Greetings!
What a great summer we're having! As we prepare for the fall, let's reflect a bit on some of the highlights. We again had a tremendous turnout with over 237 juniors playing in our 2nd annual RTA Futures Tournament. Our adult leagues continue to grow at a rapid pace, and we presently have the largest adult league in the state. Raleigh was recently represented with 15 teams playing in Pinehurst at the USTA League Adult State Championships with two teams advancing to the sectionals. Craig Isdahl's 3.5 team was the champion and Gary Baker's team who lost in the finals, received the wildcard. Laurens Prinsloo's, 3.0 team was also a finalist. Congrats to all the teams and thank you for representing our local league so well!
We are very pleased to announce two new positions to the RTA staff. Susan Flanagan will become our Local Community Coordinator beginning August 1st. Please check out her bio below. Susan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position and she looks forward to meeting all of our local tennis enthusiasts. Beth Gargan will be our Media Coordinator responsible for working with the marketing committee on various programs and events in the area. We thank her for her volunteer support and welcome her expertise!
Please everyone go to www.besttennistown.com and vote for Cary as they are one of the finalists for the "best tennis town" award. The winner gets $100,000 for the community to spend on tennis facilities and programs. Cary is a great partner in our area and we certainly need to do our part to help support this cause!
Finally, I want to thank everyone that continues to support our goal of "growing and promoting the game of tennis in Raleigh." This is a team effort and we certainly appreciate all that hard work that everyone is doing!
David Baird
President
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Meet Susan Flanagan
RTA Community Coordinator
The RTA Welcomes Susan Flanagan as the new Community Coordinator for our organization. Many of you know Susan, as she has participated in the USTA Adult Leagues. We welcome Susan and wish her all the best and thank her for volunteering her time to help grow tennis in our community.
Beth Gargan, our previous Community Coordinator,will continue on as part of our organization to fill our new Media Coordinator position. With Beth's background as a public relations consultant, this is a great fit for her and we are fortunate to have her as part of our team.
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2009 North Carolina USTA League Adult State Champions
Men's 3.5 Division
Raleigh has a first place winner after play concluded at the USTA League Adult State Championships, held in Pinehurst, NC. The team, captained by Craig Isdahl, will advance to the sectional championship round July 25th - August 2nd in Birmingham, AL. Gary Baker's Seven Oaks Team was a finalist and received a wildcard to attend sectionals, as well.
Congratulations to both teams and Good Luck in Alabama!
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2009 US Open Presidents Box Community Tennis Fundraiser
Watch from the Best Seats in the House!!
Win two (2) tickets for the Thursday September 3rd Day Session of the 2009 US Open and sit in the USTA President's Box!
Winner will receive:
- Invitations for two individuals to be guests of the US Open;
- Seating in the USTA President's Courtside Box;
- Lunch in the USTA President's Dining Room;
- Hospitality in the USTA President's Suite during the applicable Session;
- Access to courtside seating in Louis Armstrong Stadium;
- Access to all other courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Contest will begin today, July 17th and run through August 15th. If you would like to bid on these tickets, please complete the form below and email to usopentix@raleightennis.com. (Minimum bid $1000.00)
Fundraiser proceeds will go to provide QuickStart Equipment to the Triangle Area YMCA Youth Programs.
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Show Your Love & Vote for Cary in National Tennis Community Award Contest
Cary has been chosen as a finalist for the Best Tennis Town Award, sponsored by the USTA. Top prize is $100,000 for the community to spend on tennis facilities and programs, and will be based on the support shown through the on-line voting process. The voting period runs from July 16-July 26 and we need your help to bring the top prize, and the funding for tennis facilities and programs, to Cary. Go to http://www.besttennistown.com and vote for Cary today! After you vote, you will receive an email you must respond to in order for your vote to count.
