In This Issue:

SECOND ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY - MAY 18TH MIXED DOUBLES TOURNAMENT - JUNE 8TH Notes from the Ladder Director Welcome New Members! 80th Year Anniversary Gala - July 13, 2008!!! FRIDAY NIGHT AFFAIRS

A New Member's Perspectives MOUNTAIN GATE INTERCLUB INTERCLUB NEWS Westchester Reigns MEMBER BULLETIN BOARD MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TRIP - NEWPORT BEACH MARRIOTT HOTEL & SPA

SECOND ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY - MAY 18TH

11am - 3pm, FREE to the public - Click here for the flyer

All hands on deck! Santa Monica Tennis Club is hosting this USTA Block Party (Free) at Reed Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in association with SMOHI, Tennis Patrons, USTA, and SCTA. It is being advertised by flyers and newspaper advertising in the Santa Monica Daily Press and a link in the USTA web site. Last year we had over 200 attendees and this year they expect at least that many of the "younger generation" to attend as it is also being sent to the schools in this area.

We are extremely fortunate to have the same group of musicians that played for us last year and were so wonderful. Our own Harry Weiss is going to be the MC and SMTC has the responsibility of signing people up as they enter the park to attend so this will require at least ten people. We are also going to have our membership booth like last year where we had five new members sign up and four are still with us.

Prince racquets is the 'official' demonstrator of their products, along with SCTA's speed gun and Gene Desrochers' cardio tennis demo, Mike Nissley's double strategy classes, etc. so there will be lots to see and do. Please let us know what times would be best for you to help us. Send this to any of the board members and we will coordinate with you.

Thanks in advance.

- Marguerite Jorgensen

Back To Top

MIXED DOUBLES TOURNAMENT - JUNE 8TH

We are having this popular tournament a little early this year…you will play with the same partner all of the matches…imagine that for a change! We will have at least two divisions, a 3.5 and a 4.0 and we will have a 4.5 if we have enough entries. Keep your eye out for the person you play the best with, ask them and you are a team (if they accept). It still will be a round-robin format and you do not have to wonder who your partner is going to be the next match. We will have trophies for first and second place, with a ribbon for third place.

You may bring a guest to play with at a slightly higher price. If you do not know anyone to be your partner, you may enter as a single and we will try to match you up with a partner (no complaints later).

The fee will be $30 per team for members, or $35 per team if you play with a guest. Single entries are $15 and guest entries are $20.

Please mail entry form to:

David Ullum
8707 Falmouth Avenue #308
Playa del Rey, CA 90392
Phone (310) 822-2927
E-mail: secondson543@aol.com

Click here for the entry form.

Back To Top

NOTES FROM LADDER DIRECTOR

A reliable source reports that a women's singles match will soon be played, meaning that the Women's Singles Ladder will return. And, of course, women are eligible to play on the Open Singles Ladder.

An unusual bit of strategy was decisive in my recent match with Andy Shore. Andy won the first set, but I won the second and was feeling good about my prospects. But, just before we started the third set, Andy said, "Winner buys lunch." Money being money, my will to win was diminished just enough for Andy to win a third set tiebreak.

Click here for the ladders page.

Back To Top

Welcome New Members

• Adler, Susy  323-857-6676   4.5
• Bartalsky,Daniel   310-926-3863   4.0
• Clarke, Chris   3l0-403- 0324   4.0 (returning after several years)
• Cohen, David   818-881- 9948   4.5
• Fishbeck, Cassandra   818-762-5538   4.5
• Foster, Daryl   323-294-9955   4.0
• Giorneli, Cassandra   310-394-6757   3.0
• Kuhbeck, Marc   310-980-1747   4.0
• Lafayette, Marie   310-560-4413   4.0 (returning after 3 years and surgery)
• Mano, Morris   310-827-7760   3.5
• Nicoletti, Joe    310-453-4444   4.0
• Sammoth, Fitzroy   818-709-3807   4.5
• Sipes, Austin   310-683-2257   4.0
• Wall, Spencer    310-600-5409   6.0
• Weiskoph, John   310-899-1535   4.5

Please note, we have five new 4.5 players! Two are courtesy of Mike Schmidt. It is also nice to see two of our former members come back to join us - Marie Lafayette had hip replacement and she is as wily as ever!

Back To Top

THE SANTA MONICA TENNIS CLUB CELEBRATES
ITS 80 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!
1928-2008

On Sunday, July 13 the club will have a day of challenging tennis and an evening dinner gala at the Tahitian Terrace overlooking the Blue Pacific.

