May/June Newsletter

 

Memorial Day Mixer – Monday May 28^th

We will host our annual Memorial Day Mixer Monday May 28^th from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.  Please e-mail Sammy if you want to play in our mixer.  Cost is $5 to play.  We hope we see a very strong turn out for this event.  We will have some fun prizes, awards and drawings.

 

Live Music and Dinner Dances – Third Saturday Of Each Month

Please mark your calendar for the third Saturday of each month.  We will have a different live band each Saturday (please see tentative schedule), and Richard and the Centre Court Grill will have dinner, appetizer specials, and an open bar.  Cost is $10/person for the dance.  We hope many members will enjoy listening to some great bands in the comfort and security of their own club with their friends.

 

Saturday           June 16                        Doug Boggs – Cowboy Jazz

Saturday           July 21                         Nite Session – Big Band Sound

Saturday           August 25                     Grateful Geezer – Variety

Saturday           September 15               Cool Water – Western Band

Friday              October 19                  Barry Sea Paradox (aka Deja Boomers) – Jazz/Rock

Saturday           Nov 17                                    Van Lang – Variety

Saturday           December 15               Braid – Christmas Dance

 

Please mark your calendar and RSVP with Betty at the club.

 

Pool Opens Saturday May 26^th

We will open the pool Saturday May 26^th.  We will not have lifeguards on duty.  Families and swimmers will swim at their own risk.  Please look for a coming schedule of organized pool activities.

 

Summer Tennis Camps

Futures Group – We teach beginner and intermediate players fundamental skills for playing tennis.  Campers will graduate from this program when they can rally 25 balls, hit 7 out of 10 serves, and know how to keep score.  Graduates from this program will be able to play sets with friends and family.  We use mini nets, foam balls, cones and other fun teaching equipment in this program.  Janine Burton Durham directs our Futures Program.  Our Futures Program is for ages 6 -14, and runs Monday – Thursday from 9:00 – 11:00.  We reserve Fridays for rain make ups.

 

ZAT Group – We train intermediate junior (YTA level) for sanction state competition.  Juniors graduate from this program when they qualify for Championship Level play by their results in ZAT tournament competition.  We graduate an average of one junior a month.  David Bvunzawabaya directs our ZAT program, and attends ZAT tournaments once monthly to coach and observe our kids.  Our ZAT program is for ages 8-14, and runs Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 – 11:00, and 12:30 – 2:30.

 

High School Group – We train intermediate high school players for JV or Varsity high school tennis.  Lupe Cantu directs our High School program.  Our High School Program runs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

 

Academy Group – We train motivated State and Nationally ranked juniors for competitions.  Sammy Giammalva directs our Academy program with Vern Swisher, Felipe Freixo, and Miguel Chavez.  Coaches attend major zones monthly for all levels and ages.  Our Academy program is for qualified state ranked juniors, and runs Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 – 1:00, and 2:30 – 4:30.

 

GRC Intraclub Play

The intraclub play has been a very big success.  If you want to play or are not getting our e-mails, please let me know.  Please find the list of intraclub play and respective comments:

• Wednesday Night Men’s Intraclub Play – Sixteen to twenty-four players from 3.0 level to 4.5 level attend each Wednesday night.  We have some fun awards and incentives.  Participants play a set with everyone on their courts.
• Ladies Monday Night Intraclub Play – We are getting more solid attendance each week.  We have had as many as twenty ladies participate in a particular week.  We will have some upcoming award and prizes coming.  We use the same format as the Men’s Intraclub Play.
• Ladies Wednesday Morning Intraclub Play – We have not been getting many players participating.  We will give this play one more week, but it seems we may not have a demand.  If you want to have a morning Intraclub Play, please play next week so we have a good turn out.  We start at 10:00 after the free morning member drill.
• Sunday Afternoon Mixed Play – We are having our first play this Sunday May20th.  We have excellent interest, and will probably have over 16 participants in our first week.  We start at 5:00, and am working on a format for this Sunday.  We have diverse levels participating, but will try to keep levels together as much as possible.

 

International Tennis Federation Junior Championship Hosted

by Giammalva Racquet Club

April 28^th – May 6^th

Many members enjoyed watching the International Tennis Federation Junior Championship held at Giammalva Racquet Club.  Two hundred and fifty juniors came from all around the world and competed over 10 days to improve their Junior World rankings.  Giammalva Tennis Academy standout, Kimberly Anicete, advanced to the third round and attained a world junior ranking.  Many other Giammalva Academy juniors competed in the event and were exposed to international competition. 

