Greetings!

Today's issue marks the first anniversary of "Chase the First". We hope you have enjoyed our monthly newsletter. We are constantly looking for new ways to keep you informed on the happenings in the court tennis world...so keep reading.

What a month - October 2012. The juniors kicked off the month with a bang as they traveled to Newport for the Under 12's and Under 15's. The momentum continued as the adults took to the court in Tuxedo for a 1950's Havana styled weekend of tennis and Cuban Libres. Finally, the action exploded in Chicago as the court tennis world descended upon "the windy city" for the much anticipated opening of the court. Not to be outdone,  Mother Nature had the final say as Hurricane Sandy took aim at the East Coast. Despite Sandy's arrival, the month for tennis players was a huge success.

In addition, congratulations to Camden Riviere on winning both the European Open Singles and the IRTPA Championships. On the coaching side, Rob Whitehouse explains the intricacies of playing the tambour. While Rob offers some good pointers, my favorite line is: "Sometimes you will misread the angle and when that happens just compliment your opponent and then hit a gallery on the next shot." So true!

For the mystery readers amongst us, we've highlighted a new book - "The Corpse on the Court - A Fethering Mystery" by Simon Brett. For the chat board addicts, check out the RTO Forum on the" Death of the Pass Rule - Greatly Exaggerated? "

Also this month, National League began with matches in Boston and New York. Ken Forton and Barney Tanfield provide us with all the color. Jeremy Wintersteen reminds us to record all scores. Be sure to check out how your club is doing along those lines.

Looking forward, be sure to check your mailbox for the 2011/12 Annual Report. Pictured on the cover is Tommy Greevy, the long-time pro from Tuxedo. Tommy turns 70 this year and the feature story, by James Zug, highlights Tommy's career. Also included in your mailing is the 2012/13 Fixture Card, you can also download a copy on the right.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the USCTA Annual Awards Dinner and Auction to be held on Friday, December 7, during the Whitney Cup weekend in New York. Details to follow.

In closing, our thoughts are with all of our friends who have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy. We hope that you all get up and running as soon as possible. Stay safe. 

Sincerely,  

RACQUET CLUB OF CHICAGO

OPENS NEW COURT

By James Zug

The grand international opening of the tennis court in Chicago was a truly special occasion. For many in the game, it was a once-in-a-lifetime event-so far and hopefully not. The only other opening in the past thirty-two years came at Prince's Court outside of Washington in October 1997 and it was a more subdued affair, with the main celebration coming at a luncheon.

Here it lasted for four full days of tennis and camaraderie. 

Click here to read James Zug's full account of the weekend and to see the draws. More pictures will be posted in the next few days.

  

 From Alan Chalmers of The Tennis Bookshop-The fly-leaf says: "The genteel game of real tennis takes a murderous twist in this absorbing mystery. Jude's life has been turned upside-down because there's a new man in it. His name is Piers Targett and he's keen to involve her in his hobby, or obsession, of real tennis. But Jude's involvement in the game takes an unexpected turn when one of Piers' friends dies on the court in suspicious circumstances and Jude finds herself caught up in the subsequent investigation.