Four still playing at 90+; Photo by TJ Duffy.
JD Davis
In some respects, it’s like a costume ball; you find yourself starring, trying to identify your friends without their shorts, tennis skirts, hats and sunglasses. The phrase you hear throughout the evening is, “Goodness, you look so different, I didn’t recognize you with clothes on.” And I must say, the ladies, in their heels and gowns, were worth the price of admission.
The 2018 Tennis Gala was a magnificent affair from start to finish. From the decorations in the Agave Room, to the entertainment, one hundred and sixty-three friends gathered to celebrate the holidays and the blessings of being able to play one of the greatest games on earth, tennis, in such a stunning venue as SaddleBrooke. The evening event was sold-out early and for those who missed it, you really missed it.
The food, as always, was exceptional, but the entertainment was a wonderful surprise. You know how it usually goes; a DJ plays music and if it’s good, a few couples wander onto the floor and dance. However, Harry Mathews brought the house down. He began the evening on his sax, with a slow, mellow rendering of some holiday classics and I thought, “Hey, he’s pretty good.” When he sang some ‘memorable oldies’, accompanied with his guitar, you think, “Hey, he’s really good.” With a packed dance floor, and Harry, standing atop his piano, belting out rock and roll, switching between his sax and guitar, “We were all hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock.”
As the song goes, “It’s a wonderful time of the year,” but gathering with fellow competitors, celebrating, laughing and dancing, it was certainly an evening to remember.
That’s the thing about STC. It is the venue for fun in the outdoors. To join us, just call Connie Kacer, Membership Chair 825-7585 or the STC office 825-0255. It’s that easy.
You’re invited to browse through hundreds of photos and find event details on our Facebook page, you don’t need a Facebook account, www.facebook.com/saddlebrooketennisclub.