Quaker Aurora Tennis Club

CLUB PARTY A BIG SUCCESS!

We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Annual Club Party was a resounding success! Thank you to everyone who attended and made the evening so special. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and celebration among our wonderful members.

Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to the success of the party. We look forward to more wonderful events in the future and hope to see you all on the court!

PLEASE SIGN IN!

Members are required to sign in before using the courts; this documentation is essential for both:

• Liability & insurance purposes
• QATC Court Utilization Analysis

Please make sure to follow proper procedures by:

• Registering all players on the available sign-in sheet
• Registering any guests in your playing party
• Please be sure to legibly write the player’s first and last name
• Cancelling any reservation at your earliest opportunity so that the court becomes available for use by your fellow members

WINTER IS COMING!

We are asking that members park a few feet away from the building once the snow & ice accumulates as ice does fall from the roof and may cause damage to your vehicles.  If you are at the club and feel the parking lot is icy and needs to be salted, please contact a board member and we’ll make sure it gets taken care of.
 

CHANGE INTO TENNIS SHOES BEFORE ENTERING THE COURTS

As winter sets in, we kindly ask all members to change out of their street shoes and into clean tennis shoes before stepping onto the courts. Snow, salt, and moisture tracked in from outside can damage the court surface and create slippery, unsafe conditions for everyone.

Thank you for helping us keep our courts in great shape and safe for play all season long!
 

GUEST POLICY

Guest fees are $10 per person for up to 2 hours of court time per session. Guests may only play a maximum of 5 times per year (September through August) regardless of who invites the individual to play. Please advise your guest(s) of current Club policies.  

CLUB REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

Since our last newsletter, there have been a number of repairs and updates to the facility.  Here are the items:

• Courts have been deep cleaned
• Tree removed
• Inspection done on roof and minor repairs done to prepare for winter

If you are aware of anything that needs attention, please talk to a member of the Board or send an email to quakeraurora@gmail.com.

UPDATED MEMBERSHIP PHONE LIST AVAILABLE

We are pleased to inform you that the membership phone / email list has been updated and is now available on our website. We encourage all members to take a moment to review the list and ensure that your information is accurate.

If you notice any discrepancies or if there are any changes needed, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Your accuracy and up-to-date information help us maintain a strong and connected club community.

BOARD ELECTIONS UPDATE

We are excited to announce the nominations for the upcoming board elections! This year, we have two new candidates: Doug Harty and Matt Yuschik, alongside two incumbents, Cindy Chynoweth and Mitch Stenger, who are vying for three open board seats. 

We would also like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to current board member Jim Griffis, who has chosen not to seek reelection. His dedicated service and contributions to the club have been invaluable, and he will certainly be missed.

If anyone else is interested in running, please reach out to a board member or email the club at quakeraurora@gmail.com.  Ballots will be sent out on November 24th, so please keep an eye on your inbox. As a reminder, single members will have one vote, while family members will have two. We encourage all members to participate in this important process and make your voices heard!

Thank you for your continued support of the club, and please be sure to vote!

WELCOME TO NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS!

We are excited to welcome Cameron & Christine Brown to Quaker Aurora Tennis Club!

• Cameron Brown: Level 3.0
• Christine Brown: Level 2.0 – 2.5

We look forward to seeing both of you on the courts and getting to know you better!

Additionally, we are happy to welcome Jeffrey Murphy (Level 3.5) back to the club!

Let’s all make this season a great one, filled with fun matches, new friendships, and plenty of tennis action! Be sure to introduce yourself to Cameron, Christine, and Jeffrey when you see them around the club!

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the QATC Board will be our annual meeting held at the Club on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 6:30pm.  All members are encouraged to attend our regular bi-monthly Board Meetings and become more involved with the Club.  

Play Well & Be Well
QATC Board of Directors

ANNUAL PARTY!

The Club will be holding its annual member’s party on Friday October 17th at 6pm.  There will be food, entertainment and more!  All members and their spouses are welcome to attend.  Also, if you are in contact with any former Club members, feel free to ask them to come as well.  

