1. Nominating Committee
Doug Snapp gave the report. He said the following Board Members have
asked to be removed from the Board: Gwen Dulin, Rita Johansen, Bill McCabe,
and Billie Meadors. The nominating committee considered a number of choices.
The follow people were selected to be Board members: Rita Brown, Jim Flower,
Frank Polito, and Geri Schlegel. Rita Brown's term of service will be up
for renewal at the September meeting of 2002. This is because she is replacing
Gwen Dulin who would have been up for renewal at that time. The other terms
will be up for renewal at the September meeting of 2004. Jake Will, Jr.,
commented that these were all good choices. Hearing no further discussion,
Jeff asked for a voice-vote to accept these nominees as new Board members.
All were in favor.
2. Budget Committee
Jake Will, Jr., gave the report for the 2000-2001 budget. He said the
revenues for this year were comparable to the revenues of last year. However,
he pointed out the last year's revenues from the USTA Leagues were received
at such a time that they are included in this year's. Next year's revenues
in that area will not be as high because there should only be one year's
money. The expenditures for this next year are pretty much the same as
they were this year. He noted that the USTA winter league money for advancing
to the next level remained at $3,900. That amount had covered most of the
expenses of players this year. Few complaints were noted. Money for teams
advancing to the Nationals for the winter USTA Leagues was taken out of
the budget. It has been quite a while since a team made it that far; if
one does, he said we would reconsider at that time. The money for
the USTA coordinators was raised. The money for the Area Qualifier includes
the money that we pay toward their entries. Jake said that we would just
break even this next year. Jeff asked if there was further discussion of
Jake's report. Hearing none, he asked for a voice-vote to accept the budget.
All were in favor.
3. Adjournment of the Annual Meeting
Jeff asked for a motion to adjourn the Annual Meeting; Connie Everhart
moved, Bud Petersen seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Before the beginning of the Regular Meeting, Doug reminded members
to complete the attendance form.
Regular meeting
1. Approval of Minutes
Jeff asked members to take a few minutes to review the minutes from
the July meeting. He asked for corrections or changes. Hearing none, he
asked for a motion to approve the minutes; Carol Alexander moved, Harvey
Beahm seconded and the motion passed.
2. Treasurer's Report
Jake Will, Jr., gave the report. As of June 30th, the checking account
had $455, the flex fund had $49,765, the Junior Fund had $5,072, the Mansfield
Fund had $1,435, and the mutual funds stood at $26,240 on the $25,000 investment.
Jake continues to monitor the investments. Jeff asked for approval of the
report. It was so moved, seconded and approved.
3. Women's Leagues
Callie Ryan reported that the Women's Board will meet on October 2nd
at Callie's house. On October 12th, at 1:00 PM, the team representatives
will meet at the Upper Arlington Municipal Building to discuss possible
changes in their league rules. Suggested changes need to be presented in
writing before that meeting. Jake thanked Callie for her work with the
Women's Leagues, the Board, and the Budget Committee. This was the last
meeting where Callie would be representing the Women's Leagues. There was
a round of applause. Rita Brown will be running the Women's Leagues and
was present at the meeting.
4. Men's Leagues
Gary Alexander gave the men's report. Though there were more teams
playing, the number of players was about the same this year as last. The
increased number of teams could lead to more players next year. What problems
we had this year were mainly a level-of-play problem. We have some players
playing in the 4.0 that are at a higher level. They don't feel confident
about going into the Open Division or there is no higher level at their
club. There was discussion about rating players. There is software that
could be utilized, but it would take hours of entering to get results.
The simple solution might be to change the name of the division to 4.5.
This might just push the problem to the 3.5 level. Discussion continued.
The problems were really minimal. Jake thanked Gary for a great job.
5. USTA Summer League
Terri Jones was not present; Deb Thallman gave the report in her place.
Over 200 players participated in the program. Several teams went to the
Districts; unfortunately, no teams advanced. Deb said that they are trying
to get more involvement in the mixed doubles. Deb complimented Terri on
the job that she did in running the league. Deb and Shirley Neibauer said
that we picked up a number of new USTA memberships. Terri did have some
protests. It was explained how the Women's Leagues and the Men's Leagues
handle their protests. If she would like to revise her grievance committee,
these groups would be willing to make suggestions. However, as the coordinator
she has to decide. We would be willing to help in anyway. Doug said that
no results had been given to him for posting to the web site.
