On March 30, the B1 50-plus Rossmoor Women’s Tennis Team traveled to Diablo Country Club on a slightly overcast day which proved perfect weather for tennis.

Team members for this match were Guita Bahramipour, Sue Curtain, Lori Davis, Laura Kim, Yvonne Merrick, Terry Quinlan, Cinnamon Renvali, and Dako Urabe.

  Due to limited court availability, the lineup was split: Lines 1 and 2 began play at 9:30 a.m., while Lines 3 and 4 started at 10:30 a.m. or as courts became available. Diablo consistently fields strong teams, and Rossmoor played well, capturing one of the four matches contested.  The Diablo team also provided a beautifully catered lunch in the clubhouse and gazebo area, adding a gracious, hospitable finishing touch to the day.

Article by Yvonne Merrick

Rossmoor Men’s Tennis Team Finds Stiff Competition at Blackhawk The Rossmoor Men’s Tennis Team traveled to Blackhawk Country Club on April 7 for a makeup match, where they encountered both outstanding facilities and gracious hospitality. Blackhawk’s exceptional tennis complex provided an impressive setting for a day of spirited play. Rossmoor faced a formidable opponent, with challenging matches across all four lines. The team secured one hard-earned victory, demonstrating resilience against strong competition. Match Results: Line 1: Bob Benz and Rick Sterling faced a powerful duo and were defeated, 2–6, 1–6. Line 2: Al Peters and Richard Schulman earned Rossmoor’s lone win of the day, 6–4, 6–3. Line 3: David Hickey and Dave Kern encountered tough opposition and fell, 1–6, 2–6. Line 4: John Preston and Siva Sivasubramanian were defeated, 1–6, 0–6. Post-match hospitality provided an opportunity for players to connect and share stories beyond the court. During these conversations, Rossmoor players learned about Blackhawk player, David Hsieh. An early employee at Google, Hsieh later transitioned into theater as the founding and artistic director of ReAct Theatre in Seattle which he started over thirty years ago. More recently, Hsieh has produced Broadway plays.  Discussions like this greatly enrich the time the players have with each other.

Rossmoor Men's Tennis Team members are from left, Al Peters, David Hickey, Rick Sterling, Dave Kern, John Preston, Bob Benz, Siva Sivasubramanian, and Richard Schulman

Rossmoor Tennis Club's April 4 Wildcard Tournament  The Rossmoor Tennis Club held its second Wildcard Tournament of the year on April 4. Twelve men and twelve women competed in a series of matches determined by random selection, featuring a combination of mixed doubles, men’s doubles, and women’s doubles play. The format encourages players to meet and compete with a wide variety of partners, and the tournament is open to all Rossmoor residents. After six rounds of play, the winners were Paul Chasin and Irwin Cohen for the men, and Terry Quinlan and Yvonne Merrick for the women. The field also included three energetic nonagenarian participants—Chris Bang, Roger Artley, and Barry DeVine —who all move impressively on the court. Bang began playing tennis in the mid-1980s with co-workers and has enjoyed success in club events, including a past co-championship in the Wildcard Tournament of Champions. Beyond tennis, he has pursued a variety of interests, including autocross racing, and is both a certified flight instructor and scuba diver. Artley, who has played tennis for more than 80 years, still covers the court with remarkable quickness. While attending Purdue University, he was an all-campus tennis champion. He credits his continued fitness to regular workouts at the Fitness Center and hiking. He also values the camaraderie of his fellow players. DeVine, an exercise physiologist, has an extensive athletic background that includes competing in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, running marathons, and playing and coaching rugby, in addition to many years of tennis. He lived in retirement in Mexico for fifteen years, where he played with a regular foursome three times a week. All three men remain highly active, proving they don’t let “moss grow under their shoes.”

