Adam Rosenwach is our November Junior Player of the Month. Adam has greatly improved, and he attributes his recent success to his decision to play in tournaments. Adam has been venturing to Syracuse to compete in ETA Level 11 tournaments this fall. Adams biggest weapon is his forehand, which when on, is explosive and deadly. Adam is working hard, like so many of our juniors.

Adam is 15, and attends Vestal High School. He has been playing tennis since he was 4. Inside look at Adam:
Favorite Movie: Office Space
Favorite music group: Cold Play
Favorite Touring Pro: Andy Roddick
Favorite Actress: not quite there yet
Favorite Shot: Any forehand
Favorite local club: BTC
Goals/Dream: To play Division 1 tennis
Quote “My game has improved recently, but it still has a long way to go”.

Congratulations Adam.

Comments Off

It may have been a long time coming, but the road leading to our building has finally been completed and now is navigable by any respectable vehicle. The process unfolded in layers, and as with all good things, took time. The goal was two-fold: build a quality lasting road that can handle the ever increasing traffic on our hilltop, then turn the road over to the Town of Binghamton once and for all.

To achieve this goal, we hired large road machines from Vestal Asphalt - the likes of which we are not likely to see on our road again any time soon - to grind, level and create 12 inches of base. Even the largest of potholes were no match for these road-chomping monsters. Two coats of oil and stone were then added for stability and cosmetic touch. Drainage pipes were laid in, the type that are commonly used on 21st century roads - the kind that actually work in pushing water from points A to B in an impressive, efficient fashion. We also constructed a plow truck turnaround, which can double as additional parking space most days. I don’t think I am going out on a limb by saying the road is better than ever. A prime road, built to last, like those Toyotas, whose reputations were surely tested on our old road. Fenders and tires no longer have to fear our entrance way. Mercedes need not cringe upon rounding that last turn on Mill St. as they approach our stop sign.

Our new road. Not the most exciting picture to make our website, but a pricey piece of real estate
Now that the road is complete, one would think our job might be done. Not exactly. While the road was built to Town of Binghamton specifications, due to legalities and politics, the road has not yet been accepted by the Town. The road is still our responsibility to plow and maintain. While this does not directly affect you the customer, we are all better off if the Town does take the road over. They are professionals at road maintenance and upkeep, and are better equipped to do the job. Increased traffic to and from our club, as well nearby development, warrant this being a town road. To make this a town road makes sense.

I will continue my efforts to turn this road over to the town. Patience they tell me, patience…..The good news is Mercedes Benz and Lexus vehicles no longer have to fear our approach. Zip and zoom is the order of the day. I might even have to install speed limit signs! Eee Gads!

Comments Off

While it is only November, plans are already underway for the 12th Annual Binghamton Professional Tennis Tournament. The tournament committee has been busy since last August, and there is plenty of news to report. The Board of Directors has expanded and now meets monthly. They have elected Mary Jane Nugent and Carole Hillis as Co-Chairs. They also have created a fundraising committee in charge of selling sponsorships. In particular, the addition of Mary Jane Nugent & Leo O’Connor to both the board and fundraising committee has helped give the committee new vision and ideas.

Noam Okun of Israel, 2004 winner during the finals

The tournament has already secured $45,000 in advertising to showcase next year’s event. The sponsorship packages have been streamlined and are pleasing to the eye. More importantly, they contain added value and exposure for sponsors. The YMCA will once again run its Saturday night charity event. The Discovery Center is coming aboard as an additional charity, and will run a dinner event on site, as well as maintain an on-site presence. A recent sponsorship appreciation/kickoff celebration was held at Zazou, where many of our corporate sponsors were treated to a great evening, which included a highlight video of the tournament. Many thanks to Jeff Hirst for his web/video/computer mastery in piecing together a telling and well done video. And special kudos to Mary Jane Nugent, for orchestrating and executing a wonderful and special tournament evening at Zazou. As you can see, we’ve already generated quite a buzz regarding our event.

Vico Certa of Italy enjoying a view from his box seat perch during the Ace with Pace competition

While the tournament is gaining momentum and energy as we enter our 12th year, obstacles lie ahead. We still do not have a title sponsor. While the USTA has approved Recreation Park as a site next year, the park’s courts and facility will have to be upgraded in order for us to remain there in future years. The tournament has been running at a deficit the past few years, and additional funds must be raised to keep it alive. Unlike the Ross Park Zoo, we do not have access to county funds or newspaper headlines to assist our efforts.

The USTA has given us a December 12 deadline by which to raise “committed” funds totaling $35,000. If we do not , we lose our event. While the fundraising committee has done a great job thus far, we are only half way to our goal. We are in need of new sponsors and individual committments.

BTC has placed sponsorhsip packets and VIP Patron ticket literature at our counter. We are now soliciting VIP or Patron ticket sales. If you purchase by Dec 12, you will receive a 5% discount off the package price of a VIP ticket or any sponsorship package. If you sign up for a sponsorship package or VIP ticket by filling out a committment form before Dec 12, you can still pay by the normal deadline (next June I think). Any funds we either collect or commit by Dec 12 will count toward our USTA mandate. As you can see, the Dec 12 deadline is an important one for us - very important.

I have always maintained that this tournament is vital to our tennis community. This tournament is part of our identity, part of our local tennis culture. Lose this tournament, and we lose a part of us. Pardon the old adage, but it is time to step up to the plate. If you do not want to lose this event and you have the means to help financially in any way, now is the time to do so. There are so many of you who have lived and breathed life into event. You, as well as every spectator who has ever attended, deserve to see this event grow and thrive. Many pieces are in place. If we can get past our looming deadline, I think our event will enter a new era. Here’s to hoping…and caring

Comments Off