm and ending after bringing in the year 2004. Gay Hall and
Gary Watson will be hosting lots of tennis, food, fun and friends. Put this
great social event on your calendar and look for the sign-up sheet in the lobby.
DROP-IN PROGRAMS CHANGE
As many of you may have already noticed there have been a couple of changes
to our weekly drop-in programs.
The Sunday mixed doubles evening has changed its time starting now at 2:45pm and finishing at 5:15pm so you all can get home for dinner.
The former Monday night Women's night has now become an Adult Mixed doubles evening keeping the same time 7:45pm until closing. We have had much better turnout for this program and encourage any adult players at all levels to participate in that program.
2004 TTC MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
We are currently working on our 2004 TTC Membership Directory and will have
a copy out in the lobby. Please check the names, address, and telephone numbers
for accuracy. If you want to change or add something just do so on the draft
copy. We are also trying to update e-mail addresses, so please add either a
new or change on the draft copy.
We also still have a couple of spots open for advertising in the Directory. Your business receives 1/2 page of advertisement space for $100. If you are interested we need to know by Jan. 10, 2004.
USTA League is just around the corner, with the playing season starting the end of February through mid June. The sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in the TTC clubhouse. We have scheduled an evening meeting for each skill level to go through USA League rules and TTC league policies. We will also divide teams and talk about equal play versus competitive levels of competition. We will also be deciding team captains or co-captains so if you are interested let Gary know. The meeting schedule is:
January 20 Women's 3.5 6:30pm
January 20 Women's 2.5 7:30pm
January 21 Men's 4.5 7:30pm
January 22 Men's 4.0 6:30pm
January 26 Women's 3.0 6:30pm
January 26 Men's 3.0 7:30pm
January 27 Women's 4.0 6:30pm
January 27 Men's 2.5 7:30pm
January 28 Men's 3.5 6:30pm
January 28 Women's 4.5 7:30pm
Put these dates on your calendar and make it a priority to attend.
Happy New Year! As we turn the corner into winter, I'll remind you of a few instruction options around the club. Brandi and I are both available to run team practices/lessons to tune up your crew for the USA League season. We can cover singles and doubles strategies or technical corrections you need. The adult clinics are still meeting - check in the lobby for the monthly dates and times. Also, save the date of Saturday, February 7 for the Adult/Junior Challenge. Find your partner for this one soon.
The John & Phil's Toyota Championships will be held here at the club January 16-18. Always a great event, we have been working hard to attract even more top area talent this year. Even if you aren't in the draw, this is a great spectator event, traditionally showcasing ex-touring pros, teaching pros from the area clubs, college players, and top juniors from the Northwest. We look forward to seeing you there.
On the junior end of things, the new clinic sessions begin Jan. 5 and the upcoming Junior Fest is on Jan. 9. Any parents who would like to host an upcoming Junior Fest should give Hunter a call. Also look for junior exchanges with other area clubs in the coming months.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
No new members this month.
Remember that if you looking for subs or just want to play a new face please give these players a call and make them feel welcome. Even new members can use this list of other new members also. If you are looking for other players to hook up with contact Gary at the club and he will help you get matches.
Do you need a partner to play with? If you can’t find players to play against please contact Gary at the office or use Timberhill’s web page - MatchMate