Rossmoor Men’s Tennis Team Outplayed by Round Hill The Rossmoor Tennis Club Men’s Team hosted Round Hill Tennis Club on February 4 in a matchup that is as social as it is competitive. Many of the players have faced one another for years, adding a friendly but spirited edge to the contest. After splitting victories in their two previous meetings, Round Hill stepped up and delivered a strong performance this time around. Match Results Line 1: In the longest match of the day, Al Peters and John Radebold battled hard but were defeated, 3–6, 5–7. Line 2: Richard Schulman and Rick Sterling faced stiff competition and fell, 1–6, 2–6. Line 3: Veteran Dave Kern teamed with Roger Emanuel, but the pair came up short, 4–6, 3–6. Line 4: John Preston and newcomer John Poon were overmatched, 0–6, 2–6. Player Spotlight: Rick Sterling Rick Sterling took up tennis after moving to Rossmoor in 2016, with his wife serving as a steady partner in developing his game.  Additional help from clinics led by Eugene Ovalle, along with online instructional videos, helped Sterling improve quickly. He is one of the few players on the team with the strength and speed to regularly play singles during practice sessions. Men’s Team practices are a highlight of his week, and he makes a point of participating three times weekly whenever possible. Sterling encourages other seniors to give the sport a try. His advice: “Come on out!  Almost anyone can learn and have fun.”

Rossmoor Men's Tennis Team members are from left, Rick Sterling, John Radebold,  Richard Schulman, Roger Emanuel, John Poon, John Preston, Dave Kern, and Al Peters. Article by Roger Emanuel

Rossmoor Men’s Tennis Team Edged by Oakland Hills

After much uncooperative weather, the Rossmoor Men’s Tennis Team finally made the trip to Oakland Hills on January 14 for their makeup match.

Perched high on a hillside, the Oakland Hills Tennis Club offers one of the most spectacular settings in the Bay Area. From the courts and the club’s 150-foot viewing deck, players are treated to sweeping, panoramic views of San Francisco, the Bay, and much of the surrounding skyline. On a clear day, the bridges and city skyline are visible in the distance, an ambiance so striking that it softened the disappointment as Oakland Hills defeated Rossmoor in all four lines.

Match Results

Line 1: In the day’s most competitive match, David Besenfelder and John Radebold fell, 3–6, 5–7.
Line 2: Larry Barclay and Richard Schulman played well but ultimately lost, 3–6, 3–6.
Line 3: Dave Kern and Rick Sterling were outmatched, 2–6, 1–6.
Line 4: Bernie Wolf and Hans Boehner faced a strong team and were defeated, 0–6, 0–6.

Player Spotlight: Larry Barclay

Larry Barclay moved to Rossmoor 18 years ago and quickly made tennis a regular part of his life, playing three times a week. A standout athlete in high school, he continued his sports career in college with basketball and later stayed active through handball, racquetball, hiking with the Trails Club, and bicycle touring in various parts of the world.

Tennis became his “go-to” sport in his 30s. Teaming up with Al Peters, Barclay captured the USTA Grand Prix Tournament title in 2025 in the 85-plus Men’s Doubles Division and earned a high national ranking.

Reflecting on what keeps him coming back to the court, Barclay said, “The camaraderie and the social aspect of the sport are key… plus, tennis is just plain fun.” Hats off to Larry Barclay for his enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and enduring commitment to the game.

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Rossmoor Men's Tennis Team members are from left, Larry Barclay, Captain Bernie Wolf, Richard Schulman, John Radebold, Hans Boehner, Rick Sterling, David Besenfelder,  and Dave Kern. Article by Roger Emanuel

Rossmoor Men’s Tennis Team Falls Short Against Blackhawk Country Club The Rossmoor Men’s Tennis Team hosted Blackhawk Country Club on December 10. The morning fog lifted just in time for play, but Rossmoor was ultimately outmatched by a strong Blackhawk squad, falling in all four competitive matches. Match Results Line 1: Chris Slee and John Radebold nearly pulled off an upset, pushing their match to a third-set tiebreak before falling 6–2, 4–6, 8–10. Line 2: Veteran duo Larry Barclay and David Besenfelder were defeated 3–6, 2–6. Line 3: In the day’s marathon match, Al Peters and Barry Brian mixed in plenty of lobs and long rallies but were edged out in another close tiebreak, 5–7, 6–4, 8–10. Line 4: Ike Ichikawa and John Preston faced tough opposition, coming up short 1–6, 3–6. Player Spotlight: Barry Brian A longtime presence on the Rossmoor roster, Barry Brian brings high energy to his matches.  He brings a versatile “pitcher’s arsenal” to the court with groundstrokes, lobs, slices, and drop shots, keeping opponents guessing throughout a match. Although he aims to play tennis three times a week, scheduling conflicts often get in the way. Brian remains active across a wide range of pursuits, including the Ashmolean Singers, square dancing, Sustainable Rossmoor, Service Leader at B'nai Israel, biking, reading several books a week, and spending time with his grandson. Brian approaches competitive tennis now with humor and perspective: "I feel my youngest when I'm playing tennis; I feel my oldest when I'm nursing the pains after playing tennis".

