July Newsletter

Court Status: On June 12 ATA new court committee members (Steve, Grady and Linda) met with Ed Balderama, development project leader, regarding plans for the Oregon courts.
First the good news. We will have courts, however this is City priority number three behind the ninth street bridge and the water treatment plant so it will be fall before it goes out for bid. We will have the old courts until at least Nov 1. This means no interference with the fall tournament or the middle school program. The courts will be laid on top of the old and as a consequence transitions will have to be made on courts 1-4 where you exit, which means the bleachers will have to be brought up to ADA standards (no cost estimate). In an effort to defray costs the City will tear down the old fence and do as much prep work as possible. The City is not allowed to charge any of their expense against the grant money. All of this will be bid in an ala carte way to allow us to go as far down the list as $475,000 will take us. Priorities are:
1. Eight courts rebuilt in post tension concrete.
2. New fencing, the posts will be a total loss as they are set in concrete but the cross pieces and fabric have some value (reuse any of the old that is in good shape)
3. On the Oregon street side of courts 5-8 cut away the fence between light poles, about 60', move the bleachers into that gap. Similar to what we have now on courts 1-4.
4. Widen courts 5-8 by 10' to allow 24' between courts, this would leave the possibility of a low fence between courts, also means relocating the 4 eastern light posts. Courts 1-4 can not be widened because of parking on one side and water/sewer lines on the other.
5. New lights.
6. Shade over the on court benches.
7. A lockable storage building for all our stuff. Tom Springer has a lead on two 10 x 20 buildings from the Forest Service.
8. A concrete pad to be used by the tournament Directors so they don't have to stand in mud. Submitted by Steve Schuster, ATA president

ON THE CALENDAR:
August 1: Don’t miss Aug. Play Day, hosted by Marita & Robert Meints at 9:00. Robert has an INTERNATIONAL play day planned. Tennis will be followed by Bratwurst and German Potato salad lunch at their home. Their pool will be open and ready to use so bring your swim suit.
Aug. 5: ATA Board meeting at noon; all members welcome

Las Cruces Exchange in Las Cruces on June 27th was geat fun for the sixteen ATA players who attended. LCTPA provided lunch. ATA won lots of door prizes, but unfortunately Las Cruces players prevailed and took the trophy. Current record now is:
ATA-11, LCTPA 11, so next year will be a tie breaker.

LCTPA president takes the trophy from ATA president











Fourth of July Play Day was hosted by Anke & Carsten Witak. Players filled 6 courts and enjoyed good play and fabulous food. Thanks Anke and Carsten!!









Winners were Diane Gustafson, Pien Latham, John Genta, and Steve Schuster.
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Also thanks to Joy and Darryl Gallant for hosting an ATA swim/dinner/karaoke party. If you’ve not been to a party at the Gallant’s, you don’t know what you’re missing. ATA members like to “ham it up” and their karaoke provides a stage for everyone. With Joy’s cooking and Darryl singing Elvis, this was a party to remember.














Mid School Tennis program is planned again this fall. ATA will team with NMUS-A again to offer a middle school tennis program from Aug. 25th to Oct 1st with instruction for the first 3-4 weeks and organized play to follow. Sessions will be on Tues. & Thurs. from 5:00-6:30. Carl Jones has volunteered to be the lead instructor. ATA volunteers will be needed, so if you are interested in donating some time to youth tennis in Alamogordo, please give your name to either Carl Jones or Evelyn Genta by Aug. 20th. Carl will offer a training session for volunteer coaches and helpers on Sat. Aug. 22nd. Interested mid school players can sign up with NMSU-A community ed. Ph. 439-3842. Cost to students will be only $40 which includes a t-shirt.

ATA DVD’s are still available for purchase. This DVD is a superb presentation of ATA history and activities. Thanks to Harold Waggoner for putting this together. It’s a real buy for only $5. See Neil Bottger if you are interested in purchasing one.