 

We were able to host this tournament without too much disruption to the membership.  The feedback from the membership was very positive as many enjoyed watching such quality tennis.  We were also able to get some exposure for our club in the Houston Chronicle and 1960 Sun.  We hope to make this an annual event.  Please give us any feedback about the event.  We are also looking for volunteers and sponsors for next years event.

 

Wow Luau – May 6^th

Barry Siegel and his band the Barry Sea Paradox (a.k.a. The Deja Boomers) performed for GRC members.  Many danced and socialized through the evening.  Richard and the Centre Court Grill provide tasty appetizers and dinner specials.  Rumor has it that Lorraine Richter was flirting with many men at the party and Rex had a beer.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the music and each other’s company.

 

Super Senior League

HERE’S A GREAT CHANCE TO VISIT SUNNY FOREIGN LANDS, VIEW INTERESTING SIGHTS, AND ENJOY COMPETING, AS A TEAM, AGAINST TENNISERS OF EQUIVALENT TALENT.

               

SIX OF OUR SENIORS HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN PLAYING SUPER SENIORS TEAM TENNIS…

MESSRS: 

• MATHIEU
• MCNEIL
• MCNULTY
• ROSS
• SMITH
• SIEGMUND

TWO MORE TALENTED SENIORS WOULD ROUND OUT OUR FIRST ENTRY TO 8 MEMBERS – MORE CAN BE ADDED UP TO 14. AND, THERE’S MANY A TALENTED “SWINGER” AMONG Y’ALL TO FIELD A SECOND TEAM UP TO THE MAX 14.

 

PLAY WILL START IN THE FALL (LESS HEAT) AND INITIAL THOUGHTS ARE TO PLAY SUNDAY (MAY BE NEGOTIABLE).

 

IF ENOUGH SENIORS EXPRESS INTEREST WE’LL INVITE THE U.S.T.A. REP OVER TO TALK LEAGUE WITH Y’ALL, PLAY WITH INTERESTED.     

 

TEAM MEMBERS TO DEVELOP NTRP RATINGS, AND ASSURE EVERYONE SUPER SENIOR TEAM TENNIS IS FUN FOR ALL. YOU’RE ALL COMPETITIVE, AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ELEVATE YOUR GAME AND PARTICIPATE AT THE SENIOR LEVEL IN LEAGUE PLAY.  

               

WATCH FOR A FLYER ELABORATING ON POSITIVES AT YOUR TUESDAY AND THURSDAY SESSIONS.

 

Please RSVP TO Ed Ross ASAP at snugrip@sbcglobal.net so we may begin the think team development.

 

Plastic Surgery Seminar – May 22^nd

TIME:  11:30 -12 :30

^{FIRST IN A SERIES}

Dr. Joseph Perlman and his staff are presenting a series of seminars on the latest and most cost effective techniques and products in cosmetic plastic surgery.  These will include surgical and nonsurgical procedures, as well as tips to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. 

 

TOPIC:  OFFICE-BASED FACIAL REJUVENATION

Treating Sun Damage & Facial Aging

 

Attendance is limited to the first 50 callers.  Light luncheon will be served.  Call 281-655-8200 to make your reservation. 

 

Saturday Personal Training

We are lucky to have a great trainer on Saturdays.  I first met Jim when I went to a chiropractor and active release provider.  He treated me, and we started talking.  He told me he had worked with the Barker brothers at Rice.  He also worked with some of the tour players on the tennis circuit.

 

My nephew Billy needed more strength and fitness for his tennis, and was very hungry to improve.  I recommended Billy call Jim to see if he could work with him.  Billy started working with him, and I saw a significant improvement in his footwork and strength.  Billy offered to share his work out with my son Sam.  I then saw Sam’s footwork improve. 

 

I spoke more with Jim to see if he could come to our club on Saturdays.  He said he would come from 1:00 – 4:00, and would stay until 6:00 if we could book the hours for him. 

 

If you are interested in working with Jim in a group, please let me know.  He charges $125/person/month for a 4 person group.  He has helped my back very much.  He is also extremely knowledgeable, and is very creative in changing the work out.  He works with us on Saturday, but gives a program for the rest of the week.  He will adjust the program frequently as needed.  If you have any injury issues, or just want to get fitter and healthier, I highly recommend forming a group to work with him.  He is also open to working with individuals. 

