Grand Prix Special Announcements

On this thirtieth anniversary of the Grand Prix Series we are about to embark on a new era of Community based tennis events. We invite you take a look at the Orange County Grand Prix History and Mission statement found on our website Blog. In addition to the exciting Calendar of Tournaments planned for 2011 we wish to announce the following new programs.

CALENDAR: The OCGP 2011 season of tennis competition will include six (6) doubles tournaments held at the most prestigious, private tennis Clubs in Southern California. They are: Coto Valley Country Club, Nellie Gail Tennis Club, Seacliff Country Club, Mesa Verde Country Club, Racquet Club of Irvine and Newport Beach Tennis Club. In early August we will add to our schedule the 36th Annual Open Tennis Tournament at Mammoth Lakes, Northern California.

In September we will conduct the 9th Annual Queen of Heart’s Charity Tennis Tournament benefitting UCI Ovarian Cancer Research. Mission Statement: The Q of H’s Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for the research and early detection of ovarian cancer and promoting public awareness and education about the signs and symptoms of this disease. Queen of Hearts Foundation is a fully recognized 501C3 charitable institution.
In early November we will host the 16th Annual Mexico Madness/Baja Bash by visiting the village of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Early registrants and OCGP Members will receive a 5% discount on their cost of participation from Signature Travel Series of California. This will be followed the first weekend in January 2012 by our year end, Grand Prix Masters Invitational at the Shadow Mountain Resort in Palm Desert, California.

NEW PROGRAM ADDITIONS: Beginning in January we will offer Orange County Grand Prix “Exclusive Membership” opportunities ($25.00 annual fee required). Membership will include Grand Prix entry privileges and special Member Rewards discount offerings from DUNLOP, Hank Lloyds, Jerdog, Signature Travel Series, OCGP on-line shopping mall, 40 Love, Platinum Tickets, Team Swolen, H3Assist and other members of the Grand Prix Family of participating Sponsors. Membership cards will be available and mailed by late February. You may initiate membership at any time you do an electronic entry into any tournament on our 2011 schedule or by calling W. Daniel O’Connor at 714-734-0800

USTA SANCTIONING: Beginning this year, and of particular note for the Queen of Heart’s Charity Tennis Tournament, a select number of the Grand Prix events will be sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association, Southern California District. They include the following Grand Prix events: Nellie Gail, Mammoth Open, Queen of Hearts and Newport Beach tournaments. Membership, ratings and earned, ranking credits will be available for all USTA sanctioned tournaments and the Orange County Grand Prix events.

Dennis, Linda, Daniel, Rob, Charlie, Brian and Grand Prix Staff
p.s. Be one of the first to join the Grand Prix Membership family………………………

Important Notice – OC Grand Prix

On this thirtieth anniversary of the Grand Prix Series we are about to embark on a new era of Community based tennis events. We invite you take a look at the Orange County Grand Prix History and Mission statement enclosed with this letter. In addition to the exciting Calendar of Tournaments planned for 2011 we wish to announce the following new programs.
CALENDAR: The OCGP 2011 season of tennis competition will include six (6) doubles tournaments held at the most prestigious, private tennis Clubs in Southern California. They are: Coto Valley Country Club, Nellie Gail Tennis Club, Seacliff Country Club, Mesa Verde Country Club, Racquet Club of Irvine and Newport Beach Tennis Club. In early August we will add to our schedule the 36th Annual Open Tennis Tournament at Mammoth Lakes, Northern California.

In September we will conduct the 9th Annual Queen of Heart’s Charity Tennis Tournament benefitting UCI Ovarian Cancer Research. Mission Statement: The Q of H’s Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for the research and early detection of ovarian cancer and promoting public awareness and education about the signs and symptoms of this disease. Queen of Hearts Foundation is a fully recognized 501C3 charitable institution.
In early November we will host the 16th Annual Mexico Madness/Baja Bash by visiting the village of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Early registrants and OCGP Members will receive a 5% discount on their cost of participation from Signature Travel Series of California. This will be followed the first weekend in January 2012 by our year end, Grand Prix Masters Invitational at the Shadow Mountain Resort in Palm Desert, California.

