Rockville Tournament on for 2008

Rockville will hold its popular September tournament this year, despite losing our court facilities for the summer. The Country Club of Harrisburg, Blue Ridge Country Club and Colonial Country Club have graciously agreed to serve as the sites for the 2008 event.

One change in this year's format: there will be no afternoon cook-out due to the change in venue. All other aspects of the tournament will be the same.

To sign up, just click the Competition link to the right and download and return the form. If you have questions or need more information, just call tournament director Pat Smith at 717-576-5639. Or you can send an email to patsmith61@verizon.net.

The entry deadline is Saturday, August 30 -- entries received after that date will be approved at the discretion of the tournament director. The draw will be finalized on Tuesday, September 2 and early-round players will notified of their match times that day.

Matches will be played at all three area country clubs, with the finals at Country Club of Harrisburg.

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

Participants can choose among seven different events:

Men's Singles
Men's Over 50 singles
Men's Doubles
Men's Over 50 Doubles
Mixed Doubles
Women's Singles
Women's Doubles

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.

Rockville in Search of New Location

After more than 30 years of operation, Rockville Racquet Club is closed for 2008 as the existing courts have been removed for church construction.

The club is currently searching for suitable land to re-build. Several options are being examined, including one parcel of ground very close to the current location. Once land is secured, the club will be working with members and other interested parties to fund and build a new facility.

The closure was unexpected, as the church that bought the land signed a one-year lease and assured us that the court area would not be needed for construction of its new facility.

In October 2007 the church amended its construction plans and shifted the building 80 feet, meaning the loss of the courts area. Construction began in December 2007 and continues.

We'll be keeping all members and others interested in Rockville Racquet Club advised of progress toward the rebuild.

Tournament Champs Take Center Stage

2007 Event Winners
From top left, pictured with tournament official Jack Snavely
Click photo to enlarge

Ryan Mellinger, Men's Open Singles
Marianne Caplan (right, with finalist Gretchen Yarnall), Women's Singles
John Bahoric (left) and Kirby Beshore, Men's 50s Doubles
Ryan Mellinger and Greg Valentine, Men's Doubles
Maral Vartan (left) and Gretchen Yarnall, Women's Doubles
Nancy Opilo and Bill Spinner, Mixed Doubles

Not pictured: Kevin Quigley, Men's 50s Singles
Photos by Brian Gutschal

Boys to Square Off in Rockville Junior Classic

Top seeded Paul Kasal heads the field of eight players in Boy's 18 Singles for this weekend's Rockville Junior Classic at the Club. Play begins Friday night and continues through Sunday's final.

SCHEDULE OF MATCHES

Friday, September 14
Robert Schrader vs. Tyler Miller, 5 p.m.
Matthew Miller vs. Scott Bronder, 5 p.m.

Saturday, September 15
Paul Kasal (1) vs. Brent Dimming, 9 a.m.
Andy Garofalo (2) vs. David Giusti, 9 a.,.

Semi-Finals: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Final: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Mellinger Wins Third Straight Rockville Open Championship, Adds Doubles Title

Ryan Mellinger topped Tom Bixler 6-4, 6-1 to win his third straight Rockville Open title (both pictured above), then added the doubles crown in a tough three set win with partner Greg Valentine over James Smith and C. Green 6-4, 6-7 (20-18), 7-5.

Bixler, playing with an ailing left arm and newly-developed one-handed backhand, topped a strong Armen Vartan in the semis, 6-4, 7-5. Mellinger turned back Mic Wallace 6-3, 6-1 in the other semi.

Mellinger and Valentine earlier in men's doubles rolled over Bill Spinner and George Hoffman, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) while Smith and Green outlasted Mark Tyndale and Ken Myhre 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.

In the Men's 50s Singles, Kevin Quigley beat Alan Rishel 6-3, 6-2 to take the title. He topped defending champ Terry Farley in the semis, 6-3, 6-3. Rishel defeated Dave Kline 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 in the other semi-final match.

In the Women's Singles division, Marianne Caplan bested Vivian Jugan 6-0, 6-0 in the semis and met Gretchen Yarnall in the final, winning 6-0, 6-1. Yarnall earlier topped Nancy Opilo 6-4, 6-2.

Kirby Beshore and John Bahoric won the Men's 50s Doubles, defeating Terry Farley and Ed Jackson, 6-4, 6-4. Beshore/Bahoric topped Chahn Nguyen and J. Kritz in the semis, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, while Farley/Jackson rolled over Tony Cooper and Stump 6-2, 6-2.