Ladies: Are you interested in a singles ladder?? If enough ladies express interest, a ladder may be organized beginning in Aug. Give your name to either Bernice McRae or Evelyn Genta by the end of July if interested.

Don’t forget about the ATA web site!! http://alamogordotennis.blogspot.com/
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35th Annual ATA Open

Tennis Association Hosts its 35^th Annual Open.

The Alamogordo Tennis Association saw its largest player turnout in several years for its 35^th Annual Adult Open tournament, 18 and 19 April. The 89 players represented several cities in New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and Arizona, and included one individual from New City, NY. There were 12 events sanctioned by the US Tennis Association, and 11 non-sanctioned events. Several people that played in the 1^st Annual tournament, 1975, also played in this tourney. Grady Nicholson was the tournament director for both tournaments. The tennis association held a dinner party Saturday night, attended by 65 people, in recognition of the 35^th tournament.

Unseeded local player Cameron Brace-Emmert won the Men’s Open Singles final, defeating Steve Katz from New City, NY, 6-0, 6-0. Number one seeds Clint Loest and Richard Vickrey, Las Cruces, defeated Steve Huebner, Roswell, and Dennis Johnston, Ruidoso 3-6; 6-2; 6-3 in the Men's Open Doubles final.

Other event finalists in the sanctioned events were: Men's 45 Singles Steve Huebner (1) Roswell, NM def. Michael Herrera (2) Albuquerque, NM 6-2; 5-7; 6-4. Men's 55 Singles Dennis Johnston (1) Ruidoso, NM def. Kaz Dziamka Albuquerque, NM 6-0; 6-3. Men's 60 Singles Robert Jack (1) El Paso, TX def. Thomas Springer Cloudcroft, NM 6-2; 6-3. Men's 70 Singles Bill Fangio Carlsbad, NM def. Robert Schreiner Alamogordo, NM 6-0; 6-2. Men's 45 Doubles Steve Huebner / Johnston Dennis def. Darryl Gallent / Barry Lawshe 7-6(2); 5-7; 7-6(4). Women's Open Singles Elizabeth Chase (2) El Paso, TX def. Emma Riggs Alamogordo, NM 2-1 Ret (em). Women's Open Doubles Alexa Gallardo / Miranda Yolanda def. Elizabeth Chase / Linda Gilliland 6-1; 6-2. xMixed Open Doubles Jose Fantauzzi / Emma Riggs (1) def. Alexa Gallardo / Robert Jack (2) 1-6; 6-2; 6-3. xMixed 35 Doubles Yolanda Miranda / Edgan Phinney def. Elizabeth Chase / Robert Jack 7-5; 7-5. xMixed 60 Doubles Carolyn Satterlee / Robert Schreiner def. Bill Rapp / Faye Stokes 6-2; 6-1.

In the non-sanctioned finals-NTRP Men's 4.0 Singles Rick Sotak Alamogordo, NM def. Edgan Phinney El Paso, TX 5-7; 6-3; 1-0(5). NTRP Men's 3.5 Singles Virgil George (1) Alamogordo, NM def. Rudy Trujillo (2) Glenwood, NM 6-1; 6-4. NTRP Men's Open Doubles Jeff Lazar / Murray Jeffrey (1) def. Steve Schuster / Rick Sotak (2) 6-4; 6-3. NTRP Men's 3.5 Doubles Robert Meints / John White def. Patrick Morgan / Wolfgang Peterson 6-3; 6-4. NTRP Women's 4.0 Singles Alma Villanueva High Rolls, NM def. Helena Loest Las Cruces, NM 6-2; 6-2. NTRP Women's 4.0 Doubles Cindy Carey / Lois Whitmire def. Josephine Gallent / Alma Villanueva 6-3; 6-2. NTRP Women's 3.5 Doubles Sandy Sanchez / Witac Anke def. Marita Meints / Cathy Waggoner 6-4; 6-3. xNTRP Mixed 8.0 Doubles Gail Richardson / Steve Schuster (2) def. Silvia Garcia / Edgan Phinney (1) Wo (inj). xNTRP Mixed 7.0 Doubles Marita Meints / Meints Robert def. Muriel (Nori) Morgan / Patrick Morgan 6-1; 6-2. yBoys' 14 Singles Cameron Riggs Alamogordo NM def. Cody Moezzi Alamogordo, NM 6-2; 6-3. yGirls' 14 Singles Karli Raggio HAFB, NM def. Megan Sampath Alamogordo, NM 6-1; 6-0.

