Donna Gillen
As the French Open and the Wimbledon tournaments have concluded and the U.S. Open will commence soon, it just seemed like the right time to find out what the PebbleCreek tennis players do to keep their skills polished and sharp. Tennis Club members were asked to divulge where they have played on an unusual court or if they travel to tennis tourneys around the world. Several members shared their insights and their adventures.
Barbie Heck threw me for a loop when she explained that she actually played in Grand Central Station, New York City. She and her daughter played in the Vanderbilt Tennis Club, which is located on top of those big arched windows. The view could be costly as it looks down onto Park Avenue. Barbie explained it is always fun to have these interesting experiences with one of your children.
Betty Wring enjoyed playing tennis in France back in the day. There was a grass court close to where she was working at the time. She and a friend would just go out to play fun tennis. Betty has also had the amazing opportunity to travel worldwide to see all the major Grand Slam tennis tournaments. That in and of itself is a major accomplishment—an adventure of a lifetime.
David Deck’s dynamic life included some of the most wonderful experiences. He went to Wimbledon for his 40th birthday. His seats were 6 feet from the players. The shots were just unbelievable. He then ventured to his second Grand Slam, the Australian Open in 2018. He was able to roam about the courts for a more personalized as well as dangerous activity—junior players were practicing; one or two balls were direct hits toward him! In 2019 he was at the Roland Garros (French Open). The most unusual spot that David came across was his own personal adventure playing on the sand courts in the Dominican Republic this past December.
Doug Stansfield attended the French Open back in 1976. He was staying at a B&B near the Champs-Elysées. He knew no French, just a bit of German, and had to navigate the streets to get to the Roland Garros. He commented Arthur Ashe was being interviewed right by him. He had the opportunity to watch his favorite player, Bjorn Borg. Doug took several photos, and as an illustrator for the Army newspaper, created a graphite drawing of Bjorn that was published. He recalls how fabulous Paris was with the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame.
Dennis Whitley and his wife Norma have been to many of the international tennis tournaments. The adventure of traveling to Wimbledon for the women’s finals, Monte Carlo, Australian Open, the U.S. Open with the men’s final as well as our nearby tournament at Indian Wells. This summer they will be visiting the Tennis Hall of Fame Tournament in Rhode Island.
Charlie Reinert had many wonderful encounters in the tennis world. When he lived in Florida his tennis partner was named “Gator.” After many matches with him, Charlie inquired as to why he had that name … he was hired to relocate alligators; he needed to wrestle for removal from the area. Charlie played at Paradise Island in Atlantis Bahamas; but if that wasn’t enough, Charlie said the most breathtaking court he ever encountered was in Bermuda at the Hamilton Princess Hotel. The tennis courts were carved into volcanic rock that overlooked the beach and the oceans. While playing, the view mesmerized him. Charlie has had many experiences playing tennis in the U.S., too many to post here. If you see him, ask him about Kiawah Island.
Dan and Jeanne Schimmelpfennig have played tennis on hard courts and clay courts, but a most interesting court was a gray dirt court in the Dominican Republic back in 2007. During their travels to Puerto Vallarta, they played tennis amongst the iguanas and their googly eyes watching them in action. Jeanne and Dan enjoyed playing wherever they could over the years, many times being shooed off the courts from not-so-open establishments. Jeanne and Dan have enjoyed many adventures on courts all over the U.S. and even had a pizza delivered to one of their locations.
May our life escapades spark adventure in all of us!