Category: News

Ladies BIG WINS & Bocce Bash

By Betty Olsen

CONGRATULATIONS to the Village Women’s 65+ 7.0 tennis team.  They won their South Bay tennis league, they just won the NorCal Sectionals and they are going to NATIONALS in Surprise, Arizona, January 23-25, 2026!  For the non-professional, that is equivalent to going to the Super Bowl!

This is only the second time a village team has made it to the Nationals.  In 2003, the senior women’s USTA 6.0 team went to nationals (22 years ago.)  Several of the women on that team still live here in the villages, and one member of that team is a member of our 65+ 7.0. team.  This will be Julie Hawkinson’s second trip to Nationals.

On May 20 and 21, the Villages 65 team traveled to St Mary’s College in Moraga, CA and played 2 matches May 20 and 2 matches May 21.  The team stayed 2 nights at the Holiday Inn Express in Walnut Creek, so we didn’t have to commute.  
 
We won the first 3 matches with 7 wins and 2 losses.  The 2nd placed team had a record of 6 wins and 3 losses.  We only needed 1 more win to clinch first place.   And we did it! This is like going to the Super Bowl.

 Kudos to team members:  Sharon Bartels, Sherry Benz, Cheryl Diltz, Elaine Chiu (Silver Creek), Julie Hawkinson, Liz Kung, (co-captain), Mariana Lazarovici (San Jose), Pong Lu (San Carlos), Mitzi Macon, Joy Rem, Peggy Seidel, Gail Tuft, Helen Varenkamp, and Betty Olsen (non-playing captain.)

             

 

BBQ BASH IS THE NEXT TENNIS CLUB EVENT, SUN, JUNE 8, 3:00pm – 7:00pm

Bring family and friends to our annual BBQ BASH.  Sign-up ASAP.  

Signup Here

Deadline May 31, or contact Tina Parsley, 614-937-9433 or email TinaParsley@ymail.com.

Have fun socializing, playing bocce, and eating delicious BBQ:

  • Citrus Rosemary Chicken Quarters
  • Pulled Pork
  • Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
  • Chile Corn Casserole
  • Grilled Veggies
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Baby Green Salad
  • Garlic Bread
  • Beverages

Price:  $35.00 for members, $40.00 for guests, all at Gazebo Park

Bocce play………………….3:00-6:00pm

Short general meeting…..4:15pm

Dinner…………………………5:45pm

VTL Season Wrapped Up

Tennis Talk
by Betty Olsen
The Villages Tennis League (VTL) concluded play on Thursday, May 8.  The spring season consisted of three mixed doubles with each team playing about 10 matches through the course of the season.
Play began in mid March under cool conditions with occasional threatening skies.  The season ended under bright sunny skies on exceptionally warm courts.  All the matches were very competetive with only a few points deciding many of the sets.  Spectators were treated o exciting tennis with some matches decided by third set 10 point tie-break,
The final team standings were somewhat lopsided with Jim Murphy’s team dominating.  Of course, some questioned Jim using Andre Agassi as a sub.  Numerous new friendships were made as the mixed doubles format allowed players to partner with someone they may have never met.
While all the players gave it their all, one player deserved and received the MVP award.  Linda Wong was a member of the champion team as she was ready to play when called upon by her captain or she agreed to fill in as a sub if needed elsewhere.  She received a large momentary award presented by her captain (see attached photo.)  Linda was very excited to see the $10,000 bill until she realized that the photo on the bill was that of captain Jim Murphy.
The league’s final standings and results are as follows:
Captain                                Wins     Losses   Draws
Jim Murphy                             7            3
Roy Pennington                     4            6            1
Betty Olsen                             3            7             1
Thanks to all for participating and making the VTL a success.  Continue to work on those tennis strokes as we prepare for next season.

Scholarship Awards Awarded

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen

For the past 21 years, The Villages Tennis Club has awarded scholarships to the Silver Creek High School Tennis Teams.  To qualify for a scholarship, the student must have played on the team for 2 years, have a 3.5 grade point and write a one-page essay expressing how tennis has impacted their lives.  After meeting these qualifications, their coach and administration choose the recipients: 2 boys and 2 girls to receive the scholarships.

21 years ago, the scholarships were $500.00 and this year each student received a $5,000.00 scholarship.  These photos were taken at the Silver Creek High School Awards night, Wednesday, April 30 with Gail Tuft awarding the certificates.  Three of the students will be attending our Scholarship tournament and lunch on Saturday, May 10.  Come down to the courts to meet and congratulate them.

