Hello tennis players!!!Cora took some pictures of our trip to beautiful Trilogy at Vistancia in Peoria, Arizona and we would like to share them with you.
The GOOD LIFE GAMES concept is about many things but mainly it is about COMPETING, WINNING and CONNECTING. It provided us non-stop fun and excitement from the moment we arrived in Arizona.
ABOUT COMPETING AND WINNING
Our tennis team competed in the finals against the regional winners of four Trilogy communities. Although the designers of the GOOD LIFE GAMES hoped for light competition, our tennis players trained to win every point, and if necessary, win without mercy.
Our women's doubles team of Judy Griffith and Marsha Penning played to win, and boy did they win, they played to near perfection. They played four opponents and they beat every opponent who stood in their way.
Our mix-doubles team of Naomi Subala and Orlando Devera, from the coaches view, were better players but the leg cramps by our player got the best of her. Naomi and Orlando were always in the match as evidenced by three consecutive 12 point tie-breakers.ABOUT CONNECTING
There were many events designed to make connections with the players from the four other Trilogy communities and Trilogy staff members. The night before the tournament, all the players, players' guests and staff members from the other Trilogy communities were treated to a sumptuous Mariachi theme dinner and live entertainment at the gorgeous backyard festive setting at the Kiva Club at Trilogy at Vistancia. The staff members visited every dinner table introducing themselves. Even Tim Steckbeck, Vice President Resort & Golf Services for Shea Homes Incorporated chatted with us and he too watched exciting tennis.
Another event designed to interact socially was Saturday morning before the Tournament. Celebrity tennis player John Austin conducted a clinic. Every player got to hit balls with John Austin and when not hitting balls, players were interacting socially.
The last event designed to connect was Saturday evening at the awards banquet held at the Marriott Resort Hotel where we were staying. During cocktail hour people were interacting. After dinner and awards were presented a live band entertained with dancing music. The dance floor was always packed and Marsha even danced with John Austin.Here's what Naomi had to say about CONNECTING. "I guess the most important memory I would cherish was the camaraderie and the bond which brought us Trilogy at Rio Vista tennis team together whether in or outside the tennis courts. It is my greatest privilege to have played in the first historical tennis event for our community. I have also gained quite a few tennis friends from Trilogy at Redmond Ridge in Washington and Trilogy at Glen Ivy in California. They even invited us to visit and play with them."
Sometimes it is difficult to have friendly social interaction against an opponent you just destroyed with a score of 6-1. But after a match, you cannot help interacting with Judy and Marsha because not only do THEY HAVE GAMES, they also are extremely friendly with a tremendous sense of humor. After the tournament, in the bus on the way back to the Marriott Hotel Resort, two female opponents approached Judy and Marsha and one said, "We want to invite you both to our tennis club to see if anyone could get a point off you. The player who gets a point off you will win a prize." Everybody in the bus heard this and it evoked laughter from everyone. By the way, we also interacted with Southwest Airlines employees. At over 5,000 feet above ground level, the staff sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JUDY GRIFFITH.
ABOUT JOHN AUSTIN
John Austin is the brother of former tennis start Tracy Austin who presently does tennis announcing on television. Yaz Tavatli, my tennis contact at Vistancia and the coordinator of the tournament, told me that John and Tracy won Winmbledon tennis doubles championship about 1982. John was very sociable and he spent a lot of time chatting with us. Out of curiosity, I asked which tennis resort he is presently handling and he told me that about 100 miles away from Phoenix, he is in charge of 25 courts. I asked why would a tennis complex have this many tennis courts and he said for big national tournaments.
ABOUT JOEL REGER
Joel Reger, Resort Operations Director here at Trilogy at Rio Vista, played a major role for our team and did an outstanding job. He flew ahead of us because he wanted to make sure the that he will be there at the Phoenix airport to greet us and provide bus transportation for the tennis players, the golf players and players' guests. He was constantly on his cell phone to call the other end that we are on the way. He accompanied us to all the events and made sure we are all taken care properly. Joel even watched the tennis matches and we could tell he had pride in our Rio Vista team. During the evening festivities, he made sure everything ran smoothly. When the bus came late to the hotel in the morning because of mechanical problem, as soon as the replacement bus came, he and an associate arranged to phone the other end to have hot coffee ready. Again, Joel did an incredibly outstanding job and we could not thank him enough.ABOUT KIRSTI EVANS
Our departure to Phoenix from here in Rio Vista would not have been possible without the help from Kirsti Evans, Activity Director here at Trilogy at Rio Vista. Kirsti made sure everybody got their airplane tickets and she kept us in the loop with all pertinent matters regarding THE GOOD LIFE GAMES. Her role was flawless and we cannot thank her enough.
ABOUT SHEA HOMES INCORPORATED
We want to thank Shea Homes Inc enormously for giving us the opportunity to compete and to connect at the spectacular resort at Trilogy at Vistancia. We had an exciting experience being a part of the GOOD LIFE GAMES, in fact WE HAD A BLAST! This event was huge for us because it was historical. This was the first time tennis was included and to win the women's doubles championship and win second place in mix-doubles the first time we participated...this is sweet and even more huge.
ABOUT OUR COURT JESTERS TENNIS CLUB SUPPORT
We also want to thank our club for the support and cooperation to make everything possible. Without the participants in the pre-qualifying tournaments, the many people who came to watch the tournaments cheering for both the underdogs and the upperdogs , help from Dave Hinders, Chuck Williams and Cora Velasco for helping me put the stories and pictures together, help from Joe Downes and Joe Mattos for their constant involvement in making sure the members know what is happening every step of the way.......the entire event would not have been possible. We want to thank in advance everybody who arranged for our team's WELCOME BACK WINNERS PARTY to be held Sunday 11/18/07 6:00pm. Thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks!!!!! If I missed anyone, I apologize.
ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL TENNIS FACILITY AT TRILOGY AT VISTANCIA
Our tennis tennis players were in awe and envious of the tennis facility at Trilogy at Vistancia. Trilogy at Vistancia had four tennis courts and all had lights and all located in the same area, right next to the community clubhouse. Center court was a sight to see with its sunken design with abundant seating spaces. They even had a huge picnic area with tables and seats located between courts #1 and #3. Maybe someday, we too here at Trilogy at Rio Vista will have tennis courts just like Vistancia. Awe!!!
FOR NEXT YEAR'S GOOD LIFE GAMES
For next year, I will propose to include men's doubles. If you think THE GOOD LIFE GAMES is exciting, start practicing your tennis so you too can qualify in the regional level .
George
