By CHARBONNEAU SPORTS CENTER COUNCIL

Spring brings fantastic tennis to Coachella Valley and Charbonneau tennis members do not miss a beat ! Here is what our members are saying …

In the Villager a number of years ago , there was an announcement about a golf tournament and luncheon for Charbonneau residents in the Palm Desert area . What a delightful idea to meet up with your neighbors while away ! We had just moved to Charbonneau and were already going to Palm Desert every March for several weeks . Only problem was , we were tennis players , not golfers ! So that wouldn ’ t work .

Flash forward a few years and we started to connect with fellow tennis club members who spent some part of March in the desert , getting together for a happy hour here and there . We have a two-bedroom timeshare right next to the beautiful Indian Wells Tennis Garden , and are regulars at the BNP Paribas tournament . Why not invite some fellow club members to join us ? It turned out to be quite a hit ! Now we also keep a list of the Charbies who are down here , try to organize a few tennis times , parties , and get-togethers during our stay . We coordinate dates and seats for some of the BNP Paribas events like the Eisenhower Cup so we can sit and cheer together .

We started going to Palm Desert in 2008 , and moved to Charbonneau in 2015 . Actually , it was the experience in Palm Desert that led us to Charbonneau . Every March we came away from the desert with a renewed sense of well-being . We liked the resortstyle living we enjoyed : tennis , swimming , walking , biking , happy hour dinners , easy visiting with fellow travelers . So , when we were looking to move from the 117 acres outside of Eugene , it looked like Charbonneau offered the same amenities that led to our sense of well-being : tennis , swimming , biking , happy hours , great neighbors to get to know . It became a no-brainer for us . This is the place for us .

Being down here during the tennis tournament is often chaotic , sometimes frustrating and always magical . Being with our Charbonneau tennis buddies is a rewarding addition . We come home with that same sense of well-being , doubled by the feeling of greater connection with our Charbonneau community . Game , set , match ! — Rick and Peg Saries In 2019 , Rick and Peg Saries generously invited Colleen and

From left to right , Sports Center members Shirish Patel ( Doc ), Dwaine Wisthoff , Lisa Wisthoff , Colleen McKenzie , Gary McKenzie , Rick Saries , Peg Saries are seen at Indian Wells .

COURTESY PHOTO : LISA WISTHOFF

I to spend a week with them at their timeshare in Palm Desert , California . It was PNB Baribas time , so we were going to be able to watch early round matches . Turns out their timeshare at Desert Breezes is directly across the street from the tennis gardens — a short ¼-mile walk ! Desert Breezes is a smaller facility , older but well maintained with a beautiful pool and multiple tennis courts . We so enjoyed our stay , that , upon our return , we elected to purchase two weeks of time for ourselves . We have been coming to the tournament every year since ( minus COVID ). The only challenge we face is getting on the phone early in the morning 13 months ahead of time to reserve a condo at tournament time . And yes , we already are set for the 2025 tournament .

Since we are so close to the facility , we have the luxury of being selective on which matches and times we would like to see . It is always fun to find an up-and-coming qualifier and follow them as they progress in the tournament . Virtually everyone here during this time is a tennis player , so resort court time is a challenge ; however , we do try and get a set or two in before heading over to

the tournament .

Besides watching a lot of great tennis , we enjoy much of what the Coachella Valley offers in late winter / early springtime . In our times here , we have visited Joshua Tree National Park , the Desert Zoo , Borrego Springs , hiked Indian Canyon , taken the tram and enjoyed a few meals at local restaurants . This year , the atmospheric rivers have brought rain to the valley so the hills are bright ( for the desert ) green . We plan to visit the park again and hopefully see the desert in bloom ! — Gary and Colleen McKenzie We started coming to the Palm Springs area in 1985 to get out of the Portland rain . It started with a week then we stayed for longer and longer periods until we bought a condo in Palm Desert eight years ago .

I have played tennis most of my life . Fifteen years ago , I went to my first Indian Wells BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament . I enjoyed it so much I volunteered the next year and continued to volunteer for 11 more years . During that time , I encouraged a couple other Charbonneau players to volunteer . There are several jobs ranging from driving VIPs from the airport , working the information booths , ushers in the stadiums to ticket taking . I always worked the gates because the people were so friendly . I enjoyed seeing all the Charbonneau players over the years . If anyone is interested in volunteering , I would recommend it . If you want to see a lot of tennis , be an usher .

— Don and Linda Patch

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On April 4 we begin our season with a breakfast at 8 a . m . to welcome back all of our members and bring them up to date with the current happenings in CWGA ! This event will be followed by the first CWGA Scramble of the season . Let the joy of golfing and the celebrations begin ! After this event our regular 9-hole and 18-hole play days begin on Tuesdays and Thursdays .

In the spirit of our theme of education and mentorship and in collaboration with The Niners , on April 26 , we are happy to invite you to attend a presentation with George Fox University ’ s women ’ s golf coach , MaryJo McCloskey . In addition to leading her team to win seven NCAA trophies , including the 2023 NCAA D-III Championship , she was named the 2022-2023 Coach of the Year . Her recent book , “ When Girls Win ,” is an inspiring story about a female coach ’ s passionate journey to the top in a male-dominated arena . Her focus on building confidence , outmaneuvering obstacles , breaking through resistance and maximizing performance are lessons for us all in improving our skills . We hope you will join us for a Continental Breakfast on April 26 at 9 a . m in the Clubhouse Dining Room to hear this incredible female golf leader . Signup in the in the Pro Shop by April 23 .

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