The Drop Shot Official Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club 75th Anniveary 1E93d3i~ti2o0n08 th The Drop Shot 75 Official Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club By Jeff Tateosian 650.347.1439 [email protected]
September 2008 Upcoming Events
PTC 75th Anniversary Celebration Week September 10-13 President’s • Update PTC Backgammon Tournament Wednesday Sept. 10 2:00 PM • Stuart Batchelor PTC Gin Rummy Tournament Thursday Sept. 11 5:30 PM Honoring the Past, Present, & Future of • the PTC . 2008 marks the 75th Anniversary PTC Poker Tournament of the Club and on September 13th we will Friday Sept. 12 2:00 PM honor our past while enjoying our new • facilities and look to the future of the great PTC Team Tennis Tournament things to come. I especially hope that all Saturday Sept. 13 9:00 AM the new members that have joined the PTC • over the past three years can attend the PTC 75th Gala Anniversary Gala to hear the wonderful stories that our Saturday Sept. 13 6:30 PM long term members will enjoy sharing with • you.
As you know by now, the PTC will honor Editor’s Note our 75th Anniversary with a week-long celebration next week . A lot of work has been put into planning the social activities I hope you enjoy this 75th and especially the Gala Dinner/Dance. Anniversary Commemorative There is still time to sign up for each of the issue of the Drop Shot. It activities. I am looking forward to seeing features many memories, both both old and new members coming togeth - in photos and in words by our Jeff Tateosian er to make this a truly memorable event. long-time members. I would like to thank all of the members who con - 75 Years at PTC tribute to this newsletter on a monthly basis, and especially my Drop Shot partner Dennis Mayer for producing our finest This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the issue yet. Bay Area’s best-kept secret. Located in Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Official Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
caliber members. Erik Van Dillen Burlingame, the Peninsula Tennis Club was (U.S. founded by twenty or so local tennis enthu - Davis Cup Team 1969-1976, Ranked #1 in Ann siasts who had decided to form their own Men’s Doubles 1971-1973), (Kiyomura) Hayashi club. Starting in 1930, they paid 25 cents (Wimbledon Doubles Gordy Stroud per month for a few years to help fund the Champion 1975), (Canadian Tom Brown purchase of land where the facility sits Davis Cup Team 1963) and today. The Club became official in 1933 (U.S. Davis Cup Team 1946, 1950, 1953, when eighteen members attended a pre- Wimbledon Doubles & Mixed Doubles incorporation meeting, at which time the Champion 1946) are some of the prominent Peninsula Tennis Club Dyle Anderson name and a set of members. Nationally, resolutions was adopted. (National 80 Doubles Champion 2001 & 2002, National 85 Doubles Champion The PTC started with just three courts. A Betty Cookson 2006), (Ranked #1, #2, or small clubhouse and two additional courts #3 in 55 Doubles, 60 Doubles & 65 Doubles were added in 1947. In the mid 50’s, the from 1972-1989), and the recently Ken Beer Club added a large swimming pool and deceased (Double Grand Slam 80 many other improvements. The last two Doubles & 85 Doubles in 1985, 1987 & courts, a second swimming pool and a spa - 1988) represent the PTC in the finest tradi - cious new clubhouse were completed in the tion of tournament play. early 60’s. The facility served its members A milestone was reached in 1983 as the well until father time started to catch up to club celebrated its 50th Anniversary the Club. 2007 marked the start of a new and Club-of-the-Year 2.4 million dollar capital improvement was honored as the by facelift. Completed in May of 2008, the the United States Tennis Association. club is full of energy and ready to serve its During the next 25 years, PTC has contin - membership for decades to come. ued with a strong membership and com - mitment to tennis excellence. Happy 75th Many tournaments have been held at the Birthday PTC, you're young and going Club over the years. From 1949 to 1989, strong! the Club hosted the prestigious USTA National Junior Hardcourt Championships. Manager’s Corner Stan Smith, Jimmy Conners, Michael Chang, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Billy Jean Moffit (King) and Rosie Casals are some of Please welcome our new the well-known young players who partici - PTC manager, Lona Means. pated in the National Hardcourts and who went on to top pro careers. Together, these seven players have won 98 Grand Slams and She started a couple of days nearly 700 ATP tournaments. This doesn’t ago and is quickly getting up even count the Davis Cup or Wrightman Lona Means to speed. Her schedule will Cup victories. The PTC has also played host be Tuesday thru Saturday and each year to the California State Senior you can reach her at 347-1439 or by her Championship since 1952. email [email protected] . Be sure to stop by and introduce yourself the next The Peninsula Tennis Club has always time you are at the club. We’ll include a full been proud of their Pro Championship- bio on her in next month’s Drop Shot. Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Official Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
Tennis Activities News recently concluded California State Senior Championships. Eighteen members partic - ipated and produced three finals winners. September is upon us and Erik van Dillen that means Gala Team Congratulations to for win - ning a thrilling finals match in the Men’s 55 Tennis is almost here. Dyle The Doubles. Congratulations also goes to Anderson and Austin Sellery 48 entries have been filled and for outlasting we currently have a waiting list their opponents to win the Men’s 85 for both the Men’s and Ladies Becky Showen Doubles. As they have done for years, Steve Brooks and Betty Cookson draws. The tournament will put be a lot of fun, so everyone is together another great tournament. Thank encouraged to come down and watch. you to all of the PTC volunteers for their September 13th is the date. Players should time in helping to make this such a success. report at 8:30 AM. Play starts at 9:00 AM and will likely continue until about 3:00 PM Club Anniversaries for September 5+ yrs (just in time for everyone to return home Congratulations to the following members: and get gussied up for the Gala event that Patrick & Barb Fallon 5 Years evening). See you on the 13th! Susan & Michael Lynch 5 Years
The date for the Mixed Doubles The PTC would like to thank the 28 Championship (currently scheduled for Oct. members who played in the BCE Tennis Tournament on Labor Day. 11-12) is going to be rescheduled. We’ll The event was Don Clark announce the new date shortly. organized by our own and helped raise over $7,000 for the Burlingame Rick Membership News Elementary Schools. In Men’s Doubles, Deming Mark Pearcy & Ron & partner beat Martinucci Jim for the championship. Sobel & Chris Cooke Scott With Please help us welcome our newest defeated & partner in the Men’s Doubles Consolation. member/family Kay Coskey & Devi Ananda Ken & Kerry Mahrer. battled a good Ken is a 4.5 player draw to come in second in the Women’s and a physician by trade. Doubles. For the Mixed Doubles Marisa Wachhorst He has played for years, Championship, & part - including his college ner played their best but were beaten for David & Jill Andrews years at UCSB. His wife the title. Finally, Don & Sharon Bartels Kerry also plays - at a defeated in the 3.5 level. When not on Mixed Doubles Consolation. Special thanks Riaz the courts, she takes to & his crew for handling the game- care of their two kids, McKenna (7) & Megan Alan day tournament. (5). It’s all in the family as Ken is Klein’s brother-in-law. The fall Yoga session with Jean Yves will begin on September 11th Club News and run until November 13th. The classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 7:15 PM until 8:30 The PTC had a nice showing in the PM inside the clubroom. For more informa - tion, please contact Jean at 415-336-8577. Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Official Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
USTA News Clubhouse. Enjoy cocktails, an hors d’oeu - vre buffet with music and dancing, while Our Senior 8.0 mixed team sharing memories with long-standing is still in first members. RSVP is required by Monday, place with two matches left to play. The fall league season for USTA is about Sept. 8th. Sign up in the clubroom, email to begin. [email protected] or call 347-1439. The Women’s 7.5 Combo has gotten underway, but there are four Senior Reminder, the September Twilight Tennis teams now forming. They are: ~ Senior Men’s 3.0 originally scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 25 Stuart Batchelor & Phil Marson has been canceled. ( captains) ~ Senior Men’s 4.0 Gerry Sydorak & Ken March ( captains) House & Grounds News ~ Senior Women’s 3.5 Nancy Chew ( captain) ~ Senior Women’s 4.0 As for this month, the long- Louise Tierney & Linda Pene ( captains) awaited exercise room switch is now complete. Bob Sinclair, If you are 50 + and interested