April Newsletter

Court Status:
A critical city bond election was held on March 10th. Question 3 which would have provided funds for rebuilding the Oregon courts was defeated with 975 voting for, and 1361 against. After the defeat, tennis players met with city officials and asked them to again review the parameters of the capital outlay funds. It appears that the wording can be construed to allow building the tennis complex at the current Oregon tennis court site.
Special thanks to city official Maureen Schmittle, and to the ATA members who met with the city.



ON THE CALENDAR:
April 18-19: ATA Spring tourney; this year is the 35th year ATA has conducted this USTA sanctioned event. (No April play day) Registrations and dinner RSVP’s are being accepted now
May 2: May Play Day, hosted by???
May 6: ATA Board meeting at noon; all members welcome

ATA roster is being updated and will be attached with Apr. or May newsletter. Please double check your information and let Evelyn or Neil know if anything is incorrect.

High School Scholarship: High School Seniors interested in applying for the 2009 ATA scholarship need to submit a short essay to the ATA Scholarship Committee. This will be due by April 15th and can be turned into the High School counselor’s office. Contact Linda Gilliland or Neil Bottger for more information.

Grady and Nell ran the high school tournament again this year on March 6th. Seven high schools participated with Hobbs and Silver City sharing 1st and 2nd, with Alamogordo taking 3rd. Thanks to all who came out to lend a hand.

Grady & Nell at the HS tournament board













March Play Day hosted by Darryl and Joy Gallent

March Play Day: Two dozen players braved cold temperatures to join in for April play day. Joy and Darryl Gallent provided warm drinks and muffins, pizza and other snacks to help the players stay warm and happy. High scorers were Steve Schuster and Diane Gustafson, with Pat Morgan and Sabine Fahl in 2nd place. Thanks Joy and Darryl!!


Volunteers Needed:
Court repairs: Upcoming work days will be scheduled to patch and fill cracks on courts in preparation for the ATA tourney on April 18. Watch for emails on this.

35th Tourney: ATA board and committee members have been working hard in preparation for this special tournament. You should have already received your entry forms and your dinner invitation. Early registrations and RSVPs would be appreciated.
Also special donations (prizes or funds) are welcome.

Roswell/ATA Exchange—March 21st
Eighteen players from Roswell joined ATA players for the first bi-annual Alamogordo/Roswell Exchange which included ladies, means, and mixed doubles. When all was said and done, the match scores were 8 to 8, so games were counted. Games results totaled 154 for Alamogordo, and 153 for Roswell. It just doesn’t get any closer than that! Special thanks to Harold Waggoner who designed and arranged for the traveling trophy, which ATA keeps until the next exchange in the fall when Roswell will host in their attempt to win back the trophy. Thanks to Steve Schuster and Terry Cleveland for their efforts in organizing this event.

ATA & Roswell presidents receiving trophies from Harold Waggoner traveling trophy

Senior Olympics are approaching with local competition the end of April, State competition the end of May in Las Cruces, and National competition in August in San Francisco. To be eligible to play, you must be 50 or older. Pick up entry forms from Jean Duncan at the Sr. Citizens Center. Local event requires $10 entrance fee.

ATA joins Alamogordo Chamber:
Ribbon cutting ceremony on March 19th.

