Catering to the Grassroots Tennis Community

Mar,01,2009

| By Rich Hume

The Tennis Association of Farmingdale (TAF) is an adult tennis league providing its members the opportunity to play outdoor competitive tennis during the months of May through September. TAF is comprised of seven ladders, men’s and women’s singles and doubles, mixed-doubles, and men’s and women’s senior (50 and over) singles. TAF operates under a ladder format, whereas you always have a range of 20 players to challenge to a match. This format ensures that players will naturally gravitate toward others of their own ability level.

Arranging matches is simple. You just contact the players in your range and propose a date. Matches are played outdoors on public courts. How many matches you play is entirely up to you—it could range from every day to just two matches a month.

TAF was formed in 1976, with the goal of creating a community-based, grassroots organization to afford its members the opportunity to enjoy and grow the game they love. Currently, TAF includes 247 members from throughout Nassau and Suffolk, many of whom play in multiple ladders. TAF’s membership is the most important asset of our league, and the lifeblood of TAF are the volunteers who run the league, from the executive board to the ladder captains who oversee each of the individual ladder sections.

Anyone who is interested in information about us can visit our Web site, www.taftennis.org. The cost to join is only $25, which is an incredible bargain considering that you get a whole summer’s worth of great tennis. But perhaps the most important benefit is the camaraderie and friendships that are forged among our members. If you are interested in joining us, we would love to have you become part of our organization. Our 2009 season begins Friday, May 1, so sign up today!

Rich Hume

Rich Hume is an avid tennis player and past president of the Tennis Association of Farmingdale. He may be reached by e-mail at rhume@optonline.net.