How many players??? Wow, we were heading into a record breaking weekend and
Tuxedo was ready to welcome the many players, friends and guests to the Park, we
came into the Gold Racquets weekend with great anticipation. Our pro Tim Chisholm
was getting a huge response for racquets and court tennis players, in turn we had the
phones ringing off the hook for party attendance, we knew we were heading for a big
weekend! As we have many new members who were going to experience their first GR,
we had to show all attendees a wonderful time, all weekend long!
Friday was busy, the Tennis House was buzzing by mid morning and we had lunch
ready for those who were playing early, the host houses were ready for their guests and
as was the case all weekend, it was non stop play all day, into each evening and early
into each morning! That night those who weren’t palying made their way up to the
Savarese House for a buffet dinner. The walls of the “gym” ran a black and white loop
of party and play photos of past Gold Racquets, the pool table saw lots of action, the
wine flowed as we had crab cakes and sirloin of beef. The modern space, a lofty
carriage house conversion, was a great place to entertain 100 players, members and
guests.
There was breakfast for those who had to get down to Tennis early, and before too long
the place was humming with activity, coffee, bloodies and beer flowed from 11 a.m. On.
As the weather got colder, chef’s soup, gourmet grilled cheese and those home made
potato chips were all appreciated! Many hands were in prep-mode for the dinner dance,
the main club was in high gear, as we had 240 reservations for dinner. The band,
Elements was rehearsing, the kitchen was humming along, the gals who had been
planning for weeks, put the finishing touches on the ballroom, the black and white
theme was fresh and “sexy!” White amaryllis, calla lillies and roses were center stage,
all in glass containers, on the black covered tables and chairs, the effect was modern
and fresh.
As the guests arrived, the piano played, the champage flowed, we were ready to have
fun and cut loose! The crowd enjoyed the music, blackened fillet, the wine, danced, ate
some more, danced again. The dessert buffet, again keeping in theme was all black and
white, Tennis Ball “lollypops” and Tuxedo Strawberries were served as we awaited the
After Party. The “Phantom” music played, as masked servers beckoned the party
goers, a techno version of the erie theme took over, the room went from black and
white to a lazer show with neon colors, fog lifted from the floor, the effect was dramatic,
beams of light cut across the room. The DJ had the crowd on the white dance floor for
the next 4 hours, TVs showed photos of the lively throng, the courtyard had welcoming
fires, shots of apple-tinis kept us warm! We were further fueled by truffle fries and
cheesy ham croissants. A first time ever sing along by the piano in the front hall was the
Sunday dawned clear, icy winds raced across Tuxedo lake, running from car to the fire
in the Tennis made the unbearable trip worthwhile, there was no rest for the weary
markers and players. “Oh no, you’re starting at 7 a.m! Yikes!” It was evident that the
previous evening was a huge success! Many gathered for party reviews, a bloody and
some wonderful matches. As play continued, the winds howled and finally pushed over
a tree that knocked out power to some of the Park……uh, oh…thankfully generators
kicked in and the players didn’t skip a beat, but did the Rodolfos, our supper venue,
have power? No….. The mayor, Orange and Rockland and some fleet of foot crews got
to the offending tree, restored the power, while many sighed in relief! The temperatures
dropped to 13 gusty, bone chilling degrees, we were welcomed by warming vodka shots
at the front door at Claudia and Alvin’s, in shot glasses made of ice! Hundreds of
candles flickered, providing a cozy, relaxed spot for shepherd’s and chicken pot pies,
wine, ping pong and a relaxed evening for all. Meanwhile, back at Tennis, the play went
on and on and……
President’s Day was bright and we were looking forward to a wonderful CT final and the
finalists didn’t dissappoint! We were warmed by chili and bloodies as Pat Winthrop did
battle with Bradley Allen, it was a wonderful tournament, our congratulations to Brad for
a well deserved victory! It was a fabulous weekend, we enjoyed having so many fun
players and guests, once again we shook off the winter blues and kicked up our heels
and showed the crowd a really good time!