The Jump Start program is in full swing on Tuesdays from 5:00-6:00pm.  If you want to join, call or email  Sherry Benz, 408-887-5497, sabenz@sbcglobal.net.

And the VTL will be concluded next week.  Matches still to be played are:  Saturday, May 3, Wednesday, May 7, Thursday, May 8, all at 1:30pm.

Scholarship Names Revealed

Betty
 
Tennis Talk
by Wendy Ferguson
 

As you know, the Tennis Scholarships are for SCHS seniors who want to further their education. The  four Scholarship winners, who won $5,000 each, wrote essays about how tennis influenced them while playing at Silver Creek High School. There thoughts and ideas are much akin to ours as adults. Below are some excerpts.

Siddharth notes that “As a freshman I came to The Villages, which was a big inspiration for me as I learned that tennis is a game that requires you to adapt and play your own game… the older players always had some tricks up their sleeve such as a nasty drop shot, slice, or serve.”

Pranav writes “I realized that making mistakes on the court was just a normal part of life and the opportunities to learn from mistakes transfer to other parts of life, shaping me as a person.”

Santana played tennis with her family and as she grew up she fondly remembers that tennis was a way for the family to bond and enjoy each other’s company. She played for four years on the team, and said “I realized the importance of commitment and community. Tennis had a big impact on those years and I will carry the lessons, friendships, and joy that tennis brought.”

Nandita also played for four years and her experiences taught her skills and values that extend far beyond the game. “Tennis instilled persistence and self-confidence and the team became a second family for me. The values learned on the court will help me tackle new challenges.”

The Scholarship Tournament on May 10th (you’ve signed up already, right) uses handicap scoring such that if you win the first game, you start the second game Love-15. So what is your score if you win the first three games? You guessed it: Love-40. Conversely if you loose the first game, you start the second game 15-Love. This is a great way to even out the score. There will be a bountiful breakfast and luscious lunch courtside. And, hopefully, you’ll get to meet the four Scholarship winners at the lunch following the tournament.

Scholarship Signup May10th

It was a beautiful day at Rossmoor last Saturday, and sadly we left the trophy there losing by just two points. However, they were gracious hosts and treated us royally. Rossmoor players return to The Villages in October. 

The Villages USTA teams are finishing their seasons.  The Women’s 65+ 7.0 team is in the playoffs at Courtside/Bay Club Friday, April 25 at 11:00am. Winners (fingers crossed) go to regionals at St. Mary’s College in Moraga. The Villages Men’s 55+ 7.0 team has 6 wins and 2 losses with 2 more matches to go and currently is in first place. Their next match is at home on Sunday, April 27 at 4:30pm.  Come down to the courts and cheer them on!

The Scholarship and Other News

Tennis Talk
by Wendy Ferguson

To all you “New to the Tennis Club” members and to the older members like me who sometimes forget, I’d like to share a bit about the Tennis Club Scholarship that was started way back in 2004, before today’s winners were born. The recipients are graduating seniors from Silver Creek High School—just down the road from The Villages. They are tennis players, just like us, and must enroll in a post-secondary school.

I wanted a way to give back to our community, and the tennis club agreed scholarships were a great way to do just that. The first scholarships were $500 each and in the last few years they’ve increased to $4,000 each. We were able to increase the amount because of fundraising events (like the upcoming tournament) and donations from folks like you. 

So register now for the Scholarship Tournament on Saturday on May 10! You can scan the QR posted at the Viewing Stand, or click the link below. We hope you’ll add a donation and be sure to click “Submit.” 

Scholarship Signup May10th

Jim Ferguson promises that you’ll have a blast playing in this tournament where you’ll meet and play with new folks in each round. Questions? Call Jim at (408) 693-5431. An added bonus: you’ll enjoy delicious food (as usual) for both breakfast and lunch. And, participants will have a chance to win gift certificates to the Clubhouse.

Meeting new folks can also be about the “Jump Start” lessons held on Tuesdays from 5-6 PM where new and rusty players can learn and hone their tennis skills. And it can also be about playing at Rossmoor (more about that next week). 

Now for some USTA news: Our women’s 65+ team is proudly in second place and are going to play-offs next week at BayClub/Courtside, Friday, April 25 at 11:00am Winners of this match go on to regionals in the east Bay. Another proud bit of information: our men’s 55+ team is currently 5-1, and instead of hunting for Easter eggs, they’ll play a match that day.here at 4:30pm. What a way to ham it up!