Rossmoor Wildcard nonagenerians are from left, Chris Bang, Roger Artley, and Barry Devine. Ros

The Curry Fest. Game, Set, Masala – A Grand Slam of Flavor for Members

The Rossmoor Tennis Club is holding an April club activity, the Curry Fest, in the Fireside Room at the Gateway complex on April 21 at 5:30 PM. With the next leg of the Grand Slam season fast approaching, we’re hitting the court early with a burst of rich, traditional, and modern flavors. Members are invited to join for an evening of delicious, rich flavors, with a menu featuring both traditional and modern curry dishes. Whether your spice tolerance is a "soft serve" or "aggressive baseliner," we’ve made sure there are dishes for everyone, including those with specific dietary restrictions.

This event is open to club members and their invited guests. To participate in this and other April club functions, members must submit their $27 activity dues per person by April 18. The dues must be paid in advance; the club cannot accept any payments on the day of the event.

When registering online, please remember to select the number of guests from the drop-down menu. If the digital process gives you an unforced error or you have trouble paying online, get in touch and we’ll help.  If you want to be part of this celebration of flavors, contact the Tennis Club at mail@rossmoortennis.com.

Rossmoor Tennis Club's First Wildcard Tournament of 2026 March 7 marked the start of the Rossmoor Tennis Club’s Wildcard Tournament, held under beautiful skies and buoyed by high enthusiasm from participants. Tournament coordinator Richard Schulman ensured the event ran smoothly from start to finish. In the men’s division, John Radebold captured first place, while Todd Mangini and Irwin Cohen shared second. On the women’s side, Lori Davis edged out the competition to take first, followed by Becky Reiss in second, with Ray Riess and Lilly Chao tying for third. Open to all Rossmoor residents, the tournament drew a notable number of first-time participants, adding a nice touch to the competition. Schulman also expressed appreciation for the many volunteers whose efforts helped make the event a success.

Rossmoor Wildcard participant are from left, Irwin Cohen, Ray Riess, Todd Mangini, Lilly Chao, Richard Schulman, Becky Reiss, Lori Davis, and John Radebold.

Calendar:

April 3       9:30 am	Women's 65+ Match
April 4.    10:00 am	Wild Card Tournament
April 15    Noon	Men's SMIL Match
April 17     9:30 am	Women's 65+ Match
April 21.    5:30 pm	Curry Fest - Fireside Room

Ways to Play. . . . .

* Every Sunday  8:30 - Open Play…..Just Show up!

* Every Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 - Drop-In tennis on courts 3 and 4.  All levels of play.   Contact Marc Parham (marc.parham@gmail.com) to be included in his email notifications.

* Every Wednesday 10:00 - Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Skills with Advanced players.  Just Drop In!

• Every Friday 10:00 - Ball Machine Clinic.  Get a few  pointers from an advanced player.

President’s Corner

Hi RTC Members. . . .

I have some exciting news.  As I mentioned at the General Meeting, the Planning Committee's recommended list of projects to fund (including ours) in 2026 was approved by the full RWC Board. I had an email from Ann Montolla, Rossmoor Community Services Director recently, and our resurfacing project for courts 7 and 8 is out for bids.  Once the bids are in, the selected contractor's name and bid will be sent to the RWC Board for approval. Once that process is complete, Ann will find a date that works for both the contractor and for us. My best guess and hope is that this job will be completed before the rainy season next fall.

In this newsletter, you'll see an article about the April 21st Curry Fest.  Our Social Director, Shrey Trivedi, is planning this new and fun event.  I know that many seniors have issues with spices, but Shrey this is on top of this and has selected multiple items that are delicious and full of flavor, but are not spicy.  One of the main courses is Vegan, Non-Spicy and Gluten Free, so he has covered all of the main special food requests in one dish.  There are low-spice vegetarian appetizers as well.  Shrey was kind enough to invite the board to sample the food at his house that he was considering for the Curry Fest.  I had both the low-spice vegetarian appetizer and the non-spicy main course and both were delicious. So please come and support Shrey's efforts to have a new, new and different social event.

