Willing To Serve? Want To Share Your Talents?
| Would you be willing to work toward making a great organization better, meet new friends, set and accomplish goals, and have fun too? Then give yourself an opportunity to volunteer with the Columbus Regional Tennis Association! The CORTA Nominating Committee is currently looking for volunteers to serve on the 2012-2013 CORTA Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving in a leadership role or as a CORTA committee member, let us know..
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Adult Program News
| Fall Adult Leagues
The Fall League season is now underway. The first matches were scheduled on Saturday, September 10th and the season will run until the weekend before Thanksgiving. As of today, Adult, Senior and City leagues have a total of 130 teams and 1551 players.
In order for matches to stay on schedule during the league season please remember the following:
CONTINUOUS PLAY
As a principle, play should be continuous, from the time the match starts
(when the first serve of the match is put in play) until the match finishes. Between points, a maximum of twenty (20) seconds is allowed.
When the players change ends at the end of a game, a maximum of
ninety (90) seconds are allowed. However, after the first game of
each set and during a tie-break game, play shall be continuous and
the players shall change ends without a rest. At the end of each set there
shall be a set break of a maximum of one hundred and twenty (120) seconds.
Note: The 20-second time limit does not apply if a player has to chase a stray ball.
Below is a list of the most commonly violated situations:
* Limit Warm-up time - 10 minutes
* Between points - a maximum of 20 seconds (except when concerning a stray ball)
* Change over - 90 seconds
* No break after first game of either set
* Time between sets - 2 minutes
* Bathroom break - genuine need
* Tie Break is continuous
* Drag your courts and sweep the lines in a timely manner
* Leave your court as soon as your match is over so the next scheduled match can get underway
Inaugural Season of "Aces and Graces" Summer Church League
The inaugural season of "Aces & Graces" Summer Church League sponsored by The Truth 88.5 FM was a great success and so much fun! Thank you to all the players and the churches that participated: First Presbyterian, Holy Family, Cascade Hills, and Christ Community Church. A big thank you to Chic-Fil-A, Midland for providing the food for the end of season player party.
Congratulations to the Summer CORTA Local League Champions!
Summer Mixed Doubles: 5.0 Fitzgerald-CC, 6.0 Medders-CC, 7.0 Beach-CC, 8.0 Bowie-CC
Senior Mixed Doubles: 7.0 Oswalt-CC, 8.0 Hudson-GI
Adult Combo Doubles: 5.0W Fitzgerald-CC, 5.5W Shellnut-CC, 6.5W Miller-CC, 7.5W Kelly-CC, 8.5W Bates-CC, 5.5M Wright/Lardinois-CC, 6.5M Galbraith-CC, 7.5M Godfrey/Wagenti-CC, 8.5M Cooper-CC
Senior Combo Doubles: 6.5W Pirkle-CC
Summer City League: 2.5W Nolin-CC, 3.0W Ellison-CC
Congratulations on a great season!
Congratulations to USTA Georgia Mixed Doubles Champions!
Congratulations to Tracie Fitzgerald Adult 5.0, Kerri Medder's Adult 6.0, and Christy Bates Adult 9.0 Mixed Doubles teams! Next stop...Southern Mixed Doubles Sectional Championships, October 14th - 16th in Macon, GA. Good Luck CORTA teams!
Congratulations to Russ Hagberg's 6.5 Men's Super Senior Combo team for winning the State Championship!
Upcoming Leagues
Registration for Flex Leagues and Mixed Doubles is fast approaching! Registration for Flex League should be open in late October. Winter Mixed Double will be available for registration in early November.
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TennisWorks! in the Parks by Helen Martin |
TennisWorks! in the Parks started September 28 and will run for six weeks at Lakebottom Park on Monday and Wednesday evenings, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. If you are interested in serving as a mentor, please contact Helen Martin.
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Junior Program News
by Deby Caldwell | Three Local Junior Teams Come Out On Top At State Championships in Macon
CORTA had 11 Junior Tennis Teams advance to the USTA Junior Team Tennis State Championships in Macon, GA. These teams competed among more than 1,100 Junior players in the largest State Junior Team competition in the US. Three of those teams came out on top.
In the 12 and Under Advanced classification, the team captained by Petra Gordon came in first. Players on the Gordon team were Nicole Gordon, Caroline Boren, Mayu Onoe, Jeremiah Harrison, Hayden Spicer, and John Thomas Powell. In the 18 and Under Intermediate division, the Trussell team came out on top with players Walt Trussell, (Captain), and Mary Grier Illges, Avery Hudson, Delaney Harrison, Kazuki Onoe, John Illges,V, and Brett McLemore.
