General Information
No one’s more thankful for the warm winter than Southampton tennis players! Due to the second warmest March on record, our tennis shoes and racquets broke out of our closets earlier than ever. We continue to grow tennis at SRA—almost on a daily basis, it seems. Last year was a great one: Our Men’s USTA Combo team won the state championship in Newport News, and our Women’s USTA team advanced to district play. We look forward to another successful year in 2012.
Already many of our teams have started their spring seasons. The two Ladies Suburban League teams, three Women’s USTA teams and three Men’s USTA teams started in early April. Because of significantly increased interest this year, the men branched into two Richmond Racquet League teams; these teams play April through June, along with the USTA teams. Trinity is already about half way through their season, and Bantam tennis is underway.
Lynn Bybee is starting his fourth year with Southampton. Lynn is a well-respected and experienced tennis pro. Take advantage of his skills by signing up for a lesson or a clinic. He again offers camps for our junior members.
We’re fortunate to have so many opportunities for great tennis at SRA. There is certainly a team for everyone who would like to play competitive tennis. Of course, there’s usually a court available if you just want to come and hit a few balls!
Tennis Socials
Southampton’s 40-plus-year tradition of monthly tennis socials is still alive and kicking! Once a month tennis players gather for fun, social tennis on a Sunday afternoon (2:30–5 p.m.) and then mosey to the clubhouse for an hour of cocktails and schmoozing. A potluck dinner starts at 6 p.m. If it rains, we still have our cocktails and dinner. (The horror if that should not happen....) Many of the diners do not play tennis anymore but are long-standing members of the SRA community. Urchie Ellis often regales us with stories of Southampton in years past, or about the development of the neighborhood. (For instance, did you know that there was a golf course right across Cherokee that had sand greens?)
Our next tennis social is scheduled for May 6. RSVP to hosts Nancy Raible (272-7475) or Sara Brown (405-7171) and let them know you will join us.
Racquet Stringing
Been a while since you dusted off that racquet? Drop it with Lynn Bybee, and he’ll be happy to restring it for you. The cost depends on the type of strings you want but generally runs $20-35. If perchance you still have a wooden racquet, you might want to consult with Lynn about the latest advances in tennis technology. Contact Lynn (516-5096 or lynnandmelissa@verizon.net).