Penny Petersen

We’re all looking forward to fall and a break from the 100+ heat, especially tennis lovers who, during August, have to rise about 5:00 a.m. in order to be comfortable playing.

Fall plans are in the works for a 20-participant Round Robin on Tuesday mornings at Cottonwood. According to Tuesday’s Director Rod Johnson, “There are not enough players available for full league play, so the Round Robin is the next best alternative. Many of our snowbird players don’t arrive until mid-October. We have the Bradshaw Tournament in early November, and then Christmas Break which shortens the time available.”

In a Round Robin, each player who signs up plays every other player who signs up during the six-week period. Four players are assigned to each court. They play three sets of seven games, changing partners after each set (a total of 21 games per session). So in a single week, three sets of scores are recorded on each court. At the end of the six-week period, final scores are listed for each of the 20 participants. The top two receive awards.

In the spring, beginning in January, the Tuesday group goes back to regular league play.

Cottonwood Tennis Club currently has about 270 members who are eligible to play in either Organized Play (M-women, T-men, W-women, Th-men and Fri-mixed doubles). On Mondays and Wednesdays, there are leagues for women of different levels who like to play competitive tennis. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there are leagues for men of different levels who like to compete. There are no leagues on Friday.

CTC welcomes newcomers. If you live in Cottonwood or Palo Verde, you are eligible to become a member. Free lessons are offered for beginners on Monday and Tuesday evenings.

For membership information, contact Toni Reider at [email protected]. For information about the free lessons, contact Pierre Moresi at [email protected].