Category: News

Tennis Talk
By Betty Olsen

Get your calendars out to put on upcoming tennis activities dates.  There is a lot of planning going on for 2025.

The women’s USTA 65+ 7.0 team starts with their first home match on Friday, February 7, at 10:45am, so come down to cheer them on.  Their home match schedule is:
Friday, February 7 at 10:45
Wednesday, February 19 at 10:45
Monday, February 24 at 10:45
Wednesday, March 5 at 10:45
Friday, March 28 at 10:45

The annual Prescott tournament, honoring longtime tennis member Phil Prescott is a charity event for our VMA and is scheduled for Saturday, March 15
Any questions, contact Randy Shaw., chairman, 408-505-2130 or rshaw001@gmail.com.

Also, the VTL (Villages Tennis League) is forming.  Please fill out the registration form sent to your email to participate.  All levels are included, and matches will be mixed doubles only, starting mid-March through mid-May.

The annual Tennis Club Open House and Jump Start lessons is Tuesday, March 25

Brett Foreman is planning to form a Men’s USTA 55+ 7.0 team.  If interested, please contact Brett at 408-509-5011 or brett10s@gmail.com.  Matches are weekdays after work or weekends.

And finally, Liz Kung is wanting to form a Women’s USTA 55+ 7.0 team.  If interested, please contact Liz at 408-605-6205 or lvktennis@ gmail.com.

Tennis Club welcomes new Board for 2025

By Betty Olsen

The Tennis Club’s new board for 2025 was voted on and presented at the club’s holiday party on Sunday, December 8. The new board is as follows:

President – Gene Mariani

Vice-President – Gail Tuft

Secretary – Marty Funcell

Treasurer – Tina Parsley

Communications – Don Clarke

Tournament Director – Sukh Johal

Hospitality/Social – Nancy Domingo/Michael Castle

Court Manager – Ron McChesney

Master Scheduler – Jayme Dickson

Membership – Karen Hillis

Members-at-large – Michael Castle/Betty Olsen

Past President – Ruth Liu

QUIZ:

WHO’S MISSING ?

2025 promises to be a banner year for Tennis Club activities.

The Tennis Club holiday party on Sunday, December 8 was super fun with the holiday theme of “Hawaiian Christmas.” Many came dressed Hawaiian style with flowered shirts and dresses along with beach outfits. When people checked in, they received a colorful lei and had their photo taken in front of a Hawaiian beach scene.

Eight dancers from the Sunshine Dance Club entertained us as well as taught us a hula. DJ Chris Campos started the dance music and the dance floor became crowded. Many thanks to President Ruth Lui as Chairman and her many helpers such as Tina Parsley doing the centerpieces and Tony Loiacano creating his balloon decorations.

Tennis Talk
The Villager January 2, 2025 publication
By Phyllis and John Mueller

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen

Sunday, December 8, the Tennis Club had their annual holiday party with a twist.  The theme was “Christmas in Hawaii,” with everyone arriving Hawaiian style.  At the check-in table members were handed colorful leis to wear to add to their outfit.  As you walked into the room, your picture was taken in front of a large Hawaiian scene on the wall.  And then you found 2 giant palm trees made out of balloons.  At the foot of the palm trees were beach balls that were later used on the dance floor.

President Ruth Liu first conducted a short business meeting introducing and voting on the incoming board officers for 2025.

Following the Hawaiian themed dinner, 8 dancers from the Sunshine Dance Club entertained us with a hula as well as teach us a Hawaiian dance.  The hula we learned was about fishing in a boat.  DJ Chris Campos started the dance music, and the dance floor was crowded with happy feet.  The Sunshine Dance Club was out there most of the time.

It takes many volunteers to put together such an extravagant dinner party.  Many thanks to Ruth Liu who took charge, Tina Parsley for taking entrance photos as well as the table center pieces using real pineapples!  And, of course for Tony Loiacano and his creative balloon decorations.  Then the many other helpers behind the scenes such as Nancy Domingo and Jayme Dickson.

Thanks for such a fun evening.

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen

The nominating committee has been working hard to fill tennis club’s officer positions for 2025.  It is imperative for all members to take on a responsibility for the club so that the same willing workers don’t get burnt out.  There is an opening for a woman VP since we have the long tradition of changing genders each year for VP.

