Web site update

We are currently working on a new and improved look to our web site. We hope to be able to get a "tennis forum" started where we post not just local and BTC related news but tennis columns with general tennis information and articles that you may post comments and questions to.

We do welcome comments like the one Stu Post just posted on our Parent/Junior Seminar report. Thanks and stay tuned

New Pro

We would like to officially welcome Kris Shumway to our teaching staff. Kris is from Towanda Pa, where he was a high school standout in tennis & basketball. Kris attended Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, where he played #1 singles & doubles three of his four years. Kris helped lead his team to a Division 11 national ranking, achieved a top 50 national ranking in singles, and a top 15 national ranking in doubles. Kris received his undergraduate degree in physical therapy.

Kris also achieved the lofty status of gaining 3 ATP points in doubles in 2003 along with none other than Billy Mendler. Kris's tennis resume includes teaching at the Italian Tennis Center in Stamford Ct , the Bakersfield Racquet Club in Ca. and Sport Health Residence in Washington, DC. Kris has also assited with GETA in Elmira and Bloomsburg University summer tennis camps. Kris's easy going and friendly personality combined with his tennis expereince will make him a natural among both adults and juniors. Kris is 25 and single. Welcome aboard Kris!

Parent/Junior Seminar

>p>BTC will be holding their first ever Parent-Junior Seminar Wednesday, October 11 6:30 pm in the upstairs lounge. The seminar will cover all aspects of junior develpment from beginning tennis to players aspiring for division 1 college scholarships and beyond. The seminar and is open to any parent or junior of any level. While detailed information will be available regarding advanced level juniors, there will also be helpful information for juniors just starting out.

Guest speakers include BTC staff members Billy Mendler, Head Pro, Collin Crawford, director of junior development, Libby McGovern, former all star standout at Ball State and our junior tournament director, Michael Starke, owner manager of the Binghamton Tennis Center, and Dave Constantine, principal at Coolidge Elementary and father of Ashley Constantine, a senior and full scholarship player at West Virgina.

The seminar will include guidance for training juniors, an explanation of the Eastern Tennis Association tournament structure, the unveling of a new upcoming Western Region Junior Circuit s well as handouts. We hope to not only present a comprehensive guide but to also answer lots of questions as we help our junior move forward and reach for their dreams and vision.

BTC Clay Court

Our 26th annual BTC Clay Court was held June 9-11, amid an Alaskan cold front. Neither frigid temeratures nor artic winds could put on damper on the mood, and some excellent tennis was displayed.

Newcomer Liz Koban of Birchwood Fitness defeated Colleen Hanzes in a great women's final, winning a 3rd set tie break. The men's "B" singles was an all Elmira junior finale, with Don Sherman defeating Dan Freeman 6-2,2-6,6-1 in a very well played final. men singles winner Mustafa Genscoy

The men's "A" singles title went to Mustafa Genscoy of Turkey who defeated Sardor Pulatove of Uzbekistan 7-6,7-5. This was our 1st all interntional final. Mustafa plays #1 for George Washingto University and Sardor competes on the futures tennis circuit. Perhpas the finest best match was the dobubles finals, where BTC Clay Court veterans Gregg Schwartz & Greg Munoz defeated teaching pros Kiril Popov & Aland Price of Birchwood Fitness, 6-0, 5-7, 7-6. doubles winners Gregg & Greg with "coach" and tournament director Michael Starke After winning the 1st set handily, suddenly Kiril & Aland stepped up their games, and the last two sets were thrilling tennis.

The lone local winners were Sue Vail & Jordy Asher, who defeated Marey Ellen Halm & Steve Forrest of Elmira, 7-6,2-6,6-1 iin the Mixed Doubles finals, thanks to Sue carrying Jordy during the 3rd set. Both Sardor Pulatov & the doubles team of Gregg & Greg as a result of their efforts, got to play in the $50,000 dBI Tennis Challenger August 5-6 & Rec Park! It was great to see so many out of town entries, which really spruced up our event. We hope to gain more local entries next year.

Most Improved Player Award

Now that full season is in full swing, we would like to announce our 2005 Most Improved Players, John Scanlon & Debbie Karst. This year's polling was closer than ever, especially on the women's side, in which Sandra Starke was a very close, and two others in the running.

Our winner approved this pic
Debbie's two fisted forehand is not the first to have received this award, which shows that we pros can be flexible. Debbies thirst for improvement, unbridled passion and courage nosed her into the winners circle. Debbie also attributes some of her success to pros Collin Crawford & Billy Mendler.

