The Drop Shot Official Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club Jeff Tateosian, editor 650.347.1439 [email protected] November 2 011 Upcoming Events • Quarterly Membership Meeting November 15th President’s • Holiday Open House Message December 10th • Rob Adams As some of you know, Tom Brown recent - ly passed away. One of my favorite stories Editor’s Note about Tom was his epic match against another PTC legend, Erik Van Dillen . Both Tennis legend Tom Brown these greats were attendees at the 2010 passed away on Oct. 27 of PTC Holiday party....we were amongst complications from greatness that night. Alzheimer's disease at the age of 89. He was Lee Bradford’s We have lost a number of members dur - soul mate. Prior to 2008, Lee ing the last year, all important parts of the Jeff Tateosian wrote the Drop Shot over a PTC fabric ( Ed Brown, Bob Ja, Peggy ten year span at the club. My thoughts and Spurgeon, Bea Brownson, Gordon prayers go out to both Lee and Tom’s fami - Murray ). This is all part of the circle of life, ly. but it hurts to lose any fellow member. In Tom's case, many members did not know of Tom was a familiar his exploits...and Tom was not one to figure around the boast! What a proud man, who was still PTC, coming down whipping the ball around the court many from San Francisco times over the last year. So take a minute for many years to to introduce yourself to fellow members, play in the California young and old. We are really one big fami - State Senior ly. And by the way, you can find much Championships. And about Tom's tennis history on our wall of for the past seven fame in the clubhouse. years, he was here nearly every day with Peninsula Tennis Club ~ Over 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Official Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club Lee (Tyler) Bradford, a dear and longtime writer who lives in Maine; and, of course, friend, feasting on Mary's sandwiches. Lee. It is for him that our flag has flown at Together they wrote his book, "As Tom half-mast. He will be greatly missed. Goes By." His appetite for tennis was whetted at the Manager’s Corner age of nine by his mother beating him six- love at the Golden Gate Park tennis courts. The USTA has changed the He showed her, and how! At 11, he won Adult Senior season from the the San Francisco Playground fall to winter and is now Championships, and was then on his way to scheduled from January 2nd titles galore. After serving with the 20th through March 25th with sign- Armored Division in Europe during World ups in December. To be eligi - War II, he gave himself a couple of years off Lona Means ble to play you must be at for tennis pleasure before settling down to least 50 years old. Please law school and earning a living. In 1946, at contact me if you need captain contact age 23, he came out of nowhere to win information or have any questions at 650- Wimbledon in two events – Men’s Doubles 347-1439, or [email protected]. (with Jack Kramer), Mixed Doubles (with Louise Brough). He was also finalist that Once again the fall leaves on the court year against Kramer at the National Singles will drive us crazy! If our maintenance crew (now part of the US Open), and was named is not available please access the light - to the first Davis Cup Challenge played after weight leaf blower available behind the bar. the war in Australia. U.S. won 5-0 to everyone's surprise. But it was as a senior, The swimming pool is now turned off for after retiring from 36 years as a San the season and will be turned back on in Francisco lawyer, that Tom really shone. In May. Please enjoy the spa which is heated 1987, he achieved the Singles Grand Slam year round. in the 65 age group -- winning the Hard Court, Grass, Clay, and Indoor. That same I would like to wish you and your family a year, with Bobby Riggs as a partner, he won very Happy Thanksgiving! the 65 doubles titles for all but the Clay. Six times, the United States Tennis Association named him the #1 singles play - Club News er in the 65-age group. In 1988-89, the International Tennis Federation named him Club Anniversaries for November 5+ yrs #1 in the world. He once estimated he'd Congratulations to the following members: played 3,750 tournaments in his lifetime. His last major wins were in 1998 -- the Bob & Leslie Reisfeld 25 Years National Men's 75 Singles Hard Court and Brian & Marissa Wachhorst 5 Years Indoor. He was 76 at the time. Tom & Maggie Blumberg 5 Years John & Alice Wilson 5 Years Tom leaves behind a son, Mark, of San Paul Nelson & Cathleen Pearson 5 Years