In Attendance: Deena Snapp, Janet Craycraft, Doug Snapp, Dave King, Art Haus, Bob Schafer, Kelly Hoffman, Carol Alexander, Andy Alexander, Shirley Neibauer, Harvey Beahm, Jeff Johnston, Jim Hendrix, Jake Will, Jr., Jim Flower, Gary Alexander, Geri Schlegel, Les Varnado, Rita Brown, Bruce Flory, Thomas Federl

1. Call to Order
GCTA President, Janet Craycraft, called the meeting to order and introduced the special guests: Bruce Flory and Thomas Federl, both of the Western and Southern Financial Group Masters and Women's Open in Cincinnati. Janet asked that we listen to the presentation, then we would continue our regular quarterly meeting. She also pointed out that food and drink had been provided and invited all present to get some as the presentation was starting.
Bruce Flory, the Tournament Director of the Masters and Women's Open began the presentation. He started by saying that this is an "outreach" to people in Columbus to come down to Cincinnati and see world-class tennis this summer. He indicated that the tournament is not just a local tournament for the Cincinnati area, it is a tournament for the entire midwest area. People from Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, etc. come to the tournament. The tournament is one of three "Masters" events in the whole United States. As organizers, they would like it to draw crowds equal to and even better than the crowds of the other two in the series. Bruce said they were very interested in knowing what they could "do better" to entice people from our area to the tournament. He knows that a lot of people from Columbus already attend but would like to see even more. They can provide special hospitality tents for groups and he stressed some of the activities that already take place: fashion show, high school clinic day, kids' clinic day, etc. He talked also about getting busses to bring groups and how really economical that can be when you consider that the ticket and the driving are taken care of. He emphasized the number of vendors that are present, selling items that may not be found in local stores. He and Thomas talked about the quality of play in both the women's and men's events. After the presentation, there was time taken for individual conversation and the answering of specific questions. During that time, Janet suggested that we again "help ourselves" to the food that was provided.
After a break, Janet called the meeting to order and thanked Bruce and Thomas for the presentation and providing refreshments.

2. Approval of Minutes
Janet then asked for an approval of the January minutes. Rita Brown moved, Shirley Neibaurer seconded and the motion passed.

3. Treasurer's report
Jake Will, Jr., gave the report and indicated the following amounts: checking account, $156; flex fund, $65,257; junior fund, $5,399; Mansfield fund, $1,476. Our total, as of March 31st, was $72,888. Janet asked if there were questions. Hearing none, she asked for a motion to accept Jake's report. Les Varnado moved, Gary Alexander seconded and the motion passed.

4. Junior Wightman Cup & Junior Davis Cup
Janet Craycraft indicated that Michelle Jarrett and Steve Ryuse would return as captains this year. The matches are scheduled for the 18th and 19th of June at Upper Arlington High School. The 20th will be the rain make-up day. Janet said that due to interest, several areas will be sending multiple teams. Janet and Kelly Lewis will be hosting the event. She indicated that she would like to have help. Those interested in volunteering should contact Janet.

5. Women's Leagues
Rita Brown reported that the Kickoff parties at the Racquet Club had been very successful. She thanked Shirley Neibauer and Erin Ortman for all their work. The women had their initial organization meeting and it is likely that they will have a very similar number of teams as they did last summer. Rita indicated that she would have a better handle on this once the initial documents are turned in. The penalty for withdrawals has been raised to $250. There will be a career captains' meeting on May 12th at the Upper Arlington Municipal Building. The daytime captains' meeting will be on the 13th at the same location. This information is also on the GCTA web site. As they have done in the past, they will also have training/information sessions for the new captains and pros. Rita indicated that they will not be sending out the the weekly score post cards. Updates will be available on the GCTA web site and it will be the responsibility of the teams to check these standings. Another change, the 4.5 league will be a 4 court format. Kelly Hoffman asked if there were teams playing at the Champions facility. Rita thought that at least one team would be there.

6. Men's Leagues
Gary Alexander reported that the men had their initial meeting on April 14th. The following items were discussed. The Champion of Champions tournament will be attempted the weekend of August 20th. It is hoped that by moving this tournament into August instead of September that there will be more participation. This date will be dependent on finding a location to have the tournament. He feels there are several possibilities. Teams opted to play more matches this year. To accomplish this, the schedules will be such that not every team will play every other team. The men decided to bring back plaques as the trophies. The Gold League will be one division and will have 5 courts. Silver will also have 5 courts.

