East Bay – September 2009
Bryans Bros. Coming to Alta Bates Classic
by Joel Drucker
You’d be hard-pressed to find a tennis event that more powerfully personifies the concept “think globally, act locally” than the Alta Bates Summit Celebrity Classic (ABSCC). Held each year at the Berkeley TC, the event funds projects that directly serve the greater East Bay – and has earned a reputation as one of the most successful charity tennis events in the world. Over the course of its 18-year history, the ABSCC has generated more than $4 million in net proceeds for a vast number of projects, ranging from prostate cancer, cardiology, AIDS, breast cancer, maternity and youth-at-risk.
The Panchos — Segura and Gonzalez — were the Alta Bates event’s first legends, in 1993. They’re pictured above with Alta Bates Summit Foundation president and CEO Steve Lundin.
This year’s event, benefiting cardiovascular services, will takes place on Sept. 26, and will feature the No. 1 doubles team of Mike and Bob Bryan. The twins will be on-site hitting balls with participants in the morning and then play an afternoon exo with top NorCal players hosted by KGO sportscaster Rich Walcoff.
The Bryan Bros. join a long list of legends who’ve been part of this event. Pancho Gonzalez and Pancho Segura kicked it all off in ‘93 with a trademark blend of ribald banter and skilled shotmaking. Since then, such stars as Monica Seles, Rod Laver, Lindsay Davenport, Tracy Austin, Roy Emerson, Jim Courier, Mats Wilander, John Newcombe, Stan Smith, Ilie Nastase and the Jensens Bros. have made apperances.
World-class tennis players haven’t been the only special guests. Celebrities from entertainment and sports have been part of the action too. Notable participants have included Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, Lars Ulrich and Vida Blue. For more info, visit investmentinmiracles.org, or call (510) 204-1667.
Blackhawk CC: A Little Piece of Paradise
East of suburbia in the wide-open spaces that define Blackhawk CC, you enter a little piece of paradise (especially for sports enthusiasts) nestled in the shadows of Mount Diablo. Blackhawk CC boasts a large tennis family and hosts numerous USTA Leagues, teams and social events.
“Our USTA history is rich in competition and results,” said Blackawk tennis director Brian Berry. “We’ve had adults teams go to Districts, our junior travel teams, which we just started last year are already a big hit.”
But what sets this club apart from other Bay Area facilities isn’t what happens on the courts, but the philanthropic work spearheaded by the Blackhawk Women’s Tennis Association off the courts that attracts attention.
“Every October, we host the Blackhawk Ladies Invitational,” Berry explained. “Last year, monies raised went to the USTA’s inner-city youth program, with past charities that included Hospice, food banks and beast cancer.”
This year, the ladies are playing to raise money for Shepherd’s Gate, an emergency shelter for women and children.
Never-Say-Die Attitude Paying Off for Chamdani
Mariska Chamdani: “I’m always going to give 100 percent.”
When Mariska Chamdani was down three match points in the quarters at the Modesto Junior Championships in March, it never crossed her mind that she could lose.
“I’m never going to give up. I’m always going to give 100 percent, no matter what,” Chamdani said.
Playing up an age division, the speedy 14-year-old from Santa Clara is just one of many players at Tompkins Tennis in Fremont that has had a breakthrough year. And yes, she did come back to win the quarterfinal match and soared straight through the bracket to win the singles title 7-5, 6-1, plus, took home the doubles title to boot. Her lightning speed, attacking offense and all-court game earned her another win — probably her best tournament to date — at the 14s Sectionals held in Aptos in June. As the No. 1 seed, Chandani lost only 12 games and finished with a flourish beating Isabella Heidenreich 6-0, 6-1 in the finals.
“Her speed really makes her stand out,” explained her coach, Richard Tompkins. “Mariska definitely has the talent to start winning on a national level.”
Gregg Advances to Little Mo Nationals (Again)
Albany’s Perry Gregg defeated Jenson Brooksby 6-1, 6-4 to win the Little Mo West Regional boys’ 9s title on July 5 at the Cal Club. With the win, Gregg advances to the Little Mo Nationals in Austin, Texas, in October as the No. 1 seed. He won the Little Mo Nationals 8s in Austin last year. Also advancing was boys’ 10s winner Conrad Russell of Los Altos Hills.
Titlist Perry Gregg (left) and runner-up Jenson Brooksby with their Little Mo trophies at the Cal Club.
Cal, Mississippi, Michigan, Harvard to Face Off at Meadowood Resort in St. Helena
From a coach and competitor’s standpoint, the Napa Valley Tennis Classic is an indicator of “Who’s Who” for the Golden Bears. The prestigious flagship tournament for men’s collegiate tennis will be held at the luxurious Meadowood Resort in St. Helena, Sept. 18-20. This year, Cal will play host to Mississippi, Michigan and Harvard.
“This is one of the most coveted tournament invitations in men’s collegiate tennis,” said Cal skipper Peter Wright, who founded the tournament with Meadowood pro Doug King.
Local wineries, including Bond, Merryvale, Miner Family Vineyards, PlumpJack, El Molino and Mumm Napa, will “adopt” the teams during the three-day event. Land Rover is returning as the title sponsor. New to the tournament is presenting sponsor Team Co Advisors.
Already showing promise in Wright’s lineup is newcomer Riki McLachlan of New Zealand. McLachlan not only competed in the junior bracket at the French Open and Wimbledon, but he’ll also jet back and forth between the courts at the Napa Classic and the U.S. Open. Also making his Cal debut is Denmark’s Christopher Konigsfeldt. Among the returnees are Nick Andrews, Jonathan Dahan, Bo Katsarov, Zach Gilbert and Pedro Zerbini. For more info on the Napa Classic, call (510) 642-1153.
Bay-O-Vista: New Pro, New Ideas, New Attitude
The future of the game is definitely looking up at Bay-O-Vista with the arrival of head pro Bill Conway, a go-getter who is ready to take the club up a notch. Or two. When he was at Oakland’s Davie Tennis Stadium, he grew the junior program from a meager four kids to over 30 kids racing to get on the courts, while doubling the amount of adult league teams.
“My focus is to build an entire community,” said Conway. “My focus isn’t limited to just one group, but rather from four-year-olds all the up to Super Senior events.”
Conway’s approach to positive teaching emphasizes group clinics versus private lessons.
“If a student learns the game in a clinic atmosphere with similar students on the same level, they’ve already made friends to play and practice with right off.” For info about the San Leandro club, visit bovswim.com or call (510) 357-8366.
In Brief
Mark your calendars for Sept. 27 at 12:45 p.m. for the Tennis Scoreboard Dedication and Donor Recognition hosted by Cal Intercollegiate Athletics at the Hellman Tennis Complex. In place of the annual kick-off event hosted by the BTC, Cal will toast its ‘09-’10 men’s and women’s teams and host exhibition matches.
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