Act today to reserve your spot before they are gone!
Registration is now open for the 2020 CSMFO Annual Conference in Anaheim.
For many of us, that means it’s time to gear up for the Bank of the West Tennis Mixer. Dedicated players start to refine their groundstrokes, serves, and volleys, while others (like me) hope that they remember which storage box their tennis rackets are in!
Are you looking at the title of this article and asking yourself, “Did I read that correctly?” Check again, this year there’s an extra sport included in the mixer. On top of an afternoon full of tennis, participants will also have the chance to play some pickleball. Bank of the West is pleased to present the 9th Annual Tennis Mixer AND Pickleball Clinic/Mixer.
So, what is Pickleball? Is it a sport that creatively incorporates pickles and tennis rackets? If you haven’t heard of Pickleball before, think of it as combination of ping pong, racquetball and tennis. Played on almost half of a tennis court, Pickleball uses a wooden paddle to hit a perforated “wiffle” ball across a shorter field of play. Imagine using a ping pong paddle to hit a wiffle ball over a tennis net. Sound easy? It’s surprisingly challenging, but a lot of fun.
The 2020 CSMFO Conference has 32 spots available for the mixer and clinic and registration is now open!
Participants should arrive no later than 11:30am, because there is a full afternoon of tennis and pickleball waiting. Everyone will split into two groups, one for tennis and one for pickleball. Players will start with an hour of drills and clinic, followed by an hour of match play and round robin before switching sports!
Mike Nelson will lead the Pro Group Clinic. Mike said not to worry, “Pickleball won’t ruin your tennis game, it will only enhance it!” A total of four coaches, certified in both tennis and pickleball, will provide feedback and tips. The mixer is a low stress, no pressure way to get out there and play some sets and meet new people!
Registration cost is $35 for Government members, and $175 for Commercial members. The fees for the mixer include lunch, the Pro Group Clinic, court fees, racket rental, tennis balls, pickleballs, a Bank of the West hat/visor, snacks and water. Feel free to bring your own tennis racket, but you can borrow one from the Center if you can only fit athletic shoes in your suitcase. The Anaheim Tennis Center will have Pickleball paddles available, but they will need to be reserved.
Finally, players who want some extra court time will have an amazing opportunity to stay back and participate in drop-in play. Pickleball drop-in play is from 4:30PM to 8:00PM for $6, and tennis drop-in play is from 6:30PM to 9:00PM for $14.
Thank you to Bank of the West for supporting the CSMFO. Registration fees are donated to the CSMFO O’Dell Scholarship Fund.
Register today!
For additional information please contact Lily Ng at lily.ng@botw.com
James Russel-Field is the Assistant Finance Director with the City of Benicia. He relocated from Salt Lake City, Utah to originally the City of Thousand Oaks. He enjoys the many mountain ranges of Nortern Califronia. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the CSFMO Communication Committee.