If you know you’ll be attending, please reach out to board member Carl DiNatale or send him an email at dinatale1341@gmail.com.  A reminder email will be sent out before the party.

INVOICES SENT

Invoices for membership dues have been sent out.  These invoices must be paid by September 30, 2025 or a late fee of $25 / month will be imposed. 

If you haven’t received your invoice, please call Jim Griffis at (716)863-2281
 

GUEST POLICY

Guest fees are $10 per person for up to 2 hours of court time per session. Guests may only play a maximum of 5 times per year (September through August) regardless of who invites the individual to play. Please advise your guest(s) of current Club policies.  

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS COMING SOON

The Club will be holding its annual election in November for the Board of Directors.  This year, there will be three seats up for grabs.  If anyone is interested in running for the Board, please speak to a member of the Board or send an email to quakerauroratennis@gmail.com.

NEW MEMBERS

The Quaker Aurora Tennis Club is pleased to welcome two new members to our community:

Kathleen Ramsey (3.5 / 4.0 level)

Suzanne Krycia (3.5 level)

Please join us in giving Kathleen and Suzanne a warm welcome! We encourage all members to reach out, say hello, and consider inviting them to join in league play or other hitting opportunities. Let’s help them feel at home both on and off the court!

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the QATC Board will be held at the Club on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 6:30pm.  All members are encouraged to attend our regular bi-monthly Board Meetings and become more involved with the Club.  

Play Well & Be Well
QATC Board of Directors

CLEAN-UP A BIG SUCCESS!

A big thank you to the many Club members who showed up & showed out for the recent Club Cleanup! Now let’s all continue to keep the Club looking “Nice & Tidy!”
 
CLUB REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

Since our last newsletter, there have been several repairs and updates made to the facility. The highlights include the following:

• New and brighter lights have been put in place outside the main entrance;
• Enhanced security cameras have been stationed in and, especially, outside the building entrances and parking area;
• New carpeting has been installed in the kitchen.

If you are aware of anything else that needs attention, please talk to a Board Member, or send an email to quakeraurora@gmail.com.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Invoices for Membership Dues will be sent out mid-August. Annual Dues for a Single/Adult Membership will be $700 per year; a Family Membership will now increase to $1,400 per year. 
 
Following a comprehensive review of Club revenue and increasing expenses, as well as our continuing analysis of Club court usage, the Board concluded that all adults should remit the uniform rate of $700 per year.

Families (with children at home under the age of 25 years old) will now have their membership fee raised to $1400 per year.

These annual Membership Dues for our private non-profit Club continue to remain significantly below the market rate for local public indoor tennis facilities (which generally have lesser court access).
 
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
 
The Board is updating our Application Forms for Single and Family Memberships; they will be posted to the Club website shortly. The QATC Membership is currently full but we maintain a waiting list for applicants.
 
GUEST POLICY

Guest fees remain at $10 per person for up to 2 hours of court time per session. Guests may only play a maximum of 5 times per year (September through August) — regardless of whoever invites the Guest to play. Please advise your Guest(s) of our Club policies.  

2025 FALL SEASON

We will be reminding all League Captains to prepare and soon forward each League’s Fall Schedule, which will then be posted to our website for easy reference.

Should you be interested in joining and regularly playing in any Club League, please contact the Captain (or another member) of the League, to ask that you be included on their schedule.

Many thanks to all the League Captains for organizing and preparing the schedules for our Fall Season!
 
CLUB SOCIAL

The Club will be holding our annual get-together in late October.  The Board is finalizing the date and time.  There will be food, entertainment and more!  All Members and their spouses are encouraged to attend.  An email will be sent out as soon as the details are available.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the QATC Board will be held at the Club on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 6:30pm.  All members are welcome to attend our bi-monthly Board Meetings and become more involved with the Club.  

Play Well & Be Well,
QATC Board of Directors

SPRING CLEAN-UP

Our annual QATC Spring Clean-Up is happening — Rain or Shine — on Saturday, May 31st, at 9:00 AM. Please join us as we give the Club and surrounding grounds a “refreshing” for the season ahead!

