In Attendance:
Carol Alexander, Doug Snapp, Andy Alexander, Sharon Rusk, Janet Craycraft,
Gary Alexander, Jake Will, Jr., Deb Thallman, Jeff Johnston, Teresa Fournier,
Connie Everhart, Gwen Dulin, Les Varnado, Billie Meadors, Rita Johansen,
Jeff, Johnston, Kim Forman, Barry Bundy, Mary Sims, Jake Will, Sr., Brooks
Naffziger, Jean Shaw
1. Call to order
President, Carol Alexander, called the meeting to order.
2. Approval of minutes
Carol asked for corrections or additions to the minutes for the January
14th meeting. As there were no corrections, Carol asked for a motion to
approve the minutes. Sharon Rusk so moved, and Janet Craycraft 2nd
the motion. The motion passed. Carol thanked Doug for the fine job that
he had done on the minutes. She also indicated that she liked the idea
of receiving the minutes shortly after the January meeting. She also appreciated
the reminder card that was sent shortly before the April meeting.
3. Treasurer’s report
Jake Will, Jr. indicated that the appropriate income tax returns had
been filed with the IRS. He reported that the GCTA had $79,558 total assets
as of March 31, 1999: Star checking—$206, BancOne—$984, MM-Flex Fund Jr.
Development—$4,554, MM-Flex Fund—$47,785, Investments—$27,400, Mansfield
Fund MM—$1,029, Accounts receivable—$0.00 Jake pointed out that the investments
had risen from $25,000 on December 31, 1998 to $27,700 as of March 31,
1999. He was pleased with the $2,700 growth and indicated that he would
continue to monitor this invested money. He also indicated that Billie
Meadors would be using the BancOne account as part of the Junior
Area Qualifier. Carol thanked Jake and indicated that she was also pleased
with the return on the investments. She asked for a motion to approve Jake’s
report. Connie Everhart moved, Teresa Fournier 2nd, and the motion passed.
4. Junior Wightman Cup & Junior Davis Cup
Marni Nordstrom was out of town with her team and could not report
in person, but she had given Carol information on the Junior Wightman Cup
and Junior Davis Cup teams. Carol reported that the teams will compete
July 9th through the 11th. Their matches will take place in Springfield.
Mike Uretsky will again coach the boys and Marni will coach the girls.
Both teams have been very successful and Carol expressed her deep appreciation
for the job that Mike and Marni do with these teams. Carol also pointed
out that the information on the two teams was in the latest Greater Columbus
Tennis Association Newsletter. Marni, Marni’s daughter, and Teresa
Fournier were responsible for writing the newsletter. Carol felt that their
efforts were very successful and thanked them. Carol had extra newsletters
available for those who either had not received it yet or for those who
are not on the mailing list. The newsletter mailing list is generated from
the lists of people who play in the different summer leagues. Several board
members who do not play in leagues suggested that a date be set when they
should pay the yearly $8 GCTA dues so that they can be included on the
newsletter mailing list. Jake Will, Jr. said that he would consider this
and set such a date.
5. Women’s Leagues
Mary Sims reported that the Women’s Leagues are moving along and have
everything under control. They have a May 1st deadline approaching for
when the teams need to be set. There will be a captain’s meeting in the
month of May on the 21st at 1:00 PM. The career women’s captain’s meeting
will be Tuesday, May 25th at 7:30 PM. These meetings are scheduled for
the Upper Arlington Municipal Building. Carol commented on how smoothly
the Women’s Leagues have run and how well organized Mary and Sharon both
are.
6. Men’s Leagues
Jeff Johnston reported that the 1st mailing for the Men’s League went
out in March with team entry forms. The due date for these team entry forms
was to be April 17th. He has had his organizational meeting with captains.
Rosters for teams and dues for members playing on these teams should be
in by May 1st. League-play will begin around the 1st of June. Jeff was
pleased that he had a response to his request printed in the newsletter.
He had asked if anyone would be interested in being an assistant men’s
league chairman or scorekeeper. He has had one response already. He again
stressed how important the newsletter was in getting this help.
7. Mixed Leagues
Carol reported that Phil Davis has resigned as the Mixed League Chairperson.
Carol asked the board members if they had input as to whether we should
try to continue a mixed league and, if so, what format it should take.
Jeff said that he had received a call from Worthington Hills Country Club
as to whether the GCTA would be running the mixed leagues. Worthington
Hills has members who are interested in playing in such a league. Sharon
Rusk asked how many teams had participated in the 1998 season. Les Varnado
said at least four teams received awards at the Awards Ceremony in September.
All the board members who spoke felt that it would be a good idea to try
to have the Mixed League again, but no one volunteered to run it. Carol
agreed that we should try to have this league and she would attempt to
find someone to be the chairperson.
