The Villages - October 2016 - 7

In The Villages, many tennis players have gravitated
to other racket sports played on shorter courts, such
as pickleball and platform tennis. With masters tennis
growing in popularity in The Villages, Jacobs said it gives
residents who are fans of racket sports yet another option.
"A lot of tennis players transitioned into pickleball since
it is easier on their bodies," Jacobs said. "However, through
clinics, lessons and leagues, we are seeing more traditional
tennis players enjoying playing the new and exciting sport
of masters tennis. We as a department feel this program is
a good way to help build participation numbers for tennis
in The Villages."
The two primary locations in The Villages for masters
tennis are Fish Hawk and Sterling Heights recreation
centers, both of which have courts with permanent lines
in place for the sport. Other recreation centers that offer
masters tennis are Burnsed, Captiva, Chula Vista and
Tierra Del Sol.
Mark Davis, facilities manager and director of tennis
at Glenview Champions Tennis Club, said he has become
a proponent of masters tennis because it provides a new
choice for players who may have a difficult time covering a
full-sized tennis court.
"Masters tennis is a good option for players who
haven't played the game in a while, are coming back from
an injury or just because they like the shorter court and
easier scoring system," Davis said. "It's also a great option
for more experienced tennis players who might have lost a
step or two over the years, but still want to experience real
tennis, just on a smaller court."
Sandy Clark, a masters tennis ambassador in The
Villages, stressed that despite some changes, the game
essentially is the same as traditional tennis.
"It's a good game of tennis," Clark said. "Almost
everything is the same. You can use your regular racket.
You still serve overhand. The shots are the same. The
strategies are the same."
M a s t e r s t e n n i s wa s
i d e n t i f i e d a s a g r e at way t o
l e t t h e p u r e s t t e n n i s p l ay e r s
e n j o y p l ay i n g f o r M o r e y e a r s
than the traditional version
o f t h e s p o r t.

Danny
Jacobs

Villager Karen Davis
looks to make a
return on the ball
during a masters
tennis social at the
Glenview Tennis Club.

Clark said the number of local players participating in
masters tennis has been growing.
"When I started this about three years ago, we had a
regular group of between 12 and 24 people," Clark said.
"Now we have more than 100 people playing regularly at
the different locations."
Glenview offers masters tennis socials every other
Wednesday. Bill Kelley gave the sport a try at one of the
recent socials and came away impressed.
"It's not as strenuous as regular tennis," Kelley said.
"You're on a smaller court and the games are shorter. It's
less challenging as far as the amount of running. But it's
still a lot of fun."
Karen Davis, one of 24 players at a recent Glenview
social event, said masters tennis has become her favorite
activity, in large part because of the friends she has made
while playing.
"I love the people," Davis said. "Everybody is here to
have fun. Most of the time I don't even know how many
games I've won when it's time to go home. We're all too
busy laughing and having fun."
MAGAZINE

7



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - October 2016

Contents
The Villages - October 2016 - Cover1
The Villages - October 2016 - Contents
The Villages - October 2016 - 1
The Villages - October 2016 - 2
The Villages - October 2016 - 3
The Villages - October 2016 - 4
The Villages - October 2016 - 5
The Villages - October 2016 - 6
The Villages - October 2016 - 7
The Villages - October 2016 - 8
The Villages - October 2016 - 9
The Villages - October 2016 - 10
The Villages - October 2016 - 11
The Villages - October 2016 - 12
The Villages - October 2016 - 13
The Villages - October 2016 - 14
The Villages - October 2016 - 15
The Villages - October 2016 - 16
The Villages - October 2016 - 17
The Villages - October 2016 - 18
The Villages - October 2016 - 19
The Villages - October 2016 - 20
The Villages - October 2016 - 21
The Villages - October 2016 - 22
The Villages - October 2016 - 23
The Villages - October 2016 - 24
The Villages - October 2016 - 25
The Villages - October 2016 - 26
The Villages - October 2016 - 27
The Villages - October 2016 - 28
The Villages - October 2016 - 29
The Villages - October 2016 - 30
The Villages - October 2016 - 31
The Villages - October 2016 - 32
The Villages - October 2016 - 33
The Villages - October 2016 - 34
The Villages - October 2016 - 35
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The Villages - October 2016 - 37
The Villages - October 2016 - 38
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The Villages - October 2016 - 40
The Villages - October 2016 - 41
The Villages - October 2016 - 42
The Villages - October 2016 - 43
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The Villages - October 2016 - 69
The Villages - October 2016 - Cover4
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