Tennis Registration is Now Open!
Come join us on Sunday, August 10, for a fun tennis event at Hyatt’s Regency Grand Cypress. You can register for this event HERE
Highlights include:
- Two divisions of players so you will be playing folks of roughly comparable skill level
- Complimentary Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Tennis T-shirts or Hats
- Complimentary can of Grand Cypress tennis balls
- Full on-court/break amenities (balls, towels, drinks, snacks)
- Multiple trophies
- FUN and a GOOD TIME!
Contact: Doug McLeod - Please feel free to contact me if I can help in any way. My contact information is:
Doug McLeod
Florida Department of Transportation
douglas.mcleod@dot.state.fl.us
(850) 414-4932
Particulars
Tennis Format: Round robin doubles with players playing with multiple partners - Unlike most tennis tournaments where players are teamed up with a single player for an event, in this SASHTO event you will have an opportunity to meet and play with multiple other players. (No, you just can’t play with a selected partner. This is an excellent opportunity to meet and mingle with other SASHTO attendees. – Doug) There will be approximately seven 25-minute playing (and rest) periods. The concept is to play 6 games in each session and keep track of the number of games won by each participant.
If you’re somewhat confused, don’t worry about it; Hyatt’s tennis pro, Lynn Bottger, has frequently used this approach and it has been extremely well received. She’ll assign us the right courts, tally up games, determine winners, etc.
We will feature two separate draws: one characterized as “Recreational” (advanced beginner (can serve) to lower intermediate) and the other characterized as “Competitive” (upper intermediate to advanced). The concept is for everyone to play with and against other players of roughly the same skill level. That way it should be more fun for all the players of different skill levels.
Registration: All SASHTO delegates and guests are welcome to participate - Simply sign up HERE by Monday, August 4, 2008. The entry fee is $35 for each SASHTO delegate or guest. To have as many people participate as possible, we will have a limited on-site registration beginning at 7:40 a.m., the day of the event, Sunday August 10.
Number of Participants - Limited to the first 40 registrants.
Location and Venue: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Racquet Club - The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress lies just outside the Disney World property just off County Road 535. “As the crow flies” it is less than 5 miles southeast of the Contemporary Resort. However, the actual drive is between 10 and 16 miles depending upon the route taken. The most straight forward way to reach the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress tennis complex is to get on I-4 and take SR 535 north from the I-4/Lake Buena Vista exit (I-4 Exit 68). In less than a mile, take a left at the Shell station onto CR 535 and then a quick left on Grand Cypress Boulevard. Continue about ½ mile past the main hotel to reach the tennis courts. (I suggest allowing 30 minutes to reach it from the Contemporary. – Doug).
Hyatt’s tennis complex consists of 8 soft courts and 4 hard ones. Hyatt has agreed to allow SASHTO to reserve the tennis complex’s courts for the morning of Sunday August 10. (I don’t believe we’ll need all those courts, but Hyatt has been gracious enough to reserve them for us. – Doug). All play is intended to be on the soft courts.
Transportation: If needed, van(s) will be provided - It is anticipated that about ½ of the tennis participants will provide their own transportation to the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress tennis complex. General directions appear above.
Complimentary van service from the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Port Orleans (Riverside) Resorts will also be provided. The vans are scheduled to leave the hotels at 7:15 a.m. and return from the Grand Cypress at 12:15 p.m. Please note on your registration that “transportation is needed” and from which hotel.
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Sunday, August 10 - (on-site check-in/registration begins at 7:40)
Note, unlike previous SASHTO tennis events and what was listed in the initial SASHTO agenda, this tennis event is being held Sunday morning, not Saturday morning. We believe this time slot will make it more available to delegates and their guests.
We will start check in at 7:40 a.m. As you check in, Hyatt’s tennis pro will send you to a tennis court for a warm up session. After we have the final registrants, the draw and rotation times will be set. In scheduling the event and rotating partners, there will be blocks of time set aside to rest.
Weather: Hot - Welcome to Florida during August. Count on it being hot and humid. As part of the tennis event, (1) each player will have some scheduled out-of-the-sun rest time and (2) assorted courtside beverages will be supplied to all participants. (Having grown up in Orlando I know it never rains there in the morning during the summer unless there’s a hurricane. If it does rain, then ??? – Doug) As much as practical, participants should be prepared for the heat and humidity by staying hydrated before, during and after the tennis event. Participants are encouraged to wear caps/sun visors and put on sun screen.
Prizes and Welcome Amenities - Trophies will be awarded to (1) the winners and finalists for each of the two tennis divisions and (2) to the top state player with the most games won regardless of division. Remember all participants will also receive a Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress tennis T-shirt or tennis hat. The first 30 registrants will receive a can of Grand Cypress tennis balls.
What to Bring: - Participants should wear tennis attire to the courts and bring their own racquets. Hyatt will have a few racquets available as loaners. Hyatt will supply the tennis balls, towels, water, and sports drinks. We will also have some fruit and snacks available. (Lunch will not be provided.) Participants should bring their own tennis caps/visors and sunscreen.