John did not approve this pic John started two years ago a rank beginner. Besides his marked improvement, his never say die attitude and flair for the dramatic tipped the scales in his favor. That and Molly taking the oath on stand that she was not taking responsibility for his backhand. Molly smartly turned that task over to pro Billy Mendler, who is molding John in his own image. John gives all the credit to his rcqt.

Both players received a plaque, a free 1/2 hour lesson and have their named engraved on our new and improved Most Improved Player Award Placque located in the lobby. Congratulations Deb & John!

Ceiling/Isulation System

In May of 2006, we undertook the first of two major summer renovations, the replacement of our ceiling insulation system on courts 5 & 6. We first had to tear down all the existing insulation, and performed that task in house. We then hired Commercial Retrofit out of Michigan come in and install the new insulation.

Protective masks a mustThe insulation goes up in 8 ft wide by 120 ft long strips. This was done with 2 forty foot boon lifts and a competent crew.Tarps and plywood were laid down the entire court to avoid damage. The entire job took 7 full days, and came in ahead of schedule, in time for the USTA season.

This was a significant upgrade to our facility. The insulation is hung much tighter, will not flake, will remain hole free, and better reflects light making these courts brighter and more evenly lit. Special thanks to the entire Commercial Retrofit crew as well as Dickey, Sam & Frank.

Most Improved Player of the Year

In a very belated announcement, I would like to congratulate Pat Clas & Colleen Hanzes for being voted the Most Improved Male & Female Player of the Year for 2004. Both are very deserving canditates. Even though many names were nominated, it was clear to the committee that these two were worthy recepients.

Pat, along with his friend and fellow employee Mike Clark took up the game a scant year ago, in the summer of 2004. In that time period, Pat has not only advanced to the 3.0 level, but captained a 3.0 team this past season. Pat's rapid improvement can be attributed to a good work ethic, great enthusiasm and much time spent on the court practicing. One of Pat's claim to fame is aceing his pro in our winter Sambursky/Gennett pro-am competition.

Colleen Hanzes also recently picked up the game in the past two years. Her rapid ascent on the rating chart has been nothing short of remarkable. She has gone from a 3.0 level to competing toe to toe with 4.0 players in two year's time. Colleen has an incredible passion for the game, and is always looking to learn and improve. She has a great on court disposition ( and off court) and never lets anything get in her way. Congratulations to both Colleen & Pat.

The road of paradise

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!

Women's Competitive Doubles League

SUNDAY MORNING SPECIAL - 8:30-10:00am. WOMEN'S COMPETITIVE DOUBLES LEAGUE - $63/player (includes balls) Limited to 8 teams each at 2.5-3.0 level and 3.5-4.0 level

Matches will be scheduled every other week beginning January 2nd. Total of seven matches per team. Scoring will be best two of three sets, 10 point tie-break for split sets.

Sign up at the desk today!

Midnight Madness/Thanksgiving

For those of you who believe that engaging in some form of exercise on Thanskgiving lessens your guilt, and justifies overstuffing at your annual Thanksgiving feast, good news: BTC will be open on Thanskgiving Day! We will be operating fom 8am-1pm. Being open on Thanksgiving has been a BTC tradition, and is a great way for families to enjoy a healthy get together as well as staying clear of the chef in the kitchen as they create their turkey masterpiece.

Court fee is $25/hour. Just call to reserve. Yours truly will be working the desk.

Midnight Madness
For all you night owls, Midnighte Madness is back. Midnight Madness will run Monday through Thursday form 9:30 - 11:30 pm. 2 hours of tennis for $32. 1 1/2 hours for $26. You can book up to one week in advance. Participants must be members

The Road

The Road....ahhh hemm. yes....the path way leading from the stop sign of Mill Street to our facility is in need of repair. Its current condition is taking on the look of a bombed out Afghanistan thoroughfare.

We are in the process of substanially upgrading our road, thus bringing it back to 21st centruy standards. Improvements include a new drainage system, a regrading and build up of our sub base, and a top surface that will consist of two layers of oil and stone. Once completed, the road will meet Town of Binghamton road specifications. It is our hope that the Town of Binghamton will accept the road and and take over the maintenance and repairs.

The project will be done in 3 phases. First is the installation of the new drainage system, followed by the regrading and grinding of our sub base. Once the base settles, we will add the oil and stone top. Until completed, I imagine we might look like a road construction zone. Fear not, our entrance will always be accessible. We plan to be finished by the start of contract season, September 13. I thank you for your patience and look forward as you do to a new road!

Contract Renewal

We are now in the process of signing up contract renewals for the 2004/2005 season. We have mailed all captains and contract members a renewal letter outlining the process.