In mixed doubles, Nancy Opilo and Bill Spinner took the title by defeating Chahn Nguyen and Jeannie Lantzy, 6-3, 6-2. Opilo/Spinner topped Ted Fridirici and Lisa Stokes to make the final, while Nguyen/Lantzy beat Bryant Siegfried and Melosky 6-1, 6-3.

Maral Vartan and Gretchen Yarnall earned the Women's Doubles Championship by besting Lisa Stokes and Sara Nichols, 7-5, 6-1.

TOURNAMENT SUMMARY
Men's Singles Champion: Ryan Mellinger
Men's Open Doubles Champions: Ryan Mellinger and Greg Valentine
Men's 50s Singles Champion: Kevin Quigley
Men's 50s Doubles Champions: Kirby Beshore and John Bahoric
Women's Singles Champion: Marianne Caplan
Mixed Doubles Champions: Nancy Opilo and Bill Spinner
Women's Doubles Champions: Maral Vartan and Gretchen Yarnall

Mellinger Wins Easily, Bixler Advances

Ryan Mellinger won his second round and quaterfinal matches, advancing to meet Mic Wallace (who topped Mark Reside, pictured above and then James Smith) in Sunday morning's semi-finals. On the bottom half of the draw, Tom Bixler won his two matches to meet Armen Vartan in the other semi. The winners will play the final at 1:30 p.m.

SATURDAY RESULTS

Men's Open Singles, Third Round
Ryan Mellinger (1) defeated Steve Aiken, 6-0, 6-0
James Smith defeated Mark DiSanto, default
Mic Wallace defeated Mark Reside, 6-3, 6-2
Bill Shambach defeated Taylor Harris, 6-2, 6-0
Mel Nelson defeated Jim Ketelsleger, 6-0, 6-1
Armen Vartan defeated Brett Siegfried, 6-3, 6-2
Nick May defeated Bryant Siegfried, 6-3, 6-0
Tom Bixler defeated Jim Carson, 6-1, 6-0

Quarter Finals
Ryan Mellinger defeated Bill Shambach, 6-1, 6-2
Mic Wallace defeated James Smith, 6-3, 5-0 (retired)
Armen Vartan defeated Mel Nelson, 6-1, 6-3
Tom Bixler defeated Nick May, 6-2, 6-3

Men's 50s Singles
Terry Farley (1) defeated Ian Cohen, 6-0, 6-2
Lloyd Nyce defeated Rich Noel, 6-0, 6-0
Kevin Quigley (4) defeated Frank Gray, 6-3, 6-3
Bob DeGomar defeated Harold Powell, 6-3, 6-3
Mike DiRenzo defeated Jack Henry, 7-5, 6-0
Dave Kline (2) defeated James Walker, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
Alan Rishel (3) defeated Tony Cooper, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)

Quarter Finals
Terry Farley defeated Lloyd Nyce, 6-0, 6-1
Kevin Quigley defeated Bob DeGomar, 6-3, 6-2
Alan Rishel defeated Mike DiRenzo, 6-2, 6-4
Dave Kline defeated Joe Sakey, 6-4, 6-4

Men's Open Doubles
Mellinger/Valentine defeated Hunt/Byerly, 6-7, 6-4, 6-0
Ketelsleger/Landis defeated Siegfried/Shaikh, 6-3, 7-6
Spinner/Hoffman defeated May/Chiaco, 6-4, 6-3
Arosel/Zangle defeated Wickenheiser/Kelley, 6-3, 6-0
Seiverling/Nelson defeated Coles/Fortson, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
Tyndale/Myhre defeated Smith/Shambach, 6-3, 6-3
Snavely/Gutschal defeated Liddick/Liddick, 6-3, 6-4
Smith/Green defeated Perry/Trimble, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2

Quarter Finals
Spinner/Hoffman defeated Arosel/Zangle, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
Tyndale/Myhre defeated Sieverling/Nelson, 6-4, 6-1
Smith/Green defeated Snavely/Gutschal, 7-6, 6-4
Mellinger/Valentine defeated Ketelsleger/Landis, 6-1, 6-2

Women's Singles
Nancy Opilo defeated Kathryn Washington, 6-4, 6-4
Vivian Jugan defeated Tracy Markle, 6-2, 6-7, 6-2

Men's 50's Doubles, Quarter-Finals
Nguyen/Fritz defeated Eckhaus/Hench, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
Cooper/Stump defeated Lawson/West, 6-2, 6-1

TOMMOROW'S ACTION
Men's Open Singles, Semi-Finals
Ryan Mellinger vs. Mic Wallace, 9 a.m.
Tom Bixler vs. Armen Vartan, 9 a.m.

