ABOUT GOLDEN RACQUETS

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the sport of tennis among senior citizens of Fairfax County, Virginia as a means of recreation, physical fitness, and the sharing of good fellowship.

To qualify for membership: you must be a resident of  Fairfax or Arlington County or the city of Fairfax, Vienna, Falls Church, or Alexandria; be at least 55 years of age and play at least at a 3.0 NTR level.

If you have already received a USTA evaluation within the past three years, please forward a copy with your registration card.  If you don't have a rating, we will arrange for you to play doubles with a Golden Racquets Rating Team which will determine your skill rating under our Club guidelines.

There is a one-time (non-refundable) registration fee of $5 and annual dues of $15 (refundable if you don't qualify).  The total of $20 is payable by check to the Golden Racquets Tennis Club at the time you submit your application.

Golden Racquets offers both summer and winter season doubles play at indoor and outdoor sites.  Playing times are both morning and afternoon.  The summer season offers up to 10 sessions at six outdoor sites and two indoor sites.  Two of the sessions are 2 hours; the rest are 1 ½ hour.  Each session plays once per week. The summer season begins in early May and ends in late August (typically 17 weeks).  The winter season offers up to 10 sessions at three indoor sites and one outdoor site.  Five of the sessions are 2 hours and the rest are 1 ½ hours.  Again, each session plays once per week.  The winter season begins in early September and ends in late April (typically 33 weeks).

The cost for an outdoor season is $15 for each venue you select with a portion going to the cost of balls.  The costs for indoor play will vary according to indoor playing rates given to Golden Racquets and length of season.  Indoor rates for the 2009 summer season were $156 for 2 hour session venues and $112 for 1 ½ hour session venues.  Rates for 2009/2010 winter season were $360 for 2 hour session venues and $270 for 1 ½ hour session venues.

Before each season, you will receive a notice asking you to select court(s) and time(s) you wish to play and/or sub.  Because some courts and times are more popular than others, final assignments may have to be based on seniority which, as a general rule, relates to the date you join the Club.  Once assignments are complete, you will be mailed a roster listing all playing members and where they are playing or subbing.

In addition to the social interaction at tennis play, Golden Racquets hosts tennis parties throughout the year.  We also hold an annual meeting/luncheon in October of each year.  We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you as a member of our tennis and social activities in Golden Racquets.  If you have any questions, please contact Charles Russo at cmr3@cox.net.

If you become a member after season play has begun, you can volunteer to substitute. There is always a need for subs, and for those who regularly do so, a fairly high demand. Thereafter, before each season, you will receive a letter asking you to select a court(s) and time(s).