Speaking of winners, the Villages Tennis League notes that the “season” has reached mid-point, and that folks have played friendly but competitive matches. Many of the matches have been decided by third set tiebreakers.

 We hope you’ll add a donation and be sure to click “Submit.” 

Jim Ferguson promises that you’ll have a blast playing in this tournament where you’ll meet and play with new folks in each round. Questions? Call Jim at (408) 693-5431. An added bonus: you’ll enjoy delicious food (as usual) for both breakfast and lunch. And, participants will have a chance to win gift certificates to the Clubhouse.

Meeting new folks can also be about the “Jump Start” lessons held on Tuesdays from 5-6 PM where new and rusty players can learn and hone their tennis skills. And it can also be about playing at Rossmoor (more about that next week). 

Now for some USTA news: Our women’s 65+ team is proudly in second place and are going to play-offs next week at BayClub/Courtside, Friday, April 25 at 11:00am Winners of this match go on to regionals in the east Bay. Another proud bit of information: our men’s 55+ team is currently 5-1, and instead of hunting for Easter eggs, they’ll play a match that day.here at 4:30pm. What a way to ham it up!

Speaking of winners, the Villages Tennis League notes that the “season” has reached mid-point, and that folks have played friendly but competitive matches. Many of the matches have been decided by third set tiebreakers.

Scholarship Tourney Approaching

The Villager April 18, 2025 publication
By Betty Olsen
 

Spring brings great tennis weather.  Our next club tournament will be the charity Scholarship tournament for Silver Creek High School tennis teams.  The NEW date is Saturday, May 10.  Jim Ferguson is the chairman for this 21st year.  Keep watching your emails for more information and be sure to register for this fun tournament.

Scholarship Signup May10th

The Women’s USTA 65+7.0 team had 4 matches the week of April 7 due to all of the rainouts.  I am happy to report the Villages won 3 and are about to play their final match today, Friday, April 11 at home against Courtside Bay Club.  I hope we have lots of villagers cheering in the viewing stand.

The Men’s USTA 55+ 7.0 team is in the middle of their season and are having success.  Come and see and cheer your team.  Their next home match is Wednesday, April 23 at 4:30pm.

In addition, we have the VTL  half way done with 3 villages teams playing each other.  All levels are participating and fun to watch.  All matches are at 1:30pm, so hoping the weather cooperates and doesn’t get too hot.

And lastly, the Jump Start program had their first lesson on Tuesday, April 8 and will continue every Tuesday at 5:00-6:00pm for 9 more weeks.  These lessons are free to any club member wishing to brush up on their skills and is taught by volunteers by some of our best players:  Gail and Mike Tuft, Roy Pennington, Peggy Seidel and Sherry Benz.  It is not too late to join.  If interested, contact Sherry Benz, 408-887-5497 or sabenz@sbcglobal.net

Scholarship Tourney Coming Up

 
The Villager April 11, 2025 publication  (revised)

By Betty Olsen

The March rain played havoc with our tennis schedules.  The USTA Women’s 65+ 7.0 team has 4 matches scheduled for the week of April 7.  The last home match is Friday, April 11 at 11:00am, the last league day.  Playoffs to follow if we make it!

The USTA Men’s 55+ 7.0 team is off to a great start with 1st place.  Next home match is Sunday, April 6 at 4:30pm.

Next event for the tennis club is the Scholarship Tournament for Silver Creek High School tennis teams.  Jim Ferguson is chairman and he has changed the date to Saturday, May 10.  Please put that date on your calendar and watch for your club emails with instructions for how to sign-up.

This will be the 21st year of this charity event started by the
Fergusons to support students in our community through tennis.  Last
year the club awarded four $4,000.00 scholarships totaling $16,000.00 to
seniors on the  boys and girls teams who played for 2 years with . 3.0
GPA.  Silver Creek administration chooses the recipients.

The format this year is a bit different.  Instead of a dinner, there
will be a lunch at the courts after the tournament.  Mike Tuft has
agreed to be in charge of collecting funds for the scholarships.

This is a revised Tennis Talk preview.  Make note the Scholarship Tournament for Silver Creek High School date is now planned for Saturday, May 10

Scholarship Signup May10th

Open House/Jump Start Report

Tennis Talk
By Betty Olsen

On Tuesday, March 25, the hottest day of the year, the tennis club held its annual Open House for all villagers.  Many thanks to the member volunteers who made it possible, especially tennis pro Brett Foreman who ran the activity on the courts and MC Mike Tuft, as well as food chairman Nancy Domingo who served delicious strawberry shortcake!