Rossmoor Men's Tennis Team members are from left, Larry Barclay, David Besenfelder, John Radebold, John Preston, Chris Slee, Al Peters, Barry Brian, and Ike Ichikawa. Article by Roger Emanuel

The Rossmoor Men's Tennis Team’s away match against Moraga Country Club (MCC) on October 9 was nothing short of extraordinary. The Men's Team came out on top, winning three of the four matches.

Victories from Lines 1, 2, and 3 were hard-fought and well-earned, underscoring the team's tenacity and ability to persevere in high-pressure, intensive situations. All four lines of doubles went down to the wire, each culminating in a third-set tiebreaker. These similar endings were a first for Rossmoor, evoking John McEnroe’s iconic outburst, "You cannot be serious!" 

Match Recap:

Line 1: Bob Benz and Chris Slee – The duo found themselves in trouble early, dropping the first set 5-7. But instead of folding under the pressure, they dug deep and fought back with determination in the second set. With the momentum shifting, Benz and Slee claimed the second set 7-5, leveling the match and forcing a third-set tiebreaker. They dominated the tiebreaker by winning 10-5.

Line 2: Yoshi Fukamiya and Stuart Coffey – This team also faced an uphill battle after losing the first set 4-6. However, they refused to be discouraged, and with renewed focus, they captured the second set 6-3. The third-set tiebreaker turned into a nail-biting affair.  Ultimately, Fukamiya and Coffey held their composure, edging out their opponents 12-10 in a thrilling tiebreaker.

Line 3: David Besenfelder and Bernie Wolf – Perhaps the most dramatic match of the day came from Line 3. Besenfelder and Wolf endured a disastrous first set, losing 0-6, but instead of letting the score deflate their spirits, they bounced back in spectacular fashion. They completely flipped the script in the second set, winning 6-1. The third-set tiebreaker saw Besenfelder and Wolf continue the wave of momentum, securing a 10-7 victory to complete their remarkable comeback.

Line 4: Al Peters and Roger Emanuel – Peters and Emanuel had the strongest Rossmoor start, winning the first set 6-2 with confident play and well-placed shots. However, the tide began to turn in the second set, as their opponents from MCC found their rhythm, leveling the match by taking the set 6-4. In the third-set tiebreaker, Peters and Emanuel struggled to regain their earlier momentum and eventually fell 2-10. Despite the loss, this two-hour match showed the great effort of this team.

Moraga, which recently completed an expansion in 2022 that added 11,000 square feet of new facilities, provided a perfect setting for the match. The beautiful tennis, pickleball, and bocce ball courts are nestled within a picturesque landscape, making it an ideal venue.

After the grueling yet exhilarating matches, the teams were able to relax and enjoy the serene setting of Moraga Country Club. The scenic deck overlooking the courts provided a perfect place for post-match refreshments and camaraderie. 