The 12 and Under Intermediate Team was captained by Lacy Swords, and players were Halee Swords, Avery Terrell, Taylor Garner, Jaylee Sawtelle, Suzie Sikes, Jacob Yates, Bennett Counts, Trevor McLemore, Carson Sands, and John Wesley Carlson.
Also at the State Championships, CORTA Junior Player Andi VonHilsheimer was awarded the Sportsmanship Award for the 14 & Under division. Nominations were submitted by opposing Captains based on outstanding attitude and sportsmanship displayed on the court. One boy and one girl from each age group were selected from among 1,000 players who participated in the competition resulting in eight sportsmanship awards being given out. This is a great accomplishment. Congrats, Andi!
Both the Gordon 12U Advanced team and the Trussell 18U Intermediate team represented CORTA at the USTA Southern Jr. Team Tennis Section Championships. This tournament, held in Mobile, Al, had teams representing nine states in USTA Southern, the largest of the 17 sections. Both teams fought hard and represented us well by coming in 2nd place! In addition, Nicole Gordon, daughter of Rick and Petra Gordon, won the Sportsmanship Award for the 12U Advanced division.
For more information about Junior Programs click here.
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CORTA Junior Teen Council Hosts Ad-In Mixer
by John Illges |
As the seasons change yet again, what better way is there to celebrate the end of a fantastic summer and the beginning of a new school year than to play tennis? It was all fun-generated smiles on September 16 when the CORTA Junior Teen Council hosted the third annual Ad-In Mixer, a highly anticipated event for the participants. It was tennis at its best for the eighteen special athletes who are part of CORTA's Ad-In clinic, a program dedicated to helping special populations learn and enjoy the game of tennis. After playing an hour of hard-fought tennis, both unified doubles and basic skills, everyone relaxed and enjoyed delicious pizza, celebrating the fact that everyone that evening was a winner.
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2011 CORTA Junior Teen Council - "Our Purpose is to Serve Others"
by Mary Grier Illges |
The CORTA Junior Teen Council is made up of High School Students throughout Columbus who are passionate about tennis and passionate about helping others. Each member of the council agrees to complete 20 hours of community service through tennis during the school year.
One of our projects is CORTA's Christmas Toy Tournament held in early December. The Jr. Teen Council is responsible for everything from publicity to running the two-day tournament!
The toys that each player brings to the Toy Tournament are donated to the Open Door Community House in Columbus and the funds raised benefit our special pops athletes.
Beginning in the fall and continuing through the spring and summer, the Junior Teen Council members assist CORTA with an Ad-In clinic once a week for the special pops athletes to come learn, play, and enjoy tennis.
Every Spring we host the Regional Special Olympics at Cooper Creek where special athletes from all over Columbus come together for food, fun, competition and lots of tennis! Most athletes team-up with a Junior Teen Council member, and each one has a blast playing doubles or competing with basic skills. At the end of the spring season, members of the Jr. Teen Council accompany their partners from the regional games to the State Special Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA.
The Special Pops athletes are the Jr. Teen Council's focus, but our community service doesn't stop there! Other projects include TennisWorks! in the Parks, Elementary School Team Tennis, Middle School Team Tennis, High School Team Tennis, 10U Team Tennis, The Banana Open, other local tournaments, charity tennis fundraisers and lots more! Junior Teen Council is looking forward to a year full of leadership, work, fun, lots of tennis and lots of opportunities to serve the community and YOU!!!
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Tournament News by Joe Adame |
Burger King USTA Regional Segment Tournament Boys & Girls 16's
CORTA hosted this tournament, July 9-12 at Cooper Creek Tennis Center. Players competed from all over the United States. Six local players participated in the tournament and doubles team Christian Garay and Kazuki Onoe made it to the 3rd/4th playoff. Christain Garay was also a Consolation Finalist in the Boys singles. Local players competing were: Carlos Arana, Jonathan Dreelin, Christian Garay, Abigail Goins, Mary Grier Illges, Kazuki Onoe, and Haley Powell. Players had a great time in spite of the extreme heat and the occasional downpour. Thank you so much to our tournament sponsors who made this event possible: Burger King, Hilton Garden Inn, Columbus Sports Council, Columbus Parks and Recreation, Country Club of Columbus, Green Island Country Club, Graphicom, Head/Penn, Ice Cream Girl, Mini Maids, North Columbus Pharmacy, Striplin Terrace UMC, Southern Asphalt, The Allan Matthews Tennis Foundation, Target Market Advertising, Team Sports, and Xpress Printing. Players, parents and coaches were very appreciative of the southern hospitality shown to them by CORTA and the Cooper Creek Tennis Center. Thank you also to all the tournament volunteers who gave over 192 hours to make this tournament a huge success: Sara Dismuke, Becky Baker, Alpna Arora, Michelle Fuller, Lynn Reis, Max Patrick, Pattee Spenard, John Illges, Anne Lyle Illges, Mary Grier Illges, Melissa Foy, Russ Hagberg, Adam Centerbar, Amy Ourso, Brent Buck, Barbara Pettis, Henssey Ngo, Annslee Reis, Brett McLemore, Sami Jarjour, Emmie Patton, and Elizabeth Brown. View tournament results here.
