The 2022 tennis season saw the creation of two tennis leagues for women and the continuation of the men’s league.
Yvonne Merrick captained the women’s Super Senior Team (65 + years) playing matches with teams in Oakland, Concord, Danville, San Ramon and Walnut Creek. Under Yvonne’s guidance, the team placed in the middle of the rankings….an admirable result for a newly formed team.
Mary Benin took on the leadership for the new season and also created a new team with a 50 + age restriction allowing several players under 65 years of age to play more competitive matches.
The two teams practice together Monday mornings and have many overlapping members. To find out more about the women’s team, contact Mary Benin at or 602-692-7765
The Men’s Tennis Team, captained by Dave Kern, is one of 8 teams that participates in the Senior Men’s Inter-club League, known as SMIL. While competitive, the SMIL league is a more friendly and relaxed type of competitive tennis with teams located in the East Bay. The team’s roster includes over 50 players with a minimum skill level of 3.0. All are welcome to practice with the team every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. To get more information about the team, contact Dave Kern at or 808-721-5599
New Ball Machine Members are required to have a training on the operation of the Ball Machine with the RTC Facilities Manager prior to initial use.
Use of the Ball Machine is exclusively for RTC Members who have paid the additional Ball Machine fee and have received proper instruction on its use.
This eliminates use by non-paid RTC members, family members i.e., spouse, partner, grandchildren etc. or any other guests.
The lockbox combo is NOT to be shared. If someone asks for it, please refer them to the RTC Facilities Manager who maintains an authorized list of users.
Ball Machine is NOT to be used when any signs of dampness are on Court 2. Do not use any of the balls from the shed on damp court.
Ball Machine hours are 9:00 am till dark.
Tennis games take precedence until 11:00 am except for clinics.
Ball Machine Users may wait list for the Ball Machine on Court 2 after 11:00 am. Playing time is one hour.
If Ball Machine fails to function properly, stop use immediately and report to the RTC Facilities Manager.
As theRossmoor Tennis Club Board of Directors welcomes the new year it wants to thank the remarkable efforts of the retiring Board members.
President Larry Barclay’s leadership these past two years has been remarkable. Always approachable, he helped bring us back from the COVID shutdown to full utilization of the tennis courts, was instrumental in the installation of a backboard to help newer players improve their game, and brought to the attention of GRF the deteriorating nature of the courts. As a result, cracks on the courts were repaired in 2022 and the courts are scheduled to be resurfaced in 2023. Finally, Larry helped GRF to come to an amicable decision to locate a new pickleball facility adjacent to the Event Center rather than taking away existing tennis courts.
For the past five years, Chris Slee has been Tournament Director, recruiting volunteers and overseeing around twenty club tournaments annually. Much of his good works go unseen – the upgrading of the Club’s website and improvements in the management of tournaments.
Dave Hickey as Social Director increased the number of always popular Saturday Evening BBQ’s, adding fun activities and broadening participation. He also invigorated the annual New Member Welcome Party. Always enough food and drink, the socials have been booming successes.
Amy Bollinger as Publicity Director has both publicized tennis events with pictures and articles but also expanded coverage to include articles of broader interest to the tennis community and others especially during the months of COVID restrictions.
The tennis community has been greatly enhanced by the contributions of all four retiring Board members.
The Tennis Club Tournament of Champions brings the end to a great season of competition at Rossmoor, shortened a little because of Covid-19.
This is an invitation only event for anyone finishing in the top three scoring positions for any of the other tournaments during the year. Not surprisingly, the standard of play was very high with tight play and close results. Indeed, the overall results were all open going into the last round and all six top players could hardly have been closer.
Photo L to R: Dave Kern, Pauline Hanley, Yvonne Merrick, Bob Benz, Ken Steiner, Carol Pillsbury
On the mens' side there was a tie between Bob Benz and Ken Steiner for top honors, with Dave Kern one point off the pace.
The womens' competition was just as tight with Pauline Hanley taking first place, one point ahead of Yvonne Merrick, who was one point ahead of Carol Pillsbury in third.
Everyone had a great time. The event was hosted by Tournament Director Chris Slee who would like to thank all the volunteers who help run these events during the past year.
We all look forward to a complete season in 2022.
Photo L to R: Dave Kern, Pauline Hanley, Yvonne Merrick, Bob Benz, Ken Steiner, Carol Pillsbury
You must show proof of vaccination upon entry into the Fireside Room.
The annual Holiday Party for Tennis Club members and guests will be held on Thursday December 16, 2021 in the Fireside Room at Gateway from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. The cocktail hour will begin at 5pm with wine, beer and soft drinks. A sit down dinner catered by Creekside will be served at 6pm starting with a salad. The entrée choices for this year’s dinner are filet tips, salmon or stuffed butternut squash. These will be served with skin on russetmashed potatoes and a seasonal vegetable.. Cake will be served for dessert.
Music will be provided by a disc jockey starting at 5 pm.
The cost for the party is $45.00 per person. Make checks payable to the Rossmoor Tennis Club or RTC. Please send your check to Pamela Ovalle, 1801 Skycrest Dr. # 7, Walnut Creek, CA 94595 and include your choice of entrée and the name of partner or guest. The deadline for checks is December 8th.
If you have any questions about this event or how you canvolunteer to help, please contact the event organizer DavidHickey at 805 868 6040 or email David at
Saturday saw the last Wild Card tournament of the 2021 Season. There was a full card with 12 men and 12 women including five newcomers out for their first tournament with the club. Chris Slee, tournaments chair, was on hand to host the event.
On the womens' side, newcomer Mary Benin and Terry Quinlan took first place honors. Anna George and Delia Wilkes took second place jointly, while Joan Gardner had the third highest score.
Barry Brian, playing in his first Wild Card, overcame his opponents with topspin, side-spin and underspin, anything but a simple flat shot. Jerry Robinson and Rick Sterling came in second, while newcomer Greg Hanson had the third highest total. Congratulations to all the winners.
The upcoming 2021 Womens Doubles Tournament is planned for Sat October 16 at 9 am and the last opportunity to win an invitation to the November Tournament of Champions. Rossmoor Tennis Club members may sign up at the Buckeye Tennis Complex kiosk. Stuart Coffey and Ike Ichikawa are the hosts for this event.
Rules for Buckeye Tennis Effective 17 Mar 2021 ... Doubles!
As updated by GRF/MOD
Buckeye Tennis Courts are for Rossmoor Residents only.
Must adhere to social distancing of 6’ at all times.
Masks must be worn at all times when not playing. Masks are strongly recommended while playing doubles.
If sick or exposed to Covid-19, stay home.
Use Hand sanitizer stations and/or wash hands for 20 seconds frequently.
No sign-in at kiosk. If courts are full, alert others you are waiting.
Limit to 60 minutes for match when people are waiting.
Doubles play is permitted however there is no mixing of partners during a visit. Play must be with the same partner.
Those waiting for court time must sit a minimum of 6’ apart, only one person per bench.
No gatherings before or after matches.
No sharing of club or personal equipment.
No tournament play, league play, or group instruction.
No handshakes or contact.
BBQ area will remain closed.
Use of Golden Rain Facilities is subject to City, County, and State Health Code directives. Conditions of use may change without notice. Abuse of these rules may jeopardize the use of this facility for all Residents.
