Nostalgic Account: Sweet Relief: Why San Francisco's GLTF PacCup Team Win Means Everything

San Francisco GLTF 2022 Pac Cup Champions

I can't believe after 5 tries being on a Pac Cup Team, I'm finally on a winning team that are outright champions! My journey started in 2010 in San Diego, then 2013 in LA, 2016 in Portland, 2018 in Seattle, and the jackpot winners in 2022 in San Diego! Although this post is 4 years overdue, it sort of reminded me of what was finally accomplished and that it completed my bucket list of tennis wins.

After qualifying for this group, I was able to at least play in a doubles match against a team from the other locations in the west coast. Usually, when you are on this team, you would play a singles and a doubles match. Apparently, I got to play just doubles. Teams hail from Vancouver, BC, Canada, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and San Diego. San Diego was the host at that time.

Thrilled to be on a Winning Team! 

I knew this team was formidable. We practiced religiously up to the tournament weekend. Played constant practice matches, and also did several clinic drills and practices. We were a well-oiled team.

I'm so glad we won outright in San Diego. We were uniformed well, we weren't informal; other teams were more casual in appearance and in coherence. We really had the look of winners.

Doubles Partner: Jason - to my right ~ Aaron another winning Doubles Player

Right off the bat, we won nearly all of our singles matches, with just 3 losses out of 15.The doubles was also solid; we had a couple of tough matches, but it was more than enough to solidify a team win and take back the Pac Cup trophy that year.

San Francisco: The red dots tells it all

Since that team victory, I never really applied to get in on other teams in the ensuing years. It took so much out of me to just get on a team, and get to be on a winning team for a change. Five tries at that!

The Joy of Just Playing

I've not played as much tennis in the years following that team championship, but have been fortunate enough to play on league matches playing in doubles. As I get older, I'm a bit off by half a step. Back then, I would be able to chase down drop shots easily, but these days I'm enjoying the fact I can still be on court playing, period.

My mindset has changed over the years: instead of being super competitive on court, I'm happy to just make the shots and rally even though I don't come out with a match win. It's become more of a social experience these days.

Lately, I've become more of a tennis fan watching professional matches from a distance. When you understand how a game is played, you become your own commentator and at times, you end up saying the same thing the commentator in the news box says. Isn't that funny?

Wimbledon, 2025

Tennis will always be my safe space. So glad I picked up that wooden racket and started hitting a tennis ball against a garage door. It's become a life-long sport that I appreciate. I will continue to serve and volley my way to healthy living!

Roger Federer Retires from a Sport He Loves

Credit: Sports Exclusive

Say it isn't so, but it's true, 20 time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer is calling it, he's leaving the sport he has played for over 20 + years. I've watched this man embrace, play, and elevate this sport to a world class level no one in the sport except could imagine, except, say Billie Jean King for my generation. 

We certainly will miss him. He has been a statesmen to the sport, an excellent ambassador to the game and beautiful to watch. Sadly, I came close one year to seeing him play at Indian Wells in 2014, only to find out tickets were sold out for his final. I ended up watching his match  at a nearby Palm Springs bar. Novak Djokovic and Roger battled through a three-set clash, unfortunately Djokovic came out on top.  If only I knew this day would come, but now, this coming weekend will be his last performance. 

He'll be playing at the Laver Cup which he has participated in the past, in London. Certainly, I won't be there, but hopefully Tennis Channel will be able to broadcast this event this weekend. 

My only memorabilia I have of Mr. Federer is a neon green cap with his logo, got on sale of course and not the standard red cap. But love it overall as a memento as my sports hero. 

It will be hard to see him off court and be on the sidelines as this is not normal to see. I truly enjoyed his beautiful tennis form, old school one handed back hand hitting which many in the sport today do not employ. His movements on the court are so surreal, just can't believe how he gets to every ball and changing his rallies from defense to offense in a split second to hit a winning shot against his opponents who of course with stunned looks. 

