| | Sonoma Valley
Tennis Association
Newsletter
November 2009
| | Issue No. 11
|
Best Wishes to All for a Happy Holiday Season
from the SVTA Board
| KIWANIS
CONTINUING SUPPORT
|
SVTA is extremely grateful to the Kiwanis Club of Sonoma Plaza for their generous donation to our Junior Program.
Their continued support of the SVTA Juniors allows us to
provide free programs to the youth of the community, and in so doing, we are able to give many kids an opportunity to learn
a sport, develop self-confidence, and expand their social experience. We applaud the Kiwanis for their unselfish service
to the Sonoma community.
| Welcome to our new and/or returning SVTA Members
 says welcome to our most recent
new and/or returning
Diane Barker, Sonoma
Lisa Conner, Sonoma
Betsy Niles, Sonoma
Bud Delauer, Sonoma
Margo James, Sonoma
|
SVTA FREE PROGRAMPLAY WITH THE PRO CHALLENGE
COURTOpen to all. Beginning Wednesday, January 6
4:00 - 5:00 PM
SVTA Teaching Pro Brett Stephenson will be one of the team members
as you compete in this doubles challenge.
Every Wednesday afternoon - 4:00-5:00 pm at Maxwell
It's fast
and everyone gets to partner with the Pro. You'll get tips on strategy and technique.
There is no charge. This is an SVTA sponsored event. All levels can participate.
| Elias Sosa
Elias Sosa, SVTA's Scholarship
Student,
continues to hone his game at his weekly private lessons with Coach Brett Stephenson, while also participating in the
beginners class with his sister, "Sis".
After two singles matches, Elias's record sits at 1/1.
That's 50%, folks, enough
to keep his USTA rating intact.
|
JUNIOR
CLASSES CONTINUE
Beginning
Junior and Intermediate Junior classes are continuing through the end of the year. For more information on schedule
and fees, contact:
Brett Stephenson, USPTA Teaching Pro
Telephone: 925 683-2460
Email:brettstephenson10s@yahoo.com
|
SENIOR LEAGUE UPDATE
Sr Men 3.5A Bob Benz, Captain
Bob's Boys are currently
3 and 4, with Pavel Yarovenko leading the pack at 6-1.Sr Men 4.0A Isaac Raboy, Captain
The 4ohs are 1
and 5, but look to take charge as the second half begins. Sr Women 3.5A Corky Rosengren, Captain Corky's team
has 4 wins and 3 loses so far, and is hovering in the middle of large field at midseason.Sr Women 4.0A Sue Smith, Captain
The Sonoma ladies are
half way through the season, and look to improve on their 2 and 5 record going into the home stretch.
|
Another Fun Season Ends50 MIXED LEAGUE
7.0- 2009
Aftermath -
October Play-off with La Cantera
It's all over, but
the shouting. Bruce Lameroux captained two 2009 7.0 Mixed teams, the A
and the B. Both teams enjoyed a great season of play and camaraderie. The A team made it to the October
Playoffs, won the first against West County Ragle Ranch, but dropped the second to La Cantera.
| 
UP NEXT!
2010 USTA Mixed Season
USTA 2010 Mixed League
teams may now be registered. Rosters open December 7, 2009. Season play begins January 4 and concludes April 10, 2009.
SVTA Maxwell 2010 Mixed 8.0 is registered at the SVTA USTA NorCal Tennis site.
Lorna Sheridan, Captain
Lisa Dierking, Co-captain
For more info, visit
the team website. |
2009
USTA NorCal NTRP Grand Prix
|
Chair Umps, too!
Two teams made up of SVTA members
qualified for the 2009 USTA NorCal NTRP Grand Prix Finals in October at Santa Clara
University.
.
Cheryl Sweeney and Tamara Krautkramer finished 2009 in 3rd place in
USTA 2009 Grand Prix point totals, qualifying for a berth in the Grand Prix Finals Tournament. Sweeney/Krautkramer lost
in the quarterfinals of 3.5 Womens Doubles, losing to the #2 seeded team who went on to win the tournament.
Harold Zagunis and Tamara Krautkramer finished the year in 6th place to qualify in
Mixed Doubles 3.5. Zagunis/Krautkramer beat the number one seed to make it to the semi-finals, but also lost to the
team taking home the big trophy.
The USTA NorCal Grand Prix
points are accumulated by winning qualifying matches at USTA NorCal tournaments. The eight teams in each category with
the highest point totals for the year are invited to participate in the Grand Prix Final Tournament. At the October
final, each court has a Chair Umpire and there are parties for players, making it a special finish to a year of tournament
tennis.
