SLTC Diamond¸Jubilee

 

President’s Report: Paul and Ellen Sucatre

Happy 75th to SLTC !! Thanks to all of you for your continued support to keep this club not only going, but thriving. And special thanks to our Board for providing the club activities, our captains for organizing our USTA teams, and you all for participating. Many members go way back... 30+ years for the Wiedenmeyers and Dana... Kip and Andy and Mary Ellen — how many years?? If anyone has any interesting history to share for this year's newsletters and emails, let us know and we will share it!! It's great that all of our 2005 members have email now!! even Vince!! So if you change your email address, let us know or if you are not receiving the SLTC emails, then we must not have it correct.. so email us!! sltc10s@hotmail.com -tx!

Adult league is gearing up!! Hope the weather breaks since we have a lot of matches to get in. Have fun and good tennis and make SLTC proud with your good sportpersonship...P&E

                        John S. Cramer Tournament

On May 7, 8, 14,15, SLTC will be sponsoring the John S. Cramer Tournament at Pacific Courts. Eligible ratings: 3.5 – 4.0. includes both singles, doubles and mixed. Regular price for singles $24; for doubles $16.
SLTC members get 50% off
: Use the application in this newsletter and mail to SLTC at the PO Box listed above.. Checks should be made payable to: SLTC. Write on the outside of the envelope Cramer Entry. Questions, give Susan Jimenez a call.

 

Meet Cynthia, Tommy and Tom Gillen,

Here they are at the 2004 Holiday Party. Since then, they increased their numbers with the birth of their mixed doubles team of Wiliam and Cynthia. They were supposed to arrive for Valentine’s Day, but decided to come a little earlier. All are doing well. Big Tom says it can be tricky trying to feed the team when you’re not ambidexterous.

Mixed and Senior Season Report

One SLTC team is left in the playoffs! It’s the Senior Women’s 3.5 captained by Elaine Hackenkamp. You can see them in action on Sunday, April 3 at Baytrees. Be there at High Noon to cheer the team on to Carmel.

We have other members on non SLTC teams going to districts:

—Sr. Men’s 4.0 for Hidden Hills include the familiar names of Andy O’Loan, “Bo” Aubrey, Dennis Black, and Vic Carrion are off to Elk Grove. --Sr. Women’s 3.0 for Hidden Hills whose team members include Mary Ann O’toole, Ann Farias, Norma Coldren, Nancy Saunders and Alva Antonini are off to Carmel. They just might see Nancy Fong who’s on a Sr. Women’s 4.0 out of Cal State Hayward. Nancy’s husband’s team is off to Elk Grove. (Do you think USTA NorCal realizes that it can sometimes strain a relationship?!). By the way, looks like Carmel will also see the Sucatres – Ellen is the co-captain for a winning Sr. Women’s 3.5 out of CS Pleasanton.

Playing out of Baytrees is Mike Van Doorn who’s on a winning Mixed 8.0 team and also Cathy Umana has an undefeated Mixed 7.0 which includes MIchele Wieder. They’re in a playoff at Baytrees on April 2 at 11am vs. a Palomares Mixed 7.0 that includes Elaine H. – Now she’s a serious player! Not to be forgotten, Vic and Courtney Boisseree are set for Districts with their Mixed 7.0 out of CSW (Valley Vista)!

 

You should have been there –

Rain seemed to have been the story for many of our planned events. The HH Interclub of November 27 was rained out; Both dates for the January Mixed Doubles Tournament at Cherry Grove were washed out. However, the sun finally shone on 27 bright and shining faces. There were 2 flights – the good and the also good with a playoff that pitted Cindy and Percy Yang against Jan and Steve Murphy. It was hotly contested and ended in a tiebreaker in favor of Cindy and Percy. A good time was had by all.

 

Hidden Hills Interclub on February 27. We had a great turnout and the weather cooperated for the Men’s and Women’s Doubles, but not for the mixed. Elaine Hackenkamp and Bruce Wallenius with Carrie John’s assistance coordinated it all for SLTC. Thanks to Hidden Hills for being great hosts. There are plans underway to try to get the Mixed Doubles session at a future date. You might want to keep in touch with Elaine if you’re interested.

 

Mary’s Drop In These continued to be a fun event. Our last one was on a Sunday afternoon and although it was scheduled for 2 pm; the faithful arrived earlier. They were able to play until the rain came, but then we waited around and our patience was rewarded with some lively tennis and good eats.

 

Special Bulletin: COME PARTY WITH MARY Friday, April 22 - 6PM-at Baytrees, .--. Just $2 to cover court costs and BBQ. Members/Non Members are welcome. Bring a dish to share; Men bring beverages.

 

Tidbits

Injured Reserve: Shirley Lee and Cindy Yang. Our best wishes for a quick recovery so that you both are back on the courts and ready for action.

 

Please pay 2005 dues if you are on an adult USTA team that SLTC sponsors so that your captain can receive reimbursements for court reservations and ball costs. Your captain does a great deal for your team, probably more than you know. Do your part and pay your dues! By the way, check the membership list included with this issue. If you don’t see your name, you have not paid!

