Clarita Tom preparing to serve.
Donna Gillen
After over a year of contemplating how to serve the members of the PebbleCreek Tennis Club (PCTC) in a fun yet safe manner, our tournaments director, Aquine Jackson, prepared a round-robin tournament for members on March 25. The tournament took much proactive thinking by Aquine, and the results were awesome. The participants expressed their excitement throughout the vigorous rounds of tennis on courts 7 through 13.
As the first event for the year, it seemed prudent to interview some of the participants to understand how they were dealing with this new freedom of competitive in-house play. Before the games began, we were fortunate enough to have Mellissa Kallet nearby, and she was asked what she thought of this event.
“Nice to see people out playing tennis, the opening of the community a little bit, and the people having fun.”
Bernadine Helriegel explained with a big smile, “Get to see everyone and finally get to play some serious tennis!”
Michael Stepien (new to PebbleCreek) was excited to do his first event. He has been playing with the drop-in group. Asked how long he has been playing, he responded, “I played as a youngster and just getting back into it this year.”
Fred Barlow and Ken Minichiello were both eager for today and recognized how important it was to follow the social distancing guidelines while being at any event for tennis or in PebbleCreek.
Lynda Bailey was excited to be back for this first event with the PCTC. She was asked if she has been playing lately and said, “I’ve been playing a lot in the evening and on Fridays and as a fill in… I’ve been playing tennis about 20 years, my favorite sport.”
Pat Ingalls remarked, “It feels like freedom, it feels like fun, and it’s great to see everybody… to play it’s super!”
Since there are still restrictions on gatherings, there was no social afterwards and all prizes were awarded immediately afterwards by playing groups (in lieu of a luncheon). All participants were very cognizant of the social safety restrictions and adhered to all restrictions.
The day started with gray skies, which helped keep the temperatures down for more energetic play. The players each played six games, mixed doubles, rotating partners after each game. At the end, prizes were awarded for first, second, and third place. Placement was made by playing groups. The first place prize was awarded to: Betty Wring, Norma Whitley, Debbie Welsh (women), and Ted Ingalls, Charlie Hunt, Edward Elliot (men). Second place prize to: Janet Wise, Clarita Tom, Vikki Constable (women), and Seigfried Mueller, Michael Stepien, Dennis Whitley (men). Third place prize went to: Linda Elliot, Bernadine Helriegel, Christine Barlow (women), and David Bain, Fred Barlow, Curtis Patchin (men).
One of the most notable comments from everyone involved was knowing that soon we would be having more exciting group events and seeing everyone after such a long, long desert of separation. Spring has sprung!