Author: Adrien Fournier

Tennis Talk
By Peggy Seidel:

September is the month for our Tennis Club President to select a three person nominating committee to find Tennis Club members willing to take a position on the Board of Directors for the next year. The nominating committee for next year’s directors picked by President Randy Shaw consists of Peggy Seidel, Brian Dombrowski and Akiko Giordono. These three have already met and worked to fill the open positions for 2024. The whole slate of officers, including our Vice President Ruth Domingo-Liu, who will become our President in December at the annual meeting, will be announced later in October or November. If any TC member would like to be considered for a role on the board next year there is a process for self-nomination in our Bylaws (which you can find under the menu “Rules” on our website, I quote Article VIIC here:

“Any regular member may nominate any regular member as a candidate for any elective office by presenting the nomination in writing to the President no less than 35 days prior to the Annual Meeting. This nomination must be accompanied by the candidate’s written acceptance, and must be signed by five regular Tennis Club members declaring their support for the nomination.”

35 days prior to our annual meeting will be October 30.

I hope you all enjoyed the Women’s and Men’s Doubles club tournament and the Sunday night Awards Dinner. Results of the tournament will be in Tennis Talk next week.

Next club activity will be on Saturday, October 21 against Rossmoor here at the Villages. Come on down to the viewing stand and cheer on your team.

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen

It was a beautiful weekend for our mixed doubles tournament September 16 and 17. Thanks to Linda DuMont and her crew for morning refreshments to the delight of the many folks in the viewing stands. Results as follows:

Mixed Doubles A-1st place-Brett Foreman/Betty Olsen. 2nd place-Roy Pennington/Peggy Seidel. 3rd place-Sheng Chen/Lolivic Shaw. Consolation winner-Ken Kline/Karen Hillis.

Mixed Doubles B-1st place-Dari Tarabini/Nancy Domingo. 2nd place-Don Clarke/Cheryl Heusser. 3rd place-Marty Funcell/Sharon Bartels. Consolation winner-Martin Hoek/Suzi Hathaway.

Now on to the Tennis Club’s Men’s and Women’s Doubles tournament tomorrow Saturday and Sunday, September 30 and October 1st starting at 8:30am. Come on down to the viewing stands and cheer on your friends!

And finally. The Awards dinner at Foothill on Sunday, October 1st at 5:30pm for a delicious BBQ. Hope to see you all there. You don’t want to miss the fun.

Our Tennis Club’s 6.5 women’s team plays a home match Monday, October 2. We need lots of cheering from the stands because we are playing Morgan Hill, the 1st place team!

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen and Nancy Domingo

Saturday, July 1, the tennis club held its annual Bocce/BBQ meeting. Nancy Domingo, chairperson, and her committee did an outstanding job organizing this event. Peggy Seidel, Sherry Benz, Judy Falarski, Betty Olsen manned the check-in desk where folks picked up their name tags and raffle tickets a well as their Bocce times.

Approximately 91 members and guests filled the shady spots at the umbrella tables. Don Clarke and Lolivic Shaw entertained us with two songs, “Shallow” and “Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer”. Randy held a short meeting with Roy Pennington announcing fall League Tennis.

Volunteer chefs cooked steak, salmon and vegie burgers served with Costco chili, potato salad, green salad, and ice cream bars for dessert. Yum!

Nancy Domingo’s guest, professional jazz singer, Yvonne Flores entertained us with a song on her album Sheer Bliss. She will be performing on August 12 at the San Jose Jazz Festival in the PG&E Hammer Theater Stage at 3:00pm.

And then to finish the day, Nancy handed out the many raffle prizes totaling $400.00, to conclude the day’s festivities. We were happy to see many new members attend as well as some of our older folks no longer playing but still tennis enthusiasts.

Our next event is our “Fun Mixer” Friday, July 21 chaired by Sonia and Harry Soin. Please go to “YourCourts” and on the right side click on “Coming Events” to sign-up. Following tennis, there will be a BBQ at the viewing stand.

Attention all Tennis club members. 2023 Tennis mixer is almost here, so sign up now before all spots are filled. The date of this event is Friday, July 21st starting at 430 PM. There will be two sessions. We promise you an evening filled with interesting tennis games with a twist. Each participant can sign up for only one session. Don’t miss out! The evening will be filled with fun tennis, food, music, and prizes.

