Drop In Tennis Information
Woodland Tennis Club member James Ousey researched the opportunities for drop in tennis in our area and provided his findings to share with the club. Dennis Sadowski and Grace Vaugh have added additional information.
The following list is for tennis players with skill level between 2.8 and 3.8 who are interested in playing more tennis with a variety of players in different drop in tennis groups. A Drop in Group can be defined as a loose association of friendly tennis players who welcome new players to their group on any day they are playing and do so without any appointment or prior notification. Nobody will be upset if you do not show up and you are not really expected to attend. This type of group is open and different from a group that has a definite lineup of expected participants that have communicated their intention to play. These are all doubles groups.
The following list is for tennis players with skill level between 2.8 and 3.8 who are interested in playing more tennis with a variety of players in different drop in tennis groups. A Drop in Group can be defined as a loose association of friendly tennis players who welcome new players to their group on any day they are playing and do so without any appointment or prior notification. Nobody will be upset if you do not show up and you are not really expected to attend. This type of group is open and different from a group that has a definite lineup of expected participants that have communicated their intention to play. These are all doubles groups.
Where: Sacramento McKinley Park
When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday/9 am
How many players: 15-20
Player profile: 75% men; 25% women
Skill level: 2.8 to 3.5
Many of the players who regularly attend are between the ages of 60 to 80. Jack is the exception at 92. World Team Tennis rules are used with no ad scoring and sets played to only five games, so at deuce with the score 4 games all the next point takes the set. To get into the mix arrive between 8:45 and 9:15 and notice the players warming up short on the courts. Simply walk onto the court and start warming up with them where there is a vacancy. You might want to ask if you can play with them, but it is not necessary. These players are really friendly and make an effort to be welcoming. Soon someone will spin the racquet and then it’s off to the races. After the set you have a choice to sit and chat or continue playing with a different player or the same player. Very flexible. A wide variety of people types play here. Characters abound.
When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday/9 am
How many players: 15-20
Player profile: 75% men; 25% women
Skill level: 2.8 to 3.5
Many of the players who regularly attend are between the ages of 60 to 80. Jack is the exception at 92. World Team Tennis rules are used with no ad scoring and sets played to only five games, so at deuce with the score 4 games all the next point takes the set. To get into the mix arrive between 8:45 and 9:15 and notice the players warming up short on the courts. Simply walk onto the court and start warming up with them where there is a vacancy. You might want to ask if you can play with them, but it is not necessary. These players are really friendly and make an effort to be welcoming. Soon someone will spin the racquet and then it’s off to the races. After the set you have a choice to sit and chat or continue playing with a different player or the same player. Very flexible. A wide variety of people types play here. Characters abound.
Where: Davis High School
When: Friday/8 am in summer, 9 am in winter
How many players: 8-15
Player profile: 50% men; 50% women
Skill level: 2.6 to 3.2
This group normally takes the courts closest to the parking lot, but will move if Sally is teaching there and she asks the group to relocate to other open courts. The players are between 60 and 80. Regular scoring is used. If the count of players is an odd number then sometimes doubles games are played with the 5th player alternating in after each game. (It is called “playing fives”). Often players speak up here (with discretion) and attempt to make teams that are more competitive by putting the better players with the weaker players. Australian format is used to keep players busy until there is room for a doubles game. Donna Reed is the unofficial group organizer. Should you decide to try and play here you could use her name to help you find the right group. It’s easy. Just arrive and walk onto the courts with a tennis racquet, a smile, and an open heart. Donna sends out weekly e-mail invitations to come out and play, but it is all very voluntary and open. Many players in this group are retired professors and mostly reside in Davis.
When: Friday/8 am in summer, 9 am in winter
How many players: 8-15
Player profile: 50% men; 50% women
Skill level: 2.6 to 3.2
This group normally takes the courts closest to the parking lot, but will move if Sally is teaching there and she asks the group to relocate to other open courts. The players are between 60 and 80. Regular scoring is used. If the count of players is an odd number then sometimes doubles games are played with the 5th player alternating in after each game. (It is called “playing fives”). Often players speak up here (with discretion) and attempt to make teams that are more competitive by putting the better players with the weaker players. Australian format is used to keep players busy until there is room for a doubles game. Donna Reed is the unofficial group organizer. Should you decide to try and play here you could use her name to help you find the right group. It’s easy. Just arrive and walk onto the courts with a tennis racquet, a smile, and an open heart. Donna sends out weekly e-mail invitations to come out and play, but it is all very voluntary and open. Many players in this group are retired professors and mostly reside in Davis.
Where: Vacaville Three Oaks Community Center
When: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday/8 am
How many players: 12-16
Player profile: all men; aged 50-70
Skill level: 3.2 to 3.8
An interesting group of competitive men averaging 50 to 70 years old. To join walk onto the courts through either gate between the 8 AM and 8:15 AM. You will be automatically paired with the last man who walked through the gate, or if your presence makes it an odd number of players you will be paired with the next man through the gate. If all this sounds confusing you can make it real simple by going to the bench and speaking with the guy or guys there and asking if you can play tennis with them. You will be welcomed. They have a few rules to ensure fairness and continued play that work very well and eventually you will learn them all. Leroy is the unofficial leader and usually shows about 8:30. If you cannot defend your place at the net while your partner serves then the opponent could very well attack you regularly with low, fast shots directed at your chest. They may not be great, but they certainly play to win.
