RSF Tennis Club welcomes new board, new program

RANCHO SANTA FE — The RSF Tennis Club has a new board, headed by President Dave Van Den Berg, and a renewed sense of purpose. The board as a whole decided in August after the elections of its directors that it wanted to be a proactive board with new programs that are compatible with the community at large, building upon the foundation that the past boards had established. The Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club is a private club dedicated to offering our community a tennis facility providing instruction and competition for all levels of play in a social and welcoming environment. The development of a new Mission Statement was followed with objectives and goals put in place. One of the most important goals was to attract more members, bring back members that have left and increase benefits to current members.

The current board of directors includes Dave Van Den Berg – President; Barbara McClanahan – Secretary; Herb Holmquist- House & Grounds; Shari Sapp-Treasurer; Perrin Orr – Membership; Marina Pastor and Christine Finkelson – Social Committee; Scott DeGoler – Communications and Paul LeBeau – Special Committee Chairman. The board meets the second Wednesday of each month. The Club is open seven days a week 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 5829 Via de la Cumbre. For more information, call (858) 756-4459.

“The club has instituted many new and wonderful events, programs, clinics and exhibitions all being held at the club each month‚” said director, Christine Finkelson,  “For example we’ve had USTA tournaments, clinics with San Diego’s professional tennis team, The Aviators, Pro vs. Pro exhibitions held between clubs in the area, Social Mixers, an Open Week for the community to play tennis for free during Rancho Days, and our latest addition Pickle Ball.

The club’s Junior Program has 60-plus participants. The Tennis Club has expanded the program to include the fifth-graders from the Rancho Santa Fe Middle School.

“We want to get them as soon as they can walk‚” said Head Pro, Derek Miller, who coaches the school team,  “The school district is very active in supporting our efforts. Eighty-five percent of these children live in the covenant thus achieving one of our objectives of the club, which is to grow locally in our Junior Program.

“The RSF Tennis Club boasts national champions at all levels some of whom will be the rising stars of the future. They all play at the club and can be seen most any day practicing on our courts. The Tennis Club encourages the community to come out and watch these amazing athletes. The RSF Tennis Club has very active league participation both for the women and men.”

“We’ve just added a AA women’s team and a B women’s team that can be fielded outside of the club if necessary thus expanding opportunities for all our women players,” Director of Tennis and past president of the United States Professional Tennis Association San Diego Division, Dophie Poiset said.

Director Herb Holmquist is in charge of the plans being instituted to update the club facilities and the courts in addition to adding Pickle Ball on a regular basis.