DATE: January 2010 [PDF]
Presidents Parley | From the Manager | Hunter's Lair | Results | New Members | Last Month's News
Some Questions and Answers about
Timberhill Tennis Club (TTC)
This is well worth your time to read! Carolyn Simmons
Q: How is TTC organized?
A: We are a G.IRC 501 (c) (7) organization.
Q: What on Earth is that?
A: That's a club with members who come together for social or recreational purposes.
Q: How does TTC operate?
A: We are a member-owned non-profit organization, supported mostly by members'
dues.
Q: How do things get done at TTC?
A: Besides a paid Manager and Director of Tennis, TTC is supported almost entirely
by member volunteers.
Q: What do these volunteers do, and where do you find them?
A: These volunteers are members - like you and me - who offer their time, talent,
and service to make sure TTC meets the needs of all members. Volunteers provide
governance and organize several social activities such as the Chili Feed, B'day
BBQ, Mix-n-Match Tennis, auctions, parties, etc. to benefit all TTC members!
Q: Why do I need to know all this? After all, I pay my dues each month. Isn't
that enough?
A: If you think your dues are enough to keep TTC thriving, you should think
again. Dues keep the lights on, the water running, and the mortgage and staff
paid. Most everything else involves the ongoing commitment, involvement, and
hard work of member's like you and me. For example, years ago when the building
required painting, Bob Graham mixed stain and preservatives in laundry tubs
and members used their garden spray tanks to get the job done. Members made
it happen, and a great party followed! That's the real spirit of TTC!
Q: It seems as though this Club will only continue to thrive with the direct
involvement of its owners (aka members, aka us)?
A: Right on!! Money doesn't cook chili, organize mixed-doubles fun days, or
plan for TTC's future. Members do! We do!
Q: So, how can I help?
A: Thanks for asking. You can volunteer to serve on the Board, TTC committees,
help organize an event, suggest new ideas, and/or talk and network with other
members to find activities that would be of common interest.
Q: Who would I contact to get myself more involved?
A: Contact the General Manager, Director of Tennis or any Board member-see who
they are on the bulletin board across from the kitchen.
Q: What if we all just pay our dues and play tennis? I'm really busy and. .
.?
A: Without member involvement, services would be reduced and the family feel
at TTC would be compromised. More importantly, governance of TTC would begin
to slip out of the hands of the members. We'd all end up losing out.
So, please keep in mind:
" Corvallis is a family friendly town.
" Timberhill Tennis Club is a family friendly club.
" Families who help and encourage their own members are the families who
find genuine meaning and joy in their lives.
I'm so glad we're all in this TTC family, aren't you? Let's all join in the
fun for the love of the game.
Locker Policy
Last month we announced a new policy about lockers. We will now charge $24 per
year to hold a locker full time at the club. We will provide locks that you
can get through Gary. All old locks will be cut off as of Jan. 1, 2010. If there
are items in the locker when we cut the old locks off, we will place a new lock
on that locker. All you have to do is notify Gary and he will give you the combination
of the lock and it is yours.
Remember that it is still okay to use a locker for the 1-½ hours that
you play at the club.
2010 TTC Directory
We have updated the TTC Directory, from the draft copy that has been circulating
around the clubhouse this past month. The final copy is at the printers and
we hope to have the 2010 ready to hand out by the middle of January. Keep an
eye out for them.
USTA Adult League
We have had organizational meeting for the 20010 USTA Adult League season the
middle of December. The team commitments must be in by the beginning of January
and the season will start Feb. 13 and run for 3 ½ months. If you are
still interested in playing but did not attend the meetings, we may still have
some spots open. Just contact Gary and he can tell you if some of the teams
are still looking for players.
