Court Status:
Many hours of manpower have gone into repairing and cleaning up the old courts in preparation for the April Tournament. City workers spent days putting up windbreaks, and cleaning, blowing, sweeping, and filling cracks on the old courts. ATA members assisted each day and also painted the bleachers. High school players joined in to help fill the many cracks. Thanks to everyone, especially to Grady Nicholson for his efforts in coordinating work and to the city for their manpower and support.
Sean Retman, Nicholson’s grandson, helps ATA paint bleachers.
Spring Open Tourney April 19th & 20th with the largest turnout in recent years. Huge thanks to Grady and Nell Nicholson who have now run this tourney for 34 years! Results follow:
El Paso high school player, Zac Markowski, won the Men's Open Singles title in the 34th Annual Alamogordo Open Tennis Tournament, defeating Alamogordo favorite and number one seed, Jose Fantauzzi, 6-3; 6-3. Markowski then teamed with Robert Jack, also of El Paso, to defeat the number one seeded team of Clint Loest and Richard Vickrey of Las Cruces, 3-6; 7-5; 7-6(2). Zac Markowski’s younger brother, Ben, also won the non-sanctioned NTRP Men's Open Singles final, defeating Alamogordo High School player, Timo Hoffman, 6-0; 6-1.
Alamogordo players did well on the women’s and mixed sides of the draw. Alamogordo player, 15-year-old rising star Natalie Rivera, won the Women's Open Singles title in a decisive victory over Kendra Valdez of Grants, NM, 6-1; 6-3. Rivera then teamed with Fantauzzi to defeat V. Hernandez and R. Vickrey, of Las Cruces, 6-3; 7-5.
Other Age event finals were Men's 30 Singles: Richard Vickrey Las Cruces def. Butch Price Sierra Vista, AZ Wo (emerg). Men's 50 Singles: Dennis Johnston, Ruidoso, def. Michael Herrera Albuquerque, 6-1; 6-3. Men's 55 Singles: Dennis Johnston, Ruidoso def. Dale Pavlick, El Paso, 7-6(4); 6-0. Men's 60 Singles: Robert Jack (1) El Paso def. Dale Melbourne (2) Carlsbad, 6-2; 7-5. Men's 55 Doubles: Jeff Lazar, Phoenix / Jeff Murray (1), Las Cruces, def. James Crouse, Nogal / Thomas Springer, Cloudcroft, 0-6; 6-0; 6-3. Women's 55 Doubles: P. Latham - G. Richardson, Alamogordo, def. C. Satterlee - F. Stokes, Roswell. Mixed 45 Doubles: J. Genta - E. Genta, Alamogordo, def. B. Rapp - F. Stokes, Roswell, 4-6; 6-1; 6-1.
Finals in the NTRP events were NTRP Men's 3.0 Singles: Andreas Schubert, Alamogordo def. Maurice Lopez, Alamogordo, 7-5; 7-6(8). NTRP Men's Open Doubles: F C. Gardin - C. Gardine Alamogordo, def. N. Bottger - J. White Alamogordo, 6-4; 6-2. NTRP Men's 4.0 Doubles: F J. Genta - R. Sotak, Alamogordo, def. J. Crouse, Nogal - T. Springer, Cloudcroft, 3-6; 6-4; 6-4. NTRP Women's Open Doubles: E. Dodson - N. Young Alamogordo, def. S. Fahl - L. Gilliland Alamogordo, 1-6; 6-1; 6-3. NTRP Women's 3.0 Doubles: S. Berger - N. Smith Alamogordo, def. M. Meints - A. Witac, Alamogordo, 6-2; 6-2. NTRP Mixed Open Doubles: P. Latham- R. Sotak, Alamogordo, def. C. Quiroga - N. Young Alamogordo, 2-6; 6-2; 6-3. NTRP Combined Mixed 7.0 Doubles: F W. Fahl - S. Fahl, Alamogordo, M. Morgan - P. Morgan Alamogordo, 4-6; 6-2; 6-3.
Tournament Party was hosted by Joy and Darryl Gallent. “A Splendid Time was Guaranteed by All” and that guarantee was definitely met with great food, karaoke, and fun!! Did you know Darryl Gallent can sing like Elvis??!!!
New Courts progress has slowed with the school board’s decision not to trade land by the Sr. Citizens Center. A location north of Mt. View Mid School and east of soccer fields is likely. It offers several key factors: close to High School and existing courts, available water and parking, some piggybacking from existing lights. Tim Hand, USTA rep & Judy Harlas, SNM USTA president met with ATA committee and city officials on May 13. They offer planning and programming expertise. ATA made another presentation before city commission on May 13 regarding new and old court concerns. Perhaps the most important thing ATA members can do is to make a positive individual contact with their city commissioner and stress the importance of tennis in Alamogordo.
ATA High School Scholarship funds awarded: $200 scholarship to Jessica Pehr, and $100 scholarship to Melanie Nishimuta. Thank you to the scholarship committee (Neil Bottger, Ken and Neoma Smith) who again had a very difficult decision!
Excerpts from Linda Gilliland, AHS tennis team coach’s thank you to ATA:
--We can’t thank you enough for everything you do. –You let them see first hand that there is no gender or generation gap in tennis. I know for a fact that there is no other tennis community for miles aroung that helps to support their high school team like you do.
Our thanks to Linda for her excellent work in tennis for the youth in Alamogordo!
May Play day was hosted by Diane and Lee Gustafson, who set up a random team tennis format. Weather cooperated, and 4 courts of players competed. Winners were Sabine, Pat, Ken, and Pien. Thanks Lee and Diane!
ON THE CALENDAR:
June 3rd: ATA board meeting, noon. ATA members are always welcome and encouraged to attend board meetings
June 7th 9:00 at Cloudcroft courts! June Play Day. Harold and Cathy Waggoner will be hosting. A dutch treat lunch and homemade ice cream social will follow after play at the Waggoners!
June 28th Alamo-Las Cruces challenge
To sign up contact Steve Schuster stv_schuster@yahoo.com no later than June 21st. This event promises fun, food, and door prizes!! Let’s win back that trophy!!
Welcome new ATA members:
Pat and Howard Norman from Burleson, TX, and previously from Alamogordo, recently joined ATA. You may have seen them on the courts or played with them in the tournament. WELCOME! Also welcome John Stewart back!
NRTA tennis article can be found at
http://www.nrpa.org/newsletter
Check it out for info on health benefits of tennis!!
Don’t forget about the ATA web site!!
http://alamogordotennis.blogspot.com/
Thanks to Dale Emmert for setting this up!
Many hours spent working on courts!
