Outdoor tennis season begins on Bainbridge

July 3, 2017 1:30 pm
Photo courtesy of Julie Riely | Ann Frothingham, Yolando Cole, Kathy Henrickson and BCTA Coordinator, John Tappen, gather at the net during a break in Social Doubles recently. Photo courtesy of Julie Riely | Ann Frothingham, Yolando Cole, Kathy Henrickson and BCTA Coordinator, John Tappen, gather at the net during a break in Social Doubles recently. Photo courtesy of Julie Riely | Ann Frothingham, Yolando Cole, Kathy Henrickson and BCTA Coordinator, John Tappen, gather at the net during a break in Social Doubles recently. Photo courtesy of Julie Riely | Ann Frothingham, Yolando Cole, Kathy Henrickson and BCTA Coordinator, John Tappen, gather at the net during a break in Social Doubles recently.
Photo courtesy of Julie Riely | Ann Frothingham, Yolando Cole, Kathy Henrickson and BCTA Coordinator, John Tappen, gather at the net during a break in Social Doubles recently. Photo courtesy of Julie Riely | Ann Frothingham, Yolando Cole, Kathy Henrickson and BCTA Coordinator, John Tappen, gather at the net during a break in Social Doubles recently. Photo courtesy of Julie Riely | Ann Frothingham, Yolando Cole, Kathy Henrickson and BCTA Coordinator, John Tappen, gather at the net during a break in Social Doubles recently. Photo courtesy of Julie Riely | Ann Frothingham, Yolando Cole, Kathy Henrickson and BCTA Coordinator, John Tappen, gather at the net during a break in Social Doubles recently.

BAINBRIDGE – Bainbridge Community Tennis Association has launched its 10th season of free summer outdoor doubles play.

Tuesday night programs are arranged by ability, with two courts of Intermediate Doubles and four courts of Social Doubles at 5 p.m. at the Bainbridge High School courts, and at 7 p.m., six courts of Advanced Doubles.

On Thursday evenings and Saturdays mornings, BCTA offers two time slots for all levels of play where club coordinators arrange matches to provide competitive tennis for each level that signs up.

There is no need for aspiring players to be a member. BCTA welcomes anyone 18 years and older to play in their adult doubles and occasionally invites minors of exceptional ability.

The organization also welcomes people from further afield. Some tennis players travel from as far away as Kingston and Bremerton to play, and in years past visitors from a variety of states have found the group on the web and joined in while they were visiting the island.

The nonprofit began in 2008 with a few score members and has grown to a diverse group of 150 players of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Some participants play all year long, weather permitting; others join in summer-only.

As a way to fulfill their mission of building community through recreational play, the tennis assocition offers free new and returning player clinics on Saturday mornings in July, as well.

The club also holds an annual tennis tournament, dinner-social and exhibition match at Wing Point Golf & Country Club. This year’s event, open to all, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26.

Visit www.bainbridgecta.com to learn more about the association, sign up for their free adult weekly programs, request a spot in their free new player clinic, register for the Aug. 26 tournament, or for more information.