Tennis Parties

A Word from the Tennis Co-Chair
Casey Tarr

Ski Club Indoor Tennis "parties" are held almost every Saturday night at tennis clubs in Virginia or Maryland from September through June. Tennis parties are social events where participants from advanced beginners to advanced players have a chance to play and mingle while enjoying a light buffet and drinks. Ski Club members who reserve in advance with a check mailed to the leader of that week's party, pay $18 for a Virginia party.  Non-members who make an advance reservation only pay $5 more.  "Phone" reservations pay the "at-the-door prices, $3 more.  All prices are listed on the Tennis Party Application.  Walk-ins (no reservation) are welcome but a playing spot cannot be guaranteed.  

Most parties are at the Fairfax Racquet Club from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm with an additional free hour from 11:00 pm to 12:00 pm.  Everyone is assigned two hours of mixed and same sex doubles (three 40-minute pre-arranged matches). Free tennis lessons are sometimes provided when courts are available.  These parties are for adults 21 or older.  Party attendance is a mix of very active singles and couples from their 20s to 60s.  Parties average 64 players each week but some have up to 80 in attendance.  Male/female split is close to half and half each party.  

The SCWDC rating system is based on the National Tennis Rating Program ("NTRP"). If you don't know about this scale or are not sure of your rating, or have questions about the tennis parties, contact Jack Tarr at jtarr5@verizon.net.  Minimum skill level is required. You must be able to keep the ball in play, serve effectively and know basic tennis tactics. Beginners are encouraged to try their local county government recreation programs or tennis clubs for lessons.

If you would like to just visit a tennis party and socialize, you are encouraged to. Just pay $10 at the door and you can eat, drink and socialize.  Bring your racket and wear or bring tennis clothes and you can play from 11 - 12:00 at no charge. You might also play if someone drops out of the matches. If there is an opening on the court later, you can play at no extra charge.

An advance reservation (check received) is necessary to be assured a playing spot. It also costs less. The application is available through the link above or below.  If you decide to attend the week of the party and can't mail your check in time, call or email the leader to see if there is a spot.  You'll pay at-the-door price, which is $5 more than the advance reservation price. This is the least desirable way of joining the party, since we refund most of the price when you have to cancel with an advance reservation.  (Cancel fees: are small, graduated based on date of cancellation, UNLESS  you wait until Saturday of the party, past 5:00PM.)

Plan to arrive between 6:30 - 6:45 pm to check in, and we suggest you leave "earlier" than your fastest time to the club, because of possible traffic delays along the way.   If you arrive after 7:30 pm, you may be replaced by a standby and forfeit the entire cost of the party.

Refunds: If you have an advance reservation and learn that you can't attend, call the leader as soon possible.  The refund schedule is at the bottom of the Tennis Party Application.

Questions?:  Write scwdctennis@aol.com. This mailbox is checked weekly, not daily.