BELLA VISTA — The Bella Vista Tennis Association wrapped up its scheduled social and on-court events Saturday, Oct. 17.

With a Fall Festival theme and carnival play for “tennis bucks” on the agenda, prizes awaited winners. Add to that a clinic by Bella Vista tennis professional Paul Pautsch and the election of officers for 2010 - Dale Tyler, president;

Kurt Solera, vice president; Kent Coffman, treasurer; and Allison Payne, secretary. Last but not least came lunch.

Don’t think rackets, jackets and yellow balls will be packed away for winter, however. Hardy men and women don their warm clothes as often as weather permits them to enjoy the game. Even cold, winter days will not deter them, for exercise provides warmth.

* * *

Some big names in professional tennis have made headlines recently.

First, Justine Henin, the 27-year-old Belgian, retired in May 2008. At the time ranked No. 1 in the world, she joins Kim Clijsters, who won the U.S.

Open in September after coming out of retirement to start a family. She and her husband now have a 19-month-old daughter.

Henin’s slim build masks a fierce one-handed backhand to go with her many other talents.

She holds two Grand Slam singles titles. If she returns to the circuit in time for the Australian Open, she’ll be after her third.

Another tennis star in the headlines was Chris Evert, whose marriage to golf star Greg Norman 15 months ago ended in separation. Evert was previously married to British tennis player John Lloyd and American skier Andy Mill. Before that came her widely promoted engagement to tennis great, Jimmy Connors.

* * *

Bentonville HighSchool’s Tigers and Lady Tigers tennis teams proved their mettle again by winning both boys' and girls' titles in the 7A-West conference tournament last week. The boys con

quered Fayetteville 14-

12. The girls had an eas

ier time, downing Fort

Smith Southside 17-9.

Next stop for coach

Pautsch’s Tigers is the

state tournament.

* * *

Durand Young is a re

tired former sports writer

and magazine editor who

came to Bella Vista from

South Dakota.

Sports & Recreation, Pages 13 on 10/28/2009

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