LAKE FOREST RACQUET CLUB

Sitting high on a hill overlooking one of Lake Forest’s swimming pools, the Lake Forest Racquet Club tennis courts provide a beautiful setting for one of the area’s oldest and best tennis programs. Players of all ages and skill levels can take lessons, participate in day, night or weekend league tennis, or join informal groups to play for fun. And fun is the name of the game! Lake Forest Tennis pro Mike Albrecht sees groups of players such as the Senior Men who have been playing together at Lake Forest for years as well as youngsters who may be stepping on a court for the first time.

Since 2002 when Albrecht became Director of Tennis, he has developed numerous programs and clinics for junior tennis players ages 5 to 18. There are year-round groups for beginners, intermediates, and advanced young players. Each summer Mike runs tennis academy classes from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. four days a week. These summer groups are very popular and provide excellent tennis instruction and conditioning for young players.

Adult groups and teams for both men and women also run year-round. The ladies tennis program participates in league competition Monday mornings and Thursday evening with Mobile and Baldwin County tennis clubs. For three years in a row from 2003 to 2005, the Lake Forest Ladies’ Combo Doubles teams won their local 6.5 level and played at the state championships in Gulf Shores. Past Lake Forest women’s teams have also won local championships day and night with the BATA leagues in Mobile.

Lake Forest men’s teams often participate in night leagues, and the experienced Mixed Doubles teams compete in local leagues on Sunday afternoons. The opportunities for organized tennis competition are a great motivator for beginners and advanced players as well. Senior Men’s tennis has been strong at Lake Forest since the 1980’s-groups have been playing on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning for 25 years.

The 4 clay courts and two hard courts at Lake Forest are adjacent to an attractive clubhouse and pro-shop. On the hillside above the clay courts is a shaded gazebo with seating for spectators, who can see four courts in action all at ounce.

Tennis pro Mike Albrecht has overseen many improvements to the tennis amenities. Guests and members comment on the beautiful new planting of azaleas and landscaped flowers beds as well as trees and shrubs donated by the Lake Forest Garden Club.

Ranked as a Professional 1 with United States Professional Tennis Association, Albrecht has guided many young and adult players alike to new levels of excellence at Lake Forest.The full service pro shop with a rap around deck is located next to our main court where it provides an ideal deck and patio area for watching matches or for just hanging out.

Tennis memberships are available to Lake Forest residents for the very modest fee of $15.00 per month. Those who live outside of Lake Forest may join for $37.50 a month. For further information call Mike Albrecht at 626- 4515.

PROGRAMS

The LFTA has established a program which promotes league play and other scheduled tennis events. Tuesday evening is Ladies Night and Wednesday evening is Men's Night. These nights promote the play and enjoyment of members of all skill levels. Several mornings each week will find groups of Senior Men enjoying the game and keeping fit. A number of ladies may also be found on the court in the morning. Generally, on a monthly basis there will be a tennis event provided by the LFTA for the enjoyment of our members and to raise money for projects at the club. One would not be surprised to come out on a weekend to find players in serious competition at a club sponsored tournament or simply having fun at one of the frequent theme matches like the Battle of the Sexes where the men play the women in doubles while having to deal with some creative handicaps. Handicaps such as playing tennis with a pillow case over the head of his racquet or trying to win with only one serve are only two of the obstacles the male might have to overcome. Or, one might watch the Century Tournament, a mixed doubles tournament where the ages of the partners must add up to over one hundred. These or only a few of the events one will enjoy as a member of the Lake Forest Racquet Club.

Social Play
Of the most active program is the Senior Men tennis social play three times a week. Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning these guys are playing tennis at 8:30 in the morning. Anybody interested in joining the group just bring a racquet and show up at 8:30 on one of these mornings. Any questions call Mike at 626-4515.

Weekly schedule of events and clinics at the racquet club

Monday

4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. - Pee Wee tennis class (ages 4, 5, 6)

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Womens singles clinic

Tuesday

8:30 a.m. - Men's Senior social play

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - Ladies morning doubles clinic

6:30 p.m. - Ladies night social play

Wednesday

4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Junior intermediate class (ages 10 and up)

5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Junior beginner class (ages 7 to 11)

6:30 p.m. - Men's night social play

7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Ladies doubles clinic

Thursday

8:30 a.m. - Men's Senior social play

Saturday

8:30 a.m. - Men's Senior social play

10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Men's Workout clinic

SUMMER TENNIS FOR EVERYONE

Lake Forest Tennis pro Mike Albrecht has enrolled the largest number of youth tennis players ever for his summer tennis clinics. Beginners from ages 6 to advanced teenagers have filled up most of his summers classes which run weekday mornings. Albrecht also coaches individuals who want to prepare for tournament and league play. The summer months allow kids and adults to focus on the sport that they can pursue for a lifetime.

LAKE FOREST JUNIOR TENNIS SCHEDULE FOR JUNE 2009

Tues, Wed, Thur
8:00am – 8:45am PeeWee (ages 4-7)
9:00am-10:00am Jr. Beginner (ages 7-13)

Academy Classes
Tues, Wed, Thur
8:00am – 9:30am Intermediate Academy
9:30am-12:00am Advanced Academy

Friday (Matchday)
9:00am – 12:00am

It is never too late to sign up. Call 626-4515 and ask for Mike. The classes will run all summer long in June and July.

Lake Forest summer adult leagues are also in full swing. Ladies 3.5 B.A.T.A. Competition started June 4 and runs through July. Mixed Doubles play under co-captains Gene and Dolly Guy has also gotten organized for Monday night matches.

For information about league play, clinics, or possible hitting partners, call Mike Albrecht at 626-4515.

Senior Men Looking for more Players

The senior men who are playing on Tues, Thurs, and Sat mornings are looking for more players to join their group. Anybody interested should call the pro shop at 626-4515 or just show up one of those mornings with a racquet in hand. I encourage any senior men that play tennis to stop on by and play a set or two with a fantastic group of guys. Play starts at 8:30.

LEAGUES

The Lake Forest Racquet Club fields teams at numerous skill levels for the two active leagues here in the Mobile Bay area. The two leagues are the Bay Area Tennis Association (BATA) and the United States Tennis Association (USTA). These organizations promote play among the many clubs located on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Lake Forest fields men's, ladies' and mixed doubles teams at the various levels of 3.0 to 4.0 and so on. New players are welcome to join a team at most any skill level.

For more information call the Tennis Pro at 626-4515 or the LFPOA office at 626-0788.

Tennis Pro - Mike Albrecht