OTLBC Mid Summer News: It is All Important
Where to begin? What a wonderful season we are having - with thanks to the sun, the people and the place! To stay the course or get back in the swing, please take note.
Tennis, Tennis, Tennis
- The Club Championships began yesterday and will continue everyday (weather permitting) until Wednesday, Aug 16th. All finals are on Pub Night!
- The NCTA City Open begins next Saturday with a full slate of matches for the weekend, play continues during week nights and the semis and finals are scheduled for the weekend of Aug 25th-26th. We are proud to host this major region event and hope you have a chance to enjoy the action.
- Reciprocal playing privileges: Each year, the OTLBC and the Rideau Tennis Club extend playing privileges to each other's members when the other hosts a heavy non-club tournament. Recently, we welcomed the RTC members during the T&L Ontario Open. During the upcoming City Open, OTLBC members are invited to play at the RTC. Please take your membership card with you to exercise this privilege.
Food, Food
- The 3rd Annual Day Time Round Robin BBQ is Tuesday, August 28th. Tickets are now on sale at the Front Desk for this very popular event.
- The equally popular Friday-Night BBQ's continues every Friday starting at 5PM on the upper deck. Keep the delicious salads coming, Abe!
Lawn Bowling
- The Centennial Cup is next Thursday evening, August 16th at 7PM. Bowlers are hoping for some able competition on the greens from the tennis team - sign up is at the Front Desk. This year (it rotates) the bowlers are hosting the social which follows the fun competition.
- We are also entering heavy tournament season in the bowling area; the BMO Nesbitt Burns Classic begins August 25 and is sure to attract players from across the region and as far as Montreal. Come out to watch the play.
Lessons
- There are two more full weeks of swim lessons - please register early.
- There are three more full weeks of camp; spots are still available.
Tennis & Pool Members Surveys
- A comprehensive Survey Report prepared by MiroMetrica Inc. based on the on-line OTLBC surveys conducted earlier this season and was delivered to the Board and Tennis Executive in mid-July. We are grateful to all members who participated in the survey process. As promised, response information will be shared with you; it will be distributed and posted within the next few weeks.
- Some Survey respondents have not picked up your $5 Café coupon from the Front Desk.
It's a Bird, It's a Plane
- No, it is the soon-to-be-completed and newly renovated Tennis Back-Board (BB). Some people have just noticed the fresh framing assembled next to court #18 and have been making enquiries. The BB is being restored to its original wider width, all rotten wood replaced which was most, and the rusted mesh 'transom' is being replaced with the same new wood surface. The priming of the wooden sheets is also complete and painting will begin tomorrow.
- The back-board is often where new tennis players start out - the hitting practice is so valuable to becoming comfortable with your racquet. The BB is also where seasoned players go to practice strokes.as Peter Sutcliffe mentioned today, 'You can practice serving, forehand, backhand, volleys and your overhead smash on the back-board'. And, of course, many people use the BB to warm up and/or fill time before their partner arrives.
- M.P. Lundy Construction of Ottawa has generously donated half of all materials and some specialized labour to the otherwise volunteer-run project. Many thanks to Michael and Sean Lundy for the supplies and their expertise, and to Don Shropshire who has been the lead volunteer for this project.
Admin of Sorts
- 2007 Membership Directories are still available at the Front Desk. Please remember to pick up your copy and store in a safe spot. Most members use the directory for up to 12 months, including throughout the winter to keep in touch.
- Member registration forms and fees effective for the remainder of the season are on-line http://www.otlbc.com/memberhome.htm and hard copies are in the foyer. A reminder that, courts remain open until Thanksgiving/October 8th, the greens until September 30 and the pool until September 9th.
- Café$ and Guest pass for members who introduced a 2007 First-Time Member to our club, and were named, are at the Front Desk. For those who haven't yet done so, please pick up your thank-you and note that it needs to be used this season.
- The first Pub Night after Labour Day is also the Tennis Members AGM. Mark your calendars: September 5th.
Phew, that's all for now! :)