• Delicious catered menu including appetizers.
• Fabulous raffle prizes.
• Live music and dancing
• Reconnect with longtime members of SMTC.
• Dress is "Party Casual" for dinner at 6:30 p.m.
• Guests welcome! Tennis times TBA.

Price: $60 per person for tennis and dinner.
Non-members: $65
Dinner only: $50

We will have a tennis tournament, for all four divisions 3.5; 4.0 and 4.5, with trophies. There will be time to finish the tournament and go home and change into your party clothes!

Do you realize that we have been a club longer than a lot of the country clubs with purely volunteer time and effort! We are making an effort to have people attend who you have not seen for sometime that contributed a lot to the club.

Thanks - Marguerite Jorgensen, President

Back To Top

FRIDAY NIGHT AFFAIRS

April Showers Reviewed
SMTC's first "Friday Night Affair" was a great success. Despite the chill that was in the air all of those that participated (24) had an enjoyable time. The evening began at 7 PM And ended shortly before 10 PM. After all of that tennis, the majority adjourned to the El Cholo to discuss the finer points of the game and enjoy the friendship of the other players.

The men's winner of the most games was Cyrus Namini with 28 games. There was a three-way tie for the women. Shirley McClaine, Lucienne Aarsen, and Terry Baris each won 24 games. All of the others that participated enjoyed a pleasant social evening of solid tennis and companionship.

Hopefully more members will take advantage of the "Friday Night Affairs" and participate in this great event!

The next evenings of enjoyment will be held on "Despues Cinco De Mayo" - May 16th and "June Bloom" - June 20th. Come join your fellow members for only a small charge of $12.

Click here for the entry forms.

Back To Top

A New Member's Perspective

Are you looking for more opportunities to play tennis? When my very reliable weekly tennis partner announced she would be moving to the east coast, I found the motivation to take action on my long-standing intention to join a tennis group. The original goal was to find a conveniently located USTA league as I thought that would best satisfy the priority of being able to continue to play on a regular basis, but somehow my Google search took me to the Santa Monica Tennis Club website, where you are now.

And I'm very happy that it did! If you are not yet a member, I can enthusiastically encourage you to take a closer look.

The organization seemed to offer what I was hoping to find. The courts at Reed Park, located at Wilshire and Lincoln Boulevards, are close enough to where I live (Brentwood) to ensure a quick commute even during peak traffic hours (which, in LA, could be at any time). The website described an appealing variety of activities open to members. But what really clinched it for me, since my current skill level puts me firmly in the "lots of room for improvement" category, is the club's philosophy and emphasis on good sportsmanship above all. Well, that and the very reasonably priced annual membership fee. For $65, it was worth the risk of joining the group basically sight unseen.

That done, I proceeded to register for the Hello Tournament, held soon after the reenrollment period for the purpose of welcoming new members to the club. Would other people really be there when I showed up at the designated time? Yes! A sheet with the tournament rules and mixed doubles round-robin pairing assignments were distributed to all, and play quickly got underway. I was impressed by how thoughtfully the day had been planned. Anything one could need or want was provided, including fresh cans of tennis balls, beverages, and snacks. Everything was so well organized and run. Thanks need to be extended to club president Marguerite Jorgensen for the time and effort she devoted to ensuring the day's success and the dedication and care with which she serves her role.

By the end of six eight-game sets, I had played with or against 18 people I'd never met before. (I met even more at the group dinner held at Buca di Beppa afterwards.) While matches were competitive and every team tried their best to win as many games as possible, a friendly spirit prevailed. Everyone made honest calls, and there was never need for dispute. When I signed up, I really didn't know what to expect, but I was quickly made to feel very comfortable and had an absolutely terrific time.

So if you, too, would like to become part of a great group of tennis players, people that you can really enjoy playing with, I recommend the Santa Monica Tennis Club. New members are most welcome. Please join us.

This article was written by a member who wanted to remain anonymous…so per her wishes I did not put her name in, but I will give you a hint if you read the article about last Friday night's social…she tied for first place with two other ladies.

- Marguerite Jorgensen

Back To Top

MOUNTAIN GATE INTERCLUB

On April 6th, for the third time, SMTC fielded twenty-four of its finest members to play at Mountain Gate, which we had beaten soundly for the two prior years. This year, the director Kris Jordan, changed the rules slightly and just counted wins/losses as one point. We played two sets of men's/ladies doubles and then one set of mixed doubles and we were soundly trounced! Kris brought his A team (they had in previous years been off to the regional matches). I am not going to give the percentages of wins/losses for SMTC...but it was pretty bad!

On the brighter side, recruiting did bring in two new 4.5 members, Susie Adler was brought in by Mike Schmidt as his sister went skiing, and my friend, Fitzroy Sammoth, who has been a guest at several tournaments, agreed to play for us and joined our membership.