6. Ohio Valley Tennis Association
Janet Craycraft reported. She said there was still time for OVTA award
nominees. She would like any information that we have. She tries to fit
our award winners and nominees into the the OVTA awards, but there isn't
always a match. She did say that the Pickerington Youth Athletic Association
had been given an award for their promotion of tennis. The next meeting
of the OVTA will be September, 27th at the Comfort Inn. It was shared that
the OVTA now has a web site up and running. The address ustamidwestohiovalley.com
will get you to that site.
7. Columbus Parks and Recreation
Connie Everhart reported from the CRPD. There have been several new
courts opened. Several have been resurfaced. Schiller Park and Sawyer have
been reopened or resurfaced. Amy Worley coordinated the Jr. Team program
with the USA Jr. Team program and had a great time. Terry Gee's replacement
will be Kelly Hoffman. Denica Bruce will be replacing Amy as Connie's assistant.
The recreation centers are having fall tennis programs and are taking registrations.
The Wolfe Park courts are to be resurfaced. There has been discussion at
the CRPD level about either adding a court or taking a court out at this
site. There is a Ralleyball, a USTA program, clinic in two weeks. Deb will
coordinate. A clinic will be presented as to what rec leaders can do on
basketball courts as far as tennis is concerned.
8. Area and District Qualifiers
Carol read the report of the Area Qualifier Committee meeting. The
text of that report follows: A Committee of Janet Craycraft, Jeff Johnston,
Jim Hendrix, and Harvey Beahm, chaired by Carol Alexander met September
12th to discuss guidelines for applicants to the Area Qualifier, this year
to be held May 5th through June 5th. It was suggested that the deadline
for entry be printed in the Ohio Valley Yearbook, that methods of distribution
be improved, and that no applications be accepted after the deadline. It
was decided that Tennis Link be used for entering the tournament. Keep
in mind that $2 must be added to the entry fee to pay for this service.
Any player seeking a waiver must apply to the GCTA President in writing
four weeks before the entry deadline. To qualify for such a waiver, 1)
the player must be in the current top 20 of the USTA national seeding and
selection list in the age-group in which requesting the exemption,
and 2) have a certified, documented illness or injury that precludes playing
in the tournament. The Area Qualifying Tournament will be played according
to the Midwest rules, meaning that all scheduled matches (including any
consolation or play-off matches) in a tournament are started and none ended
in default. A retirement due to injury or illness, once the match has started,
is not considered a default. If such an injury should occur at a time in
the tournament before the district quota round, this injured player could
be submitted as an alternate if his or her ranking so warrants. After a
decision is made as to who will be running the Area Qualifier, another
meeting will be held to set further guidelines for the Chairperson of the
tournament. Respectfully submitted, Carol Alexander.
Carol reported that the District Girls 16's Qualifier held at the upper
Arlington High School courts showed a profit of $636. Upper Arlington provided
use of the courts for free. They did this last year, and we made a donation
of $400 to the school. Considering that free court usage is very rare,
she suggested that we pay them what we donated them last year.
Carol has worked with the qualifier since 1978; she would like to train
someone next year. She will work with that person in hopes that he or she
will take on the task totally the following year. Jake suggested the name
of a person, Claire Bauer. We will contact this person and also see if
there are others who might be interested. Les pointed out that the dates
for the District Qualifier could change for next year. The USTA is recommending
this due to the date of the National Opens. The National Opens tournaments
allow players who do not otherwise qualify through the District Qualifiers
to move on and play matches at a higher level. The USTA is hoping that
the National Opens will generate more interest. There was lengthy discussion
that moving the dates of the Districts could cause considerable problems.
Janet will bring this issue up at the OVTA meeting. The President of OVTA
is the person that should forward our concerns to the next level of the
USTA.
