KTAC Newsletter February 2015

KTAC Member of the Month

In Southern California in the late 50's a young man befriended a female tennis player who was pretty good player. She invited him to play one day. She was actually a lot better than pretty good. Her name was Pam Davis and she was the #2 ranked player in Southern California. An excellent athlete himself and a top player on the Anaheim High School varsity basketball team, our subject accepted the challenge. It may not have been as bad as the Mexicans taking the Alamo or Grant taking Richmond but our young man Stan Kula took a whipping that day that would actually change the course of So. Cal tennis history. Not only did Pam whitewash our hero, she humiliated him 6-0, 6-0. She barely allowed him a point. This was a turning point in Stan's life. On that day he decided he was going to learn this game. And he did so with a vengeance.

 

 

Stan was born in 1941 in Hastings, Nebraska. A small town of perhaps 15,000 people, known as the place Kool-Aid was invented. Stan's father was a professional golfer, but his parents divorced when he was just 4 years old. His Mom then moved the family to Anaheim. Stan had fun playing in the orange groves on the exact spot where Disneyland would later be built. He loved fishing as a youth and excelled at basketball. Yet Stan's life was filled with incongruities. One of those is he lived so close to the beach but hated the water. But Stan was sure of one thing....he was going to learn to play tennis, and he wasn't going to lose to any more girls. He played tennis, morning, noon and night. He hung out at Pierson Park in Anaheim and began to hone his skills. But Stan never took a lesson. They really couldn't afford it. He would find discarded racquets in the trash cans at the park and he would pick them out and use them. He learned how to string them himself using an ice pick to hold the tension. "I really watched a lot of other players and just basically played all day long," Stan related. He worked nights as a bus boy to help support himself and by the spring of this senior year tried out for the boy's tennis team. Stan not only made the team as the #3 singles player, he won the CIF Doubles Championship with partner Don Kliss. Stan next enrolled at Fullerton Junior College and became the #1 singles and doubles player. How could a kid who never played in a junior tournament, never had a lesson, become a force in tennis in just two years?

 

Stan & Lenny Lindborg

Stan was on a mission and Men's Open tournaments were in his sights. He started picking up tennis titles while competing against the best in So. Cal. Among those was the Junior College league championships in both singles and doubles in the South Coast Conference. His success at Fullerton led to a full tennis scholarship to the University of Wyoming where his winning ways continued, capturing the Intermountain Conference Singles and Doubles Championship. Heading back to So. Cal to finish his degree at Cal State Fullerton, Stan continued his assault on the tournament scene. And he was about to get his revenge on the fairer sex by taking on none other than Billie Jean King. This time Stan was ready and demolished the helpless Miss Moffett. He actually rifled a backhand that nailed his opponent right in the side. It was during this time frame at a tournament that Stan recorded his biggest lifetime victory over Rod Laver at a Men's Open tournament in Fullerton. Stan would defeat "the Rocket" in straight sets. Laver would go on to win two grand slams and go down as one of the greatest players of all time. "He was the quickest player I've ever seen. I was just sending rockets right into the corners and he would get to every one." Fortunately Stan was covering the net like a blanket that day and his overhead was just a force. In another open tournament later that year he would defeat Stan Smith, another player who would achieve a #1 world ranking.

 

It was during this time where another of those paradoxes of life would emerge. Stan was a dominant player on the California circuit. He had gone a whole season and didn't lose a match. Rod Laver asked Stan if he wanted to join him on the pro tour. The tour was more barnstorming in those days played in dimly lit gymnasiums mostly one night stands. Stan told the Rocket, no. Stan was deathly afraid of flying so there would be no pro circuit for Stan Kula. Instead Stan started a teaching career at the local parks and rec. He would soon land a job as Head Professional at Lindborg Tennis Club in Huntington Beach. Stan loved to teach and thrived in that tennis mecca. He coached some outstanding players including Scott Carnahan who achieved a top 200 world ranking. Stan would continue in that position as Head Pro at Lindborg Tennis club for 30 years. But Stan loved to compete and began to focus more on playing doubles. He enjoyed the camaraderie and teamwork of doubles. As he entered the senior division he took it by storm, rising to the #1 United States National Ranking in the Men's 40 division. He and his partner won the National Grass Court Championship in Santa Barbara and the National Hardcourt in Denver. Stan would capture 6 gold balls for National Championship victories. When it was over Stan would amass over 300 tournament victories. He would compete against and defeat some of the greatest players of all time besides Laver and Smith there was Pancho Gonzales, Bob Lutz, Ken Stewart and Whitney Reed.

 

Not bad for a kid who never took a lesson. If there's a moral to the story about Stan Kula it might be how incredibly consistent and steady he was holding the same job for 30 years. It could be that he had great morals and ethics. He didn't fit into the mold of the playboy tennis pro. He never dated any of his tennis students. Well, there was that one exception with Cheryl. She came to him for a tennis lesson and it was love-40. They've been married for almost a quarter century. Or it might be that if you find something you enjoy and are good at stick with it....Stan has taught tennis for over 50 years. Or it might be that Stan doesn't like to lose to girls. At least not one than beat him 6-0. Or it might be that if you love something and it's good for you keep doing it. Stan is just about to turn 74 and he plays tennis seven days a week. You'll find him and Cheryl at KTAC each morning at 8 am on the courts. You can take that to the bank. Stan is still a very active teaching pro at the Center. If you want someone with amazing experience that loves the game and has the winning spirit I suggest you come by and book a lesson with our Stan Kula.