 

Congratulations to Ben Frager and Jeanette Minot. In January, they won the NTRP Club Sport Fremont Mixed Doubles at the 3.0 level. Well, what were you doing. If you have items of importance to share, be sure to let the Editor know.

 

– By Ben Frager

Part I -The Book Review: “Jimmy Connors Saved my Life” by Joel Drucker

           Joel Drucker is alive and kicking out beautiful tennis stories from his home in Oakland, California. There was a time, however, not too long ago, when, had he departed for that great tennis court in the sky, Jimmy Connors' life might have passed before his eyes on his way up. Obsessed with Connors since his early teens, Drucker soaked up every bit of information he could about the great left-handed tennis champ. He set up several great shots at being Connors' biographer but ultimately realized that Connors would keep passing on the opportunity. Frustrated but far from beaten, he poured it all out and folded it into his deeply personal biography, "Jimmy Connors Saved My Life."

           In an age of irony and cynicism, this book stands out as a heartfelt, honest account of personal transformation. Growing up in a Jewish household where knowledge and learning were valued, Drucker was expected to become a doctor, lawyer, or businessman. Shunning convention, true to himself, he became a writer, scholar, and thinker. His heroes are the great free thinkers like Kafka, Voltaire, and Machiavelli. His muse -- Jimmy Connors. In her introduction to Drucker's book, Mary Carillo writes, "Connors will be surprised by what he finds out about himself, about his far-reaching powers, and especially about the author. So will you."

           Drucker's book and articles have inspired me to stretch out as a creative writer. My tennis writing, until now, has consisted solely of regaling my mixed doubles team with snappy post match synopses. I received enough encouragement and positive feedback as the season progressed to write more outlandishly each week. But I felt that I was only scratching the veneer of my talent. I wanted to dig down deeper, to the real veneer. Many times in my life I've taken my foot off the gas when I could have floored it. Fueled by the high-octane, super performance writing of Joel Drucker, I'm putting the pedal to the metal this time.

           I encourage you to read Joel Drucker's numerous articles and essays, and of course, read his book. Per my request, a copy is in circulation at the San Leandro Public Library. In Part II, I will tell you about how I met Joel Drucker and ended up interviewing him.

           A final thought: Drucker's work is not limited to the print media. He has also worked as a writer and producer for CBS, ESPN, HBO, TNT, and The Tennis Channel. The Tennis Channel is not currently available in most of the Bay Area. Please contact your local cable or satellite provider and let them know there is a demand for tennis programming.

(Ben is hoping to make this a multi-part series, so stay tuned for the next part)

Kip Notes: Joel wrote for San Francisco's City Sports magazine and did full page articles on local players such as myself in the 80's. I had the pleasure of playing him in the finals of a clay court tournament and want to mention he is a fine player and sportsman himself. I will have copies available and will be available for autograghs at the next club meeting.

 

2004 SLTC Club Championship Results

 

 

3.5 Men’s Singles:

1^st: Chen Zhang2^nd Lester Eng

 

3.5 Men’s Doubles:

1^st Gary Levine and Richard Espicha2^nd Bob DeGiere and Peter Chien

 

3. 5 Women’s Doubles

1^st Elaine Hackenkamp and Ellen Sucatre2^nd Patti Troutman and Murline Monat

 

6.0 Mixed Doubles

1^st Helen Keating and Carl Wang2^nd Norma Coldren and Bill Williams

 

 

Here’s Kip playing Happy Birthday to Kim in Yosemite, no mittens, just devotion.

We’re betting he’s not the only one with talent in SLTC. By the way, did you see Jim & Pat Overstreet at the Holiday Party. Pat was the one who introduced the ladies to The Electric Slide. What do you say we all try to learn it for December 10 for our big production number!

DATES

 

April			June
15-17	Districts for Seniors	Carmel, Elk Grove	4-5	Mixed Doubles Sectional	Pleasanton Tennis Complex
20	NorCal Board of Directors meeting, 6:30 PM, ClubSport Fremont, Call 510-748-7373	Fremont	20	SLTC Board Meeting 7:30pm at Sucatre’s Wimbledon begins.	San Leandro   London
22 Friday	Party with Mary 2pm at Baytrees. BBQ Potluck Men bring drinks; $2 each	Castro Valley
24	Deadline to move from one team to another		July 25	Bank of the West Classic at Stanford	Palo Alto
May
6-8	Senior Sectionals	Fresno
7-8; 14-15	John Cramer Tournament Pacific Courts SLTC Members eligible for 50% regular price	San Leandro	August	27-28; Sep 3-4 Club Championship at Pacific. BBQ Free play 9/5 @ Baytrees	San Leandro
12 Sunday	Party with Mary 2pm at Baytrees . Potluck Men bring beverages & $2 each	Castro Valley
15	Deadline to join additional teams		December 10	Holiday Bash	San Leandro
20 Friday	Chabot Canyon Interclub See Elaine Hackenkamp
20-22	Districts for Mixed Doubles	Pleasanton/Harbor Bay	Cal Men’s/Women’s Tennis: http://calbears.collegesports.com/sports/sched.html
23	Roland Garros begins	Paris

 

 

 

 

 

San Leandro Tennis Club

Post Office Box 1861

San Leandro, CA 94577