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Memorial Day Highlights on Court 1

5/28/2019

Memorial Day 2019 saw exciting action on several courts, highlighted by a spirited practice between long-time members Dan Reida and Jimmy "Hollywood" Bisazza.
In the slow-motion video below, check out Jimmy's technique, posture, footwork and forward movement as he makes a tough low volley on a ball Dan hit at his feet. There's much to be admired in this shot and in Jimmy's recovery and positioning while he prepares to hit a second volley that never came. Then enjoy an all-in-fun practice point that begins with Dan serving and ends with....well, you'll see.

Yarmouth's Own Jack Andre Named Teaching Pro at South Yarmouth Tennis Club

5/20/2019

Jack Andre pictured in front row second from left

The South Yarmouth Tennis Club is pleased to announce that Cape Cod high school tennis standout Jack Andre has been named as a Teaching Pro at the club this summer.

Jack Andre is a Yarmouth native and a 2018 graduate of Sturgis Charter Public High School. He played on the varsity tennis team all four years and finished his senior year with a 17-1 singles record in the Cape & Islands League. He posted a 69-3 individual singles record in high school, captained the tennis team as a junior and senior, and was named the Cape and Islands League Most Valuable Player as a senior. He recently completed his Freshman year at Union College, Schenectady, New York, where he studies economics and mathematics and plays on the Men's Tennis Team. He participated in the South Yarmouth Tennis Juniors Program, in his early years, where he was able to develop his skills in a competitive setting. Jack taught in the Yarmouth Parks & Recreation summer tennis program for six years at Sandy Pond.

“Having coached Jack for his 4 yrs of high school tennis, and supervised him for the last 2 summers at the Yarmouth Parks & Recreation Tennis program, I can attest to the fact that he will be a welcomed addition to the SYTC staff,” said Ken Huckins, SYTC Associate Manager. “The enthusiasm, knowledge and ability to play high-level tennis that Jack brings to the club will be a big plus in attracting young players.”

“You could tell that Jack was a special player from the start,” said Doug Leonard, SYTC Head Pro. “Jack’s natural ability and his willingness to learn quickly elevated him to be one of the best players in the Juniors clinics at SYTC. It will be a privilege to have Jack back - now as an instructor, in the SYTC family.”

A Busy Opening Day at SYTC

5/7/2019

Tuesday May 7 saw the SYTC season get off to a busy start on a crisp sunny afternoon.
First to take the courts was a men's doubles match on Court 2 - Pete McGee and Ben Fischler took on Paul Rooker and Peter Mercury in a match that featured spirited play and the one right-hander (Peter Mercury) outnumbered by three sinister lefties.

Not to be outdone by the play on Court 2, Patty Sakellis and Mary Morrison matched strokes, strategy and skill against Nancy Beless and Harriett Brochu (check out Harriett's unique legwarmers!) with smiles and frequent compliments and "Good shot!" calls. It was a thriller on Court 1!

Later that afternoon, SYTC Associate Manager Ken Huckins brought his Sturgis East Boys Varsity players to SYTC for a fun team practice. We wish Coach Ken and his team great luck for the rest of the high school season!

Play The Clay - The Making of Our Courts May 2, 2019

5/2/2019

On Thursday May 2, a six man crew from Cape & Islands Tennis & Track battled chilly temperatures and off-and-on rain threats to successfully install SYTC’s courts for the 2019 season. This fascinating process, which took the entire day, involves a sequence of many steps requiring great precision and professionalism. You can follow the process here in video and photo format as the friendly and hard-working crew gets the job done.

First, the surface layer of "dead" clay (the proper granular composition is typically destroyed by winter conditions) is scraped off and discarded (not pictured here).

Sixteen 80 pound bags of Har-Tru are laid out and dumped on each side of each court, shoveled laboriously onto the playing surface, and machine-swept repeatedly to create an even surface. More than six tons of new Har-tru on our courts!

The surface is rolled several times to compact the new material.

· Next, the lines are measured with extreme care and outlined in orange chalk.

New white tapes are rolled out to match the orange court outline, then tacked down by hand with large tack nails in the corners and every two feet along the center of the lines.

The most meticulous step of all: smaller finishing nails are hammered in every six inches on the inner and outer edges of every line by a wheeled nail gun. Kudos to the nail gun operator for his skilled and careful work!

The net poles are scraped and repainted, then the nets are attached to the net poles and cranked into place, and the center net straps are anchored.

Finally, the crew spreads magnesium salt crystals onto the clay surface to help maintain the optimal moisture content and ensure a court on which the ball bounces correctly and the surface remains firm.

· Success – Thank you Cape & Islands Tennis & Track! We are ready to Play The Clay 2019!

Memorial Day Highlights on Court 1

Yarmouth's Own Jack Andre Named Teaching Pro at South Yarmouth Tennis Club

A Busy Opening Day at SYTC

Play The Clay - The Making of Our Courts May 2, 2019

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