PBTC NEWSLETTER P.B. S OWN TRACEY THOMPSON WINS GOLD... Spring

Transcription

1 PBTC NEWSLETTER Spring P.B. S OWN TRACEY THOMPSON WINS GOLD... Tracey Thompson captains the U.S. Bueno Cup team to gold at the prestigious World Team Tennis Championships held March 29-April 3, 2010 in Mexico City, Mexico... by Sandie Kindred You don't have to turn on the T.V. or pay big bucks to see good tennis. San Diego abounds in top tier players, especially in the women's ranks. However, not many small community clubs sans restroom can boast that one of their own is one of those elite players. Tracey Thompson is one of those rare players who makes tennis look easy. There's an effortless sense of movement and proficiency. However, if you could see inside her, you would see what a big heart this woman has. And if you watch closely, you can see what a big game she has. For a short while we didn't see her on the court at all. She was battling breast cancer. It took seven and a half weeks for Tracey to undergo a double mastectomy, reconstruction surgery, and treatment before she was back on the court hitting tennis balls. When I faced the cancer issue, I thought it would be a piece of cake to get through. In fact, the doctor painted a grimmer picture because she knew the type of person that I was. She told me I might not return to competitive tennis because strength and flexibility would be a problem after the surgery. She wanted to make sure that I wasn't underestimating the challenge. And it was hard, but it's how you handle the hard things that's important. According to Tracey, Perseverance is the key to accomplishment. I'm not one to sit on the pity pot. It doesn't have to be big accomplishments, just things that make you feel good about yourself and help you overcome obstacles and problems. Anyone can do it, if they are willing to put in the effort and time. continued on page 3 [1]

2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Amy Endres / PBTC President Welcome to the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter. Please enjoy it; there is much great information to share with you! This is my first message to you and on behalf of the entire board I would like to express our gratitude to you--the members--for making this club what it is: a wonderful club with outstanding membership and an amazing sense of community. Oh, and a great place to play tennis! Please extend a warm welcome to our new members Matt Riding, Terrence Parks, Ted Sichelman, Billy Matthews, Jeanette Servin, Mark Miles, Chang Yang, Pat Yelenosky, Mayumi Douglass, Kevin Rhodes, and Melissa Purdy.. A special thank you to Gene Steineckert and Ray Guinn... As many of you know, Gene and Ray recently completed their terms on the Board. While they will continue to be involved as members, their countless hours of leadership, dedication and service on the Board must be commended. Thank you Gene and Ray for all your contributions to our club. We sincerely appreciate you! Thanks to everyone who made our first annual Spring Social a smashing success. If you weren t able to join us, read all about it in this newsletter and make plans to attend the next one! You will have a great time! Regarding our clubhouse project Read the article about how hard the Board is working to overcome the remaining obstacles and bring our clubhouse project to fruition so we can celebrate our 50th Anniversary in style! We will have a spectacular clubhouse including bathroom facilities with that fancy new invention of flushing toilets! Also, check out the calendar of events and make plans to attend one of our Friday Night Socials. We look forward to providing all of our members with a variety of fun-filled activities for Finally, thank you all for your membership and support. In the long run, our club can only benefit from involved, engaged, enthusiastic members. Clubhouse Update Now for a quick update on the progress towards realizing the dream of flushing toilets for the Club: Everyone knows that we have a permitted set of plans that involves a modular trailer which would be purchased by the club and would contain separate men s and women s toilets. Because we have not been able to raise sufficient funds since obtaining the permit in 2008, we cannot implement the permitted plans. Consequently, over the past three months, we have been exploring and considering alternative options that will not require more fundraising. Several weeks ago, a County representative informed us that he would approve of a septic/leach field investigation, given the financial burden for our club to connect to the sewer. Unfortunately, he has been unable to convince the city to sign-off on this option. We have also been researching and exploring the use of composting toilet facilities, as are used in golf courses, remote trailheads and other areas where sewer connection is difficult or impossible. Details are being explored by our board committee. In the meantime, we will be switching-out the current porta-a-potty for a much nicer flushing version to get us through until we have our toilets in place at no additional cost to the club. As we progress with our final plans, we will provide periodic updates. Please know that all of us on the board want this club to be everything it can be. If you have any questions, please let us know. You can reach Dale Jensen (Clubhouse Committee Chair) at or Amy Endres at [2]

