In This Issue:

80th Year Anniversary Gala - July 13, 2008!!! Marina City Interclub - Friday, August 1 Friday Night Affairs - 7/18 and 8/22 Rally For The Cure Ladder Director Notes Welcome New Members! USTA Block Party Report

Grant from SCTA Recap: Despues Cinco de Mayo Recap: Members/Guests Tournament Recap: June Bloom A Bit of Santa Monica Tennis History SMTC Financial Statement

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

If you haven’t already sent it in...

Don’t be left out of the Santa Monica Tennis Club Event of the Year!! SMTC celebrates it’s 80th Anniversary this July 13 with a day of challenging tennis and an evening Gala at the fabulous Tahitian Terrace overlooking the Blue Pacific! There will be a delicious catered menu, fabulous raffle prizes, all with live music and dancing! Send your check TODAY to SMTC c/o Patti Kingston, 5226 Ballona Lane, Culver City CA 90230.

Just some of the raffle prizes are: Two night for two at Shadow Mountain, including tennis, two box seats for three days at Indian Wells next March, Sony DVD player, color and haircut at a Beverly Hills salon, tennis lessons with various pros, US Open tennis hats, case of tennis balls, workout with a fitness trainer and MORE!! One raffle ticket is included with the price of admission and you can purchase more, 3 for $10.

Guests are welcome. Cost is only $60. for members and $65 for non-members. Dinner only is $50. It is the bargain of the year so sign up today!!

UPDATE This Gala is well on its way…we have the food ordered...the place reserved...and the musicians are tuning up their instruments! Brana Hall and Patti Kingston have been working hard to be sure all of the details are taken care of for the dinner. Katherine Spetner is in charge of the raffle. The last newsletter listed the details of what you can expect for this celebration, but I will give a few more highlights: The past presidents have been invited so you will see some old friends. We have a list of the raffle prizes to date listed, which include three days of box seats for the Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells for 2009, afternoon and evening performances, Tuesday through Thursday of the final weekend - value provided by Indian Wells of $1,418! We also have four good seats for the finals at the Countrywide matches, UCLA. Another outstanding raffle prize is two nights at Shadow Mountain, including tennis, for two people….we have over $4,500 worth of items to be won by the lucky ticket holders. More raffle prizes will be added to the list shown as we have several more that have promised to contribute. The live music will be provided by our own members, Brian Page, Mike Schmidt and Jimmie Dale. A raffle ticket will be given to each dinner attendee or you can more than double you chances by buying tickets - $5 each or three for $10 - what a bargain. The list to date of the prizes is also published in this newsletter. The tournament will be at least two divisions - depending on the good people who sign up and attend. There will be time to shower (if you want) and change into your dancing shoes before the appetizers are passed beginning at 6:30 - the catered dinner will be served at 7:30. Santa Monica Tennis Club shares being 80 years old with the Oscars and the Culver City Bus Line!!

1	Two nights for two at Shadow Mtn including tennis		$360
1	Two box seats for three days at Indian Wells next March.		$1,418
1	4 tkts to finals at UCLA Countrywide		$240
1	1 hr tennis lesson at Reed Park with Lou Bock		$60
1	1 hr tennis lesson with Harry Weiss		$60
1	Three 30 minute lessons at Mountaingate with Kris Jordan		$120
2	Personal training at Elio's Fitness		$500 $500
1	Big tennis bag containing DVDs , CDs and books + $4 cash		$150
1	Case of tennis balls		$30
2	US Open 08 tennis hats		$25 $25
1	Haircut		$75
6	Floral arrangements	Katherine Spetner	($50*6)=$300
1	Juan Juan haircut with Jessica and single color process with Jeremy	Patti Kingston	$150
1	Special novelty cake made and decorated at your request	David Ullum	$25
1	Jewelry	Jutta Ruehl	$50
1	Sony 5 DVD / CD player + one month Netflix	Carmen Grant	$150
2	2 VIP passes to the IMPROV Hollywood or other locations	Katherine Spetner	$30 $30
1	Tour of Ballona Wetlands incl. drink at the coffee bar	Bruce Schelden	$50
1	3 Safeway Gift Cards		$30
1	2 Safeway Gift Cards		$20
1	Equadorian liqueur and one Cayman Island rum cake	Eric Rabinowitz	$65
1	One hour repair of many things in your home, garden or car by Healing Hands McKennett	David McKennett	$60
1	Handmade yoga bag and keychain	Pauline Henry	$100
1	Handmade necklace and keychain	Pauline Henry	$60
1	Hair process - Nelson J Salon, Beverly Hills	LA Magazine as best in LA	$200
1	2 tickets concert @ La Senora		$150
	TOTAL 33 items		$5,033

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Marina City Interclub - Friday, August 1st

The dust has settled from the court remodeling and the new Tennis Director, Ric Grant, has invited us to play on Friday, August 1st. We will have two teams of 3.5’s; three teams of 4.0’s and one team of 4.5’s. The total players is twelve and we will play two sets of men’s/women’s doubles starting at 7 o’clock. After this fierce competition, we will adjourn to the dining room and bar (no host).