We need as many volunteers as possible. If possible, kindly contribute an hour or two to help spruce up the outdoor gardens and the common areas inside the club. Your help makes all the difference!

Doughnuts, coffee, and fresh mulch will be provided; please bring your own yard tools for the gardening efforts.

Remember, the more volunteers we have, the quicker and more enjoyable the process will be. Thanks in advance for your support – we look forward to seeing you there!

DONATE YOUR USED RACKETS

“Leveling The Playing Field” is a non-profit organization that helps kids from under-resourced communities become involved in youth sports through the collection and redistribution of gently used sporting equipment.  Their donations benefit schools, rec centers, and other youth programs looking to engage their students in the physical and mental benefits of youth sport participation.  

We have recently been contacted by this organization, and we are appealing to ALL members to check their tennis bags, basements, and closets for any rackets they would like to donate to this very worthy cause.  

We will set up a collection box in the kitchen and, by our Spring Clean-Up of Saturday, May 31st (9am), we hope to have a few dozen rackets to donate!
 

COURT UTILIZATION

1. Court Etiquette – Please refer to our recent newsletter pertaining to basic Club Etiquette.  We encourage members to raise any such infractions — immediately — directly to the offending parties, so as to give them prompt notice AND the chance to “self-correct” their conduct.  However, repeated violations of club Rules & Regulations should be reported to QATC Board Members (quakeraurora@gmail.com)
2. Court Capacity –The maximum number of players allowed on a court at any one time is 4 people, unless you are participating in a lesson, in which case the limit is 5 players (including the instructor).  There are to be NO exceptions to this rule under ANY circumstances!
3. Guest Policy – Guest fees are $10 per person for up to 2 hours of court time per session. Guests are limited to a maximum of 5 times per year (September through August), regardless of who invites the individual to play. Please advise your guest(s) of current Club policies.
4. Continued Violations of Club Policy – We are aware of a few members who have repeatedly violated these Club rules.  They will be advised that continued breaches of club policy will no longer be tolerated and will jeopardize their memberships at QATC.

ORCHARD PARK HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS TEAM WINS SECTION VI CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Orchard Park defeated Williamsville East 6-1 last week in the Section VI Team Championships held in Clarence.  Six of the team’s top eleven athletes who competed, are members at QATC!  Congratulations to:

Sebastian George
Jacob Domzalski
Taylor McGrath
Callum DeBroka
Noah DeAngelis
Griffin Watson

The team now advances to Section VI vs V in the Finals to be held at OPHS on Monday June 2. All are encouraged to come and support our boys and the local team!

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the QATC Board will be held at the Club on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 6:30pm.  Members are welcome to attend.  

Play Well & Be Well,
QATC Board

CLUB & BOARD ELECTION / OFFICERS

The following are the highlights from the first meeting of the newly reconstituted 2025 QATC Board of Directors, held on Monday, January 13th.:

We welcome back incumbent Board members John Bush and Rick Phillips, and are pleased to introduce our newly elected colleague, Holly Lawson.

In accordance with QATC Bylaws, the following were elected Club Officers:
      President – Mitch Stenger
      Vice President – Rick Phillips
      Treasurer – Jim Griffis
      Secretary – Holly Lawson

The Board also designated the following to ensure continuing smooth daily operations of the Club: 

       Communications/Reservations – Matt Czechowski & John Bush
       Supplies – Pete Ryan
       Board Nominations/Party – Carl DiNatale
       Club Membership – Cindy Chynoweth & Carl DiNatale
       Rules & Regulations – Mitch Stenger
       Buildings & Grounds – Jim Griffis
       Court Utilization – Rick Phillips & Holly Lawson

We look forward to another great year at QATC in 2025, and we encourage all members to stay engaged and involved. Thank you for your continued support — let’s make this season a memorable one!

WINTER PARKING

We are asking that members park a few feet away from the building once the snow & ice accumulates as ice does fall from the roof and may cause damage to your vehicles.  We also ask all members to please refrain from parking in the spot in front of the main entrance.  

