COMMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT

MARCH 2015

It’s that time of year where the 2014-2015 tournament season is winding down. Five tournaments

(sanction league play of 400 shoes or more can be counted as a tournament) are needed in order to

qualify to pitch in the State Tournament. It is not too late for members that need to get a few more

tournaments in to meet the minimum for the State Tournament. Ron Mehrwerth President of the

Flagler County HPC and his team have put in a lot of hours the past year to make this tournament a

success. They have a beautiful setting with 18 covered courts and if this is your first time visiting Flagler

County HPC you will be in for a treat. The Executive Council and I along with our host club are hoping

that this year’s tournament will be a fantastic event and we look forward seeing you at this year’s State

Tournament. The application for the Mixed Doubles, Doubles and Singles are printed elsewhere in the

Newsletter as well as the Website. Information for all other activities you will find in this newsletter

and on website as well.

The Club Team Tournament held in Flagler on January 31, 2015 was again a success with 11 clubs

represented and 15 teams. Sebring team #2 finished first, Bradenton second, Sebring #1 third, Beverly

Hills #1 fourth, Beverly Hills #2 fifth and Oviedo sixth. Thanks to Ron Mehrwerth and his members for all

they did to make this tournament a success. Flagler proved that they can handle a large tournament and

I feel confident that they will do the same for the State Tournament. In keeping with the true intent of a

CLUB TEAM TOURNAMENT a change was needed in the format to the tournament rules starting with

next year’s tournament. Clubs that enter more than one team must designate the team they want

representing their club to compete for the championship. This way each club represented will have only

one team competing for the Championship Trophy. However, all teams that are entered will be eligible

for the prize money.

As I stated in my June newsletter comments that I would not seek re-election as President of our great

association. Also Bob Lemon made a decision that he too would not seek re-election as first VP. Boyd

Stonerock Chairman of the Nominating/Election Committee had his work cut out for him seeking out

competent replacements and I am pleased to say he did just that. Dale Marteney of Oviedo will be our

next President and Lee Kohlhafer of the Villages will be our next First VP due to the fact that both

positions are uncontested. Both Dale and Lee are outstanding members of our association and I thank

them both for stepping up to help our association. Their bios are printed elsewhere in the Newsletter.

The new council will take over at the closing of the awards banquet and it will be a solid one with Vicki

Marteney, Gwen Mehrwerth and Marcela Santoyo continuing in their respective positions on the council.

In closing I would like to thank all of you for your support during my nine plus years as your President. I

have a lot of memories that I will cherish the rest of my life. I met and made a lot of new friends over

the years and I am looking forward on continuing those relationships. See you at the State Tournament.

Bob Hilpertshauser