3 continued from pg.1 Tracey didn't arrive on the international tennis scene until later in life. She went to five different colleges and played three different sports. She was 33 or 34 when she entered her first tennis tournament. Some of the older PB members will remember Tracey playing in our club tournaments, including social tournaments such as the Turkey and the Century Tournament. I would play with whoever called me to play. Bernie Sosna was one of those people who called early and often. For Bernie, Tracey was money (or at least a trophy) in the bank. Bernie fondly remembers playing with Tracey. I told her that those two narrow lines on the right side of the court are mine. The rest of the court is yours. When she turned 40, Tracey made a conscious decision to begin training to become a tennis player. Until that time, I was just a good athlete playing tennis. Her focus changed. She tells the story about playing with Charlie Warner in the La Jolla Rec. Tournament. For years Charlie tried to get me to enter the tournament. When we finally were able to play together, he told me I was a different person on the court. I told Charlie that there's big difference between playing socially and playing competitive tournament tennis. He had never seen the competitive side of my personality. I don't think he could handle it! When you get older, you only have so much time left for improvement. You need to use your time wisely. Since she works full-time teaching visually handicapped children, Tracey isn't able to spend the hours on the court that other nationally ranked senior women spend. She also doesn't have the time to play in all of the National tournaments. I don't want to give up everything for tennis. I still love to travel, which for me, means not playing tennis. I also love to hike and camp. Tracey only plays in three of the six championships. This year I will play the Hardcourts in May at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis, and possibly the Grass Court Championships in New York. Grass is suited to my athleticism. I will probably play more clay court tournaments since it's easier on the knees. I want people to know that if you set goals and work hard, you can make things happen. Tracey has gone from being a Turkey Tournament player to becoming an elite international senior player. Recently she was selected as one of four women to represent the United States at the Maria Bueno Cup in Mexico City. She captained the Woman's 50 and over team that brought home the Championship. The tournament was impressive. There were players from all over the world in every age group. The Opening Ceremonies were like being at the Olympics. We went a few days early to acclimate to the high altitude and the clay courts. I was up at 6 am because the bus left at 7 am. Our focus was tennis. It wasn't a vacation. True to her style, she made it very clear that she was just the #4 player and that the top two women carried the team, usually making her matches irrelevant. Also true to her competitive nature, she made it clear that she has set her goal at becoming that #1 player. Tracey pointed out that the other three women on the team all played on the professional tour in their younger years. The only difference right now is experience. Every year I catch up a little more. Bit by bit, I'm gaining. In three years, I would like to be at the top. I'm working on that by taking a weekly lesson at the Club with Simon; practicing in drills, and working on my footwork and cardio. It's all about setting goals and working to achieve them. At PBTC, Head Pro, Steve Adamson played on the pro tour after college. He feels that Tracey could certainly have played professional tennis, if she had started tennis as a junior. Steve is truly impressed with Tracey's rise as a player. It is very difficult (almost impossible) to reach such a very high level when you start tennis as an adult. Tracey realizes that she missed her chance at pro tennis, and she laughs at the thought of practicing with any of the women on the pro tour today. They all hit too damn hard for me! However, she admits that she enjoys watching Nadal. He's such a cutie! For those who would enjoy watching Tracey, she will be competing with the best in the country at the USTA National Senior Women's 50 Hard Court Championships at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, May 10 th - 16 th. Or the next time you are playing tennis at PB, just look around. You will probably see Tracey most week nights working on her game. She's the one who makes it look easy. [3]

4 APRIL SOCIAL Club members enjoy some tips from club pro Simon Shen. On April 10, the PBTC Board hosted its first annual Spring Social. A sincere thank you to all those who made it such a success through planning, volunteering and simply participating! While we did have fantastic tennis going on, you should have seen the food, drinks and other activities! Courtesy of Greg Knight (Kids Party Rentals), we had free-flowing margaritas, freshly popped popcorn and a radar gun to test your serve speed! But, that wasn t all The board provided beer, soda, water and other refreshments/games while everyone else brought something yummy to share. A special shout out to our spectacular club pros Steve Adamson and Simon Shen for leading the clinics and the challenge court competitions. Whatever kind of tennis you were in the mood for, you could find it! Thank you! If you couldn t join us, no worries because we re already planning the next one. What a blast! THE PACIFIC BEACH ADULT OPEN It was a successful year for the tournament. We had over 150 competitors and some great weather. This year s Women s Open division was won by P.B.T.C. s Barbara Tinsley. Congratulations! Other club members who competed were Jim Wells (4.5 s), Amy Endres (4.5 s), Panto Mijatovic (4.5 s), Jack Zezula (5.5 s) and Charlie Warner (45 s). [4]