8. OVTA
Gary Alexander reported that there is a USTA national proposal to restructure
the boundaries of the OVTA district. The national goal is to make all districts
follow state boundaries. There will be a committee vote in July as to whether
the boundaries stay the same or go to a state-wide format. He commented
that it might be logical for our juniors to play in such a state-wide district.
We have had situations where players as close as Delaware County have not
be able to play in our district. They have had to play in Toledo.
In this way, this proposal certainly could be a benefit. On the other hand,
we have had part of West Virginia in our district. It is not clear what
will happen to the people in West Virginia, but it is likely that they
will be part of a West Virginia district. Gary believes that under the
new plan the USTA will put more people into the state to act as liaisons.
Jeff asked who will decide the West Virginia issue. Gary explained that
the USTA has allowed the districts to vote in the past as to what areas
would be included in a particular district. Now the decision will most
likely come from the USTA with funding decisions being tied to the districting
decisions. Our qualifying procedure may need to be changed if we
go to a state-wide district. Andy Alexander pointed out that the USTA is
looking for a salaried coordinator in Ohio. If anyone is interested, contact
the Western Office in Indianapolis. The next OVTA meeting will be May 2nd
at the Truman Club on Morse Road. This is a very important meeting. Packets
will be given out for the Area Qualifier, the District Qualifier, the Junior
Wightman Cup Team, and the Junior Davis Cup Team. Gwen Dulin at the local
OVTA office will make reservations.
9. Umpires
Kim Forman had an umpire school on the 20th, 21st, and 23rd of March.
Quite a few new people participated. Kim was very pleased with the turnout.
Some of the new people have already taken part at OSU as observers of matches.
Kim shared that she had spent $206 for the session. Kim said that there
will be a school for pros at Wickertree. Kim indicated that Charlotte Assor
will be scheduling umpires for the Area Qualifier. Carol will schedule
her umpires for the District Qualifier. The OSU women’s tennis team will
be hosting the Rolex Challenge in the fall. This and many other tournaments
provide umpiring opportunities in the central Ohio area. For this reason,
Kim encouraged people to get involved as umpires.
10. Parks and Recreation
Connie Everhart shared the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department’s
booklet: Columbus Recreation & Parks 1999 Summer Recreation Program.
It has a complete listing of the CRPD activities. Connie pointed out two
pages in particular: page 16 and page 20. Page 16 contains information
on the week-long tennis camp for ages 9 through 14. This camp will be held
from June 21st through June 25th from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It will be at
the Whetstone Park tennis courts. There will be a $50 registration fee.
She thought that even though registration had just opened, the camp was
already full. She also made us aware of the GCTA logo that appears on page
16 above the programs that the GCTA directly sponsors: the Introduction
to Tennis Fundamentals for ages 4 & 5 and 6 & 8, the National Junior
Tennis League for ages 9 through 14, and the Junior Team Tennis program
for ages 12 through 18. She was not sure of the number of sites that
would be doing the Pee Wee and Pre-Schooler programs, but she thought that
at least 25 recreation sites would participate in the NJTL program. She
is hoping that the Junior Team program will grow and is looking into names
to send to for contacts for that group. Page 20 of the booklet outlines
the adult tennis instruction. There will be two sessions with one beginning
June 21st, the other will begin on August 16th. There is a $20 fee for
the adult instruction. This instruction will take place at four of the
recreation centers: Northcrest, Schiller, Westgate, and Woodward. There
is also mention on page 20 of the USA Tennis 1, 2, 3 program. Further information
can be gotten from Connie at 645-0589 or from Terry Gee at 645-3715. Connie
also made us aware of the ad for the Central Ohio Tennis Tournament that
will run with different events from July 12th through July 25th. Connie
was grateful for the donation of several cloth nets by Marni Nordstrom.
If there are other donations, you can reach Connie at the same number as
above. Racquets, old balls, clothes—any of these would be welcome. Lastly,
Connie said that the CRPD would be doing a clinic with the Ohio State University
tennis teams for all kids in the parks program on May 26th. She indicated
how excited the kids are with this activity.
11. Area and District Qualifier
Billie Meadors and Rita Johansen reported that they have been hard
at work in getting ready for the Area Qualifier. They are lining up courts
and looking for volunteers. Some conflicts with court usage have already
been noted. Connie pointed out several dates where she thought the CRPD
was using the same courts. Billie and Rita felt that they would be able
to work around these and any other court problems. Carol commended both
for their efforts. Carol also noted what a huge responsibility this tournament
carried and asked that all of us assist them in any way possible. As a
show of support for Billie and Rita, the group broke into spontaneous applause.