If you are at the club and feel the parking lot is icy and needs to be salted, please contact a board member and we’ll make sure it gets taken care of.

COLD & FLU SEASON

As a courtesy to all our members, if you are dealing with an illness, please get a sub until your symptoms are completely resolved.  

GUEST POLICY

Guest fees are $10 per person for up to 2 hours of court time per session. Guests may only play a maximum of 5 times per year (September through August) regardless of who invites the individual to play. Please advise your guest(s) of current Club policies.  

RESERVATIONS FOR BALL MACHINE/LESSONS

We have added new items to the YourCourts reservations system, allowing members to differentiate their reservation between “Casual Play,” etc., and “Practice – Ball Machine” or “Lesson”. When making your reservation, kindly click the checkbox under “Type” and make your choice. This will similarly assist our ongoing efforts to better assess current court usage.

MEMBERSHIP

As a reminder, our club is currently at full capacity. We will not be accepting new members until some existing members resign. We appreciate your understanding and support as we maintain our community’s vibrant atmosphere.

COURT UTILIZATION

A handful of Club members have expressed some concerns to the Board regarding the availability of court reservations during select peak times – in particular re:  weekday afternoons – which is distinct from previous complaints pertaining to weekend access.  There has also been a very large uptick in people logging on to the “YourCourts” system to frequently change or manipulate their reservations.

The Board’s Committee for Court Utilization is going to investigate these issues in further detail and report back to the full Board at an Executive Working Meeting next month.  Should these access/reservation issues turn out not to be limited to just a few members but, instead, are part of a broader court availability issue, the Board will then need to consider appropriate revisions to the Rules & Regulations going forward.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the QATC Board will be held at the Club on Monday, March 10, 2025, at 6:30pm.  Members are free to attend our regular bi-monthly Board Meetings and become more involved with the Club.  

Play Well & Be Well
QATC Board of Directors

CLUB PARTY A BIG SUCCESS!

We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Annual Club Party was a resounding success! Thank you to everyone who attended and made the evening so special. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and celebration among our wonderful members.

Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to the success of the party. We look forward to more wonderful events in the future and hope to see you all on the court!

COURT ETIQUETTE

As we continue to enjoy our time on the courts, we’d like to remind everyone of the importance of practicing common courtesy when entering and leaving the tennis courts.

Please be mindful of the following:

1. Wait for Your Turn: If it is your time to play and there are players already on the court, please wait patiently until there is a break in the action before entering.
2. Keep Noise to a Minimum: When entering or leaving, try to minimize any disturbances. Remember that players may be focused on their games.
3. Respect Court Time: Be aware of your scheduled court time and vacate the court promptly to ensure the next players can start on time.
4. Friendly Greetings: A simple “hello” or “good match” goes a long way in fostering a welcoming environment.

Let’s work together to maintain the friendly atmosphere that makes our club so special. Thank you for your cooperation and enjoy your time on the courts!

PLEASE SIGN IN!

Members are required to sign in before using the courts; this documentation is essential for both:

• Liability & insurance purposes
• QATC Court Utilization Analysis

Please make sure to follow proper procedures by:

• Registering all players on the available sign-in sheet
• Registering any guests in your playing party
• Cancelling any reservation at your earliest opportunity so that the court becomes available for use by your fellow members

WINTER IS COMING!

We are asking that members park a few feet away from the building once the snow & ice accumulates as ice does fall from the roof and may cause damage to your vehicles.  If you are at the club and feel the parking lot is icy and needs to be salted, please contact a board member and we’ll make sure it gets taken care of.

GUEST POLICY

Guest fees are $10 per person for up to 2 hours of court time per session. Guests may only play a maximum of 5 times per year (September through August) regardless of who invites the individual to play. Please advise your guest(s) of current Club policies.  

RESERVATIONS FOR BALL MACHINE/LESSONS

We have added new items to the YourCourts reservations system, allowing members to differentiate their reservation between “Casual Play,” etc., and “Practice – Ball Machine” or “Lesson”. When making your reservation, kindly click the checkbox under “Type” and make your choice. This will similarly assist our ongoing efforts to better assess current court usage.