Racquets were available to try out as well as the sign-up for the Jump Start program.  This program has been going on since 2012 which gives free lessons to club members.  The lessons are every Tuesday, 5:00 – 6:00 pm for 10 weeks, given by our top players:  Gail and Mike Tuft, Roy Pennington, Peggy Seidel and run by Sherry Benz, the creator of the program.  First lesson starts April 1st.  Call or email Sherry if you want to join: 408-887-5497 or sabenz@sbcglobal.com  Concluding the day, raffle prizes were drawn and given to all who attended.

The last home match for Women’s USTA 65+ 7.0 league was Friday, March 28 at 11:00am. Thanks for cheering on your Villagers team.

The next home match for the Men’s USTA 55+ 7.0 teams is Sunday, April 6 at 4:30 pm.  Come down to the courts and cheer on your fellow villagers.

A few bonus Open House photos

Brett Foreman and Betty Olsen also enjoying the Open House.


Mitzy Macon and Peggy Seidel also enjoying the Open House.


Betty’s Bees 2023 VTL championship trophy enjoying the Open House as well.

Prescott Report

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen

On Saturday, March 15, the Tennis Club had its first tournament of the year.   We dodged a rainout with folks squeezing the courts to start on time. The Prescott Tournament is our yearly charity tournament in honor of Phil Prescott, our benefactor for courts 5 & 6.  The charity is our own VMA, and Randy reports we raised $1,470.00, a combinations of tournament fees and donations.

Past President, Randy Shaw did a bang up job of organizing the tournament by filling the courts with 48 participants so that everyone played with 6 different partners and keeping a grand total of games won.  Wendy Ferguson came in first with 20 and Brett Foreman came in second with 19.

The chairman (Randy Shaw) likes what he sees.


Enjoying the Prescott tournament.

 Nancy Domingo outdid herself again providing the food: bacon, sausage, egg bites, coffee, orange juice, cheese quesadias, spaghetti, etc.  The viewing stand was full most of the time with people eating and watching.

We have 2 USTA village  teams in full swing:  Women’s 65+ 7.0 team and Men’s 55+ 7.0 team.  Come down to the courts and cheer on your fellow villagers.

Women’s 65+ 7.0:   March 21 and March 28 at 11:00am

Men’s 55+ 7.0:  March 23, March 30, April 6, April 20 and May 4 all at 4:30pm

And be sure to bring a neighbor to the tennis club Open House on Tuesday, March 25.

Open House/Jump Start

Tennis Talk
By Sherry Benz

The Tennis Club’s Open House is right around the corner, open to all Villagers, and you won’t want to miss it! Join us on the courts Tuesday, March 25th at 1:00-3:30PM for an afternoon of exciting activity planned by our Villages Tennis Professional, Brett Foreman. He describes it as “Tennis Olympics with a Carnival Theme.” Not sure if there will be medals or stuffed animals, but you’ll have fun trying! Come shod in tennis shoes. Racquets are available. There will be games, prizes, and the traditional strawberry shortcake. No reservations needed. No cost. Questions: Betty Olsen (betty_olsen@yahoo.com or 801-361-5591) or Michael Castle (mcastle152@sbcglobal.net or 516-554-4796).

Jump Start kicks off at the Open House. It’s the perfect program for anyone from a beginner to a “rustie”. Thanks to our Villager “experts”, Mike & Gail Tuft, Roy Pennington, and Peggy Seidel, who are returning to help you improve your skills. They are some of the best players in our club and have a wealth of information to share. Jump Start will meet on successive Tuesday afternoons beginning April 1st, 5:00-6:00PM. Don’t have a racquet? No worry, we have racquets donated by our members and we would love to give you one. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn, meet others at your playing level and … all at no charge. Questions: Sherry Benz (sabenz@sbcglobal.net or 408-887-5497)

The VTL (Villagers Tennis League) will kick off on March 19th. Thanks to Jim Murphy, Roy Pennington and Peggy Seidel for organizing this mixed doubles program. It is such fun to be on the court with lots of different players. If you are interested, it’s not too late. Call Roy Pennington (505-410-3449 or rpenn1700@aol.com).

 

Betty Olsen’s 65/7.0 team is underway. Our next home match on Friday, March 21st at 10:45 AM is a make-up due to rain against Imperial Tennis Club from Aptos. Come cheer us on!