The temperature is dropping, the courts are getting busier and there’s plenty of news and information to pass along ….
First Friday: Karen Aranow again will be coordinating the First Friday mixers this season. Friday evening, Nov 1st, will be the initial offering. First Fridays are informal social gatherings from 5:00-8:00 PM designed to foster some fun paddle and camaraderie. Look for further details from Karen in an upcoming email.
Leaves: Now that we definitely are into Fall and the leaves are coming down, it occurred to me people may wonder how best to clear off a court. There is an electric leaf blower and extension cord available expressly for that purpose. It is stored in the equipment locker found in back of the warming hut. You will find electric outlets just outside the entry door to each court.
Tournaments: If you are interested in testing your skills on the tournament trail, there is a complete listing of tournaments designed for any and all skill levels to be found on the website of the American Platform Tennis Association (www.platformtennis.org). Their calendar of scheduled tournaments allows you to sort events by state, region or month; hopefully, you will find it easy to navigate. Information relative to each individual tournament may be found there along with a link you may use to register. All that said, there are several upcoming tournaments which may be of interest to you.
Plain Jane (at the Stonington, CT, Community Center): This is a women’s tournament to be held on Saturday, Nov 9th, and is open to players with a PTI of 50+. Entry fee is $120/team and includes lunch, beverages, a player gift and prizes among other amenities. You may register by using the appropriate tournament link on the APTA website.
The Nantucket Open: Kim and Jim Peters have asked that we mention this tournament. Three categories are scheduled: mixed doubles on Nov 1st; women’s doubles on Nov 2nd; men’s doubles on Nov 3rd. Entry fee is $160/team per category. Registration for this event is also through the APTA website.
APTA Membership: Please note, in order to participate in any tournament or league sponsored by the American Platform Tennis Association (APTA), you will need to be a member. You should know that the ‘player fee’ included as part of your EPTC membership dues includes membership in the APTA. So, if you have paid your dues, you should be all set for this season!
PTI (Platform Tennis Index): So, what exactly is a Platform Tennis Index? It is a dynamic algorithm which makes use of objective data measuring match performance and is used as a player rating scale. PTI ranges from 80 (a beginner) to 0 (a highly skilled nationally ranked player). This rating system allows for event organizers to insure competitive play among players of similar performance and skill level.
Shareholder Meeting: There will be a special meeting of EPTC shareholders on Sunday, November 10th, 2024, at 11 am at the club. Please mark your calendar and save the date for this meeting.
There will be three items on the agenda for this meeting: approve a suggested change to the By-Laws incorporating language relative to beer and alcohol use; approve a new policy relative to beer and alcohol use; review issues with the court 4 playing deck and vote on a possible renovation project.
Pertinent information relative to all three of these topics will be sent to all shareholders before the meeting date. While shareholders are the only club members who may vote on any issue, we are encouraging all members to attend this meeting to become informed.
Until next time,
Jamey Burns (on behalf of the Board of Directors)