BOARD ELECTIONS UPDATE

We are excited to announce the nominations for the upcoming board elections! This year, we have four new candidates: Doug Harty, Holly Lawson, Bill Heiler, and Matt Yuschik, alongside two incumbents, John Bush and Rick Phillips, who are vying for three open board seats. 

We would also like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to current board member Nancy Montone, who has chosen not to seek a third term. Her dedicated service and contributions to the club have been invaluable, and she will certainly be missed.

Ballots will be sent out on November 25th, so please keep an eye on your inbox. As a reminder, single members will have one vote, while family members will have two. We encourage all members to participate in this important process and make your voices heard!

Thank you for your continued support of the club, and please be sure to vote!

UPDATED MEMBERSHIP PHONE LIST AVAILABLE

We are pleased to inform you that the membership phone / email list has been updated and is now available on our website. We encourage all members to take a moment to review the list and ensure that your information is accurate.

If you notice any discrepancies or if there are any changes needed, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Your accuracy and up-to-date information help us maintain a strong and connected club community.

MEMBERSHIP

As a reminder, our club is currently at full capacity. We will not be accepting new members until some existing members resign. We appreciate your understanding and support as we maintain our community’s vibrant atmosphere.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the QATC Board will be our annual meeting held at the Club on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 6:30pm.  All members are encouraged to attend our regular bi-monthly Board Meetings and become more involved with the Club.  

Play Well & Be Well
QATC Board of Directors

CLUB PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT!

We are excited to invite all members and their spouses to our upcoming Club Party! Join us for an evening of fun, food, and fellowship on **Friday, October 18th at 6 PM**.

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow members, enjoy some great refreshments, and celebrate our wonderful club community. We encourage everyone to attend and bring your spouse along for the festivities!

Additionally, if you have any contact with former members, please reach out to them and see if they’d like to join us for this special occasion. We’d love to reconnect with old friends and share some good times together!

If you know you’ll be attending, please reach out to board member Carl DiNatale or send him an email at dinatale1341@gmail.com.

Mark your calendars, and we can’t wait to see you there!

CLUB REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

Since our last newsletter, there have been a number of repairs and updates to the facility.  Here are the items:

• Aprons for court divider netting have been replaced
• New balls have been placed in the ball machine

If you are aware of anything that needs attention, please talk to a member of the Board or send an email to quakeraurora@gmail.com

PLEASE SIGN IN!

Members are required to sign in before using the courts; this documentation is essential for both:

• Liability & insurance purposes
• QATC Court Utilization Analysis

Please make sure to follow proper procedures by:

• Registering all players on the available sign-in sheet
• Registering any guests in your playing party
• Cancelling any reservation at your earliest opportunity so that the court becomes available for use by your fellow members

GUEST POLICY

Guest fees are $10 per person for up to 2 hours of court time per session. Guests may only play a maximum of 5 times per year (September through August) regardless of who invites the individual to play. Please advise your guest(s) of current Club policies.  

RESERVATIONS FOR BALL MACHINE/LESSONS

We have added new items to the YourCourts reservations system, allowing members to differentiate their reservation between “Casual Play,” etc., and “Practice – Ball Machine” or “Lesson”. When making your reservation, kindly click the checkbox under “Type” and make your choice. This will similarly assist our ongoing efforts to better assess current court usage.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS COMING SOON

The Club will be holding its annual election in November for the Board of Directors.  This year, there will be three seats up for grabs.  The three-year terms for current members John Bush, Nancy Montone and Rick Phillips end on December 31, 2024.  If anyone is interested in running for the Board, please speak to a member of the Board or send an email to quakerauroratennis@gmail.com.

WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBER

We are excited to announce that we have a new addition to our tennis club family! Please join us in welcoming Ned White, a talented 4.5 player. Ned brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our community, and we are thrilled to have him on board.

You can reach Ned at (716) 290-0568. Don’t hesitate to say hello and introduce yourself on the courts!

As a reminder, our club is currently at full capacity. We will not be accepting new members until some existing members resign. We appreciate your understanding and support as we maintain our community’s vibrant atmosphere.