We also have our Interclub Director, Ron Elmer, back with us and he will be in charge of this event. Marguerite Jorgensen will collect the entries, so mail them to her please – you will find the entry form here.

Ron is also working on other interclub events, like with Mulholland who graciously invited us back…so this news will be published later.

Click here for the entry form.

- Marguerite Jorgensen

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Friday Night Affairs

The next July's Friday night affair will be called "Fall of the Bastille" will be July 18th, keeping with our schedule of the third Friday of the month. We need twenty-four people, preferably twelve women and twelve men. The starting time, as usual will be 7 o’clock, with the people entered arriving at least 15 minutes before that time so they can check in, get the draw sheet and be ready to start playing at 7 o’clock. The only change is that entries will close on Wednesday, July 16th. Please see entry form and let David Ullum know if you want to play. His email address is: Secondson543@aol.com and his phone number is 310-822-2927. The charge will be the same $12 as before.

Click here for the entry form.

The August's Friday night will be "A 'Hot' August Night" and will be held the fourth Friday of August, which will be August 22nd . The reason for the change is that SMTC is sponsoring a charity tournament on Saturday, August 16th. See information on this tournament below.

Click here for the entry form.

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RALLY FOR THE CURE - A National Breast Cancer Awareness Program - August 16th

SMTC has agreed to take a part in the national Rally events to support this program. We will have a round-robin tennis tournament which will be open to the public as well. The mission of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to emphasize the importance of early detection/treatment of breast cancer and eliminate this life-threatening disease and they are using sporting events to help bring out this message. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women ages 35-54 and it also accounts for more than 75% of all cancer deaths in women 55 years of age and older.

Reed Park has been kind enough to allow us to have this tournament on a Saturday so it would not interfere with our regular Sunday Open Play.

We will try to have three divisions depending upon the support of SMTC and the community. David Ullum and Carrie Gold are the directors for this tournament. Minimum contribution to enter is $30 per person. Please pass this information along to other tennis enthusiasts so we can have a big turnout. Each participant will receive a goody bag with various items and will also include a one-year subscription to a Condé Nast Publication who is a corporate sponsor for this program.

Click here for the entry form.

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NOTES FROM THE LADDER DIRECTOR

WELCOME TO:
Marc Kuhbeck
Open Singles

Click here for the ladders page.

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Welcome New Members

• Brys, Laura  310-820-0260  3.5
• Egginton, Geoffrey  914-414-8580  4.0
• Harp, Jonesey  310-469 -8446  3.5
• Henry, Bill  310-393-1485  4.5 (welcome back)
• Lustgarten, Todd  917-859-1548  4.5
• Mayer, Jillian  805-637-7086  4.0
• McGuire, Robert  818-353-3247  4.0
• Rhoades, Justin  310-310-3753  3.5
• Wilde, Dori  973- 277-2591  3.5

It has been very nice to see the new members participating in the Friday night affairs as well as the tournaments - thanks for joining!

- Marguerite

Note: Resignation from SMTC accepted from Steve Dorman - May, 2008

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BLOCK PARTY REPORT - MAY 18TH

The second annual Block Party was held with introductions of the Committee: Marguerite Jorgensen, as President of SMTC; Diane Brooks (our own member), USTA Service Representative; Bill Nissley (also a SMTC member) Director USTA tournaments for 30 years, also the Director of Santa Monica Jr. Teen Tennis; Rich Rollins, Director SM Parks and Recreation; Keith Neal, Park Director and Danny Price, also SM Park Director; and Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns, President of SAMOHI Tennis Team Boosters. The music and speaker system was furnished by Jonesey Harp (a new SMTC member). Prince racquets was represented by Greg Wikstrom who demonstrated the latest Prince racquets and various techniques. Gene Desrochers again this year gave excellent cardio tennis workouts and Mike Nissley again this year held forth with doubles strategy to the obvious enjoyment of the attendees.

SAMOHI furnished the packaged food at a nominal price. SMTC furnished water to every one with funds provided by SCTA. SMTC members provided the decorations with balloons and assisted in signing people in who were attending - thanks to Joanie Rippner in helping with this effort. Thanks to David Ullum, Randy Chow, Jim Castagnola and Carrie Gold for the balloon effort. Patti Kingston and Brana Hall spent the majority of the time in the SMTC booth telling every one of the good features of belonging to SMTC. Eric Rabinowitz and David King also provided support where ever it was needed. If I left any members name off from the "thank you" list, please forgive me.

SMTC provided the prizes for the fastest serve - Vicki Perka, a former SMTC member, again was the winner for the ladies and the men was won by a Henry Prestwood, a future SMTC member. There were prizes for the junior members provided by the Tennis Patrons.

While the attendance was down from last year, mostly due to the extreme heat of the day…all in all, it did bring a lot of people to Reed Park to see what they could learn…besides getting USTA t-shirts! SMTC received $250 from the SCTA to help support the Block Party this year; however, these funds will not be available next year.