 

Please find his credentials listed:

 

Jim Russell M.Ed

 

• Full body Active Release Provider (upper body, spine and lower body)

 

• Graduated from Texas A&M University with B.S in Kinesiology specializing in Exercise Technology in 1990

 

• Graduated in 2001 with Masters of Education from University of Houston specializing in Health and Human Performance

 

• Eight years at Rice University designing and instructing speed and strength workouts for the varsity sports of women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s track and field

 

• Strong understanding of the scientific principles involved in training for improved athletic performance with an emphasis on injury prevention

 

• While at Rice provided Active Release Therapy for a football, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and women’s swimming

 

• NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

 

• ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor

 

• College Strength Coach Certified (CSCC)

 

• USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach

 

• Personal Hobbies-track and road cycling, Olympic weight lifting speed and agility training

 

Advisory Board

We have formed an Advisory Board from the member volunteers.  Please let Sammy know if you have any interest in serving on one of the committees listed.  We appreciate any help and input.

 

Advisory Board Purpose

• Serve as a communication tool between club management and the membership to make Giammalva Racquet Club a better club.  Members have a vehicle to discuss with Advisory Board members ideas and suggestions for the club. 

 

• Each Advisory Board Committee will achieve one or two positive improvements subject to the club’s approval and cooperation for the members.  Let’s start with modest goals, and build on them each year.

 

Advisory Board Minutes

April 24, 2007

 

Attendance:  Lamar Odom, Jackie Murphey, Tom Murphey, Judi Kenyon, Susie Wright, Ed Mill, Ellis Sanhueza, Dick Boudreau, and Ed Ross.

 

• Introductions among members and their respective committees.  Lamar Odom moved from Club Rules and Policies to Long Term Capital Improvement and Membership.

 

• Sammy spoke about purpose of club is to promote tennis, fitness & health, family, social and community activities.

 

• Sammy spoke about keeping Advisory Board as simple as possible, and how he hoped each committee achieved one or two positive improvements for the members at the club and helped improve communication between members and club management.

 

• Ed Ross suggested recoding minutes.  Everyone agreed.  Another suggested e-mailing minutes to members as a way to improve communication to members.  We will e-mail the minutes in our club newsletter.

 

• Many asked how each committee will choose their Chairperson.  It was decided that each committee will choose their own person on their own for this year.

 

• Dick Boudreau voiced that he hoped committees will be working committees to get things done for the club.

 

• Ed Ross asked how the committees were chosen, and if we should have additional committees including a Senior Committee.  Sammy said he is open to forming other committees and recruiting other’s help.  Many commented that the club should ask for help more often as many capable and talented members want to help the club but have not been asked.

 

• The committee discussed further structure of the Advisory Board, and the role of an Advisory Board vs a Governing Board.  

 

• Please find the different Advisory Committees and their members below.

 

Club Rules and Policies

• Charles McFail
• Jackie Murphey
• Tom Murphey

Ladies Morning Leagues

• Judi Kenyon
• Susie Wright

Event Planning

• Ed Mills
• Ellis Sanhueza
• Dick Boudreau

Long Term Capital Improvement and Membership Recruitment

• Dick Boudreau
• Ellis Sanhueza
• Lamar Odom

Club Programs And Services

• Vicki Maloan

 

 

Ladies League Committee

Dear Members,

 

Judi Kenyon and Susie Wright are serving in the club’s Advisory Board, and are heading the Ladies League Committee.  They are asking for suggestion to make Ladies Leagues at Giammalva better.  The committee will try to achieve one or two modest improvements to help foster goodwill among our members, teams, and captains.  Please e-mail your suggestions to Susie at sswright4@houston.rr.com or Judi at stx3456@sbcglobal.net.  Please find below some of the issues that have already been mentioned:

 

• Assimilating new members to existing teams   
• Leaving a team to go to another team
• Events for ladies league players
• Role, responsibilities and guidelines for being a good captain
• Handling bad actors from other teams
• Selecting captains

 

Susie and Judi would like your input, and will try to pick one or two issues to address through suggestions.  Each year, we will try to build on the base, thoughts and infrastructure from previous years.

 

Please send to only one of them or make your suggestion in our suggestion box.  Please do not send your suggestion to me as I will only forward to them.  We want to create and continue to foster an environment at Giammalva’s that promotes goodwill, trust and friendships through recommendations, guidelines and suggestions.

 

Sammy Giammalva

Giammalva Racquet Club Manager