NEW PROGRAM ADDITIONS: Beginning in January we will offer Orange County Grand Prix “Exclusive Membership” opportunities ($25.00 annual fee required). Membership will include Grand Prix entry privileges and special Member Rewards discount offerings from DUNLOP, Hank Lloyds, Jerdog, Signature Travel Series, OCGP on-line shopping mall, 40 Love, Platinum Tickets, Team Swolen, H3Assist and other members of the Grand Prix Family of participating Sponsors. Membership cards will be available and mailed by late February. To initiate membership please call: W. Daniel O’Connor at 714-734-0800

USTA SANCTIONING: Beginning this year, and of particular note for the Queen of Heart’s Charity Tennis Tournament, a select number of the Grand Prix events will be sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association, Southern California District. They include the following Grand Prix events: Nellie Gail, Mammoth Open, Queen of Hearts and Newport Beach tournaments. Membership, ratings and earned, ranking credits will be available for all USTA sanctioned tournaments and the Orange County Grand Prix events.
Dennis, Linda, Daniel, Rob and Grand Prix Staff
p.s. Be one of the first to join the Grand Prix Membership family………………………

Grand Prix History & Mission Statement

By way of providing some historical perspective we are pleased to note that the Grand Prix Series of community based tennis tournaments was originally founded in 1981 by Wayne Bryan (father and coach of Mike and Bob, world’s top doubles team) at the Cabrillo Racquet Club in Camarillo, California. Sometime later, the Grand Prix ownership and management was passed to Dennis Claus and Linda Collins of Orange County who have conducted the Grand Prix Tennis Tournament series for the past 25 years.

There are four Grand Prix geographical divisions serving Los Angeles, Coachella Valley, San Diego and Orange County. OCGP is the largest of all divisions and has ten annual tournament events conducted at private, prestigious club facilities throughout Orange County. We also conduct the single largest charity tennis event (the Queen of Hearts Foundation tournament at the Newport Beach Tennis Club) which has raised over one million dollars for ovarian cancer research at UCI. We are now into our 16th year of the popular “Grand Prix – Mexico Madness” tournament conducted the first weekend of November each year. Beginning in January, 2011, a select number of Grand Prix events will be sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association, Southern California District.

The Grand Prix series of tournaments continues to evolve with many innovative options being developed from the players themselves. For example, and setting us apart from traditional events or club activities we offer: The only tournaments with play in Open thru Novice divisions, permitted, coaching assistance and a paging system for court availability call-up notification. We specialize in doubles in most tournaments (singles in selected two weekend events), trophy awards for all tournaments, cumulative point awards for annual “High Point” winner, year-end recognition, flexible division assignments with consolation, back draw and feed-in formats where applicable.
Our meticulously maintained data base and rating systems are the most comprehensive, definitive and accurate for all adult Southern California active, private and public court players. We are, first and foremost, concerned that the player participants of all Grand Prix tournaments enjoy spirited, competitive and equitable competition and work diligently to insure the growth and interest in Community-based tennis throughout our area.

OCGP Latest News

At the close of a very successful 2010 Grand Prix Series of Southern California, community based tennis tournaments we would like to say thank you and wish you a very Happy Holiday Season. Our 2011 Calendar of events (which will be mailed to you shortly) begins again the first weekend of March. But first, a reminder or two:

Just in time for X-Mas we are having a blow-out, case lot sale of DUNLOP, Grand Prix tournament balls at $54.00 per case, plus tax. That’s $2.25 per can, 2 case limit, free local delivery. (less than Tennis Warehouse and Midwest Sports on-line prices).