We have a great organizing committee of volunteers to ensure you all have a great time. The committee comprises of Linda, Betty, Liz, Nancy, Helen, Brett, Doug, Asra, Sonia and Harry. We can always use the help. so feel free to reach out to Harry or Sonia if you would like to help.

Check your email or sign up on Your Courts.

Schedule of events :

Session 1 – 4:30PM

Session 2 – 5:30 PM

There will be a BBQ following the tennis, so bring your appetites. And don’t forget to bring your own drinks because the event is BYOB.

By Sherry Benz
TT 6/29/23

Some folks imagine that “jump start” is something you need when your car’s engine won’t turn over. Yes, but the Tennis Club’s Jump Start program is different, helping Villagers who are a bit (or more than a bit) “rusty” and even some brave folks who wonder if they could start a new sport as a senior. Dozens of “want-a-be” tennis players have passed though, most of them very successful in upping their game and joining in play. We have just concluded the 2023 Jump Start session (10 weeks in all) and a party followed – just a wee celebration of all we have learned, new friendships, and the fun we had on the courts.

This is the 2nd year for Peter Groot. He showed up with a wooden racquet in 2021 and a healthy resolve to get back into tennis after 42 years! And, wow, he has turned into a very formidable opponent. His advice is “don’t think that you can’t play”! Thanks to the generosity of one of our members, we were able to provide Peter with a free racquet and the sky is the limit! Myra Dykstra is also attending for the 2nd year and really appreciates having input from different coaches, helping her break old habits – don’t we all want that!

Speaking of coaches, we couldn’t offer Jump Start without the generous time and expertise given by Mike & Gail Tuft, Peggy Siedel, and Roy Pennington. Not to mention a few others who dropped in to help: Karen Hillis, Betty Olsen and Barry Stein.

We all know that our skill improves with practice and the more balls we hit and the more players we play against, the better we get. So … everyone, take advantage of Open Play. You are welcome at any level and you can continue to get coaching, if you would like. Open Play is Monday and Friday from 4:30-6:00 PM on courts 5 & 6. Contact Peggy Seidel if you have a question: peggy@theseidels.net or 713-398-7955. We’ll be looking for you!

Attention Tennis Club Members!

The Bocce and BBQ event on July 1st is just around the corner! We are happy to announce that at the raffle we are giving away $400 in cash prizes. The cost is $25 per member and $30 per guest which includes a raffle ticket. Keep in mind that reservations close on Sunday, June 26th.

Everyone who is registered will receive a raffle ticket. Everyone who plays Bocce will get one, and there will be Tennis Club Trivia. For example, Who was the first Villager Tennis Club President? The first 10 people who email me with the answer at domingonancy22@gmail.com will get raffle tickets. For the answer go to: https://villagestennis.vgcc.club/past-presidents/.

The cat is out of the bag!

Our own Villager’s Tennis Club players are going to sing for us. Enjoy the smooth and silky sounds of Don Clarke and Lolivic Shaw!

Schedule of Events

3:00PM- Check in at the Gazebo Park and sign in at the registration table. You will be given a raffle ticket, name tag with your entree you chose, and your session for Bocce if you signed up.

3:00PM- Appetizers and soft drinks will be served

4:00-7:00 PM- Bocce Play

4:20-4:30 PM- Singing performance by Don Clarke and Lolivic Shaw

4:30-5:00 PM- General Meeting with Tennis Club President Randy Shaw.

5:00 PM- Dinner is served.

6:00-8:00 PM Music and dance

It’s going to be a SMASH hit, so sign up now! Come and join the FUN because that’s how we tennis players BOUNCE it and ROLL!

For more information or to register please email, Nancy Domingo at domingonancy22@gmail.com or call at (408) 832-9751 or email Lolivic Shaw at lolivicshaw02@gmail.com.

By Nancy Domingo
TT Publication 6/16/2023

Attention all Tennis Club Members! The Bocce Play and BBQ is just around the corner, so sign up now and bring guests! The date of the event is July 1, from 3 to 8 p.m. There are going to be two sessions of Bocce and our General Meeting. Don’t miss out! The day will be filled with food, music, dance, Bocce and a raffle to win cash prizes!

We have an awesome committee team who are the following: (pictured left to right) Lolivic Shaw, Don Clarke, Mary Ringel, Nancy Domingo (Chairperson) Ruth Domingo-Liu (Vice-President), Robert Diaz, Mila Gines, Randy Shaw (President), and Gerhardt Ringel.

