Rockville Junior Classic Set for September 14-17

Rockville is now hosting two great tournaments in September -- our adult event (see earlier posts) AND a new junior USTA event.

Junior players from around the region will face off September 14-17 in the first annual Rockville Junior Classic at the club. We hope to make junior tennis a growing facet of club events.

Boys and girls 12 through 18 are eligible to play singles and doubles in the Junior Classic. USTA membership is required.

For more information, contact Tournament Director Pat Smith at 717-233-2593.

To register online, go here.

Rockville Captures Interclub Title

Rockville continued to dominate the local tennis scene by ending the 2007 men’s inter-club season with a perfect 10-0 record. In the three singles and four doubles format, THE ROCK posted an impressive 56-6-1 record overall in contested matches.

Numerous members contributed to another undefeated season including: John Arndt, Jon Arosell, Tom Bixler, Alex Brandler, Bruce Brandler, Jim Carson, Ian Cohen, David England, Ted Fridirici, Chris Gouse, Brian Gutshall, Mike Kelley, Nick May, Mel Nelson (pictured), Marc Reside, William Shambach, Saat Sheikh, Pat Smith, Jack Snavley, Bill Spinner, Michael Tasi, Roy Wells, Craig Wickenheiser, Tony Wolfe and Rich Zangle.

Join THE ROCK now to become part of the winning tradition.

Match Results

5-3-07 Rockville def. York, 6-1.
5-17-07 Rockville def. Colonial, 5-1-1.
5-24-07 Rockville def. Outdoor, 5-2.
5-31-07 Rockville def. Allenberry, 7-0.
6-7-07 Rockville def. Harrisburg, 6-1
6-14-07 Rockville def. West Shore, 7-0.
6-26-07 Rockville def. Hershey, 7-0.
7-12-07 Rockville def. Outdoor, 7-0 (forfeit)
7-19-07 Rockville def. Harrisburg, 7-0.
7-26-07 Rockville def. Hershey, 6-1.

Entries Pour in for 2007 Tournament, September 5-9

With just over three weeks until the 2007 Rockville Raquet Club Open, entry forms continue to arrive daily. Last year's tournament drew more than 130 participants, and we anticipate topping that turnout for 2007.

But there's still plenty of time to get in your entry form. To sign up, just click the Competition link to the right and download the form. If you have questions or need more information, just call one of the members listed on the Contact Us link. Or you can send an email to info@rockvilletennis.com.

The entry deadline is Saturday, September 1 -- meaning your entry MUST be received that day. The draw will be finalized on Monday, September 3 and early-round players will notified of their match times that day.

We'll also post match times and match results on this website, so check back frequently during the tournament.

Last year's events and champions:

Men's Open Singles -- Ryan Mellinger
Women's Singles -- Gretchen Yarnall
Men's Open Doubles -- Steve Haas & Paul Nagle
Women's Doubles -- Maral Vartan & Gretchen Yarnall
Men's 50 Singles -- Dave Seiverling
Men's 50 Doubles -- Terry Farley & Ed Jackson
Mixed Doubles -- Nancy Opilo & Jenks Landis

The tournament is in memory of Mark J. Tatkovski, a long-time member of Rockville. Come out to play in the tournament, or if you're not an active player just to see some great tennis.

G-Unit Rampages Over Brandler, Perry

Tuesday night wasn't your typical evening of play at Rockville. No, there was something different in the air...and on the court.

In an impromptu doubles match pitting Brian Gutschal -- otherwise known as "G-Unit" -- and Bill Spinner against Bruce Brandler and Brian Perry, it was all G-Unit, all the time.

Brian roamed every corner of the court during a 6-1 route of Brandler and Perry, even venturing well into the grass adjacent to Court 3 to retrieve a sharply angled shot. The ensuing lob sailed over the heads of Bruce and Brian, prompting a spate of expletives that would escalate as more uncannily executed retrievals landed on the lines and in the corners.

G-Unit easily held serve throughout the match despite his decidedly sub-sonic second serve. The only break of his serve occurred when Spinner butchered an elementary backhand put-away in a long 1-2 serving game. That could have killed Big Mo, but G-Unit spearheaded an immediate break-back with a new round of line-hitting lobs.

Brian was anything but humble after the 6-1, 6-3 thrashing of his bewildered opponents. He did everything to play up the win short of requesting a commemorative bronze marker be placed at the base of the net on Court 3. Bruce will be hard pressed, now, to relegate him to #6 doubles in next year's Interclub play.

Rockville is still one of the few "tennis anyone?" places where you can just show up and usually find someone to hit with -- like this Tuesday night. It's just one of the benefits of being a Rockville member.

Bixler Takes Harrisburg Open Title

Rockville's Tom Bixler cruised through the singles at the just concluded Harrisburg Open, easily defeating former champ Bobby Cozzilio 6-2, 6-1 in Sunday's final. Tom didn't drop a set in his run through the draw. He topped Wes McCollum in the semis, who beat John Dixon in a tough three-setter Friday night to advance.

Rockville players fared well in the tournament. Bill Spinner won the mixed doubles with partner Nancy Opilo, toppng Allie McDonald and Len Biko 6-1, 6-3. They outlasted Steve Haas and Maral Vartan in a long match Saturday night, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2. That set up a semi-final match against Rockville's Brian Perry and partner Linda Till, Spinner/Opilo winning 6-7, 6-1, 6-2.

Spinner and partner George Hoffman advanced to the men's doubles final by besting Craig Mathias and Ryan Mellinger, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 in the semis. They lost the men's doubles final to Bobby and Chris Cozzilio in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.

Save on Late Summer Membership - Just $137.50

If you're not yet a Rockville member, now's the time to join up. You'll enjoy three more months of outdoor clay-court tennis at a great rate- just $137.50 beginning August 1.

That's half the cost of a full-season membership. With six courts availaable and play normally going on through October, there's time to get plenty of action in.

To join, just download and return the membership application from the Membership page or get in touch with one of the members listed on the Contact Us page.