Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents!

It is a cold Monday evening, however, I still see no rain. We’ll have practice, but dress warm.  If it starts raining, we’ll call practice.  If it is raining before you leave for practice, call me.  More then likely I will be going home to make a fire.  :)   See you there!

I have also posted the Spring Season Match Schedules for you in case you misplaced the schedules that were distributed.

Please remember that ALL Matches will be held during the Spring Season at Cajon High School. If you need directions to Cajon High School, click here.

Again, for future reference, here is my rain policy statement:

WHAT IF IT RAINS?: I bet you are wondering what we do when it rains… The first thing you should do is check this website for an update. I will post on rainy days… so, you can find the answer right here.

If it is raining at MATCH or PRACTICE times, then there will be NO MATCH or PRACTICES. If the rain stops, but the ground is wet, then call your coach. Coaches numbers are posted here. Of course, if the rain stops and the ground is dry, then go to your match or practice.

See you all very soon!
Coach Patrick

Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents!

Matches are being played today as scheduled.  The rain has decided to hold off until tonight.

Please remember that ALL Matches will be held during the Spring Season at Cajon High School. If you need directions to Cajon High School, click here.

Again, for future reference, here is my rain policy statement:

WHAT IF IT RAINS?: I bet you are wondering what we do when it rains… The first thing you should do is check this website for an update. I will post on rainy days… so, you can find the answer right here.

If it is raining at MATCH or PRACTICE times, then there will be NO MATCH or PRACTICES. If the rain stops, but the ground is wet, then call your coach. Coaches numbers are posted here. Of course, if the rain stops and the ground is dry, then go to your match or practice.

See you all very soon!
Coach Patrick

Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents! Spring 2010 Season is ready to begin on Monday.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me immediately at 909-886-8942.

Our coaches will be calling all of their players by Sunday, February 21st, to let them know when and where practice will be held.

Please remember that ALL Matches will be held during the Spring Season at Cajon High School. If you need directions to Cajon High School, click here.

WHAT IF IT RAINS?: I bet you are wondering what we do when it rains… The first thing you should do is check this website for an update. I will post on rainy days… so, you can find the answer right here.

If it is raining at MATCH or PRACTICE times, then there will be NO MATCH or PRACTICES. If the rain stops, but the ground is wet, then call your coach. Coaches numbers are posted here. Of course, if the rain stops and the ground is dry, then go to your match or practice.

Practice starts tomorrow, Monday, February 22nd and the first match of the season will be on March 6th.

See you all very soon!
Coach Patrick

Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents! We are looking forward to another wonderful season of tennis.

All returning players should have already signed up for the upcoming season.  If you played last season and have not signed up, please do so today.  REGISTRATION CLOSES TODAY.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me immediately at 909-886-8942.

We will be having our Coaches Meeting this Thursday and the rosters will be distributed to the coaches at that time.  They will be calling all of their players by Sunday, February 21st, to let them know when and where practice will be held.

Please remember that ALL Matches will be held during the Spring Season at Cajon High School. If you need directions to Cajon High School, click here.

WHAT IF IT RAINS?: I bet you are wondering what we do when it rains… The first thing you should do is check this website for an update. I will post on rainy days… so, you can find the answer right here.

If it is raining at MATCH or PRACTICE times, then there will be NO MATCH or PRACTICES. If the rain stops, but the ground is wet, then call your coach. Coaches numbers are posted here. Of course, if the rain stops and the ground is dry, then go to your match or practice.

I am looking forward to starting the season and seeing my team! In the meantime, grab your tennis rackets and your Mom or your Dad and get some practice time in on the courts before the season starts!

Practice starts February 22nd and the first match of the season will be on March 6th.

See you all very soon!
Coach Patrick

Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents! We are looking forward to another wonderful season of tennis. I hope that you have been doing some hitting during the off season.

All returning players should be receiving their returning player letters by by the end of this month. If you played last season and have not received the letter by February 5th, please contact me immediately at 909-886-8942.

Please remember that ALL Matches will be held during the Spring Season at Cajon High School.  If you need directions to Cajon High School, click here.

WHAT IF IT RAINS?: I bet you are wondering what we do when it rains…  The first thing you should do is check this website for an update.  I will post on rainy days…  so, you can find the answer right here. 

If it is raining at MATCH or PRACTICE times, then there will be NO MATCH or PRACTICES.  If the rain stops, but the ground is wet, then call your coach.  Coaches numbers are posted here.  Of course, if the rain stops and the ground is dry, then go to your match or practice.

I am looking forward to starting the season and seeing my team! In the meantime, grab your tennis rackets and your Mom or your Dad and get some practice time in on the courts before the season starts!

Practice starts February 22nd and the first match of the season will be on March 6th.

See you all very soon!
Coach Patrick

Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents!

This season was filled with many great memories for everyone! However, one event stands out most in my mind; the retirement of my good friend, Lawrence Hampton.

I have had the privilege of knowing Coach Lawrence Hampton for over 8 years. He coached my daughter when we were first introduced to Tennis Buddies back in 2002 and continued coaching her for many years thereafter.

We will all miss Coach Hampton both on and off the courts.

We will all miss you Coach Lawrence! Thank you for your service and commitment to Tennis Buddies!