35th Annual Open Tennis Tournament

Here is the entry form for the 35th annual ATA Open Tennis Tournament

February Newsletter

Court Status:
A critical city bond election is scheduled for March 10th. Question 3 involves “quality of life projects” which includes monies to rebuild the existing Oregon courts. If this bond does NOT pass, the courts will continue to deteriorate, with no foreseeable monies available for this purpose. In order to vote you must live within the city limits and be a registered voter. There are provisions for voting if you live out of the city limits and own property in the city limits, and for early and absentee voting with some deadlines as early as Feb. 23. Call city hall at 439-4205 for more information. Encourage your friends, neighbors, and any interested persons to vote FOR question 3 on March 10th!!!

ON THE CALENDAR:
Feb. 11: Town Hall meeting, Willie Estrada Civic Center at 4:00. City will discuss details of upcoming bond election
March 4 ATA Board meeting at noon; all members welcome
March 7th: AHS annual invitational tourney
March 10: Bond election VOTE
March 14 Play Day; 9:00; Joy and Darryl Gallent are hosting
April 18-19: ATA Spring tourney; this year is the 35th year ATA has conducted this USTA sanctioned event. Mark your calendars now!

ATA WINS Battle of the Clubs, Jan 23 and 24th in Las Cruces. Our ATA team played in the 3.5 team section, composed of six teams, each team playing five matches totaling 30 sets. All nine team members played in every match. ATA scored 148 games while team Cheema won 145 for second place. Winners received etched wine glasses (with the wine!) and a trophy which will be engraved and kept at Picacho Hills.



Battle of the Club team: Sabine Fahl, Robert Schreiner, Dale Emmert, Linda Gilliland, Grady Nicholson, Gail Richardson, Steve Schuster, Nell Nicholson, and Sandy Sanchez.


Dues are Due in January! $15/single and $29/family still remains a terrific bargain. Dues can be given to Neil Bottger or any board member or mailed to ATA, PO Box 684, Alamogordo, NM 88310. Get these in by March 31st to avoid a $5 late fee and get your name on the ATA roster (out in April).

High School Scholarship: High School Seniors interested in applying for the 2009 ATA scholarship need to submit a short essay to the ATA Scholarship Committee. This will be due by April15th and can be turned into the High School counselor’s office. Contact Linda Gilliland or Neil Bottger for more information.
Volunteers Needed: There are several upcoming items that need volunteers:
Court repairs: Upcoming work days will be scheduled to patch and fill cracks on courts in preparation for the High School tournament on March 7, and the ATA tourney on April 18. Watch for emails on this.
High School Tournament: Adults will be needed again to transport players to other sites and to help with the tournament. Contact Grady if you are able to lend a hand on Mar. 7.
35th Tourney: Pien Latham is heading up a committee to plan a special dinner event and special prizes for the spring tourney on April 18-19. Contact her if you have some time and ideas to help make this a very memorable event.

Play Days:
January Play Day was hosted by Pien and Darrell Latham. Three courts of players showed up for a morning of beautiful weather and good tennis. Steve Schuster and Joy Gallent were the winners and Paul Sanders and Sabine Fahl came in 2nd place. Thanks Pien and Darrell!
Ladies Play Day: Despite colder weather, five lady players from Ruidoso joined ATA ladies on Jan. 28th for some good tennis. We look forward to doing this again!
February Play Day was hosted by Sabine and Wolfgang Fahl. 26 players turned out to enjoy nice weather, good food, and great tennis. Thanks Sabine and Wolfgang!

Senior Olympics are approaching with local competition the end of April, State competition the end of May in Las Cruces, and National competition in August in San Francisco. More information will be forthcoming as it becomes available.

Tennis training: Sabine Fahl, Gail Richardson, Steve Schuster, Linda Gilliland, Carl Jones, and Pien and Darrell Latham attended tennis training on Jan. 11th in El Paso.
Jack Michalko conducted the clinig. He runs the USPTA in the Southwest and is one of the top pros in the southwest.

