Despite the terrible weather this Tournament was a resounding success. Following is a message from Bobbie Putnam.
Thanks to everyone who made the weekend a huge success and showed the Tsawwassen Tennis Club at its very best to the 64 entries. Thanks go to the Pearls, our Ladies' Division 5 team who gave countless hours before and during the weekend. Tanya Hawke went to the local businesses with great success to ask for donations, and Fern Poirier asked and received help from Thrifty’s and Safeway for the food; baking of muffins, cupcakes, cookies from Tanya, Gerry Colter, Diane Hudson, Debbie Slaco and Bobbie. Bonnie Rossander looked after purchasing the food and keeping everything stocked as it was moved from the Club to the Town and Country Bubble; Nora Greig used her computer skills to help Paul Marsden both days for long hours; Corinne Kerr and her husband donated ALL the trophies and had them engraved, as well as doing shifts welcoming and cooking; Gerry came almost from the ferry to help with Marion Pastore and Rosemary Grant with long shifts; and Jane Hindmarch stayed at the Club on Sunday morning to phone as many as possible to tell them to go to the Town and Country!As well, the Pearls helped with the collection of the prizes, the wrapping and handing out a prize to every one of the 64 juniors, and Rick Slaco each day drove around putting up the signs as well as picking them up at the end of the day. The weather made things a little more complicated and luckily we were able to move the Tournament to the Town and Country Bubble. Thank you so much T&C for coming through with your facilities.However, that meant only 4 courts instead of the 6 we were going to be using in Tsawwassen (one public court), so it meant very long days, ending at 11:00 pm both evenings. A wonderful suggestion by Don Rossander was to use a newly donated tent from Scott Marenych to cover the BBQ and move it to the T&C. They very kindly allowed this and Richard Heath came to the rescue at the last minute with his truck to deliver and unload the BBQ. Happily Kelly Latremouille had come to see some of the tournament and the ladies got him to light the darn thing with a match. There was a sigh of relief that it was finally started. We hoped that the weather would be better on Sunday, and an e-mail went out to ask for volunteers to dry the courts; Bob Putnam was there at 6:30 am and joined later by the O'Flahertys, Norcotts and Paul Fisher. The courts were all dry and ready to go at 9:00 am when the rain started! Everything had to be packed up and moved again, and again delays for everyone as this time we only had 3 T&C courts for part of the day.Thanks to Steve Kemp for picking up the BBQ and bringing it back to the Club. However the major kudos must go to the retiring Pearls’ Captain Debbie Slaco, who with her happy smile, welcoming conversation, and long, long, long hours went way beyond.Finished off each night till the bitter end, and there at the start as well. She always kept us laughing.And then Paul Marsden, really the very best person for the job. All the work BEFORE the tournament, setting up the draw, again and then again, and there from 8:00 am – 11:00 pm both days. Again, always with a smile and attention to detail. We marvel at all his skills at organizing, keeping parents and children on track firmly but kindly. There were a lot of short tempers at times in a small space with long waits. And with a smile, he kept it all running smoothly. And to our Members who donated prizes; Diane Hudson, Diane Ayukawa, Sheila Ronning, Paul Fisher, Ann Short, Harvey Delaney and the Putnams. This is a Challenger Tournament and for many of these young adults it is their first tournament and they are thrilled to receive a prize just for entering. As well, many thanks go to The Chocolate Bear Shop, Shoppers Drug Mart, Albany Books, Toys and Tech, Your Dollar Store, Delta Bike Shop, The Run Inn, Ernst & Young, Safeway ($25.00) and Thrifty’s ($100.00 and a large box of energy bars), Elizabeth's Hair Design and Norpro from Richmond; also to Phil Cote for lending us his signs to use as a base for ours!And to all the Putnam friends who printed and delivered the entry forms to the junior coaches at 16 clubs in B.C. We did have entries from Hong Kong and California (o.k. nothing to do with us!). Tsawwassen Tennis Club really showed amazing hospitality, and we had many, many compliments on the Tournament. Thank you to all those listed above for making it a different and a little more special weekend..............and forgive me if I have not mentioned your name. Bob was determined to be there to hand out the trophies and only 2 weeks after his brain surgery was there to do his part.Thanks again. Bobbie Putnam
Bob Putnam Junior Challenger Tournament August 7 - 8, 2010 Events: Boys - U12, U14, U16, U18 Girls - U12, U14, U16, U18 Hosted by the Tsawwassen Tennis Club. Matches to be played at the Tsawwassen Tennis Club (and Brandrith Park if needed).
Registration Fee: $30.00 (cheques made payable to Tsawwassen Tennis Club or register using a credit card online at karelo.com).
To Register - complete the online form using the Karelo Online Registration link below
OR
Download the registration form in PDF format and mail to Tsawwassen Tennis Club at the address listed on the form.
Registration closed as of Wednesday, August 4 at 6:00pm
Tournament information will be uploaded regularly on the Tennis BC website - see link below Draws will be posted on Thursday, August 5th For information during the tournament click on the tournament link below.