Ramon; three daughters, Wendy, a vet in Chris & Carol Palmer 5 Years Colorado; Sue, a doctor in San Diego; Sally, an entrepreneur in Cool, CA. He also had Congratulations to Jeff Tateosian for last - six grandchildren; a nephew, Joe Brown, a ing out the qualify field of players at the Peninsula Tennis Club ~ Over 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Official Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club PTC Annual Hold’em Poker Tournament in ing me of the need for decorations and mid October. Past champion John Stone putting them up, notifying players, and the finished in third, with relative newcomers myriad other tasks that have to be done for Kevin Tierney (2nd place) & Peter each event. Every event was great fun and Stevenson (4th place) rounding out the a success, thanks to your efforts. I also final four. Stuart Batchelor provided din - want to thank our wonderful club manager, ner & drinks and a great time was had by Lona, for chipping in when others were not all. available, and keeping us on budget, and Marci Martinucci , who was a frequent last- Calling all dancers – the winter Ballroom minute helper; Dennis Mayer and Mark Dancing sessions will begin on Tuesday Pearcy , for their help with creating and November 22nd. A new beginners class will printing the sign-up sheets; and, of course, go from 6:00 – 7:15 pm, with an intermedi - our great club pro, Riaz, who organizes the ate class following. Singles are welcome events, encourages members to participate and the cost is again $59 per person for the in them, and continuously comes up with six week session. new ideas about events and how to make them competitive, new, and fun. The winter Yoga Classes are back with new sessions on Thursdays starting I also would like to thank the many November 3rd. Drop-in’s are welcome as members who played in the events and well as full session participants. The drop- provided me, Riaz and others with their in classes are $20 per session and go from ideas about improving the events. Since I 7:15 – 8:45 pm. Please contact Jean at joined the board in January, I have gained a [email protected] with any ques - new found appreciation for how much peo - tions. ple contribute towards our club, making it a great place to play tennis and hang out. Please feel free to tell me what we did right, Tennis Activities News what we can do to improve the tennis events for next year, and any ideas you may have for events that we should hold next I do not have any news year. See you on the courts. about upcoming events because the club organized House & Grounds News tennis events are finished for the year. I especially enjoyed serving as the chair of the With November upon us , Chris Cooke Tennis Events committee and there is not a lot happening in want to personally thank everyone who the H&G world. One big proj - served on the committee with me and ect that was completed in helped put on the events. So, on behalf of October was the diverting of myself and the Board, thank you to com - roof rain water that used to mittee members Julie Buckmaster, Jane Ron Martinucci end up on court #4. This Pearcy, Brian Beswick, Jim Sobel, Brad court would stay wet and unplayable, while Craig, Matt Maloney, Teddy Bernardo, and the other courts would dry and be playable. Val March for your ideas, ordering and get - Our resident plumbing professional, Phil ting the food, ordering the prizes, remind - Zlatunich , met with me and I explained to Peninsula Tennis Club ~ Over 75 Years of Tennis The Drop Shot ~ Official Newsletter of the Peninsula Tennis Club him what I needed to have done. Thankfully he didn't listen to my idea. He Social Events News designed, fabricated and installed a scupper The Halloween party was a to catch the roof drainage and diverted the Monster Smash! Over 40 water through a smaller downspout system people came dressed in cos - that went between the fence and the block tume and a great time was wall to an outside drain. I want to give him had by all. Kudos to Gordon a big thank you for installing this drainage & Linda Nagare and Ken & system. Jose will also be pressure washing Karen Harrigan Val March for the most the green wind screens around the courts notable costumes! Gordon’s as we do periodically. taco truck was not the easiest to dance in but he gave it a good go! Thanks to Riaz A few reminders: please turn off all lights for getting the Halloween party buzz going & lock all doors when leaving club; put back and to the social committee for the ghoul - sponge rollers and squeegees to the east ish decor.