in joining Thanks to any of these teams, please contact the per - Stuart Batchelor, Rich spective captains. Rob Delantoni Schoustra, Kelly Kemp, Ron Martinucci and Jeff Congratulations to Betty Cookson for Tateosian winning working on Labor Day, the new the USTA Women’s Grass Court exercise room is open for business where Doubles Championships for 85’s in the old Junior Room was by the BBQ’s. We Philadelphia this past July. expect to add some new exercise equip - Congratulations to Gerry Sydorak for ment in the near future. Enjoy the new winning spacious room that even comes with a view. the consolation event at the Men’s 65 National Indoors for both singles and Our courts now have permanently paint - ed marks in the doubles alley doubles in San Francisco last month. for place - ment of the singles sticks for tournament Social Events News play. See if you can find them. The clubhouse roof and the flat roof over the locker rooms The big story on the social will have repair & main - calendar is the 75th tenance work done on them this week as Anniversary Gala happening part of the CIP project. on Saturday, September 13. Invitations were sent in the mail to the membership out - Nancy Batchelor lining the various events during the celebration week. The Saturday night Gala celebration is black tie (optional) and begins at 6:30 pm in the Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Official Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
Director of Tennis News mentioned to me that I should share Court # 1 with a couple of select members to get Roy in their good graces. It worked!! Evars Torry Bryant and took me under For this special 75th their wings and taught me many things Anniversary Edition of about life and tennis in that order. our Drop Shot, I wanted
Riaz Shivji USPTA to first extend a heartfelt I started working with one Junior and we thank you to all PTC worked together almost every day. Once members who have vol - when I was giving him a lesson on court 4, unteered their time and effort in helping the we heard Mary's voice over the intercom club grow and prosper in its first 75 years and she was relaying the usual announce - of existence. We are now enjoying the ment about the snack bar closing...you fruits of their labor and we need to contin - know the one that starts, "attention mem - ue in their footsteps so the club can be bers, the snack bar will close in 10 minutes. enjoyed for the next 75 years. There are Well, we looked at each other and started to too many of them to mention, but it is crack up because we were the only people because of our member volunteers that this at the club. Good Times! great club of ours has sustained and man - aged to grow and prosper. The Junior Program has been revamped and Pam Stroud RS Tennis Academy has been in charge of was the manager when I start - the Junior group training program since ed here in 2000 and she was instrumental 2003. Now we have a large group of Junior in helping me get the tennis program jump members not only playing competitive ten - started and moving forward. The Tennis nis, but learning some of the very important Program grew and new players were life skills that the sport teaches. encouraged to come out to play. Mixers Commitment, dedication, hard work, and Socials were added to the Calendar and sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect are tennis for everyone at PTC was booming. just a few of the things that are addressed and coached at all times in our STAR and My first day on the job as PTC Tennis Pro, I ACADEMY programs. 2008 was our most had a female member tell me that her successful year to date. We had six teams group would use court # 7 every Monday playing Junior Team Tennis in all the age morning and that I was not to use that groups offered and the Summer Tennis court unless I spoke with her first! On the Program was another huge hit. same day another member expressed dis - dain that the club had hired a tennis pro. The Tennis Program has evolved and we The woman is now a regular in my clinics now have many USTA teams representing and has been a very loyal student for over the PTC and competing out there in League five years. I can use court # 7 any time she play. Some of our members play Senior tells me. This gentleman now takes a les - Tournaments, NTRP events, Junior son occasionally and gets what Riaz and RS Tournaments, and our young players are Academy means to the PTC and it's tennis Gordy Stroud tackling the USTA Junior circuit, and general players, both young and old. member play is beginning to pick up again.
Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Offical Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
All this from a little seven-court facility in of the club. Burlingame, CA - brilliant! I hear back in Ed Brown the day that the PTC was a place where you (47 years) could catch some great tennis and the Of course it had to be the many National courts were full most of the time. It is a Junior Hardcourt Championships that we different time now and our club is still hosted for years! All of the top players to plenty busy. Our membership is changing “be” were here to be seen. There was a and growing with many new members in very special "aire" around the club that time the last few years. of year. Tennis buffs came for miles, the ladies of the club made delicious sandwich - tennis I hope we can make the growth of at es that were a big hit, the camaraderie of the PTC our # 1 goal and to steer the club the club members was at its highest and moving in that direction. most every member pitched in to make the event a success. Happy 75th Peninsula Tennis Club! Bard Dowse Riaz Shivji USPTA (39 years) Director of Tennis It was the spirit of the club working togeth - (650) 347-1440 er, especially during the National Junior [email protected] Hardcourt Championships that were held at the club. Every member had some function or responsibility during the tournament. The Question Man Without a lot of money to spend in the older days, the House & Grounds Chairman would call up members to help with the general maintenance and repairs of the We asked long-time members to share club. their most memorable moments at the club. Pam Stroud (36 years) I do remember that in the late '50s, proba - Valerie Schmidt (55 years at the PTC) bly 1958 or 1959, some of the men would I spent so much time at the club when I was get out with us kids on the front courts on a child I was asked to join. My sponsors Saturday or Sunday mornings and do clinics Phil Garlington were Herb Lauder, Margaret Wederetz, and - feeding balls to us. , the Bill Sherrard. Besides all the tennis I played man who later became my stepfather, was . . I loved the snack bar and the swimming one of those who participated. I remember pool. I watched the first pool being built. he challenged us to hit him and I was glee - It was very exciting at the time. I played in ful when I managed to do it. the National Junior Hardcourt Duncan Beardsley Championships many times, but couldn't (33 years) compete against the out of towners . . . We aren’t really old timers though we have they were really good. All the time I spent been members for 33 years (the club was Sydney at the PTC certainly helped shape me as a 42 years old at the time). Pritchard person. I learned sportsmanship and how was the first to ask us to join - to behave at a "club." I have made many who can forget his rooster walk serves. I wonderful friendships from other members always assumed that it was designed to be a distraction to whoever was receiving. As Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Offical Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
Pat & Bob Meyers Bill Hill potential members, anticipating it. I think it was that invited us down for a let the club meet us worked us through the crisis. (Note to the game. We were intimidated as Bob played current Board - Please don’t let that happen the entire game with one hand in his pock - again). I served on the Board as Treasurer et. He doesn’t recall it, but we sure do. (fortunately having no major mishaps) dur - Leonard Yerkes ing the reign of . I suspect In our early days there were still founding that was the only year that the President’s members of PTC and one in particular Ball was a Black Tie event. I doubt if PTC strolled around the courts as if he owned would do that these days. Tom Ryan the Club. and I were on Court 3 Steve Brooks playing our usual singles games. We will (33 years) Herb Lauder never forget in the middle of a very tense One memory was when had game seeing the ÅgownerÅh stroll along the flag pole down and was painting it sil - the net of Court 1, then Court 2 and con - ver. He was painting and walking back - tinue right across Court 3 as if we were not wards down the pole until he stepped into even there. I have no recollection as to the Jacuzzi. Falling backwards he held the what he was doing, but Tom and I both lost paint can in the air as he went under the total concentration for the game. In the can was still upright and above water. Not Cathy early days played a lot more tennis a drop was spilled. The other moment was than I did. We have a number of PTC on a cold early morning in winter I was Ted Davis Tournament prizes around the house with playing on court one and saw her name on them. There aren’t any that walking between the two pools watching have my name on them! The Tuesday Night the point on court two. He walked right Dinners were a lot of fun and we were con - into the cold pool. Once we fished him out sidered the younger set then. They were and found he was OK the laughter began. organized by one couple and the social Bill Campana committee had the task of trying to com - (31 years) pete with their success. My memories of the club were: Getting involved and hosting players during the We were honored to be members when National Junior Hardcourt Championships Betty Cookson ran the Junior Hardcourts at and seeing many of them go on to fame, PTC for all ages, both boys and girls. such as Jennifer Capriati, Pete Sampras and Housing some of the players was always Michael Chang. Seeing our children learn to great fun. Fortunately