Tennis will always be my sport I can play in and also watch from the sidelines. Sadly, my favorite player won't be there, but hopefully, other inspiring tennis players will be able to somehow "replicate" his style of play and be the next ambassador to the sport. Maybe. 

Bravo Roger Federer! 

Credit Source

A Notable Quote

"Don't let anyone define you.
You define yourself." ~ Billie Jean King 

SOURCE: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43584584-all-in?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=voQs4Uxzr8&rank=1

Billie Jean King in town for LGBTQ advocacy benefit ~ April 12, 2018

Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco, is looking forward to talking with tennis legend and gay rights activist Billie Jean King.

“I am beyond excited. For the first time in 57 years, I will be able to meet her face-to-face, and I’m sure I’ll gush appropriately like a schoolgirl,” says Kendell, who’s appearing in “Serving Up the Ace,” a benefit for NCLR, a legal LGBTQ advocacy organization, at Brava in The City on Thursday.

The program includes a conversation between King and Kendell and a screening of “Battle of the Sexes,” the 2017 movie with Emma Stone and Steve Carell about the famed 1973 match between World No. 1 tennis star King and ex-champ and hustler Bobby Riggs.

In her talk with King, Kendell says, “I want to find out how she had the fortitude to blaze the path that she did, when really she stood alone. At the time, there were very few other female tennis players beating drum about pay equity.”

Read more in the San Francisco Examiner

Honored to have had April 12, 2018 proclaimed Billie Jean King Day in San Francisco by Mayor @MarkFarrellSF. Thank you to @KateKendell and to all who helped raise funds for @NCLRights last night. #EqualityForAll pic.twitter.com/SRUj3q5jgu

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) April 13, 2018

Oh captain, my captain.

Last night I met up with our Pac Cup team captains and players for cocktails and dinner to celebrate and finish off a good year competing in the annual Pac Cup Tennis Team tournament held in Portland.

GLTF San Francisco PAC Cup Tennis Team 2016

We all agreed it was close but no cigar. San Diego was just a tad better. Imagine putting together a sleuth of dynamic players and figuring out how to best create a winning formula to win the "Cup". Definitely a tall order, but our team captains,  Jason and Marty stepped up to the service line and tossed the ball and hoped for an ace. 

PAC Cup Team Captains, Jason and Marty

I appreciate your efforts, it's never easy but thank you. We hoped you liked your gifts from last night. Let's hope 2017, will be the one! 

Gift Certificates

Tennis Ball Wine Stoppers

PAC Cup Team Delivers First Strike Tennis in Portland, Oregon!

In late September, out of six teams, San Francisco came out solid 2nd place in an attempt to bring back the Cup to the bay area.

First day, out of 12 singles matches, we won 9! It was clearly a message to other teams that we came to play. On the second day, we did equally well in our doubles matches, winning also 9 matches, coming up short in our last three doubles matches. But San Diego came out on top, kudos to SD. However the outcome, each team member played out their "hearts" to put us as close as possible to winning the Cup. 

A winning combination of team and spirit made the journey to Portland all worthwhile. Kudos to our team captains, Marty Tilzer and Jason Goodrick for assembling a winning team!
Will the Cup be ours in 2017? Stay tuned.

Holloran Singles Club Championship 2015 - Bronze

USTA Fremont ClubSport 3.5 Tournament March 2016 - Finalist

Staged a comeback, but came up short in the 3.5 ClubSport Fremont Finals - 6-0, 6-4...kept my opponent on his toes!

On to the next tournament! Grrrrh!!!

Overall tournament results

As of 4/1/2016 Cracked into the top 40 for 3.5 players in Northern California

Las Vegas Classic III 2009

 

Pac Cup Team 2013 - Video - Los Angeles

Tennis Comes Alive in Indian Wells! March 2014

BNP Paribas Open - 2014

Pac Cup 2010 ~ San Diego

Is Federer Done?