7. USTA Summer Leagues
Harvey Beahm reported for Terri Jones. Joyce Engle said a mailer has been sent regarding these leagues. There will be a captains' meeting in May and participation forms are due by May 8th. Harvey indicated that the leagues had run smoothly last summer and expected the same for this summer. He said that the USTA Summer Leagues would be emphasizing the combo doubles leagues and hoped for more participation.

8. OVTA
Harvey Beahm gave the report. He recapped the February 27th meeting in Chillicothe. In addition to him, Ed Amos, Julie Blankenship, Jim Hendrix, and Doug Snapp were Columbus people present. Doug Snapp said that there is still grant money available from the OVTA. The OVTA will even help in writing the grants.

9. Umpires
Bob Schafer gave the report. He indicated that there is an association. If umpires are needed, contact that association. There is information on the GCTA web site. He felt that many umpires will still do charity work.

10. Columbus Recreation and Parks
Kelly Hoffman gave the report. He thought that there would be 20-25 NJTL programs at various parks this summer. There would be a number of PeeWee programs. Some sites are on hold because of court maintenance. It is hoped that the adult programs can be started as soon as sites are ready. The Champions facility is getting new clay courts and work is being done to the building. CRPD will run the Champions facility. They are spending the last of the OVTA grant money on these facilities. Kelly is hoping to get support from Ohio Dominican students with Champions. The CRPD has received several small grants from the USTA. These will likely be used with the wheelchair and the adult programs. Kelly thanked us for the indoor setup that we provided for Woodward Park. He indicated that it is getting good use. Kelly was asked about donations of used balls, racquets, clothing, etc. He said that they would take any of that; it would be best to bring it to the Woodward Park center on Karl Road.

11. Area and District Qualifier
Jim Hendrix gave the report on the Area Qualifier and indicated the number of people registered. He shared that most things are running smoothly. There was discussion about the lack of participation with the Girls 18's. There was also discussion about the waivers that are being granted to players to move along to the District level. There was discussion about the ranking system. After this year, we likely will need to review the guidelines for this tournament. By that time, we may have a better picture as to where the USTA is going with its ranking system. It is possible that the Ohio Valley will give some input into these topics of discussion.
Carol Alexander gave the report regarding the Girls 16's District. It will be at Upper Arlington High School and run from June 11th through the 14th. She thanked Andy Alexander, Deena Snapp, and Doug Snapp in advance for their help. Carol indicated that there would be no effort to schedule around the SAT test on the 11th.

12. USA Junior Team Tennis
Rebecca Stanchin has indicated that she would like to continue in the position as coordinator. There have been training sessions for the computer work necessary for these leagues. Kelly Hoffman shared that the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department would not participate this summer.

13. Old Business
Information was shared about the $750 grant to the OSU Club Team. Doug Snapp said that receipts, a picture and a thank-you letter had been received. The team used the money for transportation costs and for uniforms. They participated in the regular season matches and the playoffs in Ann Arbor. This is a team that operates through the Recreation Department at OSU. The team is not supported financially by the university and has no connection to the varsity teams. These are mainly players who are not of the level to play varsity tennis. The USTA has made a push to get and keep this level of player in the game of tennis.
Janet Craycraft shared that we had receive a letter from OSU regarding our donation to the "Serve Up Some Hope" event. Doug said that we also received a card signed by the members of the OSU Women's Team and Coach Merzbacher. Deena Snapp said that she thought the event would get bigger and could be used to grow interest in tennis. Doug said that pictures of the event were on our web site and that several GCTA members had attended. They enjoyed participating in the on-court hitting with the OSU varsity players.

14. New Business
Janet Craycraft shared the information that she had gathered about getting GCTA banners made. She had several designs and prices. Gary Alexander expressed serious reservations about spending money on the banners. He did not feel that it was actually promoting tennis. Jeff Johnston felt that it would help to have some banners for the recognition that we are an organization that supports tennis. There was further discussion. The suggestion was made that fewer banners should be ordered. Andy Alexander said that he would check sources to see if he could get a better price. The issue was put on hold till further information can be gotten.
Harvey Beahm shared that he will again be running the USTA-ITA tournament here in Columbus. The dates are July 16th to the 19th. He asked that the information be posted to the GCTA web site. Art Haus and Bob Schafer will be part of the umpiring crew.

15. Adjournment
Janet asked for a motion to adjourn. Les Varnado made such a motion and Shirley Neibauer seconded, the motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,
Doug Snapp
GCTA Secretary