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TennisTalk

E-Newsletter
September 2009
In This Issue
President's Letter
Captain's Meeting
Burger King 16s Clay Court Championship
Elvis "Return to Server" Champions
Summer CORTA Local League Champions
Corporate League
TennisWorks in the Parks
Junior Flex League
Junior Teen Council
Upcoming Junior Programs
Cardio Tennis
"Serve Up a Cure" for Breast Cancer
Gift Donations
Buckhead Grill
US Open Coverage
Facebook
CORTA Links
CORTA Sponsors
 President's Letter
Nancy Prescott

Dear CORTA Members,

I continue to be amazed with the high level of tennis participation we have in Columbus.  We have very young children to very seasoned seniors on the courts every day.  Some players are a part of a formal CORTA program, some have organized a team practice, and some are simply out enjoying the game and its exercise benefits. The overwhelming majority of the tennis-playing public are CORTA members.  All it takes to join CORTA is to participate in one of our programs.... and you are automatically a member for an entire year.  What a value!

As the fall tennis season gets underway, we are still in discussions with the City of Columbus about the management of Cooper Creek Tennis Center. We expect the City Councilors will vote on this issue sometime in September.  The court conditions at Cooper Creek Tennis Center and court availability continue to be a priority for our tennis playing community.  Cooper Creek Tennis Center is a vital part of tennis.  CORTA is very interested in reversing the deterioration of the present courts as we look toward a major expansion of courts in the future.  

See you on the courts!

Nancy's Signature
Captains' and Interested Players' Meeting - Saturday, September 12
Mandatory Meeting for all USTA ADULT & SENIOR LEAGUE Captains
and
open to all interested PLAYERS!
  Each captain or a representative from each team must be present at the captain's meeting.  All interested league players are invited to attend this meeting to learn about existing and new rules & regulations concerning league play.
Date:  Saturday, September 12, 2009
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location:  Columbus Public Library Auditorium on Macon Road

Burger King Southern 16s Clay Court Championship
The Burger King Southern 16s Clay Court Championship was held July 12 - 17 at Cooper Creek Tennis Center. BK2009
This tournament was a USTA Southern Section level 2 and a USTA National level 3 tournament.  Participation was great this year with 196 junior players!  Players from the local area and across the nation competed in the Burger King!   The girl singles champion was Shelby Talcott, who traveled all the way from Sea Cliff, New York!!!  Hunter Reese of Kennesaw, GA won the Boys' 16s division.   Kathryn Hoch of Montclair, NJ and Shelby Talcott of Sea Cliff, NY teamed to win the Girls' Doubles. Nathan Rakitt of Marietta, GA and Hunter Reese of Kennesaw, GA won the Boys' Doubles.  Congratulations to the Sportsmanship winners Clare Mendell of Canton, GA and Nathan Rakitt of Marietta, GA.  Local players participating in the tournament were Jabez Beezer, Brett Blevins, John Illges, Kazuki Onoe, Haley Powell, Benjamin Shiver, and Hunter Spicer.

"Return to Server" Southern NTRP Clay Court Championship
The "Return to Server" Southern NTRP Clay Court Championship was held August 5 - 9 at Cooper Creek Tennis Center.  There were 214 participants from Georgia, Alabama and Kentucky competing this year!  Affectionately known as the "Elvis", the tournament was filled with great tennis throughout the week and an Elvis "Blue Hawaii" themed player party on Saturday night!  Players and friends enjoyed food, drinks, Elvis trivia, and karaoke!  The "Return to Server" is a KIA Motors Tournament of Champion qualifying tournament.

CORTA would like to give very special THANK YOU to our sponsors this year!!

Solid Source Premier Realty                        Edible Arrangements
Triangle Beverage                                      Papa John's Pizza
J. Smith Lanier & Company                         Physical Therapy of Phenix City
Solar Bat South Sunglasses                         Columbus Parks and Recreation
Chick Fil A Peachtree Mall


Congratulations to these Southern Champions!

Men's Singles
                                           Women's Singles
2.5 - Michael Zdunowski                              2.5 - Prissy Mudge                             
3.0 - Todd Human                                       3.0 - Joanie Isom
3.5 - Kevin Gunnels                                     3.5 - Dawn Harper
4.0 - Joe Perdue                                         4.0 - Cathy Gunnels
4.5 - Benjamin Hale

Men's Doubles
                                        Women's Doubles
2.5 - Michael Zdunowski/Justin Bates           2.5 - Allison Leckey/Michelle Williams
3.0 - Ravi Gudlavalleti/Gopal Vanam             3.0 - Jennie Hannay/Angela Stillwell
3.5 - Fred Branch/Adam Cooper                   3.5 - Ely Klar/ Tonya McLemore
4.0 - Whit Laney/Ryan Miller                        4.0 - Christy Bates/Teresa Douthit
4.5 - Roger Pearce/Steve Thiel