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Upcoming Tennis Events
Important Dates
August 13th: Singles League Captains Meeting 7pm at METC
August 25th: JTT Coaches Meeting 6pm METC
August 25th: RATL Captains Meeting 6:45pm METC
August 24th: Ladder Begins
September 2nd: Ladies Quads Begin
September 21st-24th: State Senior Games METC
October 3rd-5th: Bullfrog Junior Tournament at METC
October 16th-18th: Crape Myrtle Tournament METC
*METC-Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center |
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RTA Volunteers Always Needed
The RTA is currently taking nominations to fill upcoming board vacancies and committee seats. Anyone who loves tennis and wants to promote the game in our area is qualified. If you are interested in applying for an RTA board position or committee, please fill out the application located on our site and forward it to info@raleightennis.com. A member of our nominating committee will get back in touch with you. Help us give back to the Raleigh tennis community! Raleigh Tennis Association Annual Meeting & Player Appreciation Party
Attention Adult League Players!
We are in the planning stages for our 1st annual USTA Player Appreciation Party in conjunction with our annual meeting in early October. Please look for more details to follow later this summer!
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| Junior Foam Ball Tennis League (QuickStart)
The Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department will offer both the USTA Junior Team Tennis which includes a 14 & under and 18 & under division and the local Junior Team Tennis (non-USTA)with Bronze, Silver and Gold divisions. QuickStart 8 & under and 10 & under will also be offered. QuickStart teams will be coached by volunteer parents at their local park courts. Parents are encouraged to volunteer as coaches. Prior experience not necessary, training will be provided.
The players will use large foam balls, junior tennis racquets and play half-court singles and/or doubles.
If you need a team to join QuickStart, come to the Orientation Day, Saturday, August 29th 9am-10am at Sanderson High School tennis courts.
The JTT Coaches meeting is August 25th at 6pm.
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Tennis Programs
Clinics and Organized Play
The City of Raleigh offers tennis programs for Adults and Juniors. Clinics, Tennis Ladders, Cardio Tennis, Ladies Quads, and Free Play for Seniors are just a few of the great tennis activities available this fall. Clinics times are offered throughout the fall for your convenience. Take a look at the brochure below for more information.
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Tennis Help
What's the Call?
Katrina Gildemeister, Certified USPTA P1, USTA Official, USTA Referee
What's the Call?
I live in Huntsville, Alabama and found your website so thought you would be a neutral party to satisfy this discussion I had with my opponent this morning:
We were playing on a soft court and Scott hit a nice serve that I thought was an ace. When I walked up to look at the mark it was clearly out. I then called the ball out but offered him two serves because of the time elapsed since the serve. Scott said you must make the call immediately and it should be his point. What is the correct call?
Ruling: Calls should be made within a reasonable amount of time according to the "Friend at Court." Scott was correct. Too much time elapsed if you called the ball "out" and then went to look at a ball mark. "A ball that can not be called out is good:"
Click here to read Katrina's Bio and send her your questions!
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| Adult Leagues
The North Carolina Singles League is a team competition for Men or Women with NTRP levels of 2.5 to 5.5. Each match is three singles courts. Teams shall be made up of a minimum of four players. Teams can have no more than nine players on a roster. Team Registration Deadline is August 10th on TennisLink. The Fall season may begin as early as August 25th. A captains meeting is scheduled for 7pm on August 13th at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center.
More info...
COMBO DOUBLES is a league consisting of teams of men or women with combined ratings. A 7.5 team could have a 3.5 and 4.0 player together as a doubles team or two 3.5 players. Each match is three doubles courts. The winning team on each level will advance to the state championships. The season begins as early as August 10th.
More info...
The Raleigh Area Tennis League is a weekday evening mixed doubles league for men and women. The competition will be divided into various league levels with players using the National Rating Program as a way to determine which league to participate in. There will be teams from city parks as well as clubs and subdivisions. To participate in the league, team captains must commit to play by the captains meeting Tuesday, August 26th at 6:45pm. Team rosters and fees are also due August 26th. Play begins August 31st.
USTA Super Seniors League (Coordinator Linda Hack)
This is a league that has been developed to offer competitive play for all players 60 and older. The league is made up of two sub-leagues: Super Senior 60's and Super Senior 70's. Each league offers doubles play for both men and women. Local winners get the opportunity to compete at the state level and the winners at the state advance on to the sectional championship. Play begins late August.
Capital League Tennis (Coordinator Lysa Stylski )
The Capital City League has been around for over 25 years. It is a fun league which consists of the hosting team supplying food (sandwiches, drinks, deserts, etc.) and runs in the Fall and Spring. If you are interested in fielding a team, please contact Lysa by email ncstylski@hotmail.com. Play begins the week after Labor Day.
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