Redwood Shores Tennis Club’s 2011 season has just about ended. Our final tournament was scheduled for November 12 – unfortunately, rained out. The last social of the year was held in the evening at the home of the president and we enjoyed a theme of “Home Sweet Home”. Everyone brought a family favorite, reminiscent of the upcoming holiday season. We watched the Stanford-Oregon game with everyone groaning over the outcome (the San Jose Sharks game didn’t cheer us up either.) Desserts were the highlight with bread pudding and cranberry bread pudding earning raves from everyone. Our final event of our season will be our holiday party, held in January. A new season will start in March 2012 with our Membership Mania event.
Over the year, I’ve had a lot of inquiries regarding tennis opportunities and tennis lessons in the Bay Area. Here are some frequently asked questions and my answers. Please visit www.rstc.org for more information about our club and joining next year!
What is the Redwood Shores Tennis Club? We are a non-profit, volunteer neighborhood club located in Redwood Shores. We hold friendly tournaments once a month on the public courts in Redwood Shores and we have fun potluck parties in the evenings after the tournaments. We have other events as well. Please visit www.rstc.org for more information about our club.
What level do you have to be? We welcome players of all levels but most of our players are 3.0 or 3.5 with some 4.0s. It is more important that you are more interested in having fun than in winning every point. In order to enjoy the tournaments (and have others enjoy playing with you), you should be able to serve the ball into play and rally a moderately paced ball.
Where do you play? We play primarily on the public courts in Shorebird Park and Dolphin Park. There are two other tennis court sites in Redwood Shores, at Marlin Park and Preserve Park.
How often do you play? We have 9 tournaments a year, from March to November. In addition we have Open Play opportunities and a Tennis Weekend Away event.
How much does RSTC cost? Basic membership is $35 a year; tournaments are additional $10 per event and socials are free for members. A tournament membership is $75 and includes all tournaments for no additional cost. The social membership at $25 is for a non-player (such as a spouse) to attend the socials.
Do you have a USTA team? RSTC does not have USTA teams. It’s difficult to host USTA matches in Redwood Shores as we do not have a site with at least 3 tennis courts. Nearby clubs that do have USTA teams are the Pacific Athletic Club, the San Carlos Tennis Club, and the Foster City Tennis Club. PAC (recently renamed to the Pacific Sports Resort Redwood Shores) is a for-profit private club located on Redwood Shores Parkway. In addition to lighted tennis courts and indoor courts, they also have a full fitness facility, swimming pool, etc. SCTC and FCTC are non-profit neighborhood clubs like RSTC and they play on public courts. More information on all three groups is available on their respective websites.
Do you offer lessons? RSTC is not a teaching organization. Sports in Action is a non-profit organization that offers tennis clinics to Redwood Shores children at Preserve Park. Redwood City Parks & Recreation Department offers tennis clinics at Red Morton Park. PAC has excellent private and group instructions for adults and children. The Silicon Valley Tennis Academy offers tennis clinics and private lessons to adults and children at their San Carlos location.
How do I join RSTC? Membership Mania will be in March and we will publish the date on our website, in the Pilot, and on the Redwood Shores Community Board (announcement board on Redwood Shores Parkway) once it is determined. You can come meet us and pick up an application. We usually offer refreshments and an opportunity to play some tennis as well. Alternatively, you can join at any time by submitting an application on www.rstc.org.
I hope this FAQ helps you find the right venue for you to enjoy some tennis.
Karen Brodersen, President, Redwood Shores Tennis Club