I hope everyone saw the email about Eugenio's unfortunate back injury. He is at home recovering, but we do have experienced coaches and teachers covering his 10:00-11:00 clinic every Wednesday in April, so please come to the skills clinic and learn from Sherry Endicott, Chris Slee, Frank Haswell, and Ron Wyman. And a big thank you to all of them for stepping up to cover the Skills Clinic.

April 25 the Villages tennis club from San Jose will be coming to Rossmoor for a match with our team.  As usual, the match will feature men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.  Following tradition, we will have a barbeque afterwards and all club members are encouraged to come cheer on the team and enjoy the luncheon. The club only provides the main course, so the sides, desserts, and breakfast snacks for people to have been rounds are provided by our Rossmoor tennis community.  So if you are coming, whether as a player, or fan, please bring a dish to share large enough to feed at least 8 people, because our club needs to feed each other and our Villages guests.  If you are interested in playing, please sign up on your membership app, but remember the line-up is decided by the tournament director.  People who are not originally selected who are interested in playing will be subs, and if you are a sub please come dressed to play.  We have often needed subs at the last minute.  

If you haven't done so yet, check out the tennis kiosk.  Dave Hickey got the MOD folks to replace the posts which had a lot of wood rot, and Shrey and I organized, cleaned up the kiosk, and put up new signs. 

Mary

Do any of these items belong to you ?  They are in the Lost & Found cabinet at the tennis center.   Pick up your missing item(s) before David removes them 

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Our Social Director, Shrey Trivedi, has something exciting in store — a Curry Fest on April 21!    We know that spicy food isn't for everyone, so we've been thoughtful about the menu.  Every item has been selected for its rich, satisfying flavor without the heat, so there's truly something for everyone to enjoy.

The menu includes low-spice vegetarian appetizers, plus a main course that is both vegan and gluten-free — covering the most common dietary needs all in one delicious dish. Board members had the chance to sample both the appetizer and the main course ahead of time, and the verdict was unanimous: they were wonderful.

Come out and support this fresh, flavorful new event — we think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Rossmoor Tennis Club’s New Board of Directors for 2026 The Rossmoor Tennis Club launched the new year with its first Board meeting on January 19, welcoming three new Board members: Bert Sebilia, Shrey Trivedi, and Roger Emanuel. They join an experienced leadership team that includes President Mary Benin, David Hickey, Richard Schulman, Lori Davis, Barbara Landberg, and Bart Ostro. Founded in 1965 by Charlie Hoge, the Rossmoor Tennis Club has been enriching the Rossmoor community for more than 60 years and remains one of its longest-standing and most active clubs. Tennis was originally played on courts along Rossmoor Parkway before the Buckeye Tennis Courts were built in 1983. Today, the Buckeye facility, with its eight courts, serves as the vibrant center of club play and events. Buckeye is more than just a tennis venue. The facility features a welcoming social area with table seating for up to 50 people, sink and counter space for food preparation, and a barbecue grill, making it a favorite gathering spot for post-match socializing and special events. The club offers a wide range of tennis programs, including clinics, drop-in play, and popular Wild Card tournaments. Court use and program participation are open to all Rossmoor residents, reflecting the club’s strong commitment to fitness, friendship, and community engagement throughout Rossmoor. For more information, email at mail@rossmoortennis.com. Left to Right:  Shrey Trivedi, Social Chair; Roger Emanuel, Publicity, Mary Benin, President; Bert Sebilia, Vice President

Callendar of Events

February 4, Noon	Men's SMIL Match
February 6, 9:30 a.m.	Women's 65+ Match
February 9, 9:30 a.m.	Women's 50+ Match
February 18, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.	Board Meeting Bunker Room

The President's Corner

Board Meeting Summary- January 19th

Our newly elected board tackled two key priorities:

*    Court Resurfacing Advocacy

We’re working to preserve funding for resurfacing courts 7 and 8. Board members have already spoken at the WRC Board meeting and both Planning and Finance Committee meetings, with outstanding member support—at least 10 members attended each session. Your participation made a real impact, and we’re grateful for the strong turnout.