Mixed Doubles
2.5 - Alex Rozwadowski/Vivi Stoller
3.0 - Ashley Leverett/Alan Preston
3.5 - Canyon Bowie/Natalie Kelly
4.0 - Keith Johnson/Janell McKenzie
4.5 - Jim Rogers/Laura Gaboardi

Congratulations to the Summer CORTA Local League Champions!
Winners of the summer leagues will be recognized at an Awards Party on Sunday, September 13th.  The party will be held at Los Amigos, 5935 Veterans Parkway at 6:00 p.m.  This event is for the winning teams' players only.  (Invitations to follow.)  Congratulations on a great season!

City League
2.5W - Wanda Blevins-CC
3.0W - Jean Fuller-CC
3.5W - Teresa Wiggins-CC

Combo Doubles
5.0W - Tamma Smith-CC       5.5M - Richard Galbraith-CC 
5.5W - Teresa Davis-GI         6.5M - Jeff Ammerman-CC 
6.5W - Marie Arnold-GI         7.5M - Mark Thomas-CC
7.5W - Cheryl Allen-CC                             
               
Senior Combo Doubles
7.5W - Lura Reed-CC             6.5M - Russ Hagberg

Mixed Doubles                 Senior Mixed Doubles
6.0 - Melissa Lardinois         7.0 - Gene Oswalt-CC
7.0 - Al Dean-CCC
8.0 - Tony Latham-CC
                                                               

For more information about CORTA Leagues, contact Cissy Sanders
 or Charlie Clippinger.
Congratulations to the Corporate League State Champions
The 2009 USTA Georgia Corporate League State Championships was held August 29-30 at the Country Club of Roswell in Atlanta.  The Tidwell Cancer Center team brought home the State Championship Trophy!  Congratulations to YOU!

Dawn Harper, Michael Carrico, Jeff Ammerman, Angel Degree (Captain), Wes Padgett,
Stephanie Shiver, Andie Centerbar, and Adam Centerbar
TennisWorks in the Parks by Helen Martin                                                              
The fall session of TennisWorks in the Parks will be held September 21 - November 18 on Monday and Wednesday evenings, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Lakebottom Park tennis courts.  This program offers children in our community the chance to learn how to play tennis at no cost!  It is so exciting to see many of these juniors advance into other programs, leagues, and compete (and WIN) in local tournaments.  The positive experiences they receive from TennisWorks can only enrich their lives!  This program depends so much on the commitment of CORTA's volunteers.   If you are interested in investing in our children.... consider being a TennisWorks in the Parks Volunteer!  Let me know!

  ChristmasCardTree1
CORTA Juniors Kevin Jacobson and Anne Lyle Illges are pictured above with
TennisWorks in the Parks children at the summer session!
Junior Flex League by Deby Caldwell
Thanks to everyone that participated in the Junior Flex League.  Overall it was a great success.  I received much positive feedback from both parents and players!  The younger lower level players completed the most matches, which is very interesting!  Thanks to all you parents that stayed behind them and encouraged them to play their matches. 
Congratulations to Flex League winners!  Girls 2.5 - Sammi Rice; Girls 3.0 - McKenzie Harrison/Delaney Harrison - Tied; Boys 2.5 - Lawton Mullin; Boys 3.0  (Tie) - Eddie Arnold and Andrew Theus; 3.5/4.0 - Kirk vonHilshiemer
Junior Teen Council by Deby Caldwell
CORTA hosted several Friday Night Mixers for both junior and adult players throughout the summer.  But on Friday, August 28, the CORTA Jr. Teen Council decided to host a Friday Night Round Robin Mixer for our "Ad In" special populations athletes!  Under the outstanding direction of Anne Lyle Illges, (Vice-President of the Teen Council), the Council made a typical Friday night a wonderful experience for 24 special people!  Each player received a "basket" filled with t-shirts, water bottles, ponchos, and sweets!  The CORTA Jr. Council served as unified partners with the athletes, playing a round robin format.  One court was designated for "basic skills" giving athletes a chance to show off their forehands and backhands!  This was followed by music, awards, and a pizza party.  It was obvious that each of the athletes had a great night of fun, but most noted was the compassion and unselfish spirit of the Teen Council in sharing a special night with athletes that seldom get the opportunity.  It was something that every adult CORTA member should be very proud of in this day and time where the youth of our country has disappointed many.  Collectively these 25 teens gave over 75 hours of service and a night to remember for many special people and their families.  Special thanks to our sponsors:  John Illges III, Mainline Information Systems, Subway and Callaway Blue Water Company.