Carol expressed some court scheduling problems of her own for the District
Qualifier. She had acquired the OSU courts, but has learned that OSU has
double booked the varsity courts. She indicated that she has talked to
OSU and made them aware of the possible hardship that this could cause:
many people from out of town have already booked motel rooms in the OSU
area anticipating the tournament being held there. Carol found out that
Nike and the OSU teams are having a tennis camp from June 12th through
the 16th at these courts. She has talked to Chuck Merzbacher, the OSU women’s
coach, and he felt that something could be worked out. Carol was also going
to check out the older courts behind Larkins Hall to see if any of them
could be used. The double-booking and the cost factor were particularly
frustrating to Carol.
12. USTA Junior Team Tennis
No report at this time.
13. Champion of Champions
Mary shared that the Women’s Leagues have their Champion of Champions
dates set. They will be playing August 9th and 10th with a rain date of
August 11th. The finals will be played on August 15th. The actual courts
to be used will be arranged later. Jeff noted that the Men’s Leagues would
have their tournament later due to their season running late into August.
He indicated that we may have a problem similar to last year where we had
to have the tournament very late in September because of the number of
OSU home football games. He felt that it would work out and would let us
know of the dates at our next meeting.
14. Southeast Open Tournament
Les said that the tournament would run from June 6th through June 13th.
It would again be at the Reynoldsburg High School courts. He has already
obtained the use of the courts. This tournament has been at this location
for a number of years, and Les expressed his satisfaction with the location.
There will be 18 different events, and Les would have liked to have gotten
this information into the newsletter. He is looking forward to a great
number of participants and hopes that everyone on the board will sign up
for an event.
15. Awards Ceremony
Carol reminded us that Les Varnado had resigned as the chairperson
of the Awards Ceremony. Carol thanked him and also reminded us that Janet
Craycraft will chair this event for the coming year. Janet shared that
the Upper Arlington Municipal Building does not have the early evening
time that we have had in the past for the month of September. Janet said
that she has set a tentative date and time of Sunday, September 26th, from
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Mary thought this would be a fine time to have the
ceremony. Janet indicated that due to new carpet, refreshments might need
to be served outside the building since they could not be taken into the
board room. Members were in favor of the time, date, and the idea of having
the refreshments outside.
16. Wheelchair Tennis
Teresa Fournier reported on a wheelchair tennis tournament that had
taken place in Florida. Several local junior and adult participants did
very well in this tournament. Teresa participated with a broken leg and
was still able to win her division. She is anticipating a wheelchair tournament
locally, August 27th through August 29th. There will also be a camp in
June. She is looking for sponsorship and volunteers.
17. Old Business
Andy shared that the “Town Meeting” for the introduction of the Tennis
1, 2, 3 program that was held at Swim and Racquet on March 18th was very
successful and well attended. He was fairly certain that at least 27 sites
would participate in the program. Most parks and recreation departments
had indicated interest in participation. To this point, only two clubs
have opted not to participate. There will be a working meeting with regard
to this program on May 6th at 7:00 PM at Swim and Racquet. Andy said that
he has plenty of fliers advertising the program and will be distributing
them. If we know of a place that should get them, let him know. At this
point, he does not think that the program will need the GCTA money that
was approved at the January meeting. It looks like there will be adequate
USTA money for all aspects of the program. There will be ads in the SNP
publications and the Columbus Dispatch. These ads will run for several
dates. USTA and Tennis Industry money will pay for these ads. Andy reminded
us that the program is called Tennis 1, 2, 3 because there are three steps
to the program. The first step is a free lesson. This lesson would be at
the clubs. Both adults and youngsters can be involved. The pros and/or
clubs will receive $2 per participant from the USTA and Tennis Industry
for the first step. The second step is to involve participants in clinics
at the clubs. The USTA and Tennis Industry provides $5 per participant
for this step. The third step is to get the participants into team play
or league play. This could be accomplished through the USTA leagues, the
GCTA summer leagues, and/or the parks and recreation leagues. The time
window for the 1st step will be the middle of May through the 3rd week
in June.
Carol thanked Jean Shaw for the picture and publicity about the new
officers that appeared in the SNP newspapers. Carol encouraged all of us
to give Jean any information or publicity that we would like to see in
the SNP area papers.
18. New Business
Andy shared one of the USTA college books. This particular book lists
practically everything that you would want to know if a player were going
to participate at the college level. There is a great deal of information
all in one book. Andy pointed out that there are many USTA publications
available and that any member of the USTA can get these. Some are free,
some do have a nominal change. It was suggested to make some of this information
available at the Area Qualifier and/or District Qualifier. Kim shared that
she had had less than positive experiences when ordering USTA publications
such as A Friend at Court.
Carol informed us that she had sent a get-well card to Fran McCabe.
Fran is undergoing treatment for cancer. Carol gave Fran’s address (119
West North Broadway, Columbus, OH 43214) and suggested sending Fran a card
and/or saying a prayer for her. Carol emphasized the service to tennis
and to this organization that Fran has contributed over the years.
19. Adjournment
Carol asked for a motion to adjourn. Les so moved and Janet seconded.
The motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Doug Snapp
Corresponding Secretary