When: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday/8 am
How many players: 12-16
Player profile: all men; aged 50-70
Skill level: 3.2 to 3.8
An interesting group of competitive men averaging 50 to 70 years old. To join walk onto the courts through either gate between the 8 AM and 8:15 AM. You will be automatically paired with the last man who walked through the gate, or if your presence makes it an odd number of players you will be paired with the next man through the gate. If all this sounds confusing you can make it real simple by going to the bench and speaking with the guy or guys there and asking if you can play tennis with them. You will be welcomed. They have a few rules to ensure fairness and continued play that work very well and eventually you will learn them all. Leroy is the unofficial leader and usually shows about 8:30. If you cannot defend your place at the net while your partner serves then the opponent could very well attack you regularly with low, fast shots directed at your chest. They may not be great, but they certainly play to win.
Where: UC Davis courts, Marya Welch Tennis Center
When: Saturday/8 am
How many players: 10-15
Player profile: 90% men aged 60-80
Skill level: 3.0
Saturday mornings this group starts at the East end of the UC Davis Courts that have the canopies over the benches between courts. When these 3 courts are reserved or taken the group meets on the other section behind the bleachers. Most of this group are from Davis and are retired professionals. Although there is some communication via E-mail with George Westerholt being the facilitator, there is no absolute expectation to come or promise to show up. Just walk onto the court and ask to play. Tennis players like other tennis players.
When: Saturday/8 am
How many players: 10-15
Player profile: 90% men aged 60-80
Skill level: 3.0
Saturday mornings this group starts at the East end of the UC Davis Courts that have the canopies over the benches between courts. When these 3 courts are reserved or taken the group meets on the other section behind the bleachers. Most of this group are from Davis and are retired professionals. Although there is some communication via E-mail with George Westerholt being the facilitator, there is no absolute expectation to come or promise to show up. Just walk onto the court and ask to play. Tennis players like other tennis players.
Where: UC Davis courts, Marya Welch Tennis Center
When: Saturday/7:45 am
How many players: 12
Player profile: 90% men aged 50-75
Skill level: 3.5
Look at the UC Davis Courts on the West end of the section with canopies over the benches. You’re going to have to walk in and make your presence known by sitting on the bench and responding positively to inquiries. They have been playing together for years, but welcome new players of their level. No real leader in this group. Competitive, but not as much as Vacaville. You should be a 3.2 or above to fit in with this group. I have never seen women playing with this group. Retired and currently employed professionals.
When: Saturday/7:45 am
How many players: 12
Player profile: 90% men aged 50-75
Skill level: 3.5
Look at the UC Davis Courts on the West end of the section with canopies over the benches. You’re going to have to walk in and make your presence known by sitting on the bench and responding positively to inquiries. They have been playing together for years, but welcome new players of their level. No real leader in this group. Competitive, but not as much as Vacaville. You should be a 3.2 or above to fit in with this group. I have never seen women playing with this group. Retired and currently employed professionals.
Where: WTC Friday Night Tennis at Woodland City Park
When: Friday/6 pm
How many players: 8-12
Player profile: 50% men; 50% women
Skill level: 2.8-3.0
Although technically not a drop in group, Friday Nights is included here because you can go or not on any given Friday depending on your own schedule. Play is organized by Elaine and Floyd McCain for the Woodland Tennis Club on alternating Fridays. Doubles teams are selected from the signed up players and play continues for three different one half hour sessions with each player having a different partner for each session. Then….pot luck snacks and more than snacks with good company. This is such a terrific evening I had to include it. Get the details at WTC/events. You must be a member of WTC to play. Woodland Tennis Club Membership is only $25 per year for seniors.
When: Friday/6 pm
How many players: 8-12
Player profile: 50% men; 50% women
Skill level: 2.8-3.0
Although technically not a drop in group, Friday Nights is included here because you can go or not on any given Friday depending on your own schedule. Play is organized by Elaine and Floyd McCain for the Woodland Tennis Club on alternating Fridays. Doubles teams are selected from the signed up players and play continues for three different one half hour sessions with each player having a different partner for each session. Then….pot luck snacks and more than snacks with good company. This is such a terrific evening I had to include it. Get the details at WTC/events. You must be a member of WTC to play. Woodland Tennis Club Membership is only $25 per year for seniors.
Dennis Sadowski added the following information:
Where: UC Davis courts, Marya Welch Tennis Center
When: Sunday/8:30 am
How many players: 10-16
Player profile: mixed; aged 30-75
Skill level: men 4.0-4.5; women 5.0
Format is generally doubles with rotations after each set.
Where: UC Davis courts, Marya Welch Tennis Center
When: Sunday/8:30 am
How many players: 10-16
Player profile: mixed; aged 30-75
Skill level: men 4.0-4.5; women 5.0
Format is generally doubles with rotations after each set.
Where: Davis Walnut Park
When: Thursday/6 pm
How many players: 6-10
Player profile: mixed; aged 30-75
Skill level: men 4.0-4.5; women 5.0
Format is generally doubles with rotations after each set.
When: Thursday/6 pm
How many players: 6-10
Player profile: mixed; aged 30-75
Skill level: men 4.0-4.5; women 5.0
Format is generally doubles with rotations after each set.