Boulders Tennis Players Association Summer 2023 – Fall 2023 Boulders Tennis Summer Wrap-up: Despite insanely hot temperatures forcing most play into dawn morning hours there was a lot of tennis activity at the Boulders this summer. On many days all five courts were in action with doubles group play, Resort lessons, and daily drills. Play was concentrated within regularly scheduled and self-managed groups, and evenly divided among year-round Boulders Club members and Associate Tennis members. There were occasional heat tolerant resort guests who were added to our play. More about the status of these groups for Fall and Spring season later in this note.
The following groups are currently active at the Boulders. Players include Boulders Club members, Boulders Resort Associate Tennis members, and occasional guest players. If you are interested in finding out more about joining one of these groups simply contact the member listed.
Saturday Morning Member Tennis: This is our longest standing Boulders tennis activity. After more than a decade of service organizing, gently cajoling members, and magically finding “fill in” players, Mary Dinkel passed the Saturday morning management baton to Jim Jepson. Jim has performed yeoman service in organizing and actively pairing up members and finding guest substitutes when necessary to complete a court. Based on weekly response, play is organized with skill parity across teams, with women’s, men’s, and mixed doubles courts. A first set of tennis Is played, then one doubles team changes courts, changes partners, and then play a second set with two new players and a new doubles partner. Two hours are allocated for play and many times three court rotations can be accomplished. Playing in the Saturday morning group is a good way to meet other Boulders tennis players in a friendly round robin format. Signup uses an Evite online system. If you are interested in receiving weekly Evite invitations send Jim Jepson an email and he will add you to the Evite mailing list.
Women’s League Team: The Boulders Club women’s team participates in the Arizona Tennis Association and competes against other clubs in the Valley. Competition involves three courts of doubles play and the team level is currently NTRP 3.5. Contact Julie Brennan for more information regarding the Boulders Club Women’s Team.
Monday Morning Tennis (MMT): The largest organized tennis group at the Boulders can also claim the longest history of continuous play. MMT consists of over 30 players, men, and women, who play at local courts, some in other communities such as Legend Trail, Mirabel, and Terravita, as well as nearby private courts on Monday morning. The Boulders typically hosts two courts each Monday. The age range (60’s-80’s) and level of play (NTRP 3.0 -4.0) makes for interesting matches. A monthly scheduler is tasked with assembling four to five courts with competitive pairings each week. MMT sponsors a fall breakfast and spring dinner each year. The Boulders is well represented by about 15 Club and Associate Tennis members who play MMT. MMT is governed by its own Executive Council. Membership is by invitation only, and applicants usually serve as substitute players before becoming members. Contact Brian Butler for more information regarding MMT.
Tuesday – Thursday Intermediate Men’s Tennis: The largest category of tennis players at the Boulders plays in the 3.0 – 3.5 (intermediate) NTRP range. Historically this group self-organized to play on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings. Many of the organizers for this group were Associate Tennis members who have left the Boulders for Winfield and Rio Verde. However, a critical mass of this group are seasonal Boulders Club members and we plan to reconstitute regular play this fall. Contact Dave McKeown if you are interested in helping to reorganize this group. Tuesday- Thursday Intermediate Women’s Tennis:Weekly women’s doubles play offered twice a week for 2 hours. Open to all Boulders members who can play at the 3.0 level and up. Courts are loosely assigned according to level of play. Contact Julie Brennan for more information.
Wednesday – Friday Advanced Tennis: This group plays continuously over the entire year, generally with two courts and in season requiring three. Open to men and women players who are in the 3.5 – 4.5 NTRP (advanced) range. Play format is like Saturday morning member tennis in that after each set, teams split and move to another court. Play is scheduled for two hours, allowing for three sets to be played. There are about 18 players in this group and play schedules are made up in two-week blocks. Contact Dave McKeown if you would like more information.
Sunday Mixed Doubles: A recent addition to organized tennis play at the Boulders is a Sunday mixed doubles group made up of couples who enjoy playing in a round robin format. Currently limited to four couples; contact Mike Kirby for more information about this group.