The Rossmoor Men's Tennis Team’s away match against Moraga Country Club (MCC) on October 9 was nothing short of extraordinary. The Men's Team came out on top, winning three of the four matches. Vvictories from Lines 1, 2, and 3 were hard-fought and well-earned, underscoring the team's tenacity and ability to persevere in high-pressure, intensive situations. All four lines of doubles went down to the wire, each culminating in a third-set tiebreaker. These similar endings were a first for Rossmoor, evoking John McEnroe’s iconic outburst, "You cannot be serious!"  Match Recap: Line 1: Bob Benz and Chris Slee – The duo found themselves in trouble early, dropping the first set 5-7. But instead of folding under the pressure, they dug deep and fought back with determination in the second set. With the momentum shifting, Benz and Slee claimed the second set 7-5, leveling the match and forcing a third-set tiebreaker. They dominated the tiebreaker by winning 10-5. Line 2: Yoshi Fukamiya and Stuart Coffey – This team also faced an uphill battle after losing the first set 4-6. However, they refused to be discouraged, and with renewed focus, they captured the second set 6-3. The third-set tiebreaker turned into a nail-biting affair.  Ultimately, Fukamiya and Coffey held their composure, edging out their opponents 12-10 in a thrilling tiebreaker. Line 3: David Besenfelder and Bernie Wolf – Perhaps the most dramatic match of the day came from Line 3. Besenfelder and Wolf endured a disastrous first set, losing 0-6, but instead of letting the score deflate their spirits, they bounced back in spectacular fashion. They completely flipped the script in the second set, winning 6-1. The third-set tiebreaker saw Besenfelder and Wolf continue the wave of momentum, securing a 10-7 victory to complete their remarkable comeback. Line 4: Al Peters and Roger Emanuel – Peters and Emanuel had the strongest Rossmoor start, winning the first set 6-2 with confident play and well-placed shots. However, the tide began to turn in the second set, as their opponents from MCC found their rhythm, leveling the match by taking the set 6-4. In the third-set tiebreaker, Peters and Emanuel struggled to regain their earlier momentum and eventually fell 2-10. Despite the loss, this two-hour match showed the great effort of this team. Moraga, which recently completed an expansion in 2022 that added 11,000 square feet of new facilities, provided a perfect setting for the match. The beautiful tennis, pickleball, and bocce ball courts are nestled within a picturesque landscape, making it an ideal venue. After the grueling yet exhilarating matches, the teams were able to relax and enjoy the serene setting of Moraga Country Club. The scenic deck overlooking the courts provided a perfect place for post-match refreshments and camaraderie.  Written by Roger Emanuel

The Rossmoor Men’s Team, part of the Senior Men's Interclub League (SMIL), began their fall season with a spirited match against Oakland Hills on September 18 at Rossmoor. The home team faced strong competition on a day when the weather was favorable, but their opponents proved to be a formidable challenge. Despite the final outcome—a 3-1 loss for Rossmoor—several of the matches were fiercely competitive, demonstrating the team’s tenacity and skill. Line 1: Stuart Coffey and Yoshi Fukamiya battled hard, taking their match to a decisive third-set 10-point tiebreaker after recovering from a tough first set. Ultimately, they fell just short with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-10 score, in what was a closely contested match. Line 2: Al Peters and David Hickey put up a strong effort but were defeated 3-6, 3-6. Line 3: This was one of the longest and most dramatic matches of the day, as Aric Ludwig and Barry Brian pushed their opponents to the limit. After splitting the first two sets, 6-4, 4-6, they also went into a tiebreaker but narrowly missed out on victory, losing 7-10. Their back-and-forth contest showcased some of the day’s most exciting tennis. Line 4: The lone victory for Rossmoor came  where Richard Schulman and Ron Kalb delivered a commanding performance, dominating their match with a convincing 6-0, 6-2 win. Their play ensured Rossmoor did not leave the court empty-handed. As is the tradition, the players gathered after the match to enjoy drinks, snacks, and the chance to relax and socialize. Despite the day’s losses, the team spirit remained high, and Rossmoor now looks forward to the opportunity to redeem themselves in a rematch at Oakland Hills later in the season.  Left to Right:  Yoshi Fukamiya, Aric Ludwig, Barry Brian, Al Peters, David Hickey, Richard Schulman, Ron Kalb, Stuart Coffey, Captain Bernie Wolf

Rossmoor Men's Tennis team played its final season match against Blackhawk Country Club on July 3, losing 3 out of 4 lines in close competition.  Some questioned the sanity of the captains for playing in this extreme heat!  The start time was moved to 9 a.m. from noon but temperatures were still in the 80s at the beginning and soared to nearly 100 degrees close to the finish.  The teams showed they were fit and ready even in the hot weather.

Match results

Line 1: Chris Slee and Yoshi Fukamiya lost 4-6, 1-6.
Line 2: Barry Brian and Bernie Wolf lost 4-6, 7-6, 9-11 in the longest match of the day, lasting nearly 3 hours.
Line 3: Tim Walker and David Besenfelder secured the sole victory, with a final score of 3-6, 6-2,10-8 in another long match. 
Line 4: Ike Ichikawa and Bert Sebilia lost 3-6,1-6.

