Indian Summer Mostly Fixed Mixed

At about 10:00 AM this past Saturday, the famously golden mid-September sun shined on the assembled tennis teams at the Redwood Shores Tennis Club September tournament. The air was still, the heat not too hot and every few minutes someone could be heard commenting on the perfect conditions. It is, after all, the reason we live here, putting up with whatever we place in the debit column of our personal ledger.

Beyond personal and shared sunshine epiphanies, the event mastermined by Tournament Director Karen Brodersen consisted of a unique combination of eight "fixed" mixed doubles teams partnered for the day and three "scrambled" teams partnered for one or two of rounds engaged in [six] round-robin play.

When the seasonal falling leaves settled from the court-switching activity between Dolphin and Shorebird Parks, the fixed teams of Cynthia Hunton-Dennis Murphy and Bob and Karen Brodersen finished one-two and Paul Insel emerging as the top "scrambler." While not exactly the mythical fruits of victory, all players enjoyed the fruit and nut smorgasboard of courtside refreshments provided by Pat and Steve Schery.

As the aforementioned famously golden mid-September sun set on another beautiful day, John and Natalie Jordan hosted a Southwestern-themed social that was both well-attended by "revileros" and well-appointed with many treats like chili rellenos, cornbreads, and chorizo dishes.

Top: Michael Garb pumches a volley; Left: Robin George smacks a forehand; Below: Pat and Steve Schery show their form; Bottom: Ed Lee and Ruth Waters assume the ready position.

Late Night Tennis

This just in from Tournament Director Karen Brodersen:

Ed Lee wins the prize for being the player most eagerly anticipating our Indian Summer tournament. The draw was mailed out at 1:17am and Ed confirmed 8 minutes later at 1:25am! Runner up Barbara Urrutia replied at 2:13am...

Ironically, Ed was one of a few players scheduled for a late start on Saturday. We assume the others will take the opportunity to sleep in but Ed will probably be warming up his serve.

Volunteers Needed for Saturday

We need people willing to help out for the tournament this Saturday. Pat and Steve Schery are handling courtside refreshments Saturday and Michael Garb has procured tennis balls, but we need daytime and night photographers as well as social cleaners-up after the Southwest Fest at the Jordans.

Please email us a reply stating how you want to help [and if you cannot help out Saturday, we do have October and November events] at rstc.info@gmail.com and put "Tournament Volunteer" in the subject box.
If you have questions, call Dennis @ 650-365-5928.

Odd Coupling? Consider a trade

This Saturday's Indian Summer Fixed Mixed can present a bit of a problem with forming teams. For married couples, the decision may be automatic. However, there is no expectation that you have to play with your built-in partner. Sometimes it works out better to pick different teammates. Some links for thought:

Mixed Troubles: Surviving Doubles With Your Spouse
Married couples CAN make for a good mix
Picking a Doubles Partner
The Ideal Partner
An excerpt from the "Operation Doubles" website:
The most unlikely personalities make the best partners. The most unlikely pairings — thrown together on the spur of the moment — make excellent teams.

Indian Summer Fixed Mixed

The September Indian Summer Tournament will be a bit different than others we've had recently. It will be Mixed Doubles with steady [or fixed] partner. Instead of changing partners every round, you get to keep yours for the event.

If you have a partner lined up, enter as a team. Otherwise, enter as a single player and the Tournament Directorship will assign you one from the partner pool. Besides updating availability at eTennis, we ask that you also RSVP to Karen Brodersen directly [kbroders@ix.netcom.com] by 5 PM Wednesday. Please indicate if you have a partner and who they are. Said partner should also email Karen.

Depending on turnout, a handicap scoring system may be employed where the team ahead may need to win additional game points beyond the usual four for no-ad games.

The Indian Summer social will be at Natalie & John Jordon's home and will have a Southwestern theme. If you need some suggestions look at this web site for Southwest receipe ideas.
http://www.southwestcuisine.com/southwestern_recipes.htm

Festivities began at 6:30 PM on Saturday, September 16 after a fun morning of tennis.

Here are the food assignments for our Indian Summer Feast!
A-F: Appetizers
G-I: Side Dishes
J-M: Entrees
N-R: Desserts
S-Z: Special - will be emailed with food assignment on Thursday

Don't forget to go to "eTennis" below & "Click here to update you availability" for both the tennis tournment and social.

Directions to Natalie & John Jordon's home in Redwood Shores:
809 Southport Drive
Redwood Shores, CA 94065
802-8893

East on Redwood Shores Parkway
Cross Shell Parkway
Turn right onto Egret Lane
Turn right onto Southport Drive
809 Southport is on the right

Open Play this Saturday

Just a quick note that an Open Play date has come up for tomorrow morn at Shore Bird, 9am to 1-ish. Should be nice weather...see you out on the courts!

Pajaro Reminder

Hi everyone,

We are just over a month away from our weekend at Pajaro Dunes, September 29th through October 1st. I would appreciate receiving the balance, $250.00, by the end of August. Please have your check payable to RSTC. My address is 556 Cringle Drive, Redwood City, 94065.

You will receive more information on the weekend sometime in mid-September. Remember, you may check=in on Thursday evening, September 28th if you can escape early.

Michael