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TENNIS CLUB Don Holway, dbh1124@live.com

We all know that late summer is
the time we can expect threats of
hurricanes. This year we again
found ourselves in the crosshairs
as Hurricane Irma bore down on
Punta Gorda. As the hurricane
approached, the Tennis Club
rallied a contingent of players,
from the Women’s and Men’s
competitive teams, to prepare the
courts prior to the arrival of Irma. After the storm passed
everything at the courts was intact. Janet Lynn and Connie
Merritt coordinated with the Ladies Open Tennis group, to
move all the equipment back onto the courts. An
unexpected benefit of the hurricane was the “pressure
cleaning” the wind and rain provided to the courts. They are Preparing the courts for Irma
now extremely clean.

It is always appreciated when members take the initiative to
help maintain and upgrade the courts. A special thank you
to Sue Fuller for recognizing that the scoreboard covers
were looking a little ragged, and volunteered to fabricate
new covers. They have now been placed on the
scoreboards.

We would like to welcome new members Dave and Carol
Fisher.

Scheduling reminder: Our courts are now on the Winter
Schedule for dedicated time. Use our online scheduling
website to reserve the ball machine and court time during
non-dedicated time periods. Preparing the courts for Irma
http://pgitennis.wikispaces.com. Full instructions for using
the Reservation System are included on the website.

New members are always welcome regardless of their level
of play. For more information please visit our web-site at www.pgica.org/clubs/tennis.htm or contact Don Holway at
941 347-4420, dbh1124@live.com.

Rule of the Month from USTA Publication “2017 Friends at Court”. Making Calls:

*Player makes calls on own side of net.
A player calls all shots landing on, or aimed at, the player’s side of the net.

*Opponent gets benefit of doubt.
A player should always give the opponent the benefit of any doubt. When a match is played without officials, the players
are responsible for making decisions, particularly for line calls. There is a subtle difference between player decisions
and those of an on-court official. An official impartially resolves a problem involving a call, whereas a player is guided by
the principle that any doubt must be resolved in favor of an opponent. A player in attempting to be scrupulously honest
on line calls frequently will keep a ball in play that might have been out or that the player discovers too late was out.
Even so, the game is much better played this way.

*Ball touching any part of line is good.
If any part of a ball touches a line, the ball is good. A ball 99% out is still 100% good. A player shall not call a ball out
unless the player clearly sees space between where the ball hits and a line.

*Ball that cannot be called out is good.
Any ball that cannot be called out is considered to be good. A player may not claim a let on the basis of not seeing a
ball. One of tennis’ more infuriating moments occurs after a long hard rally when a player makes a clean placement and
an opponent says: “I’m not sure if it was good or out. Let’s play a let.” Remember, it is each player’s responsibility to call
all balls landing on, or aimed at, the player’s side of the net. If a ball cannot be called out with certainty, it is good. When
a player says an opponent’s shot was really out but offers to replay the point to give the opponent a break, it seems
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