Stats:

• Born: Aug 8, 1981 (age 32) · Basel, Switzerland
• Height: 6' 1" (1.85 m)
• Turned pro: 1998 (age 17)
• Grand Slam titles: 17

Roger Federer bursts into the tennis scene I would say circa  2001, when his first beat tennis great, Pete Sampras at Wimbledon. Since break out win...

USGO 2009 picture ~ Marty

Las Vegas Classic VIII Tournament Winners - October 2009

Tournament Results

Las Vegas 2013

Las Vegas 2013, a set on Flickr.

B Singles Champion


Tournament Draw

Latest Tournament Participation: Las Vegas Classic XII

It's been over 2 years since I've gotten to a final round in a tennis tournament. Due in part of other priorities, return to school and the ultimate process of not being engage in the game.

This weekend's tournament is one of the most grueling event. Two matches a day and lots of waiting takes it's toll on the tennis player who hopes to excel in a tournament. The challenge is also whether or not the athlete is conditioned for the sport physically and on a mental level.

The event takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Darling Tennis Center, home of the Tennis Channel Open Mens' Tennis Professional Tournament.

Darling Tennis Center, Las Vegas, NV

I feel this tournament really takes alot of anyone who wants to exceed in the sport.

My scores.

Men's B Singles
Final outcome

Jamie Parker and Edgar Micua

Jamie Parker
B Singles Runner Up - Las Vegas Tennis Club

 

Edgar Micua
B Singles Champion - Las Vegas Tennis Club

Men's B Doubles
Final outcome



Let's see what is in store in 2014.

SAP OPEN 2011 ~ Bay area's ATP World Tour Tournament

Evening Session:

Verdasco vs. Karlovic
Kendrick vs. Monfils

Great match up, all worth it. Good seats, up close and personal. I've been going to this one tournament on and off over the years and this year was extra special because of the players that were scheduled and the company I'm with.

Glad to know you can enjoy the sport with friends and share the camaraderie of it all.

The pictures tell it all.

By the way, Verdasco took care of big guy Karlovic and Monfils got by bay area boy, from Fresno, Kendrick, he tried, but he was being tough on himself.

It's a lesson to be learned that you shouldn't get down, even if you are slightly down, Monfils just kept the ball playing and it paid dividends. Something we shall all be good at and then we can go for our shots!

Enjoy the pics!

GLTF Combo Mens League 6.5B Season End Team Party 2010

2nd Annual Autumn Faire & Market ~ Monte Rio 2010

We received a nice write up about our participation in the recent event held at Monte Rio.

Autumn Faire Thanks: MRRPD
hosted a fee admission event at the
Amphitheater on October 10th for
the second year and was once again
rewarded with good attendance and
beautiful weather. While the band Two
Rock Ramblers played in the afternoon,
craft and food vendors made sales, kids
played in the park, leashed dogs were
everywhere, the Community Garden
(thanks to Marci Martin) held an Open
Gate event, and tennis was the sport of
the day with the help of local enthusiast
Edgar Micua and Michelle Skipwith of
the U.S. Tennis Association.
The community came out and enjoyed
their neighbors, had a glass of wine at
the Monte Rio Chamber booth, and
ate spicy pasta created by Chef Maria
Vieages, old fashioned hotdogs sold by
Monte Rio Watch volunteers and relaxed
on the lawns in the sun. Some joined
Mary Black and Kathleen Hardy and
their students during demonstrations
of Pilates, aerobics and yoga from the
stage – Good Job ladies! And, Natasha
Pehrson did her usual great job organizing
the craft vendors. Our special gratitude
to all our neighbors and community
groups who are responsible for making
this end-of-season fete successful
by showing up, doing the work and
hanging around to enjoy themselves.
(Special, special thanks to Steve Baxman
for his ever-present assistance, strong back
and mellow countenance.)

Read full article Russian River Gazette