We may need your support again before the final 2026 budget is approved. Large group attendance is far more effective than just a few voices, so we’ll reach out if needed.

*   Club Improvements

The board brainstormed enhancements across tournaments, socials, communications, and facilities. Exciting changes ahead:

∙A curry feast social organized by our new Social Director, Shrey Trivedi

∙New tournament formats this spring

∙Refreshed, better-organized kiosk coming next month

∙New flyers around Rossmoor promoting our free clinics and drop-in tennis

∙Facility improvements in progress

Vice President Bert Sebilia has asked members for ideas—we want to hear from you! Please share your suggestions with the board.

Mary Benin​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A Brief History of the Tennis Ball . . . . 

The tennis ball has evolved significantly since the early origins of the game. Tennis itself traces back to medieval France, where players struck a ball made of tightly bound cloth or wool with their hands in a game known as jeu de paume. As the sport developed and rackets were introduced, the ball also changed. By the 16th century, tennis balls were typically handmade, consisting of hair or wool wrapped in string and covered with stitched leather. These balls were durable but inconsistent, and their bounce depended heavily on how tightly they were packed.

A major transformation occurred in the 19th century with the invention of vulcanized rubber by Charles Goodyear. Rubber allowed tennis balls to bounce more reliably, making outdoor lawn tennis possible and helping standardize the game. Early rubber balls were sometimes left black or white, but manufacturers experimented with visibility and durability as the sport grew in popularity. The establishment of formal tennis rules in the late 1800s also led to greater consistency in ball size, weight, and performance.

The modern tennis ball took shape in the 20th century with the introduction of the familiar yellow color, officially adopted in the 1970s to improve visibility on television. Today’s tennis balls are made with a hollow rubber core covered in felt, carefully engineered to meet strict regulations set by international tennis organizations. While the basic design remains simple, ongoing refinements in materials and manufacturing continue to shape how the ball performs, making it a small but essential part of tennis history

January 2026 Newsletter

Happy New Year!

Let's Hope that 2026 is a Year of Peace

Calendar of Events

Date, Time	Event
Friday,  January 9  9:30 a.m.	Women's 65+ Home Match
Monday,  January 12 9:30a.m.	Women's 50+ Home Match
Monday,  January 19 1:30 p.m.	Board Meeting
Wednesday,  January 21 Noon	Men's SMIL Home Match
Friday,  January 23 9:30	Women's 65+ Home Match

Volunteers of the Year:   Eugenio Ovalle and Takako Ichikawa

The first service award goes to Takako Ichikawa.  Takako  has been a mainstay in helping the Club function over the past years. She is a very active member of the Club,  and participates in several tennis groups. More importantly, she has done a fantastic job helping with many wild card tournaments and social events over the past several years since she came to Rossmoor and joined the Club. She is a ready volunteer and her quiet competence has been a real asset .

The second service award for 2025 goes to Eugenio Ovalle. As you may know, Eugenio first received a service award back in 2018 for his work as the dedicated coordinator of the Wednesday workshop clinics  In the seven years since 2018, Eugenio has continued to bring his expertise, enthusiasm, and energy to his weekly tennis clinics.  Scores of Rossmoor residents have sharpened their skills and been inspired to enjoy tennis thanks to Eugenio. Thus, he is the most deserved first two-time recipient of the annual service award..  

Rossmoor Tennis Club 2025 Year in Review

What an incredibly fun year of tennis we've enjoyed in lovely Rossmoor! Between competitive league play, welcoming drop-in sessions, engaging clinics, and exciting tournaments, 2025 has been a remarkable season for our tennis community.

Drop-In Tennis: A Thriving Social Hub

Drop-in tennis continues to flourish with sessions on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, where anyone and everyone is welcome. These sessions regularly fill at least two and often three courts with players enjoying our gorgeous setting and friendly atmosphere. Whether you played tennis years ago and want to get back into the game or you're looking to improve your skills, drop-in tennis offers the perfect opportunity to play almost every day of the year. If you're not playing tennis, you're missing out—come join us!

