For the first time in recent memory, our December tournament was completely rained out! We had 42 people sign up for the tournament. However it started raining about 3 or 4 o’clock Saturday morning and continued off and on throughout the day. We did get to play a short round robin about 1:30 in the afternoon in between light showers. And 29 people stayed around for the pot-luck Saturday night, so we played a lot of bridge, dominos, etc. and had a great dinner and a wonderful time!

John Schultz presented several ideas for prizes for winners of future tournaments. The membership voted and it was decided to award shirts or caps or visors to future winners. Those items will be ordered soon.

The January Tournment will be held on January 10 and 11 and will follow a new format. It will be a team tennis tournament. Gary Edwards will be tournment director and will explain the rules at that time. The eight team captains have been selected and will be naming their teams after the sign-up. So if you would like to particpate in this new tournament, be sure to sign up before 7 o’clock on Friday night before the tournament. If you can’t be there in time, call Gary Edwards at (619)390-8412 or try the pay phone at the tennis club on Friday at (760)767-9748. We look forward to a great turnout!

Thanks to all of you who brought Christmas gifts for our needy family! They were delivered to Gary Edwards and we hope they helped to make Christmas brighter for at least one family. Thanks for your thoughtfulness!

If you haven’t already paid your dues for 1997-98, they are $35 per person. Please make out a check to Borrego Springs Tennis Club and send it to:

Fred Wantland

8645 Hoffman

Riverside, CA 92504

Several people went on a short trip to Font’s Point which overlooks the Borrego Badlands on Friday morning. The weather was threatening, but remained clear for our trip. Along the way, we enjoyed seeing an abundance of beautiful sand verbena by the side of the road. We’re hoping to see more desert flowers on our next hike since there has been so much rain.

There will be a short hike led by Ruth Johnson on Friday, January 9. If you are interested in joining us, meet at the campground in back of the tennis center at 8 o’clock on Friday morning.

January 10 and 11, 1998

February 14 and 15, 1998

March 14 and 15, 1998

April 18 and 19, 1998

If you have any comments, an article for the newsletter or would like to share your e-mail address, send it to Carmen at carmp@earthlink.net or to Denny at bennydean@earthlink.net. Wishing all of you a very Happy 1998!