Do You Know:
Faye Stokes, Roswell volunteer and ATA member, has been named as the 2008 USTA Southwest Community Tennis Volunteer of the year! Congratulations Faye!!!

Adios John Mangimeli, long time ATA member, February Play Day Crowd! Thanks to Wolfgang who is retiring and moving to Arizona! And Sabine! Lots of winners!

December Newsletter

December 2008

Court Status:
The city commission met on Nov. 11 to consider proposed bond issues. ATA was well represented with 15 members in attendance, most of which stayed the entire 4 and a half hour meeting. After much consideration of important issues, the commission decided to include tennis court rebuilding on the upcoming bond issue which will most likely happen in March 09. Special thanks to Steve Schuster and Linda Gilliland for presenting ATA needs and concerns. ATA is planning a campaign to promote the tennis portion of the bond. Much more info will be coming out on this; please give any feedback or ideas to board members.

ON THE CALENDAR:
Jan 5th: Play Day; 9:00; Pien and Darrell Latham hosting
Jan 7th ATA Board meeting at noon at El Camino Restaurant.
Jan 23-24 Battle of the Clubs Las Cruces
Jan 28th: Ladies play day with ladies from Ruidoso; RSVP to Evelyn


2008 Ends with a BANG!
Christmas Party was again hosted by Ruthven and Sintra Sampath. Great food and Sintra’s famous tacky gift exchange made for a fabulous and hysterical evening.
December Play Day was hosted by Robert and Marita Meints, and Anke and Carsten Witak. This team did a fabulous job with Christmas attire, snacks, and prizes. A delicious German lunch followed at Meints home which made this a memorable and festive event.





Thanks to Ruthven and Sintra Sampath who hosted the ATA Christmas Party again.
Robert Meints unwraps and kisses a frog, only to eventually lose it to Sintra.
Play day winners and hosts

Dues are Due in January! $15/single and $29/family still remains a terrific bargain. Dues can be given to Neil Bottger or any board member or mailed to ATA, PO Box 684, Alamogordo, NM 88310. Get these in by March 31st to avoid a $5 late fee and get your name on the ATA roster (out in April).


Battle of the Clubs in Las Cruces is Jan 23-24 with entries due on Jan 9. We need a team of 8—4 women, 4 men, but we can enter more teams with more players. Fees are $35/person. Event promises food, prizes, and good tennis!! Contact Sabine Fahl to get your entry in!!

Ladies Play Day and luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 28th. Ladies from Ruidoso will be coming to Alamogordo to play, with lunch to follow at the Gentas. Please RSVP to Evelyn as we want to get players to fill courts. Email reminders will be sent in Jan.

No newsletter in January. Next newsletter will be a combination JAN/FEB newsletter. Necessary updates on information will be emailed.

Sabine already has the Play Days lined up for 2009:

Month Hosts
January Pien and Darrell Latham
February Sandra and Wolfgang Peterson
March Joy and Darrell Gallant
April 18th and 19th: 35th annual USTA sanctioned tourney (no play day)
May Cathy and Harold Waggoner
June Sabine and Wolfgang Fahl
July Anke Witak
August Marita and Robert Mients
September Diane and Lee Gustafson
October Fall tourney TBA; no play day
November Neoma and Ken Smith
December Maurice Lopez

Of course watch the newsletters for dates, times, and any changes

Court Status:
An upcoming bond issue may afford funds to rebuild old courts. The city commission is having a special meeting to consider “quality of life” projects (such as tennis courts) for the bond election. This meeting will be on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 6:00 at the Willie Estrada Memorial Center. ATA members are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting and show support for rebuilding the Oregon courts. You are also encouraged to attend the regular city commission meeting at 7:30 on Tuesday, Nov. 18th at the City Hall. Steve Schuster will be presenting ATA concerns to the city commission.

2008 Otero Closed Tourney held in Oct. was a big success despite weather predictions. Rains held off and play was almost uninterrupted. Thanks to tourney directors Nell and Grady Nicholson who directed this event, again.

