This year, the 2024 Jason Morton Tennis Classic of the top doubles team of Coach Kwong (IronOaks tennis pro and Cottonwood resident) and USTA Southwest Director of Adult Competition Matt Gleason were in top form when they ran an incredible 280 entries for this four-day prize money event, with lots of hungry talents. This is…
Neighbors Who Care: ‘Keeping Company’—Respite Care Is Simply Visiting with a Neighbor Remember the days when the crickets were chirping outside and the kids were scrambling to collect fireflies in jars and sitting on the porch keeping company with the neighbors? Shooting the breeze was the way we kept in touch before we scrolled through…
Kwong Young One of the toughest shots a player can display is referred to as a “Tweenie” or a “Tweener.” In this shot, they are chasing down a deep lob that’s heading toward the baseline and swing their racket between their legs, returning the ball to their opponent. A few players, when serving, will trick…
Tournament Director Matt Gleason (USTA Southwest) and IronOaks tennis pro, Coach Kwong, hope to attract top-level players from all over the Southwest and beyond for this prize-money competition. There will be plenty of great volleys and tactics from both singles and doubles play, but in the end, no matter the outcome, the genuine handshake and…
Carole Rockland Jim and Clint Bowles recently won the USTA Senior Father/Son National Clay Court Tennis Championship in Sarasota, Fla. It was the second gold ball in a row for the father/son duo who defended their title from last year. Jim is a five-year resident of Ironwood and an IronOaks Tennis Club member. His son…
Sheryl Keeme Planning is underway for Play It Forward, the Third Annual Tennis/Pickleball Event to Benefit Neighbors Who Care, on Saturday, April 6. All fun pickleball and tennis play will take place at IronOaks Racquet Club. Representatives from several Sun Lakes/South Chandler communities are involved in planning this year’s event, and everyone is encouraged to…
Jerry Higgins Tennis is a good sport to get youngsters started in an activity that can cover a lifespan. One of the flight groups in Cottonwood’s Bradshaw/Neu event consisted of players who went the distance. These four gentlemen took that activity with pride, playing a combined 100+ years through their combined age years of 300+.…
Carole Rockland, IOTC Communications Chair Coming in as a wildcard team in the 65+ division, the IronOaks Tennis Club women’s 7.0 team Sandbar triumphed in the Sectionals competition in Scottsdale. They will be representing the Southwest Division at the next level of competition on Jan. 26-28 in Surprise, Ariz. The winner at that level will…
What makes the pros on the tour (WTA/ATP) look so efficient when they’re striking the ball over and over during their rallies? First, they are playing in their prime time (late teens to 30s). They are at their ideal body weight, eyes are keen, footwork perfected, anticipation of the balls, shot-making abilities, and an acute…
Jerry Higgins Ron Ryer and partner Natalee Campbell used all the tricks to pull up the trophy treat from the 7.0 division at the Halloween-themed mixed doubles tournament at Gene Autry Park in Mesa on Friday, Oct. 27.