Historical File - April/May 2002
Bluewater Bay League News
The 2nd session of Bluewater Bay in-house tennis leagues will start April 15th and continue through June 15th. If you wish to be a regular or a substitute on either men's or ladies doubles leagues, please contact the Bluewater Bay Tennis Center and leave your name, level of play and preferred day of playing, with the Tennis Center staff. It's a great way to meet other players and get hooked to the game and fun.
Tournament News
The Habitat for Humanity Tournament kicks off April 5 - 7. The divisions are Men's and Women's Open 30, 40, 50, 60 & 70 Singles, Doubles and Open Mixed Doubles. The non-sanctioned divisions are Singles, Doubles and Mixed B & C. All proceeds benefit the Habitat for Humanity Organization.
The Daily News Junior Aces Tournament will take place May 18 - 20. This sanctioned event for Juniors ages 10 - 18 benefits the Girl's and Boy's Club. Entry forms will be available at the BWB Tennis Center or the Daily News.
New Director of Tennis/Head Professional
BBTC is very pleased to announce that Doug Barthel has accepted an appointment as our future Director of Tennis/Head Tennis Professional. Doug will join us in the first week of May.
Doug (36) began his tennis career in 1986 as Program Director for the Jackson (Miss.) Athletic Club and then moved to Memphis in 1988 as an Assistant Pro at both the Racquet Club of Memphis and the Memphis Country Club. Two years later, Doug took over as lessee and Director of Tennis at the Forest Hill Tennis Club, an indoor-outdoor facility in Collierville (suburban Memphis) affiliated with the Ridgeway Country Club. In his eight years there, Doug was successful in developing a variety of attractive programs for juniors, building an active roster of adult team tennis participants and gaining a reputation as an excellent tennis teacher and coach. During this time period, Doug also directed the community tennis program for the City of Collierville.
In 2001, Doug accepted the challenge of starting a new tennis facility for the City of Brownsville (Texas) and the Brownsville Tennis Association where he has been responsible for developing and directing tennis programming for this public/private partnership serving a city of 150,000 people. Doug's desire to move his family (wife, Kathy, and six-year old son, Drew) closer to home and return to a smaller, member based club in an area where he had often vacationed coincided perfectly with our search. We believe that Doug has the skills needed to lead BBTC's tennis programs to a new level of excellence.
Look for announcement in the near future of the date for a "Welcome Doug" party. Contact Maria to sign-up in advance for Doug's lesson schedule: times available starting May 6.
Welcome Back Mary Catherine
Our beloved Teaching Pro Mary Catherine Alexander has re-joined our teaching staff, and we are thrilled to have her back. Mary Catherine was employed with the BWB Tennis Center from Aug 1998 until Aug 2000. She then moved to Meridian Mississippi with her family during a military assignment of her Marine husband Bob, and is now back in BWB to stay, (we all hope). Mary Catherine brings a lot of love, energy and enthusiasm to the game of tennis and has inspired many children and adults to get into this great life-time sport.
Junior News
Rally Ball
There will be a 3 week mini-session for Rally Ball (Beginners ages 6 -12). Practice and learn basic skills and match rules:
Dates: April 9th, 16th, 23rd (Apr 30th Rain Check).
Times: Tue 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Cost: $25.00 per child
Drop-in Rate: $10.00
Junior Match Day
Mary Catherine will conduct a Junior Match Day for Junior Team Tennis participants.
Dates: April 12th, 19th, 26th
Times: Fri 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Cost: $15.00 members - $31.80 non-members
Format will be supervised singles and doubles according to playing level, with some coaching. Our goal is to keep the Juniors playing who are not on the Ruckel team (Ruckel team players are welcome). New full sessions will start up again in May after completion of Ruckel tennis.
Welcome New Members
Welcome to our new members Andrew Cornier and Jackie Stinar. We are happy and proud to have you join our great member family.