For more information: USTA NorCal Tournaments
|
SONOMA-NAPA-MARIN WOMEN'S TENNIS LEAGUE (SNMWTL)
| SNMWTL FALL SEASON CONCLUDES
TEAM UPDATES
A-2: The A3 team came in second place last year,
so elected to move up to A2 this year for more competition. While they struggled first half, they hope to move up in
the ranks in the second half and are enjoying the tougher category.
Darcy Stephens, Capt. Erin Collins, Co-Capt.
B-1:
The ever-enthusiastic B1 ladies finished the first half tied for 8th in a field of 12. Go get 'em second half!
Sue
Vargas, Capt. Michele Coleman, Co-Capt
B-3: Judy's team just missed 6th place in a field of 10 for the fall season. Look out B2
teams in January, these ladies never quit!
Judy Muller, Capt. Jeanette Barekman, Co-Capt
The Spring 2010 season will commence
January 4, 2010
  
For additional information about the league,
rosters, calendars, and results, check
the SNMWTL website. |
| MAXWELL COURTS FALL CLASS SCHEDULE |
2009 FALL TENNIS AT MAXWELL PARK
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
_________________________________________________
Tuesday 3:30pm-5pm
Beginning Juniors
Wednesday 10am-11:30am
Ladies B-1 Team Practice
Wednesday 3:30pm-4:30pm Intermediate Juniors
ADULT NTRP TEAM PRACTICES: All practices
are leveled by NTRP ratings and team participation. This insures improvement against players of the same level. Classes are
open to team members and it is a great way to work on your game. Drills, instruction, and match play critique are the format
for these guaranteed game improving practices. Please call if interested in joining teams.
JUNIOR PROGRAM: All players
must be evaluated before entering class. This is a full service program for tots to advanced ranked/high school players. Please
call to schedule evaluation.
CARDIO TENNIS: New innovative workout that burns fat and builds
muscle. Perfect for all levels! Tennis drills done at a fast pace combined with Pilates and Yoga to get a full body
cardio workout. Burn fat, get fit and improve your tennis!
PRIVATE LESSONS: The fastest way to improve and learn Tennis!
All lessons are booked at your convenience and have an exclusive Game Improvement Guarantee.
GAME FINDING: Brett Stephenson
will help arrange games with players of similar NTRP levels. Complimentary.
COMING SOON!!!
FREE - PLAY WITH THE PRO - CHALLENGE COURT - January 2010
Advanced
Juniors
Cardio Tennis
Doubles Strategy Clinic -- (3.0 and above)
Ultimate Doubles - A Championship Series Event for Men
LEARN TO PLAY TENNIS:
For "Beginners Only". Learn to play Tennis in either four half hour private lessons (booked at your convenience)
or six hours of group lessons. Upon graduation match play skills are guaranteed and all players will receive a Complimentary
Tennis Racquet! New classes starting each week.
JUNIOR MATCH PLAY DAYS: All juniors intermediate and above
"show up" and pro will help arrange matches.
________________________________
For information regarding these programs and fees, call:
Brett Stephenson
Telephone: 925 683-2460
Email:brettstephenson10s@yahoo.com
|
TENNIS TIP - Brett Stephenson USPTA
|
Maxwell
Teaching Pro Brett Stephenson
recently participated in the 2009
USPTA Northern California Annual Fall Conference
at Napa Valley College. Brett's presentation was entitled "Tennis for the Health of It".
| "The Final Game" Forehand
Increase Power and Improve Consistency
Great
players from the past like Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert used The "Conventional" Game Forehand which is slow and
stagnant. Players would turn side ways to the net and step across their bodies to make contact with the ball. This style of
forehand probably keeps Connors and Evert from being the greatest players ever! Jimmy Connors weak forehand was exposed in
his loss to Arthur Ashe at Wimbledon. Connors could not handle the low softer balls played short to his forehand side. Chris
Evert could not get enough topspin or power to pass the net rushing more athletic Martina Navratilova.
Today's more powerful "Modern" Game Forehand, used by Andy Roddick and Serena Williams, allows players to move
faster and generate more topspin. Players stand facing the net, jump upon contact, and then sling their rackets over
their shoulders to follow through. This style of forehand is less consistent, requires much more timing, and players need
to be extremely fit. For this reason Roddick and Williams will never completely dominate their sport. Most of today's players
get injured from spending extra time on the practice court. Also, with so much timing and fitness involved, if players are
having an "off day" they have no chance to win!
The "Final" Game Forehand is an integrated
technique taking the best of all styles. The open stance of The Modern Game for faster movement and more power, blended with
the controlled follow through of The Conventional Game for better placements and more consistency. The beginning
of the stroke is: "Racket Back". The shoulders turn and the racket is placed beside the hip, pointing straight down,
before the ball comes over the net. The middle of the stroke is: "Move Your Feet". With an open stance (hips facing
the net) the feet move forward to play the ball in front of the body and continue the forward movement for two steps after
the ball as been played. This will minimize timing and maximize power. The third and final step is "Follow Through".
