In this issue of the newsletter: a special shareholder meeting, the Big Paddle, another ‘thank you’, your APTA membership and the ‘Average Joe’ Tournament.
Shareholder Meeting: Please don’t forget, there will be a special meeting of EPTC shareholders on Sunday, November 10th, 2024, at 11 am at the club. While shareholders are the only members who may vote on any issue, the Board is encouraging all club members to attend this meeting to become informed on three important issues facing the club: review issues with the Court 4 playing deck and vote on a possible renovation project and its financing; approve suggested changes to the By-Laws; elect Ginny Denvir and Pamelia Parker to positions on the Board of Directors.
The Big Paddle: If you are interested in making a short road trip to watch some good, entertaining paddle matches, you should consider travelling to the Hartford Golf Club to watch either the upcoming men’s or women’s Big Paddle competitions. The men will be in action on Saturday, Nov 9th, and the women will play Saturday, Nov 16th.
So, what exactly is the Big Paddle? Originally, the brainchild of the late John Griggs, it’s an interclub competition which has gone through several iterations since its creation in the 1970’s. It currently is contested by Essex, the Community Center (COMO) in Stonington, The Field Club of Longmeadow (MA) and the Hartford Golf Club. Each club fields five teams who, in turn, play their respective counterparts from each of the other clubs. The winner receives the Big Paddle. And, yes, it really is a BIG paddle! If you have played this game long enough, you may remember what the old wooden paddles looked like. The Big Paddle is an exact, oversized replica of one of those.
Thank You: Ask and ye shall receive. Our recent request for a refrigerator for the warming hut was met with a generous gift of a new one from Rich Goldfeder. Thanks Rich!
APTA Membership: Please remember, the ‘player fee’ included as part of your EPTC membership dues includes membership in the American Platform Tennis Association. If you are planning to play in any APTA sanctioned tournaments or the Greater Hartford Paddle League this season, you will need that APTA membership information.
If you are a past member of the APTA, you may access your account by using the ‘my account’ tab on the APTA website (www.platformtennis.org). If you have not been an APTA member in prior seasons, you should contact John Morgan ([email protected]).
Upcoming Tournament: John Krell asked me to put in a plug for the upcoming ‘Average Joe’ Tournament to be held here in Essex on Dec 7th. This is a men’s tournament open to players with a PTI of 40+. Registration and further details are available at www.platformtennis.org.
Until next time,
Jamey Burns (on behalf of the Board of Directors)