Novato City Championships

Then second day of the Novato City Championships offered warming temperatures, calm skies, a gourmet BBQ lunch, some great tennis and a whole lot of fun!

In matches of particular drama /divisional significance….In Men’s 3.5’s the seeds #1 Robert Bramble/John Summerlin 6-3, 6-4 and #2 Wallace Mondesire/David Wong 6-3, 6-3 are holding nicely. In the Men’s 4.0 both top seeds were upset and no remaining team has lost a set. Leading the seed busting charge were Mikhail Posylkin and Tony Soruco (6-4, 6-2) and Geoff Meyer and Craig Flax (6-2, 6-3). In Men’s 4.5 Semi-final action Robert Cresswell and Matt Halligan downed Augusto Acosta and Richard Chapman 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 in a match of particular athleticism and shot making that thrilled a packed house.

In Women’s 3.0, Team Lisa (Brayer and Breheney) eeeked out a crazy win 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (12-10). In Women’s 3.5’s the #3 and #4 seeds were knocked out by Helen Chang and Debra Hackman 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 (10-7), and by Diane Connor and Lillian Hom 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-6) in two thrillers. And speaking of thrillers how about Women’s 4.0 doubles where Bev Britton and Bonnie Mandel outlasted the #4 seed 1-6, 6-4, 1-0 (17-15). No that is not a misprint, 17-15! Next up for them is Team Wilson (Heather and Bryn) who also provided their own drama 3-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-5).

And a good case can be made that the most exiting tennis yet to be competed will be played out in the Mixed Doubles categories. In Mixed 3.0 it will be an all RHC final between Jaimie Banton and Lisa Brayer 7-5, 6-4 and Rick Hernandez and Lisa Breheney 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. The Mixed 3.5’s are just coming to a semi final crux with the top seeds having a first round bye and Steven Walker/Suzi Dupries 6-0, 7-5 and Bea Agins/Kent Castle 6-3, 6-1 moving forward to meet them today at high noon thirty. In Mixed 4.0 the only seed to fall was #4 who lost to Kyle Ruth and Bryn Wilson 6-3, 6-0. The remaining teams are all very strong and looking good.

The exciting matches continue today (semi final day) at 8:30 am. Come enjoy this special event it is not only a Tennis Tournament it is a weekend long event...dining, socializing, thrills and spills (the beverage kind)...join us and all your existing and new friends. Special thanks to Clos du Bois, Moylans Brewery, and Dining by Martha!

Neither gust, nor mist nor gloom of night stayed these players from the sensational completion of their appointed first rounds…at the Novato City Championships. The 2012 edition got off to a great start last night! The mood was festive, the food and drink plentiful and exquisite, the company delightful. Special thanks to Clos du Bois pouring their wines on Friday evening, Moylans Brewery, and Dining by Martha!

On the courts the competition was fierce and fun. In the Men’s 4.0 feature match Geoff Meyer and Craig Flax proved themselves worthy of a Saturday meeting with the #2 seeds, besting a very game and fence crashing Scott McClintock and Todd Snyder 6-2 and 6-2. A couple courts down in a Women’s 3.5 doubles match worthy of 4.0 status, Helen Chang and Debra Hackman bested Krissey Banton and Kat Shotz 6-4, 6-4 In 3.5 more Women’s Martha Martinez and Paulette Moe warmed up for a Saturday date with the #2 seeds with an uncharacteristically easy 6-1, 6-0 match over a normally game Nicole Hoyal and Heidi Barron. In another feature match that lived up to billing, Dory Drucker and Suzanne Ross got a win for the home team besting Jane Dudley and Cybil O’leary 7-6 (6), 6-3. In additional Mixed sction in 3.0 Glenn Axworthy and Beth Huber will face the #1 seeds after a 6-1, 6-0 win over Luna Han and David Law. In a Mixed 4.0 match showcasing power and strength Santiago Rodao-Cuello and Norma Brewer bested Tony Soruco and Jeri Obert 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. In another 4.0 Mixed tussle Kyle Ruth and Bryn Wilson Served notice that the seeding committee may have got it all wrong besting a very game Roy and Carlene Gale 6-0-6-1. And in the match of the night Diane Brocco and Elein Phipps squeaked by Jennifer Gil and Mary Ellen Steiger 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8) in Womens 4.0 doubles.

Matches continue today at 8:30 am, highlighted by a players breakfast and lunch. Guests can purchase lunch tickets for $8. Come enjoy this event it is not only a Tennis Tournament it is a weekend long celebration...dining, socializing, thrills and spills (the beverage kind)...join us and all your existing and new friends.

Matches start Friday at 5:30! TRAFFIC FOR FRIDAY NIGHT PLAYERS......Labor Day holiday traffic on 101 North will be very heavy. Please allow extra time to get to Rolling Hills, you may take an alternate route if traffic is backed up in Novato. Take the South Novato Blvd. exit, continue on Novato Blvd. for a few miles to San Marin Drive. Turn right on San Marin Drive, at the 3rd stop sign turn left on San Andreas, the club is on the left.

Friday night features an Opening Night Tournament Party complete with a full dinner and drinks for all tournament players. Guests are also invited for a $20 charge. Friday night players are already accounted for....IF YOU ARE NOT playing Friday night and wish to attend please RSVP so that we can get a general count for diners.