Check your email! Sign up on “Google Forms” in an email that was sent to you. Fill in your choice of a dinner entree which are steak, salmon or veggie burger. Sign up for Bocce Play. Also, there are volunteer opportunities to help out that day. Please bring your own plates, silverware, and alcoholic beverages.

Schedule of Events: Meet at the Gazebo Park at 3 p.m.; Bocce Play at 4 to 7 p.m.; Musical Performance at 4:20 p.m.; General Meeting at 4:30 p.m.; Dinner served at 5 p.m. and Music and Dance at 5 to 8 p.m.

The cost is $25 per member and $30 per guest which includes a ticket for a drawing. Keep in mind that reservations close on Sunday, June 26. Everyone who is registered will receive a drawing ticket. Everyone who plays Bocce will get one, and there will be Tennis Club Trivia. For example: Who was the first Villager Tennis Club President? The first 10 people who email me with the answer at domingonancy22@gmail.com will get drawing tickets. For the answer go to: villagestennis.vgcc.club/past-presidents. The winners will be announced in the next newsletter!

Who said tennis players can’t sing? There will be a special musical performance by Tennis Club Members: Road Runner and Rockstar. Come and find out who they are!

It’s going to be a SMASH hit, so sign up now! Come and join the fun because that’s how we tennis players bounce it and roll!

For more information or to register please email, Nancy Domingo at domingonancy22@gmail.com or call at 408-832-9751 or email Lolivic Shaw at lolivicshaw02@gmail.com

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen

Meet Tennis Club board member Marty Funcell, our new court manager who is doing an awesome job taking care of our courts.

Marty tells me that before moving to the villages, he only played tennis once or twice a year with a friend over 30 years ago, but after moving here in 2020 he signed up for the Jump Start program and is playing regularly. He also enjoys pickleball and golf, but states tennis gets priority.

Marty was born and raised in western New York in a small town called Kennedy, New York. He is from a family of 6, 3 boys and 1 girl, Marty being position number two sibling. After high school Marty joined the US Air Force and learned electronics stationed in Montana. After his discharge, he stayed in Montana and attended the University of Montana in Missoula.

With the electronics boom in California, Marty moved here in 1977 and worked as an electronics engineer. He was married for 24 years and has one daughter who lives in southern California. After his divorce in 2005 he moved to Santa Cruz to enjoy the beach life. Then Marty retired in 2007 and enjoyed surfing and hiking, but calls this first retirement an unpaid sabbatical. Then he unretired and worked for Apple. Again retired, Marty moved to the Villages during the pandemic in 2020.

Marty is currently exploring the art of writing, enjoying the writer’s group here at the villages. He also has written many songs, has published two CDs, and has written a children’s book. Check out his website: MartyFuncell.com. Take a look!

Yes, thanks Marty for choosing the Villages. We are hoping it is your last move!

Tennis Talk 5-18 

By Betty Olsen 

We had a new activity added to our tennis club calendar this year thanks to Roy and Kathy Pennington. They had 20 years of experience with club league tennis at their club in New Mexico and it was very successful, so they introduced club league tennis to The Villages! And we are so grateful. 

First of all, it takes a lot of organization time and effort to set it up. It takes scheduling know-how, willing captains, and committed players. And I am happy to report it ran smoothly for the most part. Roy selected six women to be captains (very smart). Since Roy introduced the program at the Tennis Club’s Christmas dinner meeting, many players signed up to play. A committee divided the players into two categories – A and B as best they could. 

A captain’s meeting met, pulled numbers from a hat and took turns choosing their team members. Some of the new players were not known, so it was a bit tricky choosing teammates. However, that is what league tennis is designed to correct, by mixing players and tennis abilities.  

We played two matches a week, a weekday either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, and for folks still working, either Saturday or Sunday. No matches were scheduled for Mondays and Fridays. All matches were played at 1:30 p.m. when courts are generally empty. We played nine weeks skipping the weekends of Prescott, Easter, and Rossmoor, and concluded on Thursday, April 27 with a potluck party at the viewing stands.  

Please see the photos taken by Marty Funcell of all the happy club members celebrating the final day. Thanks to Brett Foreman for presenting Roy with a large tennis ball signed by everyone and gifting the hard-working captains with goodie bags. 

Roy Pennington  

 Brett Foreman presenting a gift to Captain Sherry Benz 

 Tennis Club members enjoying the potluck celebration party.