our neighbors let play tennis and make lasting friendships at them practice on their court which was a PTC. Getting the opportunity to play and to highlight until one of the boys discovered know better some of the Juniors during the pot growing in the side lot and thought it Junior/Senior tournaments and the parties was his for the taking and the other that followed. Playing in the gin rummy, thought it should be reported to the police. domino, and more recently, poker tourna - ments. A great way to get to know other Sometime in the 80’s the Club got a shock members of the club socially, aside from in the form of a call from the bank saying tennis. that a very significant balloon payment was Gerry Sydorak due. Somehow it hadn’t been logged in (27 years) Board/Treasurer records and no one was There have been many memorable Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Offical Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
Dennis Huajardo moments for me as a PTC club member. (23 years) Watching my two sons develop there as My memories of the club evolve around the Junior tennis players and playing with them days when the club was a true family club. in the Van Dillen doubles tournaments has There was a true intimacy at the club where been one of them. I got to three finals with everyone got involvement & participated in my older son Andrew and each time wound the activities. up losing to the Campana brothers in three Bob Randolph sets. I won the one time I played with my (22 years) Ken Beer younger son Roman; unfortunately the A few years ago, asked me to play Campana’s lost in the other semifinal draw; him singles. Ken was probably in his mid therefore, there was no opportunity to 90's at the time. I said I would and we revenge the losses. One memorable started the match. Each time Kenny served episode occurred in 1988 when the National he would try to come in and volley. 18 Junior Hardcourt Championships were Frankly, he wasn't that agile or fleet of foot still played at PTC. We were housing my at that age and so it was quite easy to pass younger son's national doubles partner who him. After the match I said, "Ken, I think was on the US Junior Davis Cup team. Pete you are much tougher when you stay back Sampras, who was playing in the tourna - and hit those great ground strokes rather ment was a close friend of the boy we were than trying to serve and volley." He said, housing. I had the opportunity to have "yes, I know, but how am I going to learn?" lunch with Pete at the club and discuss ten - That statement epitomized Ken Beer, who nis and life in general with him. I specifi - was working on something new at age 95! cally recall thinking that he was exception - He was truly inspirational to all of us. ally well brought up and friendly. At that Bob Reisfeld time, he was only 16 and still hadn't (22 years) attained his full height and powerful serve My most memorable moment at the club and volley game. Although, our whole fam - was when I, and my family first became ily rooted for him, he lost a close finals members. It was in 1986. We had only match to an unusually quick and gifted recently moved to Burlingame (from San Michael Chang. Nobody thought at that Francisco), and were new to the city and the time the Pete would go on to win a record Peninsula. I was playing a lot of tennis number of Major Pro Tournaments and then, and very much wanted a place to play Leslie become one of the greatest tennis players and friends to play with. My wife, , in history. and I also felt like foreigners in our new neighborhood. I had accepted a job with Peter Webb (25 years) Kaiser in Redwood City, and we bought our When we joined the club a "professional" house without having a great deal of time photo was taken of our family - dressed in to learn the area. The first time I took a Hank Guilmette tennis whites. did the walk around the block, (our house is in the photography for each of the new members, cul du sac on Lexington Way) I felt like I had and we still prize the 12x14 matted print. found the Emerald City. There, at the end As often happens with children, our toddler of my block, was a tennis club! We were Jim & Mary Craig son had gotten sick right before the lucky enough to meet shot...so he looks pretty ragged. who were neighbors and who offered to sponsor us. We were accepted, and we Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Offical Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
have been members ever since. The PTC lots more members with kids and our PTC offered us tennis, swimming, friends, and a social world opened up. The 00’s have feeling of community. It continues to offer been a blast. Bill and I started playing on us all of these wonderful benefits to this teams and I participated on committees and day! on the board. We got to know a lot of great people, play lots of fun tennis and go to Lisa Rogers (20 years + family member) some great parties. We have had great My family joined the Peninsula Tennis Club times with all of our PTC friends and we in 1963. We took tennis lessons and went hope to meet lots more of our new mem - swimming all of the time. The highlight of bers and continue the fun. Junior Day was the greased watermelon Cris Mangar match where boys would attempt to get the (16 years) watermelon out of the pool. There was In the year 2000 when I was President of always a huge mess. I recall two of the life - the Board, it was quite a memorable year. guards, Stan the Man and Big Bob Planning for the future and starting the PTC Roy Burmeister. These young men would hold long range planning committee with