9. USTA Junior Team Tennis
Shirley Neibauer reported on the USTA USA Junior Team program. She
said that there were over 600 players participating this year. The program
brought in over 100 new USTA memberships to our area. Membership numbers
are important because representation for certain USTA events is determined
by the number of USTA members in an area. All in all, Shirley said that
the year ran well.
10. Champ of Champs
The Women's tournament went smoothly with the finals being played at
New Albany Country Club. The Club was very gracious and comment was made
that it would be nice to hold it there again.
The Men's tournament will be September 22nd and 23rd. Doug Snapp did
the organizing and the making of the draws. He will also run the tournament.
It will be played at Northam Park. Mike Haddow has been contacted and it
is ready to go. The winners and runners-up will get awards at the Awards
Ceremony.
11. Awards Ceremony
Janet Craycraft reported that the Awards Ceremony will be Sunday, the
23rd of September at the Upper Arlington Municipal Building. It will begin
at 4:00 PM. She said she had sent invitations and captains of winning and
runner-up teams had been contacted. There was some discussion that certain
clubs had indicated that it should be the clubs doing the contacting, not
the captains. Janet commented that everyone interested is invited,
an invitation is not necessary. Janet indicated that the Upper Arlington
Municipal Building requires their own mikes be used and there is $100 rental.
It was decided that we would forgo the mike and speak loudly.
12. Wheelchair Tennis
There was no representative. Jeff shared that Larry Hunter had presented
him a plaque thanking the GCTA for its support of the PVA Wheelchair Tennis
Tournament. Jeff read the plaque and showed it to the group. Several people
commented on being at the tournament and thinking it was a nicely run tournament.
Also, the reason Larry could not be present is that he is playing in a
tournament in Atlanta this weekend.
13. Umpires
Kim Forman reported. About 15 new umpires have been trained. If Kim
gets calls from people or groups that are in need of umpires, she sends
a list of umpires to those people or groups. The umpires can then be contacted
directly. Comment was made that the list could be put on the web site.
Doug said it would be no problem, just get the information to him. Kim
continued that we could always use more umpires. Sometimes umpires are
not available; sometimes they are not available in the numbers that she
would like. There is a real problem getting people to be involved in umpiring.
Janet asked if she should bring this up at the OVTA. Discussion followed
that this is not just a central Ohio problem; other areas are suffering
for lack of umpires. Kim did say that there have been times when people
have come to the training sessions with absolutely no tennis background.
They need to be taught scoring and every thing else. This is not a good
situation. It was suggested that we recruit at the club level. Kim answered
that it is a good idea but it takes time and we don’t have a person that
has that time. Kim said she didn't. She is willing to do the training sessions,
but beyond that, she cannot give a lot more time. Deb suggested the name
of a person that might get involved and help get others involved. Janet
will contact clubs when a date is set for the umpire school. It usually
occurs in February or March. Umpires need to participate in a training
session every year.The need for qualified umpires will be stretched by
having the Men’s Big Ten Championships at OSU in the spring. It was suggested
that we try to get high school coaches involved. There might even be a
person from the high school coaching ranks that would be interested in
running the GCTA's Area and District Qualifiers. We can put information
on the web site and, if interested, they can respond to the web site. Doug
will compile the information and pass it along.
14. Old Business
Les mentioned that the rules page on USTA web site has updates as to
rule changes. There are several. Les highlighted one: the penalty procedure.
It now will be point, game, default for all levels of play. There will
be no warning.
15. New Business
There will be a doubles tournament at the Players Club to benefit cancer
research. There is a $50 entry fee. Information will be listed on the web
site. It should be a fun tournament for a good cause. It was reported that
there was to have been a satellite pro tournament at Wickertree the weekend
of September 22nd and 23rd. Due to the events of 9/11/01 and the problems
with air travel, that tournament was canceled. They may try to have a tournament
in the spring.
Jeff provided us with the dates for the next four meetings: 1/17/ 02,
4/18/02, 7/18/02, and 9/19/02.
16. Adjournment
Jeff asked for a motion to adjourn; Callie made the motion, Janet seconded,
and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Doug Snapp
Corresponding Secretary
Next Meeting
Thursday, January 17, 2002 at the
Swim and Racquet Club on Kenny Road
Meeting time is 7:30 PM