Champions Dan Hopkins and Timothy Mario Shum with CTC President Susan Hood
Dannette Hunnel
The biggest Cottonwood tennis event of the year, a weeklong tournament beginning Dec. 1, brought together nine local East Valley 55+ tennis clubs, attracting 110 participants at five levels, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 75+. We were also fortunate to have 70 helpful volunteers and many supportive spectators.
Winners of each category are listed below:
Men’s 2.5: Dennis Rix/Bill Triquart, Champions; Dick Kane/Jerzon Vargas, Runners-Up
Women’s 2.5: Barbara Hall/Felisa Kulba, Champions; Sonda Giles/Teresa Hermsen, Runners-Up
Men’s 3.0: Mike Davin/Wayne Newman, Champions; Harvey Brooks/Gord Flaten, Runners-up
Women’s 3.0: Mary Giuliani Stephens/Julie Tunnell, Champions; Susan Aparico/Julie Evans, Runners-Up
Men’s 3.5: Dan Hopkins/Timothy Mario Shum, Champions; Mike Jaltuch/Scott Nichols, Runners-Up
Women’s 3.5: Amy Clubb/Cathy Coin, Champions; Sue Denny/April Saylor, Runners-Up
Men’s 75+: Ron Ryder/Maurice Allen, Champions
Aside from the amazing tennis, the week included a lively two-hour cocktail party. It was a welcome treat from one of our generous sponsors, The Battery Doctor, bringing players and volunteers together for much-appreciated drinks and snacks.
Silent auction gift baskets were donated by our outstanding club members. Baskets featured food, wine, coffees, jewelry, glassware, tennis products, and more. Participants were excited to bid on them. Several local vendors donated gift certificates and baskets as well. Bid winners were thrilled with their winnings. The club raised over $1,600, and proceeds will go to local charities.
On Wednesday a short break from competition took place while participants and spectators enjoyed a Wheelchair Tennis Exhibition by our very special guests Ability360. Ability360 is an organization that focuses on disability services. Their athleticism, dedication, and spirit is unwavering, leaving everyone in awe. A few CTC members joined the professionally ranked Ability360 team for a short game. Our club was happy to make a donation to Ability360’s cause and services.
Also included on Wednesday were two fun contests: Most Accurate Serve (Women’s winner was Susan Hood, and Men’s winner was Scott Nichols) and Fastest Serve (Women’s winner was guest Lauren Hopps of Ability360 with 66 mph, and Men’s winner was Lou Greco with 76 mph).
Not only were we creating memories, getting loads of exercise, bringing the community together, and helping charities, we were also fed very well. Our amazing co-chairs did an outstanding job with providing tasty breakfasts and lunches every day. Thanks go out to Teresa Hermsen and Tammy Knight and all their volunteers. You all did an amazing job. Special shout-out to Dean Sinerius who kept us aligned and informed daily.
A very special thank you to our sponsors The Buttered Biscuit for donating Sunday’s breakfast and American Furniture’s Foster Fellez for donating pizzas for lunch on Tuesday.
For information about the club or how to join, sponsor, or learn to play tennis, go to www.cottonwoodtennisclub.com.