Men's 50s Singles, Semi-Finals\
Terry Farley vs. Kevin Quigley, 9 a.m.
Alan Rishel vs. Dave Kline, 9 a.m.

Men's Open Doubles, Semi-Finals
Mellinger/Valentine vs. Spinner/Hoffman, 10:30 a.m.
Tyndale/Myhre vs. Smith/Green, 10:30 a.m.

Men's 50s Doubles, Semi-Finals
Beshore/Bahoric vs. Nguyen/Fritz, 10:30 a.m.
Cooper/Stump vs. Farley/Jackson, 10:30 a.m.

Women's Singles, Semi-Finals
Marianne Caplan vs. Vivian Jugan, 9 a.m.
Nancy Opilo vs. Gretchen Yarnell, 9 a.m.

Mixed Doubles, Semi-Finals
Spinner/Opilo vs. Fridirici/Stokes, 1:30 p.m.
Siegfried/Melosky vs. Nguyen/Linsday, noon

Bixler, Nelson Roll to Easy Wins

Second seed Tom Bixler easily won his first round match, while Mel Nelson and Nick May advanced with straight set victories. Bixler (above) achieved the elusive "golden set, not dropping a single point in one of the sets in his match against Ethan Nelson. In the night's most hard-fought match, Brett Siefried outlasted Sean Montgomery in three sets.

FRIDAY'S RESULTS

Men's Open Singles
Mel Nelson (5) defeated Steve Lash, 6-1, 6-2
Jim Ketelsleger defeated Jeff Graby, 4-6, 1-5, ret.
Brett Siegfried defeated Sean Montgomery, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
Armen Vartan defeated Doug Caplan, 6-0, 6-1
Nick May (7) defeated Mark Tyndale, 7-6 (7-5), 6-0
Bryant Siegfried defeated Phil Liddick, 6-2, 6-1
Jim Carson defeated Craig Wickenheiser, 6-2, 6-2
Tom Bixler (2) defeated Ethan Nelson, 6-0, 6-0

Play continues tomorrow morning with men's 50s singles beginning at 8 a.m., followed by men's open singles at 9:30 and men's open doubles at 11 a.m.

Mellinger Wins Opener, Seeds Advance

Defending Rockville Open champion Ryan Mellinger kicked off his title defense with a victory over Jon DeYoung today, while seeded players Mic Wallace, James Smith and Bill Shambach (pictured above) also won their first round matches.

THURSDAY'S RESULTS

Ryan Mellinger defeated Jon DeYoung, 6-2, 6-1
Mic Wallace defeated Andy Racilla, 6-0, 6-0
James Smith defeated Bob DeGomar, 6-1, 6-2
Bill Shambach defeated Lamont Mosley, 6-0, 6-1
Mark Reside defeated Alex Trimble, 6-3, 6-2
Mark DiSanto defeated Joey Fortenbaugh, 6-1, 6-3
Steve Aiken defeated Ryan Berrier, 6-1, 6-3
Taylor Harris defeated Mike Mazock, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6)

FRIDAY'S LINEUP

Men's Open Singles
Mel Nelson (5) vs. Steve Lash, 5 p.m.
Jim Ketelsleger vs. Jeff Graby, 5 p.m.
Sean Montgomery vs. Brett Siegfried, 5 p.m.
Doug Caplan vs. Armen Vartan (4), 5 p.m.
Nick May (7) vs. Mark Tyndale, 5 p.m.
Bryant Siegfried vs. Phil Liddick, 5 p.m.
Jim Carson vs. Craig Wickenheiser, 5 p.m.
Tom Bixler (2) vs. Ethan Nelson, 5 p.m.

Rockville Open Kicks Off With 7 Matches

Men's Open Singles
Bob DeGomar defeated Ed Novak, 6-1, 6-2
Steve Lash defeated Saat Shaikh, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4

Men's 50s Singles
Harold Powell defeated Byron Miller, 6-4, 6-4
Mike DiRenzo defeated Mike Mazock, 6-1, 6-2

Men's Open Doubles
Craig Wickenheiser/Mike Kelley defeated Ted Fridirici/Roy Wells, 6-1, 6-3
Bill Coles/Brian Fortson defeated Chris Gouse/Mike Divecchio, 6-2, 7-5
Pat Smith/Bill Shambach defeated Andrew Cantor/Doug Caplan, 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2)

TONIGHT'S ACTION
Matches to be played at Rockville Racquet Club & Country Club of Harrisburg.
All players should check in at Rockville to get court assignments. Match times may be subject to change.