We hope to have a list of players from the captains by March 31, so we can bill out deposits. Contract deposits are due no later than May 15. Deposits are $75 for singles and $50 for doubles.

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You can greatly help in the process by letting your captain know if you intend on playing in his or her contract next year. Once again we offer a 5% discount on contract and membership fees if you pay in full by May 15. Contract prices will remain the same as last year for the 04/05 season.

Most Improved Player Award

It is time to announce the Male & Female Most Improved Players for 2003. This presitgious award is one we enjoy giving out, and the pro staff gives the matter much debate and deliberation.

This years winners are Sue Vail & Doug Smith. Both winners will receive a plaque, a free lesson and most importantly, have their names engraved on our Most Improved Player Plaque that hangs in the lounge

This is our 18th year of handing out the award. We already have our eyes peeled, searching for our 2004 nominees. It could be you, so keep working on your game!

Past Winners

Year Male Female
2002 TJ Cafario Molly Fitzgerald
2001 Dan Sambursky Cindy Moore
2000 Larry Rouff Kathy Reid/Theresa Price
1999 Sheldon Maskin Barb Jones
1998 Jeff Conklin Gail Deveraux
1997 Fred Weiss LouAnn Rauber
1996 Jack Olsen Linda Lewis/Slyvia Kaenzig
1995 Mike Ashman Sandi Sanzo
1994 Dale Sacharov Andrea Reger
1993 Jud Griffin Ann Cameron
1992 Al Tricomi Lana Rouff
Ray Everhart Janet Nardocci
1991 Dale Fluegel Linda Hall
Chuck Ketchuk Mary Lou Kent
1990 Rick Marsi Karen Anderson/Tulia Grassman
1989 Pete Bouman Babette Markey
Mick Atwater
1988 Marvin Menewich Jean Quataert
1987 Bob New Kathi Wise
Vince Goirdano Julia Ruan
1986 Michael Burke Linda Spear

US Open Bus Trip

Now that the sun has shown for the past four days, it is officially time to: announce our US Open Bus trip. The day is Tuesday, August 31, which is Day 2 of the Open. We meet at 6:30 am at the Binghamton Plaza. As the US Open has not yet set their ticket prices, we have set a tenative ticket price of $87 for the Arthur Ashe stadium and $80 for a grounds pass, which gets you everywhere but Arthur Ashe stadium. We have 135 tickets available; 90 tickets for Arthur Ashe, and 45 grounds passes.

Tickets go on sale March 1 (now) and will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Ticket sales will only be open to members until April 1. Full payment secures your ticket.
The price includes your ticket, bus transportation there and back (unless you miss the bus!) and Bob deVente's famous tailgate party in the Shea Stadium parking lot. If you are an ardent tennis fan, this is a must trip.

Calendar of Events

Calendar of BTC Events Feb 14 through June
Feb 14 Sat 7-9 pm	Valentines Mixed Doubles Party
Feb 15 Sun 8am	Binghamton vs Rutgers Women tennis
Feb 28 Sat 7-10 pm	Gennett/Samburksy Pro-Am $300+prize money!
March 6 Sat 5pm	Binghamton vs Manahttan Mens tennis
March 21 Sun 8am	Binghamton vs Rutgers Womens tennis
April 3 Sat 7-9pm	Mixed Doubles Party
April 30-May 2 Fri-Sun	ETA Sectional Closed Boys & Girls 12's
May 17	USA Adult leagues begin
June 5 Sat 9am-12	BTC Member Doubles Tournament
June 5 Sat 1-4 pm	Discovery Center Pro-Am Calcutta
June 6 Sun 9am	USTA Mixed Doubles Regionals
June 11-13 Fri-Sun	24th Annual BTC Clay Court Tny
June 25-27 Fri-Sun	ETA Level 1 Junior Tny B&G 12,14,16, & 18's

Chow Fundraiser

Our Holiday Chow Swap Shop sale was a success. We raised $175 for Chow and donated a full bin of non-perishable food. Closets were cleaned out, shoppers found great bargains for $5 or less, and money was raised for Chow. We would like to thank all of you who donated old tennis clothes. I have seen many "new" tennis outfits at the club as a result of our sale. Old fashions become new fashions if you hold to to them long enough.

We hope to make this a yearly event. Special thanks to Debbie & Kris for taking on this project, putting in time and effort for a great cause. I am still looking to buy one of those polka dot-collared tennis shirts my wife made me throw out 15 years ago... There is always next year.