Tourney results: Ruidoso business man, Dennis Johnston, won the 2008 Otero County Closed Tennis Tournament Men's Open Singles, when his opponent, Jose Fantauzzi, an engineer at the High-Speed Test Track, had to retire due to an injury. The two had split the first two sets, 6-7, 7-5, before Fantauzzi retired. Fantauzzi won this event the previous two years. The Women's Open Singles was won by 15 year old Alamogordo tennis whiz, Natalie Rivera, besting Alma Villanueva of High Rolls in a tight three set final, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Fantauzzi and Rivera teamed to beat Linda Gilliland and Scott Key, 6-4, 6-1 in the Mixed Doubles Open.
Darryl Gallent, an Alamogordo business man, and his brother, Cliff, who traveled from Mississippi for this tournament, won both the Men's Open Doubles and the Men's 35 Doubles. The brothers beat Johnston and David Kaleh, 6-3, 6-4, in the Open, and Rick Sotak and John Genta by the same score in the 35's. The tournament was Sponsored by the Alamogordo Tennis Association in cooperation with the City of Alamogordo.
Results of the remaining finals: Men's Singles 45 Scott Key def. Patrick Morgan 6-2; 6-2. Men's Singles 65 Thomas Springer (1) def. Robert Schreiner (2) 6-1; 6-2. Men's Singles NTRP 3.0 Maurice Lopez def. Christian Wally 6-1; 4-6; 6-3. Women's 35 Doubles Cindy Carey / Lois Whitmire def. Neoma Smith / Anke Witac 6-2; 6-1 Women's 55 Doubles Pien Latham / Gail Richardson def. Sabine Fahl / Linda Gilliland 6-2; 6-1. Mixed Doubles 55 John Genta / Evelyn Genta (2) def. Pien Latham / Rick Sotak (1) 6-3; 6-4. Boys' 18 and Under
Singles Daniel Moezzi def. Cameron Riggs 6-0; 6-0. Boys' 14 and Under Singles Cody McNeely def. Aslan Gallegos 6-4; 7-5
Also, thanks to the ATA members who showed up for work day. Members cleaned courts and patched and filled some of the court cracks. Special thanks to Grady Nicholson for his contacts with the city and for obtaining supplies.


Welcome new members: Several players joined ATA during the fall tourney: David Kuale, Dennis Johnston, Cindy Carey, and Lois Whitmore all come from Ruidoso. Cliff Gallent (Darryl’s brother) comes from Mississippi!

ON THE CALENDAR:
Nov 11: Special city council and town hall meeting; 6:00, Willie Estrada Center
Nov. 18: Regular city council meeting, 7:30, town hall
Dec 3 ATA Board meeting at noon at Margo’s Restaurant. (Note board meetings will usually be scheduled for the 1st Wed. of each month).
Dec. 5: Christmas Party again will be hosted by Ruthven and Sintra Sampath. Mark this date on your calendars and be on the lookout for more info. You don’t want to miss this party!
Dec 6: Play Day, 9:00, hosted by Anke Witak

New Board:
A new ATA board was elected at the annual meeting in November.

New officers are: Steve Schuster, president, Sabine Fahl, member at large; Neil Bottger, treasurer;
Joy Gallent, secretary; Evelyn Genta, vice president/newsletter.

Thanks to outgoing president and vice president, John Genta and Maurice Lopez, for a job well done!

Nov. Play Day was a big success with more than 6 courts of players competing for the big turkey prize. Thanks to Ken Smith for hosting this event—again, and to Nori and Pat Morgan for hosting Nori’s famous gumbo lunch following play.

Did you know?

Linda Gilliland and the AHS tennis team recently received recognition from USTA as a “no-cut school tennis team.” This honor is the result of much hard work by Linda and Carl Jones to include all players on the AHS team. Congratulations!

You can’t ask for a let because of a broken string. Replace your racquet after the point has been played out.
(The Code, Item 44) Tennis Dec. 08