TOURNAMENT CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

April brought the first USTA Level 1/Level 2 tournament that many of our NWTO members were able to play in over a year. Fifty NWTO members, along with about 100 other female players, filled out the women’s draws at the 2021 Wilson World Tennis Classic held at Shadow Mountain Resort in Palm Desert, CA, April 1-11.

Tournament Director, Caerwyn Evans, deserves a standing ovation for organizing this event despite the “in progress” status of the new USTA online registration site and unexpected Covid-required last-minute precautions. He did an outstanding job of making sure all the events ran smoothly for tournament week.

With players for both Men and Women ranging in ages from 35 to 80s at this highly attended event, play was staggered over 5 sites with the youngest beginning play on Friday, April 2nd and the 75s and 80s beginning play on April 8th. Our youngest players appreciate being able to complete most of their matches on the weekend, taking less time off of work. This youth to age model was used for both the Level 1 Mixed Doubles National as well as the Level 2 Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles.

NWTO hosted a table where members could stop to pick up the NWTO amenities for this tournament. Each member received a voucher for a free box lunch at the onsite restaurant, Delish, as well as a NWTO logo tote bag. There was also a free raffle for an entry to the singles and doubles at the Mission Hills Level 1 Hard Court Nationals in October.

Our table volunteers also shared their enthusiasm for NWTO and encouraged players who were not yet NWTO members to join there. Any women who joined at our table during the tournament received our member amenities plus extra raffle tickets. Thanks to our volunteers at this table, we were able to attract a number of new members.