Evars court by the pool with many of the was a good start towards developing teenagers every day of the summer. The the club renovation process. Countless best times during the 60’s were during the tennis events with unforgettable PTC mem - National Junior Hardcourt Championships. bers make up for most memorable My family housed players, attended barbe - moments. cues and when we were old enough, we Mark Showen kids got to go to the dance! Fun times for (15 years) all! One of my favorite moments was actually when I was a kid (my family were members). During the 70s, a large group of sophisti - There was a very grumpy snack bar lady cated high school kids (like me!) ate lunch who had been there for many years. She at the club every day of the school year. was getting worried because the "Zerobar" The old Junior clubroom was huge, and far candy bars weren't selling well, and she had away from the Senior clubroom. We blasted quite a large supply. She started marking Herb Lauder the radio until came down and them down a nickel every few days and still yelled at us. We always played cards at no one bought them. Finally she had to lunch, usually Hearts. And we had a lot of throw them out. Of course no sooner had laughs. In the late 80s, the Rogers’ family she disposed of them than all the Junior became new members of the PTC. Our kids members took turns going up to the snack were little then. We would encircle the tots bar and asking for a "Zerobar, please." This with inner tubes and water wings and take led to a great clacking of her dentures and turns playing tennis. We played tennis with a fierce scolding. It doesn't sound so funny Jack and Lois Bergstrom, my parents, and now but we thought it was hilarious at the with lots of their friends. In the early 90s, time! there weren’t too many youngsters around Jim Fregosi the PTC. We often had the whole pool area (11 years) to ourselves on weekend summer after - I remember the first summer when my boys Charlie noons. The membership started getting a were playing loudly by the pool and Nichols bit younger in the late 90’s. There were coming up to talk to them. Much Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Offical Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
to my surprise, instead of yelling at the evening's party at PTC. Before I asked that Fregosi kids, he introduced himself and told question, it was in the back of my mind that them about sportsmanship and club eti - it was a dress-up affair. What he said to quette. We’ll never forget that. We were me was that he would be wearing his tuxe - one of the Club’s youngest members when do. So based on that I decided I would I we joined and I had trouble getting games. wear my tuxedo to the party too. That Paul I started to hit with 90 year old evening six of us wore tuxedoes. He and I Steiner Dyle Anderson , then 80 year old , and the four waiters!!! Boy, did we get Dennis then moved to 70 year olds ribbed that night. Huajardo Al Reiner and . After proving I Jane Pearcy could hit with the older guys, the games (6 years) started to come a little easier. One of our most memorable moments is the van Dillen dinner with the Karaoke Linda Pene (10 years) Machine. We listened to many a club mem - It would have to be "Men of the PTC," a ber croak out a tune when up to the mic Phillip Rossi mostly shirtless calendar with foldout mod - stepped . He blew us away Linda Benvenuto els that was given to as a with his singing; so much so that we all got special 50th birthday gift. The male models up and danced! What a treat that was! At Gerry Sydorak, Glenn Mendelson, included the PTC we tend to measure fellow mem - Steve Benvenuto Sr, Jim Fregosi, Mike bers by their tennis, but most members Amaroli, Kenny March, Jeff Tsu, Gordon have hidden talents that we'll never know Nagare, John Stone, Rudy Giannini, Gordy Rudy Giannini about (have you seen on the Stroud, Riaz Shivji, Steve Wong (sprawled dance floor?) Bring back the Karaoke! out on top of piano in the clubhouse) and Torry Bryant/Steve Brooks Joni Amaroli (wearing noth - (5 years + Jr. member) ing but shower towels & holding a beer). It I remember the good old days at the PTC was the most cherished gift Linda had ever being a Junior member in the mid 70's. I received. We naturally followed that up lived at the Club in the summer and played with "Women of the PTC," a foldout calendar tennis for hours every single day. I rode my Steve Brooks for on his birthday. Each bike there usually by 9:00 AM and stayed model was sporting a cell phone while in until 6:00 PM every single day. I enjoy the John Robertson, the club, a real pet peeve of Steve’s. I also memories of playing with Greg Cody, Richard Stirm, Ward Dresser, hear the tops were on all of these models. Kevin Delehanty, Kathy Floyd, and Abby Patty Rossi Jackson. (10 years) I remember Peggy, the snack bar Rather than having one or two memorable lady. She scared us and we would always moments - I cherish all the special friends be afraid to order those fabulous hot dogs I've made and countless fun times I've had with the crunchy skin. They were the best during my years at PTC. We have an awe - and worth the "crabby" remarks from Peg. some club! The PTC was the perfect place for us high school kids. It kept us busy and out of Jeff Tsu (8 years) trouble. We had so much fun just hanging Some years ago when I was a new member out. in between sets, I asked a more senior member what he would be wearing to that Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Offical Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