The date of the Grand Prix 2010, year end, Invitational Tennis Tournament is January 7th, 8th and 9th at the popular Shadow Mountain Resort & Club in Palm Desert, California. High Point winners and district leaders from each of the four Grand Prix geographical divisions; Orange County, South Bay, Coachella Valley and San Diego will come together for a final test of tennis prowess and ability. The top eight doubles teams (16 players from each division and player level) are invited to participate in this annual event. It is possible that not all divisions will field a full draw and there may be positions open for Wild Card entries. If interested, please give Dennis or Daniel a call at 714-749-5462 or 714-734-0800 respectively. Entries will be open on-line (www.grandprixtennis.com) Wednesday November 24th.
The Shadow Mountain Resort & Club (www.shadowmountainresort.com) has offered special group rates* for the Grand Prix Invitational weekend, they are; Guest Rooms (king beds only, 5 rooms only) $99.00 per night, Studio units (king or 2 bedded rooms w/sofa sitting area) $119.00 per night or 2 Bedroom Condos (king and 2 beds w/ living room) $219.00 per night and a limited number of 3 Bedroom Condos, price and description on request. *two night minimum, rates do not include local occupancy tax or $7.50 per night resort fee (discounted from $15.00).
Location: The ideal desert location in the heart of the magnificent Palm Springs desert resorts. 100 miles east of Los Angeles and San Diego and 13 miles east of Palm Springs. The only desert resort within walking distance of El Paseo, the Rodeo Drive of the desert. 24 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and neighboring Golf Course with an unpretentious feeling to do as little or as much as you like.
In-Room Amenities: Fully appointed kitchens with coffee maker, microwave, cable tv/dvd, direct dial phones with data port, voice mail, iron/board, hair dryer and air conditioning. All accommodations are non-smoking and have a patio or balcony with a view of the mountains, pool, fairway or garden.
Resort and Activity Features: On-site Golf, special rate of $45.00 per round, 4 heated swimming pools (including the famed figure-8 pool), 5 whirlpool spas, sauna and exercise room, 16 championship tennis courts (includes 3 clay and 6 lighted courts for complimentary social tennis, the Desert Tennis Academy, volleyball, ping pong, basketball, bicycle rentals and other recreational available.

To reserve your group rate accommodations please call W. Daniel O’Connor of Signature Travel Series of California at 714-734-0800 or e-mail at wdaniel.oconnor@gte.net

OCGP City of Irvine SoCal Championships

This will serve to notice that the doubles and singles tournament scheduled for the weekends of July 16th, 17th & 18th and July 23rd, 24th & 25th has been re-scheduled for the 1st and 2nd weekends of August, 2010. Due to conflicting event activities for late July this change has become necessary and we offer all Grand Prix participants who have already submitted their entries the following options:

1. You may choose to apply your entry fees to the new Tournament dates. You need take no action to initiate this option, it will occur automatically unless we hear from you to the contrary.
2. You may chose to request a full refund of your entry fees, in which case, please give us a call or send an e-mail notification.
3. Or you may choose to apply your entry fee to any upcoming scheduled Orange County Grand Prix event (may not be used or applied to entries for the Queen of Hearts Charity Tournament).

Please note that the Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles will be played on the first weekend (August 6, 7 & 8th) and the Singles and Parent/Child Doubles will be played on the 2nd weekend (August 13, 14 & 15th). Electronic entries for the City of Irvine SoCal Championships will remain open until 5:00 pm on August 1st and August 8th respectively (www.grandprixtennis.com). We sincerely regret any inconvenience which may result from this necessary, last minute change of schedule. Please give us a call with any special concerns or questions at 714-734-0800, e-mail: wdaniel.oconnor@gte.net. The Grand Prix Staff, Dennis, Linda, Dan, Rob, Larry and Brian.

Mesa Verde Grand Prix Tournament

Just a brief reminder that entries are now being accepted online, for the very popular, 28th Annual Mesa Verde Grand Prix Tournament. Play will begin on June 25th, 26th and 27th and entries are available at all local tennis clubs throughout Orange County and also electronically on our website at: http://www.grandprixtennes.com. Entries will be open until 5:00 p.m. Monday evening, June 21st. The draw will be posted by noon on Wednesday the 23rd.

As a special feature of this year’s Mesa Verde event there will be an exhibition of local professional prowess including Devon Bowen, David Roditi, Tim Leonard and others. There are cash prizes being awarded for play in the Pro/Pro Division and it promises to be an exciting, hotly contested, tennis demonstration, making it a fun, noteworthy opportunity to pick-up some free pointers to help you improve your game.

We would like to remind you also, that individual and team entries are being accepted for the first ever, Grand Prix Tennis Series, geographically based, Mixed League (10, 9, 8 and 7 combined divisions of play) to begin this Fall (mid-September thru early January). An exciting new feature of the Grand Prix League play is that the scheduling is designed to permit continued involvement in our regular calendar of (ten tournaments throughout the year) events. To discuss the Mixed Team Tennis League please contact: Rob Rinke at 949-422-9291 or robandsusie@cox.net.