5 LEAGUES & LAS VEGAS Congratulations to PB Tennis Club s Clare Bears. Congratulations to PB Tennis Club's Clare Bears. The WTT 3.5 team was undefeated in the Fall season and qualified to the National Qualifier in Las Vegas April The team consisted of club players Paivi and Doc Burke, Lynda and Ed Jackson, Cate Thero and Greg Knight, Donna Dube, Dale Jensen, John Hannan and Clare Wells (captain). Congratulations also go out to Doc, Paivi and Lynda who played in a separate 3.5 Seniors team representing BayPoint Beach Club who won first place in the Seniors National Qualifier and will be advancing to 2010 Nationals in Indian Wells Nov A fun time was had by all in Vegas including a night of Karaoke at a locals hangout and an evening of beer drinking at the Hofbrauhaus. The Clare Bears were the best looking team in Vegas as their shirts were 100% underwritten by Offshore Bar and Grill on Morena Blvd. in Bay Park. Offshore gives the Clare Bears and all PB Tennis Club members 20% off their regularly priced food and drinks at any time. Mention you are a member!! What a goodlooking team! ON THE COURT The P.B.T.C. Junior Program is in full effect! Space is limited! Coordination is developed during the fundamental years, so come and get a head start. Please contact Simon and Steve to reserve a spot for your child or grandchild!! Call or steve@pbtennis.com JUNIOR CLINICS 3-4YRS. TUESDAYS 4:30-5:00PM 5-6YRS. THURSDAYS 4:00-5:00PM 7-9YRS. WEDNESDAYS 4:00-5:00PM 10-13YRS MONDAYS 4:00-5:00PM Summer is around the corner! We will be offering one week camps for kids beginning the week of July 12, July 19 and July 26. All ages welcome! [5]

6 UPCOMING EVENTS 23rd Annual Powell Blankenship Memorial Junior Open by Anne Podney In 1996, Simon Shen was attending La Jolla High and he was a winner at the Pacific Beach Junior Open! Simon is now a respected pro at the Pacific Beach Tennis Club, but some things never change, he is still a winner, especially to Pacific Beach club members! Begun in 1988, this year will mark the 22 nd annual junior Open tournament at PBTC. For the last 10 years, the primary sponsor of the event has been La Jolla orthopedist Dr. Stuart Marshall. His generous support has made it possible for the tournament to give each participant a T-shirt. Every year, between 200 and 300 juniors participate in this prestigious event. A few years ago, the PB Junior Open was renamed the Powell Blankenship Memorial Tournament and the tournament is a highlight of the junior player circuit in San Diego. One of San Diego's most experienced tennis instructors, Powell Blankenship, who died in 2005, taught the game for most of his career at Pacific Beach Tennis Club. As Jack Williams (U-T staff writer) wrote, With seemingly timeless wisdom and adaptability, he endured changing eras and styles by emphasizing the intangibles especially mental awareness. This year the tournament will be held May 15-16, Tournament Director is Anne Podney and Tournament Referee is Steve Adamson. If you would like to help as either a court monitor or desk worker, please contact Anne at apodney@gmail.com. Club involvement helps make this a very special tournament. Tennis Ladder The Spring Ladder is already under way but get your name on the list for the Fall Tournament Ladder. Contact Steve Adamson for more information. Family Day- June 26th Join us for our!st Annual Family Day at the Pacific Beach Tennis Club. This fun-filled day of tennis for the whole family will consist of a father-son, mother-daughter, or any combination thereof tournament in the morning. There will also be fun games for the kids including hit for prizes, a big bouncy, and lots of food and drinks. This event will not limited to just club members as we want to encourage all families in the area to come out and join the festivities. Look for more information on our web-site and at the club. Save the Date TURKEY TOURNAMENT! November 13-14th Friday Night Mixer- The Friday Night Mixers continue to be one of the best tennis social events in the county. Every Friday starting at 6:30pm a wide range of players of all skill levels meet for fun and tennis. No reservations are needed and if you can't get there at 6:30pm, no problem...show up when ever you can and we will get you in the action. (Please note that the last Friday night of the month there is a social tournament which does require a reservation.) Pacific Beach Tennis Club 2639 Grand Ave. San Diego, CA us: pbtennisclub@gmail.com [6]