Tennis Talk at Tellico Village - June 2010

Tellico Lake Tennis Associations and the Oak Ridge Tennis Club had a joint tennis and social event on Friday, May 28th that began at the Tellico Village tennis courts. Eight players from the Oak Ridge Tennis Club joined ten players from TLTA for tennis action at the Wellness Center tennis courts with matches for all levels. Alberta Harris represented TLTA at the 2.5 lady’s singles level, Larry Denny at the 3.5 men’s singles level, Peter Watson at the 3.5 men’s singles level and Bob Ambler and Rick Meckstroth represented the association in the 3.5 men’s doubles. Unfortunately, before these first matches could be completed there was a brief rain delayed followed, by the resumption of the matches, followed by a complete rain out.

The players then adjourned to Tug Boats Pizza restaurant for a social discussion of how great the tennis matches would have been had it not been for the rain. Future such matches/social are in the planning stages for events with Cleveland Country Club and Greenville Tennis Association.

On Sunday afternoon, June 6th, TLTA held the annual Women’s and Men’s Doubles tournament. Although this event was threatened by rain, all the matches were completed prior to the rain arriving. Winners were Women’s “A” division Brenda Rayfield and Ann Shaver (photo 1); Women’s “B” division Kandie Shubeck and Jerre Karl (photo 2); Men’s “A” division were Don Freeman and Bruno Barbero (photo 3); and Men’s B division were Don Qualkenbush and Mark Sodemann (photo 4).

During the University of Tennessee’s men’s and women’s tennis teams play during the NCAA national championship tournament, many TLTA members traveled to Athens, GA in support of the Vols. The men’s team advanced to the finals on May 25th with a large number of TLTA members on hand to support them in their bid for the national championship. Although the Vols finished as the number two collegiate team in the country, many of the members in attendance are already planning their next trip to the NCAA tournament in 2011 to support the Vols.

During the weekend of June 11 through the 13th, the local league Champions from the 4.0 level will be competing for a State Championship in Chattanooga. The Team is captained by Peter Watson and John Carver. Two weeks later the local 3.5 team, Captained by Fred Bonney and Jim Bennett will travel to Chattanooga to compete in the state championships at that level.

During the month of June, mixed doubles teams are forming for play in USTA league play in July and August. Winners of the local leagues will represent TLTA at the State Championships in Chattanooga the last weekend in August, Aug. 27 -29. Any one interested in playing on a mixed doubles team should sign up at the Chota Recreation Center in Tellico Village or send an e-mail to either Bob Ambler at rambler@utk.edu or to Fred Bonney at fred-elaine@mindspring.com . If you have previously sent your name in or signed up it will not be necessary to repeat the sign up.

In July the Super Senior Teams will be forming for play in August and September with the State Championships being played in Knoxville, September 24- 26.

Also, on Sunday, July 18th, there will be a meeting at the Chota Recreation Center at 5 PM of all those who are going on the Fall Get Away to Hilton Head. This meeting will cover all the last minute details and completing the finals arrangements on housing, and to make final payment on the activities the participants have chosen during their stay. The meeting will be followed by a social allowing all of the participants to get acquainted. Anyone wanting additional details can contact Bob Wright at 865 408-2592.

Additional details on all of TLTA events can be found on www.tlta.usta.com. The mission of TLTA is promote and grow the sport of tennis in east Tennessee.

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