New York New Year's Eve Party
We have planned a New Year's eve party on Thursday evening Dec. 31 from 6:30
- 10:15pm.We will bring in the New Year at 9:00pm as we watch the ball drop
in New York's time square. We will have appetizer and desserts at the event
as well as open tennis. This will even give you time to clean up and get to
a midnight party later for those with the energy to do so. Put this event on
your calendar. If you are interested in helping with the event, contact John
Myers the host of the event.
Happy New Year!
League season is just around the corner. Aside from our ongoing lessons, adult
clinics and Tennis Welcome Centers, your Timberhill teaching staff is also available
to run USTA League team practices. We can customize these practices to work
on whatever skills you'd like your team to improve upon. In fact, many of the
adult group classes that I give these days are "custom classes". That
is, a person forms his or her own group and comes to me to set up a weekly or
biweekly time. I will always continue to offer the open adult classes on weekday
mornings and evenings, but if the "custom class" idea appeals to you,
let me know and we can put a time together for you.
John & Phil's Toyota Championships will be held here at he club January 15-17. 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. Bring a blanket, and look forward to seeing some top-notch tennis.
On the junior end of things, the new clinic session begins on Jan. 4, and the upcoming Junior Fest is Jan. 22. If you haven't been at the club on a Friday lately, come check out what we've been doing. We've been running monthly "Rookie Leagues" for kids who are just starting match play, and alternating every other month between Junior Fest and Quickstart Rallyball (for the really young ones) and Junior Team Tennis (for high school and middle school tournament players). Prior to this Junior Fest, at 6pm on the Jan. 22, is our annual Junior Tournament information meeting. If you're new to the junior tournament scene or you just want more information on how to get involved, this is a great opportunity to ask questions about the process.
Also, save the date of Saturday, January 30 for the Adult/Junior Challenge. This has been a popular yearly event, teaming Juniors with Adults for a doubles tournament. There are three flights based on team ability level and the junior's age, and each flight is completed in less than three hours. Find your partner and sign up in the lobby soon.
Upcoming Friday night Junior events
Rallyball/Junior Team Tennis 6:30 - 9:00pm;Feb. 26 and April 16
Rookie League 6:30 - 7:45pm; Jan 8, Feb. 19, March 5, April 9, May 7
Junior Fest 7:30 - 8:30pm; Jan 22, March 12, May 14
USTA team results as of December 10, 2009
Mixed 6.0 3-4
Mixed 7.0 4-2
Mixed 8.0 3-5
Senior 3.5 Men 6-2
Super Seniors 3.5 1-6
Looking to substitutes or new people to play. Please feel free to use these
new members listed below to fill-in play times, or you can join our Timberhill
Yahoo Group, check out our substitute listings in the TTC clubhouse, or check
out our Web directory. Access to that involves a user and password.
User: ttc
Password: GaryandHunter
There are lots of ways to find other players as well as joining up to play in
many of our programs. If you really get desperate for players you can always
call or email Gary and he can help you out as well.
Kimmie Schuster 752-0763: Kimmie is a 14 year old junior member who
can play most times when not in school. Kimmie likes singles but will play doubles
as well.
Ralph & Shelley Gleffe 509-388-9788: Ralph and Shelly have just moved
to Corvallis from Yakima. Ralph plays at the 4.0 level and Shelly plays at the
3.0 level. Daughter Taylor (16) will play on the varsity at Crescent Valley
High School and son Grant (14) also plays at the intermediate level.
Caitlin Hilton 740-5454: Caitlin plays on the Corvallis High School team
and is a sophomore. Caitlin can play after school and during the weekends.
Patrick Yun 738-0810: Patrick is a senior at Crescent Valley and plays
on the tennis team. He like singles but will also fill in for doubles.
Jeff McCubbins 758-0336: Jeff has joined back after taking a tennis vacation
the past few years. He plays at the 4.0 level. He has joined as a couple with
Debbie Bird who is just starting her tennis career.
Kent Welter 240-418-3248: Kent plays at the 4.0/4.5 level and can play
evenings or weekends and enjoys singles, but will play doubles.