2008 Young Life Tennis Tournament - "Way Cool!"

The Fist Annual Young Life Benefit Tennis Tournament, held on August 15th and 16th at the Harlingen Tennis Center, was a huge success! We had the chance to see some great tennis and give towards a very worthy cause. The Battistone brothers, Dann and Brian; that are making the two-handled tennis racquets famous lent their prestige to the tournament by agreeing to play an exhibition match on the last day. They went down in a tight tie-breaker against Patrick Briaud andAdam Davidson, who were playing their last professional tennis match. The big and pleasant surprise came when Patrick shared what the Young Life organization meant to him.

Patrick took the microphone and spoke to all of us in the audience about how he went from a great high school tennis player to not even being in the top ten in college. He mentioned how he would try a little harder than usual when he knew the coach or his friends were watching, but a bit mediocre when they weren't. A little later, he was introduced to the concept of what he called: "...an audience of one. That one being God". I've been to things like this before, where one is "duped" into a church service without knowing. I have always felt a little betrayed and lied to; however, Patrick's words rang sincere. One could compare him with the Biblical (and historical) Stephen who's words "cut their hearts". Patrick, without sounding "preachy", ended his speech by committing to speak with anyone on the difference that having a relationship with Jesus Christ made in his tennis and in his life as a person. I watched him afterwards, and he was true to his word, staying behind to speak one on one with everyone without hurrying. After Patrick was done with his "sermon on the court" (get it? Like the Biblical "sermon on the mount?"...guess you'd have to be a church brat to get that one), one older person was overheard by RGVTENNIS.COM saying: "That was cool". Nothing abnormal about an older person saying something like that, especially since it was rather quietly and almost to themselves. What was surprising was the much younger lady turning and saying, "That was way cool" with a big smile. That, to us, was the meaning of "pleasant surprise".

Hey, did you think that we forgot about the tennis?!? After all, this is a tennis news page! Due to conflicting schedules, I was only able to see the great exhibition and the finals of the mixed doubles. The mixed doubles was won by the husband and wife team of James "Coach" Mayer and his wife Det. They defeated Minerva and Kenny (last names unkown at publishing deadline - our apologies to all) in straight sets. "Coach" hit his usual consistent and well placed shots; however, the improvement in Det Mayer was truly noticeable. She scrambled to cover much of the court and even played agressively up at the net.

Now back to the exibition match. The Wednesday prior to the exhibition, I was in Brownsville and mentioned "the Battistone brothers are coming down", to my friend Homer. I felt I should mention it to him as he previously purchased one of their two-headed monsters when they were down with the "Futures Professional Tennis Tour" a few months back and has been playing successfully with it ever since. It was good to see so many of our Brownsville friends attending the exhibition. Homer was even invited, as were many others, to participate in a game of "bottoms up". That's where the players line up at the baseline and bend over, try not to picture that, while another person tries to serve tennis balls at them and make them "turn the other cheek" (how's that for a biblical reference?). The highlight was when Johathan served a hard overhead and hit one of the Battistone brothers.......hard. Way to go!

Janine Marie, daughter of "Coach" and Det Mayer, was the organizer and one of the sponsors. Janine is the owner of Janine Marie Photography (Click here to go to her website!) and could be seen going back and forth taking pictures. This time, however, she would feel what it's like to be on the other side of the camera as she fell victim to our digital prowess. Oh sure, I could have done a lot with with framing, depth of field and I should have taken a light meter; but I think we did ok. Photographer has now become photographee. All in good fun.

A lot of smiling faces, free drinks, great tennis, good friends and a little lesson on the advantages of faith in God at the First Annual Young Life Benefit Tennis Tournament. Now that is way cool!

Click here for more information on the Young Life Organization.

Contact Information:
Harlingen Tennis Center: (956) 428 - 2092
Ask for Don