Men's Open Singles
Ryan Mellinger (1) vs. Jon DeYoung, 5:30 p.m.
Ryan Berrier vs. Steve Aiken, 5 p.m.
Mike Mazock vs. Taylor Harris, 5 p.m.
Lamont Mosley vs. Bill Shambach (8), 5 p.m.
Mic Wallace (3) vs. Andy Racilla, 5 p.m.
Alex Trimble vs. Mark Reside. 5 p.m.
Mark DiSanto vs. Joey Fortenbaugh, 5 p.m.
James Smith (6) vs. Bob DeGomar, 5 p.m.

Tournament Schedule of Play Set

Match results will be posted following each day of play.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Matches to be played at Rockville Racquet Club & Country Club of Harrisburg.
All players should check in at Rockville to get court assignments. Match times may be subject to change.

Men's Open Singles
Ed Novak vs. Bob DeGomar, 5 p.m.
Steve Lash vs. Saat Shaikh, 5 p.m.

Men's 50s Singles
Harold Powell vs. Byron Miller, 5 p.m.
Mike Mazock vs. Mike DiRenzo, 5 p.m.

Men's Doubles
Ted Fridirici/Roy Wells vs. Craig Wickenheiser/Mike Kelley, 5 p.m.
Chris Gouse/Mike Divecchio vs. Bill Coles/Brian Fortson, 5 p.m.
Andrew Cantor/Doug Caplan vs. Pat Smith/Bill Shambach, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Matches to be played at Rockville Racquet Club & Country Club of Harrisburg.
All players should check in at Rockville to get court assignments. Match times may be subject to change.

Men's Open Singles
Ryan Mellinger (1) vs. Jon DeYoung, 5:30 p.m.
Ryan Berrier vs. Steve Aiken, 5 p.m.
Mike Mazock vs. Taylor Harris, 5 p.m.
Lamont Mosley vs. Bill Shambach (8), 5 p.m.
Mic Wallace (3) vs. Andy Racilla, 5 p.m.
Alex Trimble vs. Mark Reside. 5 p.m.
Mark DiSanto vs. Joey Fortenbaugh, 5 p.m.
James Smith (6) vs. winner of Novak vs. DeGomar

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Matches to be played at Rockville Racquet Club & Country Club of Harrisburg.
All players should check in at Rockville to get court assignments. Match times may be subject to change.

Men's Open Singles
Mel Nelson (5) vs. winner of Lash vs. Saat, 5 p.m.
Jim Ketelsleger vs. Jeff Graby, 5 p.m.
Sean Montgomery vs. Brett Siegfried, 5 p.m.
Doug Caplan vs. Armen Vartan (4), 5 p.m.
Nick May (7) vs. Mark Tyndale, 5 p.m.
Bryant Siegfried vs. Phil Liddick, 5 p.m.
Jim Carson vs. Craig Wickenheiser, 5 p.m.
Tom Bixler (2) vs. Ethan Nelson, 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
Matches to be played at Rockville Racquet Club & Country Club of Harrisburg.
All players should check in at Rockville to get court assignments. Match times may be subject to change.

Men's Open Singles, Second Round
Winner Mellinger/Deyoung vs. winner Berrier/Aiken, 9:30 a.m.
Winner Mazock/Harris vs. winner Mosley/Shambach, 9:30 a.m.
Winner Wallace/Racilla vs. winner Trimble/Reside, 9:30 a.m.
Winner DiSanto/Fortenbaugh vs. winner Smith/opponent, 9:30 a.m.
Winner M. Nelson/opponent vs. winner Ketelsleger/Graby, 9:30 a.m.
Winner Montgomery/Brett Siegfried vs. winner Caplan/Vartan, 9:30 a.m.
Winner May/Tyndale vs. winner Bryant Siefriend/Liddick, 9:30 a.m.
Winner Carson/Wickenheiser vs. winner E. Nelson/Bixler, 9:30 a.m.

Quarter-Finals: Matches to be played Saturday at 2 p.m.
Semi-Finals: Matches to be played Sunday, September 9 at 9 a.m.
Final: Match to be played Sunday, September 9 at 1:30 p.m.

Men's 50 Singles
Terry Farley (1) vs. Ian Cohen, 8 a.m.
Rich Noel vs. Lloyd Nyce, 8 a.m.
Kevin Quigley (4) vs. Frank Gray, 8 a.m.
Bob DeGomar vs. winner of Powell/Miller, 8 a.m.
Winner Mazock/DiRenzo vs. Jack Henry, 8 a.m.
Tony Cooper vs. Alan Rishel (3), 8 a.m.
Alan Musselman vs. Joe Sackey, 8 a.m.
James Walker vs. Dave Kline (2), 8 a.m.

Quarter-Finals: Matches to be played Saturday at 2 p.m.
Semi-Finals: Matches to be played Sunday at 9 a.m.
Final: Match to be played Sunday, at 1:30 p.m.

