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Gail Benzler, USTA, Visit to PA on Sept 23-24, 2005 New Community Tennis Service Representative, Gail Benzler from the USTA, visited Port Angeles on Sept 23rd & 24th, 2005. Before recently accepting this position with the Pacific Northwest section of the USTA, Gail was Director of Community Tennis with the USTA for San Diego County. Gail’s visit started with a tour with Laurel Cripe of all the tennis courts in Port Angeles: Lincoln Park (2 courts removed), Shane Park (2 courts), Elks Park (2 Courts), Hazel Porter Keil Park (1 court), Erickson Park (5 courts), PAHS (6 courts) and Peninsula College (4 courts). Gail thought PTC could make a strong case for court improvement grants for the public parks courts, if we emphasize the number of new players we can bring to tennis through court renovations and new programs. The PTC is currently working with the City of Port Angeles on court improvements for Erickson Park. Gail also met PTC players out enjoying the MWF session of morning tennis at Peninsula College. Gail is getting back into active play herself, after a hiatus of several years, so in the afternoon enjoyed a doubles match with some PTC players. At 4:00pm Friday, Gail met with PTC members and tennis players at the PA Library. About 20 players were present, and the session opened with questions for Gail about what Community Tennis Associations do successfully in other areas. Gail is new to NW Washington, so couldn’t tell us which CTA’s in the area are especially successful, but gave examples of events,( Family Tennis Day, Calcuttas, Theme Parties) that make for successful clubs. She stated that the ingredients to successfully promote tennis are “Fun, Fitness, & Friends”, and that the social component to tennis activities is very important for building a sense of community and keeping players active in the club. The group then brainstormed on ideas for improving club functions and programming we could add. Below is the list of ideas. PTC Business improvement ideas
New Player events
Player Events
Court Improvements
All players present at the Friday meeting were invited to an on-court clinic on Saturday with Gail – a USPTA certified teaching professional. Gail treated the 10 players who showed up to an active, fun 90 minutes of game-based drills on court. Gail did a terrific job of running drills that equalized player abilities, and kept the players laughing with her humor. The great Saturday of tennis was topped off by the Fall League first match play which had 9 doubles matches and 3 singles matches scheduled, and created a tournament atmosphere on a beautiful sunny day. The courts were filled for over 3 hours, and Gail subbed into an “A” League doubles match. Gail said she really enjoyed her visit, and left with a great impression of the fun, enthusiastic players on the North Olympic Peninsula. She left with a few action items from us, and will have PA/Sequim tennis on the top of her mind as she becomes familiar with community tennis in Northwest Washington. We plan to take advantage of her desire to return by getting her to come run an event for us in 2006. Calcutta Doubles, anyone? Anyone interested in helping PTC promote tennis with any of the above ideas or have ideas of their own, should contact the PTC at peninsulatennisclub@olypen.com, or call 460-2588. -Laurel Cripe
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