CORTA Jr. Teen Council is a group of junior tennis players that commit to using tennis as an avenue to serve their community.  Any tennis player who is in high school may join the CORTA Jr. Teen Council.  The requirements are to attend a monthly meeting and commit to 20 hours of community service for the year.  All members are expected to show high character, good sportsmanship, and encourage all non playing juniors to play the game!  It's not too late to sign up!  Next meeting is Tuesday, October 6 at 6:00 p.m. at the annex building at Cooper Creek Tennis Center.  Council meets the first Tuesday of every month. Click here for more information.


Anne Lyle �D In 
            
CORTA Junior Teen Council members
Upcoming Junior Programs
LEVEL II - Future Stars - This is the follow up clinic for the Rising Stars.  Emphasis is on serving, scorekeeping, rules, etc.  For all ages 7 - 18. Clinic #1 - Starts September 22 - October 15.  Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Fee: $60

AD-IN for Special Populations - This is tennis training for all special populations of all ages.  Clinic begins:
September 4- November 20.  Friday - 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.  Fee:  $25

QuickStart Junior Team Tennis - QuickStart league is for players 8 & Under and 10 & Under. Foam and low compression balls are used, along with modified court sizes.  All matches are played at Lakebottom Park tennis courts on Sundays from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Participants receive a t-shirt with registration!  Deadline to register is Wednesday, September 9.  Don't miss out on reserving your spot!!

Middle School Jr. Team Tennis - Registration is open now!  Matches will begin on October 6th!  Be sure to sign up and play for your school!

Cardio Tennis
Looking for a fun way to improve your tennis skills and get in a good cardio workout at the same time? Then Cardio Tennis is for you!ChristmasCardTree1

Cardio Tennis is a fun group activity featuring drills to give players of all abilities an ultimate, high energy workout.  This unique fitness/tennis clinic is packed with tennis drills, sport specific training stations, great music, and lots of FUN!

Tuesday and Thursday evening sessions as well as a Wednesday morning session will start on September 15.  Click here for more information on class times!  Note the early start time on morning session!  Class size is limited, so call the CORTA office at 706-317-4136 or email us at [email protected] to reserve your spot!!

Joie Paull Memorial Tennis Event
JP Round
Men and Women you are invited to
"Serve Up a Cure" for Breast Cancer

Join us for the 7th Annual Joie Paull Memorial Tennis Event
Sunday, October 25, 2009
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cooper Creek Tennis Center

Fee of $35.00 includes dinner and gift.

All proceeds benefit the "Women's Breast Cancer Support Fund" in memory of Joie Paull.

Register online at www.columbusregional.com
Space is limited.  Registration deadline is Wednesday, October 21st
Gift Donations
CORTA is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.  We rely on donor support to sustain many valuable programs. 

Thank you to our recent donors.

Junior Programs
, Larry Mims Tennis Foundation
Wellpoint Foundation
The Jordan Foundation

Are you looking for a great way to honor your captain for a job well done?  Consider making a contribution to CORTA.

"In Honor of" Gifts - Such a contribution is a great way to observe someone's birthday or anniversary. The person honored by your contribution will receive a special card announcing your gift.
Memorial Gifts - Your gift will be acknowledged to family members or someone else you specify.

Gifts may be earmarked for a particular use or to support a CORTA program that is of special interest.  Contact CORTA for more details.
New CORTA Membership Benefit.... Compliments of Buckhead Grill
ChristmasCardTree1 CORTA is pleased to announce that Buckhead Grill is generously offering all CORTA members a 15% discount (excludes alcohol).   Buckhead Grill is the ultimate Columbus dining experience, known for its unique ambiance and outdoor dining since 1995. Guests are offered delicious New American Cuisine, cooking up American and Southern staples seasoned with cultural flavors for dinner daily.  Buckhead Grill is located at  5010 Armour Road.
US Open TV Coverage
WRBL
WRBL is excited to announce that they will air US Open coverage on Labor Day, September 7 from 11am-6pm on their Digital channel WRBL DT-2 Retro TV Network (RTV) over the air and on digital cable. 

Check out the complete TV schedule for the 2009 US Open.
 
Facebook 
FacebookJoin us on Facebook for both the CORTA Fan page!  It's a great for tennis talk and to connect players for match play.  Thanks to Margaret Love for volunteering to be our Facebook Administrator.

Columbus Regional Tennis Association, CORTA is a 501(c)3 non-profit community tennis association.

Our mission is "to promote the development of tennis as a means of healthy recreation and lifelong physical fitness."
CORTA (Columbus Regional Tennis Association)
P. O. Box 8236 � Columbus, GA  31908
706-317-4136 � 706-317-4501 (fax)
[email protected](email)
www.corta.org
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