Let’s welcome Ned and continue to enjoy our love for the game together!

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the QATC Board will be held at the Club on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 6:30pm.  All members are encouraged to attend our regular bi-monthly Board Meetings and become more involved with the Club.  

Play Well & Be Well
QATC Board of Directors

QUAKER AURORA TENNIS CLUB

UPDATED QATC BY-LAWS AND

RULES & REGULATIONS

As reflected in the most recent QATC Member Newsletter, the Board has been made aware of various issues involving court reservations/utilization, including:

• difficulty reserving primetime courts for play (especially on weekends);
• members (including teaching coaches) manipulating the reservation system to book multiple courts — per day — beyond the established two-hour time limit; and
• members making — but then not showing up for (or canceling at last-minute) — reservations made days in advance for peak-use periods.

As a result, the Board has undertaken a deep-dive analysis of recent court utilization; Club membership levels; and a complete review of the QATC By-Laws and Rules & Regulations. The result of this multi-faceted approach are as follows:  

1. QATC has temporarily frozen individual and family memberships, at their current levels, for the remainder of the Club’s fiscal/seasonal year (through September 1, 2024). The purpose for doing so is due to current high court utilization. We will have a wait-list for new QATC applications, and we’ll re-evaluate membership levels after annual renewal invoices are sent out in August.
2. The QATC Board overwhelmingly approved updated Club By-Laws and Rules & Regulations to address recent complaints.

The revised QATC By-Laws and Rules & Regulations are attached to this Newsletter and will be posted shortly on our website. We suggest all members take a moment to familiarize yourself with these provisions. The revisions are summarized as follows:

By-Laws

The Board has re-affirmed the Club’s founding mission as a year-round tennis facility that remains member-owned; not-for-profit; and a “family-first” social club for tennis enthusiasts of all ages.

Many members have expressed concerns that QATC has drifted from this primary purpose by permitting tennis instruction and ball-machine practice. While we encourage all members to improve their tennis games, our facility prioritizes playing — as opposed to training or teaching — which is abundantly available at other local public facilities (i.e, Southtowns; Village Glen; Miller Tennis Center).

Rules & Regulations

The approved changes to the existing Club Rules & Regulations are not substantial, but they have been made specific to reflect the necessity for all members to comply with our online reservations and in-house sign-in system, and to more effectively preclude anyone from bypassing built-in court usage restrictions.  

1. All members can make a reservation for and play a maximum of TWO hours of court time per day; an exception to this general rule is made for a person who is scheduled as a player in a regular “league” match.
2. The number of persons permitted to play on any court at any time is limited to a maximum of FOUR (although a coach can instruct two doubles team from a sideline); the purpose of this new provision is to eliminate large-group clinics/drills or USTA Team Practices — these will no longer be permitted at any time.
3. Members are limited to making ONE reservation per day; up to a maximum of TWO hours per reservation; and up to THREE active reservations in advance. There shall be NO exception to these rules.
4. All participants to a reservation (player/coach/guest) should be reflected in the electronic “Your Courts” reservation system — as well as being manually (and legibly) recorded in the meeting room “sign-in” book. Our insurance carrier has emphasized that all people utilizing the Club must be recorded to ensure liability coverage (especially guests).
5. Individual guests are allowed to play up to FIVE times per the Club’s seasonal/calendar year (September 1 – August 31); to be clear, the guest can play a TOTAL of FIVE times with various members (but, for example, two members cannot EACH invite the same guest five times).

*****

As a member-owned, not-for-profit indoor tennis facility, it is imperative that all members abide by these By-Laws and Rules & Regulations. With the anticipated cooperation of the Membership, we can maximize all members’ enjoyment and utilization of the Club’s facilities; maintain a stable and financially healthy Membership level; and embrace the QATC tradition of a “family-first” social tennis club — for years to come!

Question and/or Comments?

quakeraurora@gmail.com

And PS:

• Next QATC Board Meeting: Monday, 6:30pm, May 13, 2024
• Spring Clean-Up: Saturday, 9am, May 18, 2024