Lee Bradford - former Drop Shot editor those days, a member of the membership (27 years) committee would come around personally I guess I have always been what Australians to your home to size you up. Luckily, I call "a sticky beak" - a curious and some - passed inspection and found games here (in what nosy person. So when I, a former the strictly limited hours for women) most society, travel, golf, and mystery writer, enjoyable with the likes of Jane Dunbar, Del volunteered to do the Drop Shot a few years Nichols, Beth Guilmette, Doris Stirm, etc. back, it wasn't purely altruistic. The We'd be thrilled when Sardis Farmer would newsletter fulfilled a need in me to ask enlist us in "mixed." We were in awe of the questions, find out things, and write about club's best woman player, Betty Cookson. it. True, I tended toward gossipy trivia - And how proud we were of the PTC for two like members' birthdays, anniversaries, weeks every summer when the National achievements and trips. But Pam Stroud, Juniors came to town. There was a manager at the time, and Riaz ,our peppy special esprit de corps then - we'd all pitch pro, reined me in with plenty of bare-bones in to make sandwiches and brownies for the clubby data. hungry lot, chauffeur the youngsters from their hosted homes, etc. Bing Crosby was Tennis, and the people you meet through it, emcee one of those years. Some of those has been my favorite interest since I was young players went on to make tennis his - 16, learning the game on grass at our tory - Jimmy Connors, Pancho Gonzalez, neighborhood Longwood Cricket Club, in Brian Gottfried. Member Hank Guilmette Chestnut Hill, Mass. A potent incentive was got them all down on film while they were the resumption there in 1946 of the first 18 and under. National Doubles held after World War II. All the best players of the day came to In 1967, my marriage broke up. I resigned compete - Kramer, Schroeder, Don Budge, from the PTC and moved back to San Gardnar Mulloy, and that year's firecracker- Francisco where dogs (I had two) were wel - like sensation, Tom Brown. The Frisco come, and tennis was included in the rent Flailer" (as the press called him), was hot off at the Golden Gateway! Again I got mar - two Wimbledon doubles wins (with Jack ried, to Dick Bradford. Gateway rent sud - Kramer, and Louise Brough), plus an denly took a quantum leap, so down incredible run at the singles. I was one of we came for another go at Burlingame his autograph hounds. Little did I know where the rents were a lot less. Of course I that half a century later a tennis event at applied for PTC membership again. the PTC would bring us together in prime time. Unfortunately, that marriage was doomed by his incurable illness, but how grateful I In the early 50s, I moved to San Francisco was for the PTC being a safe place to bring where my first smart move was to join the him where he could play cards and be with California Tennis Club. In 1960 I married friendly guys while I enjoyed respites with Bob Brady and because he was with an air - tennis with Ellis Garlington , Gracie line we moved to Burlingame to be closer to Shepherd, Rosemary Marcinak. When Dick the airport. He didn't play sports, I missed died, the club's flag was lowered to half- tennis, and since I'd resigned from the Cal mast. I had never really noticed this club's Club naturally I applied to the PTC. In traditional tribute to members before and was very touched. Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Offical Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
I dropped the PTC membership then for about 30 years - in pursuit of a sea change to golf. But tennis was always in the back - ground, and as golf became more expen - sive and the courses more crowded and less fun, for the third time around I applied for membership here. With age, oddly, my playing circle became a lot wider. These gals included Doris Moorhead (before her untimely death), Marion Chiossi, Thelma Kronhout, Gene Sullivan, Gayle Hansen, Daisy Kwan, June Randolph.
For some years, now, PTC has hosted the California State Seniors, and it was there in 2001, as an enthusiastic spectator, that I re-met Tom Brown, with whom I now live. The PTC has truly become "a second home" for both of us - a welcoming place to come to just about every day. We find the big screen in the clubhouse a natural conduit for uniting members during the various major tournaments shown on TV. The snack bar, with our irrepressible Mary in charge, continues to be our favorite lunch Tom Brown 1946 place with its simple but generous fare, and extremely reasonable prices.
Specifics of the years I did the Drop Shot have faded into memory, but I enjoyed it all while it lasted - and it sure was fun to play "girl reporter."
Tom Brown & Lee Bradford 2007 Ken Beer
Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Offical Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
Ann (Kiyomura) Hayashi
Ken Beer Bob Cookson Jennifer Capriati Tom Gorman Eri k van Dillen
Harold Soloman Susan Anton Jimmy Conners Zina Garrison Betty Cookson Roscoe Tanner
Eri k van Dillen Pancho Gonzalas Michael Chang
Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Offical Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
Rosie Casals Kelly Henry Betty Cookson Pam Shriver Pete Sampr as Billy Jean King
Richy Leach
Murphy Jenson Chris Garner Patrick McEnroe
Erik, Scott, Torry, & Bill
Joel, Sally, Jim, Pam, Jimmy Connors & Betty Cookson Bing Crosby Luke Jensen
Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Offical Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club
July 1937
Peninsula Tennis Club ~ 75 Years of Tennis