Men's Tennis: Excellence and Fellowship

The Rossmoor Men's Tennis Team wrapped up another successful year in the Senior Men's Inter-club League (SMIL), competing against seven other clubs including Round Hill, Crow Canyon, Blackhawk, Oakland Hills, Moraga, and two teams from Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek. The league runs from September through early July, with a summer break in August.

With approximately 60 members, the men's team practices every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, typically drawing 12 to 24 players per session—usually filling 4-6 courts with members enjoying both fellowship and skill development. Over the year, 30 Rossmoor players participated in matches held every other week, usually involving three to five teams. Captain Bernie Wolf and Co-Captain Stuart Coffey provided strong leadership throughout the season.

The men's team not only competes well against other clubs but also celebrates individual achievements. Notably, Larry Barclay and Al Peters won the Northern California over-85 tournament for the second consecutive year—a remarkable accomplishment!

Women's Tennis: Competing with Heart

Rossmoor fielded both a 50+ and a 65+ women's team this year, and both competed impressively against clubs drawing from much larger communities.

The Buckeyes, our enthusiastic 50+ B1 League team of twenty-two women, played in the East Bay Women's Tennis League from September to March with fourteen matches scheduled against six teams. After the first five matches, the team's record stood at one win, two ties, and two losses.

The combined women's teams celebrated their community spirit with a festive Halloween “tennis palooza” and potluck luncheon for current and former players, strengthening bonds both on and off the court.

Inter-Community Rivalry

Our long-standing rivalry with The Villages produced exciting competition this year. We celebrated victory when hosting them at Rossmoor, though we fought hard but came up short in the away match. These spirited contests showcase the high level of play and camaraderie in our tennis community.

Community Programs and Sustainability

The Rossmoor Tennis Club (RTC) ran two weekly tennis clinics open to all Rossmoor residents, welcoming players at all skill levels who wanted to return to the game or improve their abilities.  Additionally, there are wildcard tournaments with various formats the first Saturday of each month that all residents are able to play.

RTC also maintained an innovative tennis ball recycling program. Players place used balls from matches into recycling cans, which are then repurposed for the tennis ball machine. After this second use, the balls are delivered to a local sports shop where they're sent to a recycling center. There, they're ground up and used as a base layer under playground equipment—a sustainable solution that benefits both our community and the environment.

Social 

The Club also hosted 8 summer BBQs and 2 hosted parties during the year, including a fabulous Holiday Party in December.  Additionally, the club hosted wildcard tournaments with various formats the first Saturday of each month in which all residents are able to play

Leadership Transition

As we close out 2025, we recognize Emily's two years of dedicated leadership as she concludes her term. We're grateful for her service and welcome new board members joining the team while thanking those who are stepping down. These transitions ensure fresh energy and continued excellence for our tennis club.

Looking Ahead

The Rossmoor Tennis Club continues to thrive as a welcoming community where players of all levels can enjoy competitive matches, improve their skills, and build lasting friendships. We're proud of our accomplishments in 2025 and excited for another great year ahead. Whether you're a seasoned player or picking up a racket for the first time in years, there's a place for you on our courts!

A timely reminder from last January ...

As all Ball Machine members should know, the Ball Machine should never be used when the courts are not 100 percent dry. Using damp balls will destroy the Ball Machine. A new industrial strength ball machine costs in excess of $8,000, which is not in the RTC's budget at present.

Regrettably, [last year] "a member recently used the Ball Machine on court 2 when the court was damp/wet and all the balls in the Ball Machine hopper and the basket had to be discarded. Currently there are not enough good used recycled balls to refill the Ball Machine. The Ball Machine will be out of operation until the ball supply is replenished. Accordingly, the Friday Ball Machine clinics are also suspended until further notice."

Let's make sure we don't repeat this unfortunate event