Men's Doubles
Ryan Mellinger/Greg Valentine (1) vs. K. Hunt/M. Byerly, 11 a.m.
Saat Shaikh/Brett Siegfriend vs. Jim Ketelsleger/Jenks Landis, 11 a.m.
Bill Spinner/George Hoffman (3) vs. Nick May/J. Chiaco, 11 a.m.
Winner Fridirici/Wells vs. Wickenheiser/Kelley vs. Jon Arosel/Rich Zangle, 11 a.m.
Winner Gouse/Divecchio vs. Coles/Fortson vs. Mel Nelson/Dave Seiverling, 11 a.m.
WInner Cantor/Caplan vs. Smith/Shambach vs. Mark Tyndale/Ken Myhre (4), 11 a.m.
G. Liddick/P. Liddick vs. Jack Snavely/Brian Gutschal, 11 a.m.
Brian Perry/M. Trimble vs. J. Smith/C. Green, 11 a.m.

Quarter-Finals: Matches to be played Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Semi-Finals: Matches to be played Sunday at 10:30 p.m.
Final: Match to be played Sunday at 3 p.m.

Men's 50s Doubles
John Bahoric/Kirby Beshore (1), bye
C. Nguyen/M. Kritz vs. M. Eckhaus/A. Hench, 12:30 p.m.
T. Cooper/J. Stump vs. E. Lawson/G. West, 12:30 p.m.
Terry Farley/Ed Jackson (2), bye

Semi-Finals: Matches to be played Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Final: Match to be played Sunday at 3 p.m.

Women's Singles
Marianne Caplan (1), bye
Vivian Jugan vs. Tracy Markle, 3:30 p.m.
Nancy Opilo vs. Kathryn Washington, 3:30 p.m.
Gretchen Yarnell (2), bye

Semi-Finals: Matches to be played Sunday at 9 a.m.
Final: Match to be played Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Mixed Doubles -- the schedule of play for mixed doubles will be announced shortly.

Thanks to Our Tournament Sponsors

The generous support of our sponsors is helping make the 2007 Rockville Racquet Club Open a success. They include:

Car Wash Systems, Harrisburg
Triple Crown Corporation, Harrisburg
McDonalds
Wilsbach Distributors, Harrisburg
Dr. Craig K. Mathias D.D.S., Harrisburg
Maral Vartan
Jean Joint, Harrisburg & York
Christopher's Pizza & Subs, Harrisburg
KSwiss

Tournament Begins September 5

The Rockville Racquet Club Open begins Wednesday, September 5 with men's open singles action. Each day's schedule and results will be posted on this site, so check back daily for the latest tournament information.

Seeded players include:

Men's Open Singles -- 34 players entered
#1 Ryan Mellinger
#2 Tom Bixler
#3 Mic Wallace
#4 Armen Vartan
#5 Mel Nelson
#6 James Smith
#7 Nick May
#8 Bill Shambach

Men's Open Doubles -- 19 teams entered
#1 Ryan Mellinger/Greg Valentine
#2 James Smith/Chad Green
#3 Bill Spinner/George Hoffman
#4 Mark Tyndale/Ken Myhre

Men's 50s Singles -- 19 players entered
#1 Terry Farley
#2 Dave Kline
#3 Alan Rishel
#4 Kevin Quigley

Men's 50s Doubles -- 6 teams entered
#1 Kirby Beshore/John Bahoric
#2 Terry Farley/Ed Jackson

Mixed Doubles -- 5 teams entered
#1 Bill Spinner/Nancy Opilo
#2 Bryant Siegfried/Alexis Melosky

Women's Open Singles -- 6 players entered
#1 Marianne Caplan
#2 Gretchen Yarnell

Women's Doubles -- 2 teams entered

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.

Tournament set for September 5-9

Rockville's 5th Annual Tournament in memory of Mark J. Tatkovski is set for September 5th-9th.

Participants can choose among seven different events:

Men's Singles
Men's Over 50 singles
Men's Doubles
Men's Over 50 Doubles
Mixed Doubles
Women's Singles
Women's Doubles.

The 2006 tournament brought out more than 130 participants.

To sign up, click the Competition Page to the right and download and return the form with your entry fee.

July 4 Tennis Fest

With quite a few members staying in town for Independence Day, Pat Smith put together an impromptu hit-around that lasted into the afternoon. Players rotated courts to play rounds of singles and doubles. Afterword Pat rolled out the grill and played chef, treating everyone to hot dogs and burgers. Brian Gutshal got out his ubiqutous camera and set the self timer to capture this shot.