The following list will be the officers presented for 2025:

Treasurer:  Tina Parsley                                               

Master Scheduler:  Jayme Dickson

At our Sunday, December 8 tennis club holiday party, we will vote at the short business meeting before all of the festivities begin.  Don’t forget to sign up for our “Hawaiian Christmas Holiday Party.”

Sign-Up Here

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen

Sunday, December 6 is the final activity for the Tennis Club’s 2024 year.  President Ruth Domingo-Lui is working hard to make it a special “Christmas in Hawaii” holiday party.  Please be sure to sign up ASAP.

Sign-Up Here

The menu consists of our Hawaiian Theme with teriyaki chicken, grilled salmon or vegetarian meal.  You are encouraged to dress Hawaiian style such as Hawaiian mumus, flowered shirts, white pants, straw hats, or maybe grass skirts!

The music will come from the DJ Chris Campos who will play songs from our 50’s – 80’s decade.  He is a professional DJ who had his own show on 94.5.  DJ Chris Campos is an open format DJ.  He has been in the music industry for over 30 years.

Our Hula Dancers are our very own Sunshine Dancers.  They will be performing traditional hula and will engage our audience to join in.

We will start the evening with a very short business meeting to elect our new incoming officers, followed by dinner and dancing.

On Wednesday, November 13, 10 girls from the Silver Creek high school tennis team came to play tennis with our Villages women.  Wendy Ferguson arranges this activity every year to expose teenagers to the experience of tennis as a lifetime sport and to encourage the seniors to apply for our yearly scholarships.  Unfortunately, we only had 4 village women available to play, so Silver Creek had to switch teams after 4 or 6 games.

Tennis Talk
By Betty Olsen

Fall is in the air and thank goodness the election is over. 

Time to look forward to 2025.  We are looking for volunteer members for the Tennis Club officers for 2025 to help plan and organize our 2025 year.  It takes many willing volunteers to keep things running.  If you are interested in having a voice at the table, please contact Betty Olsen, betty_olsen@yahoo.com or 801-362-5591.

And this is a reminder that we are fortunate to have a tennis professional, Brett Foreman, living here and offering lessons to improve your tennis game.  

He has graciously committed to offering a tennis clinic every Thursday morning at 10:30am for all skill levels.  Just drop in. He also suggests that 4 people can arrange a time for specialized doubles strategy.  In addition, you have the opportunity to sign up for a semi-private lesson with a partner or perhaps a private lesson for a good workout and a few tips on how to improve your strokes.  Now is the time for your New Year’s Resolution to improve your tennis skill.

And don’t forget our Tennis Club Holiday party “Christmas in Hawaii” on Sunday, Dec. 8.  You don’t want to miss it.  

Click Here to Register

 

…and just for fun…some smiling faces…

Tennis Talk
By Tim Keys

The Villages Men’s USTA 6.5 tennis team captured a nice win over Almaden Valley Athletic Club this past Sunday, October 20, with the highlight entailing a smashing victory for Lisi Bettencourt and Steve Olson playing in Line 2. They dominated a win 6-2, 6-2 in Lisi’s second ever USTA match! And another highlight in a smashing victory came with a 6-0, 6-1 by pair Josh Liao and Paul Spisar!

Saturday’s match, October 26, the 6.5 team played the first place team for a second time but came up short.  Sunday, October 27, the Villages played Almaden Swim and Raquet club, battled hard, but came up short.  Steve Olson and Brian Dombrowski played late into the evening on a heartbreaking tie-break loss.

Saturday, November 2, our team will play its final game of the league season here at the Villages at 3:30 p.m. Come down and cheer on your Villagers to an exciting victory with lots of food and high-fives at the end.

It is time to select next year’s tennis club officers. If you would like to help organize club activities for 2025, please contact Betty Olsen, 801-361-5591 or email betty_olsen@yahoo.com.

In addition, please save the date of Sunday, December 8 for our tennis club’s holiday party titled “Christmas in Hawaii.” You won’t want to miss the performance of the Sunshine Dance Club! DJ Chris Campos formerly of 94.5 will provide the music.