Seacliff Grand Prix & h3assist

Seacliff Country Club Grand Prix
We would like to remind all Grand Prix Tournament participants that the forth stop on our calendar of Community based tennis tournaments is at the popular Seacliff Country Club in Huntington Beach. Play will begin on May 21st, 22nd and 23rd and entries can now be found at all local tennis clubs throughout the County and available electronically, online at our website: http://www.grandprixtennis.com.

We would also like to welcome the addition of our newest, non-tennis related underwriting sponsor: H3Assist which was founded by two of our very own from the tennis community, Scott Morton and Adam Kranson. Most of you are familiar with Scott’s story and how his brother Glenn has fought back from a brain injury of five years ago. You can read about Glenn on the following link: http:blog.h3assist.com.

h3assist is a service provider offering a caring, helping hand in your home and is devoted to delivering compassionate, qualified, quality, in-home care in familiar surroundings, among loving family and friends.
All H3Assist services and programs are delivered by especially trained, bonded and insured caregivers. With a myriad of specialized H3Assist services, such as, Alzheimer’s & Senior Dementia, Parkinson’s, Heart Disease/Stroke, Hospice Care, Post Operative Recuperation, Lou Gehrig’s Disease and Acquired Brain Injury, H3Assist can be researched at http://www.H3Assist.com or by calling 888-818-9463

Nellie Gail Grand Prix

Entries are now open for the Nellie Gail Grand Prix coming up on April 23rd, 24th and 25th. Entries will remain open through the close at 5:00 pm, Sunday the 18th. To assist us in the timely dissemination of information regarding the Nellie Gail event and the upcoming Sea Cliff Country Club Grand Prix we would like to remind you that:

1. Mailed entries should be posted as early as possible.
2. Electronic entries will remain open until 5:00 pm on the
Sunday preceding the weekend of the tournament(s).
3. Time conflicts will be accommodated where possible upon
written requests accompanying mailed entries and
confirmed in comments box found at the bottom of all
electronic submittals.
4. Any special telephone requests must be followed up with
an e-mail comfirmation to wdaniel.oconnor@gte.net.
5. Time conflict resolutions are nearly impossible to accomplish
once the draw has been posted on Wednesday
prior to the tournament weekend.
6. Limited court availability, conflicting division schedules and
difficulty in contacting all those effected by time changes
may make it impossible to accommodate all requests.

The governance of all tournament rules are set out in the printed or electronic entries and can be clarified or affirmed by a simple phone call to Dennis Claus (714-749-5462) or W. Daniel O’Connor (714-734-0800). The Orange County Grand Prix is committed to providing an opportunity for competitive, fair, enthusiastic and exciting community tennis available to all.

OCGP Staff, Dennis, Linda, Daniel, Rob, Larry and Brian

Please note: That in an effort to improve Grand Prix tennis family interaction and communication, we have established our own page on facebook.com and have added this blog. We invite you to sign on, sign in, join in and contact any of the Grand Prix staff or your Southern California tennis friends. It’s fun, fast frivolous and best of all it’s free. We have also undertaken an effort to update all of the information in our extensive OCGP tennis data base. If there have been recent changes to your personal profile, i.e. name changes, club affiliations, phone or e-mail contacts, please call W. Daniel O’Connor at 714-734-0800 or 714-731-2800.

Coto Valley Country Club Grand Prix

Just a reminder that the 2nd event of the Grand Prix 2010 Season is the Coto Valley Country Club Tournament on March 26, 27 and 28th. Entrie will remain open though 5:00 pm on Sunday the 21st. To enter electronically, go to grandprixtennis.com, click on ocgp, click on tournaments, go to 8th Annual Coto Valley Tournament and enter from the right side of the page. Should you have any difficulty, please call: w. daniel o’connor at 714-734-0800. Thanx……….ocgp

BNP Paribas Tickets

BNP Paribas Indian Wells Tennis. Two tickets available Tuesday 16th thru Thursday18th including parking pass and access to the Garden club. $200 a day per ticket includes day and night sessions. If you don’t want the tickets for the evening match you can sell them or give them away. . FYI. the ticket are going for 250/350 for the day and 100/200 for the night. Contact Monique at 916-870-1488