Elvis "Return to Server" Southern NTRP Clay Court Championships
We ended our adult tournament year with the Elvis "Return to Server" Southern NTRP Clay Court Championships on August 3-7. There were 243 adults participating in this tournament. We had lots of fun with the Jailhouse Rock theme. A jail cell was on site for any bad tempered participants. Luckily everyone was in good spirits. Saturday night CORTA had a player party that included food, door prizes, Karaoke, a DJ, and lots of dancing. The party turned out to be a "HUGE" success. Thank you to all of the tournament sponsors who made this event possible: Buffalo Wild Wings, CiCi's Pizza, Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Columbus Sports Council, Columbus Parks & Recreation, Country's Barbecue, Melwood Springs, Mercedes-Benz of Columbus, Merrill Lynch, Physical Therapy of Phenix City, Solid Source Premier Realty, Southern Asphalt,Thomas Drugs, Triangle Wholesalers Inc, USTA Southern and Vita Coco. Additional sponsors were Carmike Cinemas, Striplin Terrace Methodist Church, Columbus Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, Marengo Creek Farms, Inc, Stewart Harvard, Allan Matthews Tennis Trust, Elements Natural Medicine, A Sliver Service, New Image MedSpa, Ann's Porch, Galleria Riverside, Graphicom, Masterbuilt, Cross Court Sports and Cafe Le Rue. Over 100 hours were given by our awesome volunteers to make this tournament a success. Thank you to the following who volunteered their time and talents: Michelle Fuller, Melissa Foy, Max Patrick, Anne Lyle Illges, Adam Centerbar, Russ Hagberg, Nancy Beach, Amy Ourso, and the CORTA team.View tournament results here.
CORTA Junior Championships CORTA also hosted its last junior sanctioned tournament, the CORTA Junior Championships on August 26-28, 2011. We had over 71 junior players participate in this singles and doubles tournament. Thank you to Columbus Regional Healthcare System and the Columbus Sports Council for your sponsorship. Thank you to CORTA volunteers, Adam Centerbar, Natasha Arora, Amy Ourso, and the Illges Family! View Tournament Results here.
For information about upcoming CORTA tournaments click here.
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Cardio Tennis
| In Cardio Tennis, it's not about points or even good form... the goal is to have fun, keep moving and burn calories! Get your game in top shape for the fall season! All levels of tennis are welcome!
The September/October Session for Cardio Tennis is in session on Tuesday and Thursday evenings through October 20. Drop-ins are welcome. For more information contact Cindy or visit our website. |
Donations and Gifts
| 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 to TennisWorks! in Memory of Betty Waldrep:
Jenny Myhand
Mr. & Mrs. Thad Estes
Bill & Peggy Alverson
Mr. & Mrs. Claude Fox
Stephen & Sue Howard
Nancy Waldrep
Charlotte Parmer
Anne Hagedon Averett
Mary Stewart
Nora Garrard
Helen & Bill Burgin
William & Barbara Pope
Melanie Hines Allums
Martha Dicus
Phil & Sue Morris
Danny & Connie Dudley
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. |
Joie Paull Memorial Breast Cancer Awareness Event |
Men and Women alike are invited to "Serve Up A Cure" for Breast Cancer!
Join us for the 9th Annual Joie Paull Memorial Tennis EventSunday, October 23, 2011Cooper Creek Tennis CenterClick here for more information!October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
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Follow CORTA on Facebook and Twitter |
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Eat Great Food, Have Great Fun, and Help CORTA -- All At The Same Time! by Fran Carpenter |
Buffalo Wild Wings has offered all CORTA members a great opportunity to help fund programs like TennisWorks! In The Parks and Ad-In for Special Populations just by doing something that you probably love to do anyway. Stop by the local Buffalo Wild Wings on Whittlesey Parkway and enjoy a great dinner. Then, before you pay your bill, tell your server that you are a CORTA member and a percentage of what you spent on dinner will automatically be returned to CORTA. It's just that simple. So, we hope to see all of you at Buffalo Wild Wings soon and often!
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