In all sports, the follow through is the most important technique component. The racket should move from low to high into
the ball and finish pointed towards the target. The arm should continue the upward swing until the bicep actually touches
the cheek. The follow-through should be held for two seconds or until the ball bounces on the other side. This low to high
(hip to cheek) action will lift the ball high over the net and deep into the opponent's court. A consistent follow through
with an open stance will increase power, reduce errors and create confidence to play against any level.
For more information about The Final Game Forehand contact me at 925 683-2460 or email brettstephenson10s@yahoo.com.
| STRING FORUM - Noel Barbulesco,
USRSA Certified
Professional Racket Stringer
| 
Over the years most recreational players had their rackets strung
with basic "synthetic" strings. Today's version of the basic string is "synthetic gut." These
strings are readily available and provide the standard for consistent, comfortable, all-around performance. I carry
three versions of "synthetic gut" and each one has its own characteristics (price $25):
Prince Synthetic
Gut Original 16 - This is a very popular string that provides excellent comfort, control and feel. The
16 gauge is a thicker string that enhances durability to prevent string breakage.
Babolat VS Synthetic Gut 16 - Best known for great control and feel on touch shots and very precise
tension stability.
Gamma Synthetic Gut 17 - The lighter 17 gauge is less durable
but I love it for its comfortable feel. This string provides great control and has the highest rating for spin production.
In
recent years, string manufacturers have introduced many new high tech strings. One of the best is Wilson's NXT Tour 17. NXT is a "multifilament" string that
gives the closest thing to "natural gut" playability. This string is rated at the top of almost every category
- comfort, power, spin, control and feel. Due to the more complex manufacturing process the NXT is expensive ($32) but
worth it if you want a truly high performance string.
Another popular trend is the use of "hybrid stringing." Hybrid means that different strings are used on the vertical (main) and horizontal
(cross) strings. Many companies such as Kirschbaum are offering single string hybrid packages (such as Hybrix Power).
In addition, Babolat is promoting a hybrid set-up using their synthetic gut in the mains and a traditional "natural gut"
for the crosses. I recently purchased some Babolat VS Gut 16 and am starting to string with this hybrid combination.
The price is higher ($38) but there isn't anything that compares with the power and feel of natural gut strings. Give
me a call (707-938-1274) if you want to try it.
|
Racquet
Stringing
Noel Barbulesco
(h) 938-1274
(c) 364-9211
(p/u & delivery to Maxwell and Larson)
|
BNP PARIBAS - INDIAN WELLS
MARCH
8 -21, 2010
|
It's almost Thanksgiving -
So Indian Wells 2010 can't be far off
Celebrating its' 35th anniversary, the BNP Paribas Open
(formerly the Pacific Life Open-Indian Wells) is the first
major tennis event of the season on U.S. soil. The tournament features more than 300 of the world's best ATP World Tour and
Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tennis players.
The tournament is a Masters 1000 event on the men's tour and is a Premier
Mandatory event on the women's tour.
Last year more than 330,000 people attended the open. Tickets are now available
for the March 8-21, 2010 event.
For more info go to www.bnpparibasopen.org
| SVTA Membership Dues for 2010 are due in January 2010. Invoices will
be mailed in late December.
The Board is pleased to announce that the membership fee will
remain at $50.00 for 2010.
| |
FOR SALE
BEST OFFER
(click above link for product information)
For additional info: Please contact Swede
Thoreson @ 707-935-6833
| 
IDEAS?
Suggestions for future items or comments about
the newsletter are welcome!
Click here and share your thoughts.
|
SVTA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2009
Erin
Collins, President
Ann Weeks, Vice President
Genevieve Blanchard, Secty-Treas.
Members-at-Large
Noel Barbulesco
Molly Johnston
Mike Kelly
Bruce Lamoreaux
Fred Merrill
Marilyn Mertens
Judy Muller
Darcy Stephens
Barbara Thoreson
| | | | |
Would you like to write to the
SVTA Board of Directors?
| | Know the Rules
Is
there a rest break between first and second sets?
-Any player on the court may
request a two-minute set break after the first and/or second set. If the players have agreed to play a full third set,
there is an optional ten-minute break, and players may leave the court at this time. There is no rest period after the
first game of any set.
USTA Norcal Regulations 2009
Friend at Court Tennis Rules
|
 RECYCLE Please help us recycle.
The County advises that its budget does not allow them to help
us with a recycling program, but if you will use the recyling bin from the shed for your matches, we'll try to save the planet.
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