The registration deadline is Sept. 24 for the third annual Harley English Tennis Festival, an all-doubles affair that is open to everyone in the community age 18 and up. This year’s festival is scheduled for Oct. 2 at the campus’s Marya Welch Tennis Center.
The festival’s namesake, a professor emeritus of plant pathology, died in March, a month shy of his 99th birthday. He played tennis until the age of 93, and, in his last years of playing had won several national championships in his age group.
He was widely referred to as the “dean” of retired faculty and staff tennis players.
“Harley English shared his joy of tennis widely and showed us all that it is a game one can enjoy for a lifetime,” said Chris Dewees, festival director and a professor emeritus in the Sea Grant Extension Program.
The idea for the Harley English Tennis Festival came from the Retiree Center’s Advisory Committee and English’s colleagues and fellow players, not only as a way to honor English but as a way to celebrate the game that he loved — and other people who do so much for tennis at the community level.
This year’s honoree is Paul Ochs, who recently retired as coach of the Davis High School girls team. During his 34 years of coaching, the team won seven Sac-Joaquin Section titles and participated in an additional 17 section finals.
During the festival’s first two years, the Retiree Center generally limited players to age 50 and up. This year, with the ٺƵ Tennis Club as a co-sponsor, the age limit has been lowered.
English always wore traditional whites on the court, and festival participants are encouraged to do the same, in his honor.
Organizers said play will be in three categories: men’s, women’s and mixed — with each participant limited to one event. Don't have a partner? Not to worry, because the organizers will match you with pair you up with someone.
The format is round-robin, 10-game pro sets, with divisions to be arranged based on the mix of entries. Organizers said they will use the National Tennis Rating Program: 2.0 and 2.5 (beginner), 3.0 and 3.5 (intermediate) and 4.0 and 4.0-plus (advanced).
Registration can be arranged . Or you can call the Retiree Center, (530) 752-5182.
The fee per player is $20, including a festival towel and refreshments (bring your own water bottle).
Questions? E-mail retireecenter@ucdavis.edu or Dewees, cmdewees@ucdavis.edu. Or call the Retiree Center, (530) 752-5182.
Media Resources
Dave Jones, Dateline, 530-752-6556, dljones@ucdavis.edu