Umpires Clinic

The Syracuse Community Tennis Association (CTA) will once again offer a USTA Umpires Clinic on Saturday, January 10. So you know, it is always nice to have a local umpire, and we use umpires several times a year at junior tournaments as well as for the High School State Qualifiers. Umpires get paid for these events, and unlike the senior circuit or tour, they do not get yelled at! You can register by e-mailing Cam Bundy at cbundy@twcny.rr.com or call Steve Peckich at 315-449-0400. I believe the clinics are usually run at Drumlins. One local umpire, Chip Kinne, has worked several events for us, as well as college dual matches. It would be nice to have another person or two trained!

Raffle winners

Nancy Stamp was our October gift winner. She recieved a USTA carrying bag. You can also read about Nancy on our bulletin board, as she was recently promoted to Vice President of Graduate Studies at Binghamton University.

Mary Jean Rhone was our hockey ticket recipient. She won a pair of hockey tickets to an upcoming B-Sens game!

Tribute to Pete Gruber

Pete Gruber, a long standing member of the club and lifelong tennis enthusiast, passed away August 31, at age 82.

Pete was an original member of our "oldtimers group" which included Jud Griffen, Mel Seiden & Gary Fattal. Three times a week faithfully, this group would conduct "business" on our tennis courts from 8-9:30 am, or rather they would play a spirited game of tennis and then solve the world's problems over coffee in our lounge. Much did I learn by employing my rabbit ears and eavesdropping skills during these sessions.

Pete's easy demeanor and friendly disposition made him a favorite among his peers as well as our staff. Actually, I learned much more from simply observing Pete than I did in any of my eavesdroping efforts. Pete conducted himself with grace and did so in an unassuming manner. Pete always had a kind word for anyone he was addressing. Pete was a gentleman in every sense of the word.

An English professor, Pete spent most of his 30-year professional career at Binghamton University. As a professor emeritus, he touched the university and its students in many ways, embracing a broad spectrum of responsibilities through the years.

Pete's tennis game was much like his personality: smooth, graceful and effortless. There was a strong sense of quality in every shot. He was better than he let on, and that was just fine with him. Truth be known, it was wonderful to watch Pete play, even as he got on in years. It was wonderful to have known Pete. He enriched the lives of all who knew him.

US Open

On Tuesday, August 26, 140 ardent tennis fans filled three buses, joining us in our annual pilgrammage to the US Open in Flushing Meadows. The US Open is one of four Grand Slam tennis events in the world. Here, the world's best players make an appearance to showcase their skills. Tuesday is simply known as Day 2, one in which you are guaranteed to see many of the world's top male and female players compete. A timely start and perfect weather insured that we got our share of great tennis viewing. Not even a slight detour to pick up one of our members at a New Jersey shopping mall could put a dent in this day.

If you have never been to the US Open, it can be overwhelming. Like NYC, the site is enormous, the pace fast and the action furious. Besides three main stadium courts for feature matches, over 20 outside "field" courts exist where competition also takes place. There are so many intriguing matchups spread throughout the facility, it can be difficult to plan which matches to view. Of course, one must allow time for visiting the practice courts, where one might catch a glimpse of Andre, Andy, Justine or even Anna (she is sure hard to find on a match court these days) up close and personal, working with their coaches, smiling and even (if you're lucky) signing autographs.

Another attraction of the US Open is being able to pick out famous people in the crowd. You can do this just by milling around, or simply standing near Center Court. You will be sure to recognize a face or two. Speaking of Center Court, no trip is complete without eating there. If you only bring $20, you won't get much, but the food is good, with spacious seating and shaded tables. A huge jumbotron screen displays the match in Arthur Ashe stadium, in full view as you take your $5 bites. A great chance to catch your breath and re-energize for the afternoon flurry.

Others pleasures at the Open include shopping at numerous clothing booths and viewing the latest high-tech racquets displayed by companies on hand to show their wares. The chance to buy the newest racquet on the market or own tennis togs that might become the next fashion craze is too tantalizing to pass up. You will be caught in the shopping frenzy.

All too soon, 6 p.m. rolls around and our group must get back to the bus or risk being left behind in NYC (which at that moment, does not seem like a bad option because we are having such a good time). Someone should talk to the guy who makes us leave so early! But having returned to the bus, energizer bunny Bob deVente has a table of hors d'oeuvres and snacks laid out, along with a generous supply of libations. Right by the train tracks, in the middle of the Shea Stadium parking lot, BTC holds its own Happy Hour, oblivious to the surrounding scene. Now the day is complete. Everyone can head back to Binghamton, exhausted yet satisfied. On the way home, if you are like me, you dream of tomorrow's matchups, and how you might manage to get another day off and get back to watch more tennis by the weekend. Long live the US Open.