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GRANT FROM SCTA

Santa Monica Tennis Club, along with eleven other clubs, was the lucky recipient of a $1,000 grant from CDA of the SCTA. SMTC applied for this grant for the purpose of providing funds to help support the gala by paying for the past presidents to attend and to provide funds to have doubles strategy clinic for the members of the club by pros. President Jorgensen will have to go to Indian Wells on October 26th to a meeting to explain how the funds were used (along with the other recipients).

- Marguerite Jorgensen

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Recap: Despues Cinco de Mayo – May 16th

The night started a bit on the cool side, but the tennis soon switched to HOT. Another Friday night affair started with only 20 players, but their enthusiasm and skills provided for an enjoyable evening. The winners in the men and women categories were Ted Malek with 30 games and Carrie Gold and Yoko Takasumi with 24 games each.

After an enjoyable evening of tennis many of the group retired to a local establishment and discussed their play.

Hopefully more members will take advantage of Friday play and provide the 24 players need to fill all of the courts.

- David Ullum

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Recap: Members/Guests Tournament - Mixed Doubles – June 8th

A beautiful day was once again provided for the club's annual Members/Guests Tournament.

In the morning division comprised of 3.0's and 3.5's players the winners were Mary Sunshine and David Ullum.

They won a total of 24 games. The format was changed a bit as the teams only played six games against each other.

For their efforts Mary and David shared a cash card for $25.00.

All that participated felt that the tournament was very successful and the competition was top-notch. Looking forward to more participants in future tournaments.

The 4.0's and 4.5's played in the afternoon session. That session used the traditional format of playing 8 games against the opponents. Many of the matches were enjoyable to watch as several of the stronger teams were very competitive. In the end Mike Schmidt and Cassie Fishbeck were the over-all winners with a total of 33 games out of 40 games. For their efforts they were awarded a cash card for $25.00. The team of Carol Reston and Raul Hernandez finished in second place and were rewarded with a $10.00 cash card.

The weather and competition made for a delightful tournament.

- David Ullum

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Recap: June Bloom – Friday, June 20th

Southern California weather can always be counted on for being beautiful Friday's and June Bloom was no exception. Once again 12 men and 12 women met on the tennis courts to see who would be the ultimate champion. A beautiful night and strong competition was enjoyed by all. Two individuals emerged as the champions. Luc de Schepper won a total of 32 games and Mary Sunshine topped the women with 30 games. These two people earned the bragging rights for this June.

Again the social affair ended with many of the participants adjourning to a local establishment to discuss their games and prepare for next year's event.

- David Ullum

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A Bit of Santa Monica Tennis History

Quotes from an 8/30/1990 newspaper article in The Outlook:

Families like the Suttons, Doegs, Bundys, Dudleys andBakers made tennis famous in these parts. Jack Kramer won his first significant championship here. Jon Douglas, a hometown hero in football and tennis, made center court at Lincoln Park his favorite piece of real estate. "Gussie" Moran...established herself as a tennis great in Santa Monica. Moran caused a commotion at Wimbledon in 1949 by wearing her famous lace panties.

Dorothy "Dodo" Cheney at the age of 73 (remember this was 1990) is still swinging away as the ‘grand dame of tennis’. At that time she was the all-time leader in national championships with 197 – and still counting.

Billie Jean Moffitt King, put in her share of Santa Monica tournament appearances. Ironically, so did Bobby Riggs, but never against each other, though.

U. S. Open champs Bill Tilden, Don Budge, Fred Perry and Ellsworth Vines often came to Lincoln Park for exhibition matches. Tracy Austin's winnings included a victory at Santa Monica Open.

The 62nd annual Santa Monica Open that year had 1,300 entrants. (end of excerpts from the article)

Marguerite Jorgensen has the history files at her residence and has not had time to really enlighten herself and others on the history. Richard McNally was the long time keeper of this history and he had a nice package on the 1990 year celebration. Included in the package was a copy of a speech by a writer for the “Times” known as Bill Henry which was dated October 23, 1933. (Know it is not our ‘Bill Henry’ as he had been born yet.) Mr. Henry talks about the history of tennis which came into being in 1874...Wimbledon started in 1877...and has many interesting tidbits of the history of tennis. The article was copied from the Heritage Museum files in 1990. Among the members who were on the “Santa Monica Tennis Centennial Celebration” (tennis was 100 years old that year) committee were some people who are still members! Bob Shubert, Bob Solomon and Bill Nissley...among the donors to the Centennial Raffle the names of Bill and Mike Nissley and Rich Rollins (a Seascape Class)...among the Board of Directors at the time was Bill Nissley and Virginia Marshall (who was president)...among the Centennial Celebration Players...was Carmen Grant, Joan Matis (a former member) and Richard McNally (our historian). The reason for this long article is to remind our members that we have a rich history of tennis in Santa Monica and let’s keep it that way!

- Marguerite

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SMTC Financial Statement

Click here for the financial statement (PDF).

- Bruce Schelden

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