All in all, it was a nice day at a beautiful facility and we had a really nice lunch and excellent tennis, even if we were not the winner this year.

- Marguerite Jorgensen

Back To Top

INTERCLUB NEWS

We have several other clubs that want us to play this year (Mulholland and Marina City Club) and these will be scheduled when our Interclub Director, Ron Elmer, returns home from New Orleans where he has been working since last January. Keep tuned as Ron has always done an excellent job in any of his director positions.

Back To Top

Westchester Reigns - April 20th

After a rainout of the interclub originally planned for February 24th, Rich Rollins and his band of merry men and women made their way across town to tally impressive scores in both levels of competition. It was a day of fun tennis and good sportsmanship all around. We will definitely be scheduling a re-match in order to avenge our defeat. We are also discussing the possibility of coordinating Friday night tennis/social events with their group so stay posted.

- Gillian Cook

(Thank you, Gillian, for being in charge of this well organized and managed event - Marguerite)

Back To Top

MEMBER BULLETIN BOARD

---

Looking for people to play tennis with in Malibu. I have my own court.

Bruce Beddoe
Phone: (310) 612-9111

---

I would like to ask you about finding hitting/practice partners amongst SMTC members for midweek play. My goal is to practice about 2 times a week and participate in Sunday's open play. I live near downtown Santa Monica.

Daniel Bartalsky
Phone: (310) 926-3863
daniel27ws@nbay.net

---

Back To Top

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TRIP - NEWPORT BEACH MARRIOTT HOTEL & SPA

SAT.- MON. MAY 24,25, and 26
THREE DAYS/ TWO NIGHTS
TENNIS * TENNIS * AND LOADS OF FUN!!!

Yes, everyone, we are going on a Memorial Weekend, a three-day tennis vacation. Pack your bags, reserve your spot. We will be spending two nights and three full days playing lots of tennis, starting on Saturday, and finishing on Monday. Remember this is a Holiday weekend, so our days are Saturday the 24th, Sunday the 25, and check-out Monday, the 26th. One thing about it with the price of gas, this is a very short drive!

I am pleased to announce that we will be staying at The Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa! The courts are beautiful, the rooms are lovely, the pools and Jacuzzis are waiting for us, and the weather promises to be sublime.

Our weekend is full of daily tennis, starting at 9:00A.M., breaking for lunch, back on courts from 2-5, relaxing, swimming, using the Jacuzzi, and then we will be having cocktail parties both Saturday and Sunday evenings. Times and locations will follow. Saturday night is a casual cocktail party and then a no host dinner. We eat across the way at Fashion Circle. Sunday morning I am hosting a simple breakfast, before we go out and play. So at 8:30A.M., everyone please be there on time, and if you supply the coffee, (it's right there in your rooms) I'll supply "the Continental." Sunday evening after a day full of tennis, we have our second cocktail party, a little more "upscale" than our first night. After we socialize, we all go out to a great restaurant, and enjoy fine dining with lots of laughter!

Our agenda is a full one, we will have competitive tennis, fun prizes, all the parties, Sunday's continental breakfast, the Sunday dinner out, the tennis, the tennis balls, beverages on the court, the deluxe rooms, (price based on double occupancy,) All of this is included in the cost. Per person, for two nights, three days, the price is $ 318.00 per person, in a shared room. Rooms have either two Queen-sized beds or one King- sized bed. I have reserved both style rooms.

I think this is a great place to go for a Holiday Weekend. As for our annual Morgan Run Trip, things did not work out the way I expected them to,this year. The great news is we are going to be there, at this time next year. By then the hotel will be completely refurbished, and construction will be completed. New pools, Jacuzzis, newly refurbished rooms, and courts re-finished. Management and I worked out a great deal for 2009, and they look forward to having SMTC return on an annual basis. We should feel complimented by that.

If anyone wants a room to themselves, and not shared, please let me know, and I will try to make that work. The single room rate will change to the quoted price. Call me at (310) 474 9443 or e-mail (gcoleman44@roadrunner.com) me with any questions you may have. Time is of the essence. We are late this year, since I had to change hotels, and I did not know that very far in advance.

Our last trip to Shadow Mountain was a wonderful success! I would love to see as many of you return as possible!

CALL (310) 474 9443 OR WRITE gcoleman44@roadrunner.com

SIGN UP NOW!!

SEND CHECK TO :
SMTC
c/o GWENDOLYN COLEMAN
1840 FAIRBURN AVE.
LOS ANGELES, CA 90025

There are just a few spots left - hurry!

Back To Top