New Year’s Eve Tennis Bash at IronOaks was a great success

Ed Rockland, IOTC Reporter

While most people were gearing up for the usual madcap evening of typical New Year’s Eve events, the IronOaks Tennis Club (IOTC) members were celebrating by – what else? -playing tennis! Play was organized by Coach Kwong and ran from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday morning.

Coach Kwong set up a system for the 40 participants to randomly pair up for doubles play. This allowed people to play with others whom they may never have partnered with before on the courts. Play was organized into half-hour time slots. The emphasis was simply on tennis for the fun of it. This was evident by the smiles on people’s faces as they moved from court to court.

After working up hearty appetites, the group assembled on the patio of the Fitness Center where they were greeted by Coach Kwong’s self-proclaimed “World-Famous Chicken Soup,” plus a “Surf and Turf Salad” he had cooked up, as well as a table full of appetizers and desserts contributed by IOTC members. No one went hungry.

In addition to all the wonderful food choices, lively music was provided by The Rokusek Duo, featuring IOTC Board Member Dave Rokusek and his wife Ellen. Encouraged by this energetic duo, many folks tripped the light fantastic with variations of polkas, waltzes and other dance steps.

Another highlight of the event was a raffle for a one-hour lesson donated by Coach Kwong. Joe Azzaro was the lucky winner of this generous prize.

What a way to ring out the old year and whet our appetites for the upcoming year of tennis at the IronOaks Tennis Center!

What’s next on the IOTC social calendar: Make sure to mark your calendar for the upcoming Valentine’s Day Tennis Love Fest on Saturday, February 10. Details will be forthcoming soon.