Despite the scorching weather, many players stayed to root for Wolf and Brian in their marathon match.  All players enjoyed the camaraderie and the sharing of drinks and snacks.  The new season won't start until the end of September but practice will continue throughout the summer. 

Written by Bernie Wolf

Men's tennis players, from left, Ike Ichikawa, David Besenfelder, Tim Walker, Captain Bernie Wolf, Bert Sebilia, Barry Brian, Chris Slee, Yoshi Fukamiya. 

The Rossmoor Men's Tennis Team faced off against their familiar and formidable rival, Walnut Creek 1, on June 19. Historically, Rossmoor has struggled against Walnut Creek 1, and today's match was no different, as Rossmoor lost three of the four matches.

Match Results:

• Line #1: Larry Barclay and co-captain Stuart Coffey were up against one of the strongest teams in the league. They were defeated with scores of 3/6, 1/6.
• Line #2: David Hickey and Tim Walker mounted a fierce comeback in the second set but ultimately lost in a tiebreak, with final scores of 2/6, 6/7.
• Line #3: Ike Ichikawa and John Weyland faced a tough opponent and fell with scores of 1/6, 3/6.
• Line #4: Irwin Cohen and Bert Sebilia reversed the tide and secured a solid win for Rossmoor, with scores of 6/2, 6/2.

Rossmoor provided drinks and snacks for all players after the matches concluded. For these senior teams, the competitive spirit is short-lived, and camaraderie quickly takes over in pleasant discussions.

Written by Roger Emanuel

Left to Right:  Larry Barclay, John Weyand, Ike Ichikawa, Co-Captain - Stuart Coffey, Irwin Cohen, Bert Sebilia, Tim Walker, and David Hickey

This match against Walnut Creek #2 team from Heather Farm was postponed a week because of soaring heat, but on June 12, it was finally held at Rossmoor Buckeye Courts. It was a beautiful sunny day with light breezes.  The Rossmoor team has been on a winning streak against WC 2 since November, 2022, and this marked its fourth consecutive victory. 

The lineups were as follows:

• Line #1: David  Besenfelder and Co-captain Stuart Coffey faced a formidable Walnut Creek team. After over two hours of intense play, Rossmoor narrowly lost in the ten-point, third-set tiebreak with scores of 2/6, 6/4, and 10/12.
• Line #2: Al Peters and Larry Barclay were in control of this match and won 6-1, 6-0.
• Line #3: Aric Ludwig and Roger Emanuel, teaming up for the first time, recovered quickly after losing the first 2 games to secure a 6/3, 6/1 victory. 
• Line #4: Irwin Cohen and Bert Sebilia delivered a flawless performance, not dropping a single game and finishing with a perfect 6/0, 6/0. 

Although the play was at Rossmoor, Walnut Creek was the host team and graciously provided drinks and snacks after the matches. The event was marked by pleasant conviviality, both during and after the matches, and the Rossmoor Men's Team eagerly anticipates its next encounter with Walnut Creek #2.

From Left to Right:  Larry Barclay, Al Peters, Irwin Cohen, David Bessonfelder, Bert Sibilia, Stuart Coffey, Aric Ludwig, and Roger Emanuel

Written by Roger Emanuel

On a beautiful sunny day at the newly resurfaced Bay Crow Canyon, the Rossmoor Men's Tennis Team faced a tough challenge, losing 3 out of 5 matches. 

• Line #1: Bob Benz and Yoshi Fukamiya faced a very strong team and were defeated 1/6, 5/7.
• Line #2: Co-captain Stuart Coffey and Al Peters struggled against another strong pair, losing 0/6, 1/6.
• Line #3: In a marathon match lasting over two hours, Aric Ludwig and Tim Walker put up a competitive fight but ultimately lost 4/6, 6/7.  The match featured many strong ground strokes and closely contested points.
• Line #4: Captain Bernie Wolf and David Hickey secured a win with a solid performance, defeating their opponents 6/0, 6/4.
• Line #5: Dave Kern and Barry Brian were dominant, winning their match decisively at 6/1, 6/2.

Bay Crow Canyon was a gracious host, providing chips, dip, wraps, and a variety of drinks and snacks. The Rossmoor Men's team looks forward to a rematch when Crow Canyon visits Rossmoor in the future.

Left to right:  Bob Benz, Al Peters, Tim Walker, Aric Ludwig, David Hickey, Dave Kern, Captain Bernie Wolf, Yoshi Fukamiya.  In front kneeling:  Barry Brian, Stuart Coffey.