  

                          Center News

Annual Meeting Set

Please join us for the KTAC Annual Meeting on Friday February 27. At 6:00 pm we will have a pot luck and social. At 7:00 pm the meeting will begin. Hear the "state of the Center" presentation and a report from the Board Chair and Finance Chair. If you bring a dish to share you will receive one enhancement hour. A sign-up sheet is located at the front desk.

 

The Valentine Wine and Chocolate Celebration Canceled

We hope to continue the tradition of excellent parties and events at KTAC but unfortunately this event for whatever reason did not gain traction. We have a new Social Committee starting to plan some terrific events this year so if you have any suggestions pass on to Marsh or Social Chair Debbie Gilman.

 

Presidents Day Racquetball Tourney

Still time to get signed up for this exciting event at KTAC. Dates for the tourney are Feb 16-19. Open, A, B, C, Women's and 60+ Singles events and a host of doubles events also. We want to thank our presenting tournament sponsors Fleury Financial Group and Ken Hall/State Farm Insurance. We also want to thank our co-sponsors Fairbank Construction and 360 Disc Golf.

You know the food will be great and the T Shirts outstanding and the organization incredible.

Get signed up by Feb 11th. Entries blanks are on our web site or you can pick one up at the front desk. Or we will be happy to sign you up over the phone.

 

Kitsap County Junior Challenger Tennis Tournament

This USTA sanctioned tournament will take place at KTAC Feb. 20-22. We hope all our aspiring junior players get signed up to get that valuable experience and improve those skills. Entry deadline is Sun Feb 15th.

We want to thank our sponsor Super 8 Hotel Bremerton. We are looking for volunteers who would like to man the tournament desk, help us supply the hospitality table and lots of other fun ways to get involved. So far a large contingent of Canadian players have signed up so we should meet some great new friends during this event.

 

Tennis Camp and Lifeguard Camps Scheduled for Spring Break

Arnel is ready to offer a fun and exciting Tennis Camp April 6 to 10 at KTAC. From 9 to 11 the younger kids can take to the court in a red/orange ball tennis camp. From 11 to 1 the more advance players can hit the courts in a yellow ball camp. Sign-ups are now open and space is limited. Cost is $115 members and $130 non. What an amazing deal for 10 hours of instruction and great way to have a fun vacation. Chriss Kuykendall will offer a Junior Lifeguard Camp April 6 to 10th. What a great way to get your child a head start on getting that summer job nailed down. We are offering private swim lesson and you may have heard about our phenomenal instructors Cheryl and James teaching to rave reviews. They may be offering a swim camp over Spring Break so if interested in that please let us know.

 

KTAC Employee Passes

We are so saddened by the passing of Robin Maier on January 21, 2015. Robin was certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor with a special passion for our Silver Sneakers program. Robin was a Central Kitsap grad and who had an incredible upbeat personality an amazing way of making people feel special. She is greatly missed and our most heartfelt condolences go out to her family.

  

   

 

                         From The Fitness Center

Congratulations to all of the KTAC weight loss challenge participants on a great start! There have already been some great successes and we hope to continue to see more throughout the challenge. Also, a belated congratulation to the winner of our holiday weight maintenance challenge, Leon Newkirk!

                                                                                                                                                        

Many of you took advantage of our personal training deals in January. Keep your eyes open for signs announcing some February specials for couple's training!

 

Class Info

  • A new SMART class has been added to the fitness schedule that will take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30pm.   This is a special twelve week program. Please see Angela for details.

  • Sarah's noon yoga class will be on hiatus for the month of February.

  • Summer's ball room class has been cancelled.

  • Misty's Thursday evening Rep Reebok has been cancelled, but the Tuesday class is still on.

  • Thank you for supporting our fitness program. We hope to be adding some new classes soon. Suggestions and ideas are always welcomeJ

 

                                    Tennis News

 

Will Herbert Takes on Tennis Coordinator Position

 

KTAC had a new coordinator in our tennis department. Will has been a employee here in the past as a tennis instructor wo many of you are already familiar with him. He is going to take on the socials, leagues, help with the tournaments, do player matching, racquet stringing and will help you with your tennis equipment orders. Will really loves to play so you will see him out there most days on court. If you need anything relating to tennis contact Will by email at tennis@kitsaptennis.com or 692-8075

 

Junior Tennis

Tye Loan is ranked 9th in the Boys Champs 16s in the Pacific Northwest section. His overall record is 11-2. Tye had some great results in the Level 3- THPRD Boys and Girls Junior Tournament with wins over Boys 16s 6th ranked, Michael Bautista, and Boys 14s number 1 ranked, Thomas Yu, before losing in the Semi-finals to his doubles partner and Boys 16s 2nd ranked, Adam Guo. Tye and Adam teamed up for doubles making it to the finals of the Level 3. Tye also won the Capital City Tennis New Year Champs and CGM Winter Champs tournaments.

Dates to Look For:

                Ladies Night- February 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd

                Men's Night- February 4th, 11th, and 18th

                Kitsap County Junior Challenger Tennis Tournament: Feb. 20th-22nd

  • Deadline: Feb. 15th

Tennis Social

                Thanks to Marcie Decker and Derek Hilt, the Australian Open Social was a big success. With over 30 members attending to enjoy socializing over delicious food, we realize we would not have made it without the generosity of our members. More thanks to Will and Derek for organizing the brackets, Tye for helping setting up tables, chairs and organizing food, and Marcie and Karen for getting the sign-ups and attendance. These socials have been a great way for everyone to get to know each other and welcome new tennis members to our center.

Tennis Members

                We would like to welcome to KTAC our new tennis members this month: John and Margaret Kelly, Greg Gaskey, Alyssa Emoto, John and Misty Cooney, Dean and Valerie Jennings, Kathy Long, and Reginald Banks. Please welcome these new members to the center!