Your Friend,
Patrick Gomulka
Director of Tennis Buddies

Lawrence Hampton was born in 1958 in St. Paul Minnesota. In 1968 the family moved to Pine Bluff Arkansas. He attended Pine Bluff High School were he was a member of four state high school track championship teams.

Upon graduation from high school in 1976, Lawrence attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE). He was Vice President of the Black Student Association (BSA), member of the University’s Student Senate, chairman of the Senate’ s Personnel Committee, editor of BSA’s newspaper supplement, member of the University’s Presidential Search Committee, member of the University’s Vice Presidential Search Committee, and member of the University’s Budget and Finance Committee.

While attending SIUE, Lawrence met and wed his college sweetheart, Joyce Chambers-Hampton. To this union, were born two children, Timetra and Auvria. Upon graduation from SIUE the couple moved to little Rock Arkansas. During the Arkansas years, Lawrence was an Insurance Agent with the Equitable Life, John Hancock and Greenwood Insurance Agencies. He also worked with the Montgomery Ward Company as a manager in their telemarketing operation and later as a commissioned sales representative. In January 1988 Lawrence, was appointed to serve on the Little Rock Unified School District School Board. He resigned that position in June of that year to move to San Bernardino, California.

Lawrence is currently the Executive Director of the Provisional Accelerated Learning (PAL) Center, a non-profit corporation that provides educational and employment services to residents of San Bernardino and surrounding communities. The 50 employee firm services about 600 students annually. He attends St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church were he has served as Superintendent of Sunday School, Director of the Youth Department and currently as Chairman of the Board of Deacons.

One of his great passions in life is coaching tennis. In the fall of 1991 Lawrence began coaching with the Tennis Buddies program. He spent 18 years coaching both skills and singles. He currently serves as the President of the Tennis Patrons Association, the parent organization of Tennis Buddies.

Tennis Buddies has opened other coaching opportunities. In 2002 he became the tennis coach at Cajon High School. During his tenure the girls program has won six consecutive San Andreas League Titles (60-0), seven CIF playoff appearances, five times to the CIF round of 16, and one quarter final appearances. With the Boys he has the only boys SAL tennis title in the schools history and one round of 16 CIF appearances. He is also involved in USTA Team Tennis and works with a host of private students.

In January 2010, Lawrence begins his duties as the Assistant Women’s Tennis Coach at Cal State San Bernardino. Lawrence is forever grateful to Joanne Wolff, George Cerny, and the Tennis Buddies program which allowed him to fulfill a lifelong desire to coach.

We will all miss you Coach Lawrence! Thank you for your service and commitment to Tennis Buddies!

Your Friend,
Patrick Gomulka
Director of Tennis Buddies

Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents!

What a wonderful season!  Thank you again to all of the kids on my team and to all of those parents who made it possible for their kids!

Our next season will be here soon and we will be on the courts again having fun! Spring 2010 is right around the corner!  Take a look at next years schedule.  Returning player letters will be going out in the mail in February 2010.  If you change addresses please be sure to call me.

If you are ready to signup early for Spring 2010, simply click here to get your child locked in for the upcoming season!

If you have questions, you can contact me directly at 909-534-3439.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to all of you!
Thank you!
Coach Patrick

Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents!

Allstar weekend is here and we are ready for the grand finale!    You should already have been given the match time for your child.  If you are unsure, please be sure to contact your Coach immediately.  If your child is late, that match will be forfeited and your child will not be allowed to play.   Let’s not have that happen.

You should also contact your coach to see if there is anything you can do as parents at Allstars to make the days run more efficiently.  We are always in need of parents to help keep score and pick up balls.  If you can, let your coach know that you can be available to help on either Saturday or Sunday.  Your help is always greatly appreciated!

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE: We also will have the food drive table open so you can still bring that $10 Stater Bros. gift card to be donated to the San Bernardino Mission.

If you have questions, you can contact me directly at 909-534-3439.

I am looking forward to another great Allstar weekend and you should be too!
Coach Patrick

Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents!

I bet you are wondering what we do when it rains… The first thing you should do is check this website for an update. I will post on rainy days… so, you can find the answer right here.

If it is raining at MATCH or PRACTICE times, then there will be NO MATCH or PRACTICES. If the rain stops, but the ground is wet, then there will probably be NO PRACTICE, but call your coach just in case. Coaches numbers are posted here. Of course, if the rain stops and the ground is dry, then go to your match or practice.

RAIN 10/14:    THIS IS FOR COACH PATRICK & COACH DAVID’s TEAMS:  It is NOT raining at my home now in N. San Bernardino at 4:00 PM.     PRACTICE IS ON,  SEE YOU THERE!

If you have questions, you can contact me directly at 909-534-3439.

I am looking forward to another great season and Allstars too!
Coach Patrick

Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents!

The Fall 2009 Season is kicking off today!  Practices begin tonight (Monday) at Perris Hill Park and tomorrow night (Tuesday) at Blair Park.   Our first match of the season will be on September 26th at San Gorgonio High School.  Please remember that ALL matches this season will be held at San Gorgonio High School. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to let your coach know.

Our Fall 2009 registration period is now closed.  If you missed signups for our 2009 Fall Season and are still interested in signing up, feel free to call us at 909-886-8942 to see if we can make arrangements to have your child added.

If you have questions, you can contact me directly at 909-534-3439.

Have a great season!
Coach Patrick

Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents! We are looking forward to another wonderful season of tennis. I hope that you have been doing some hitting during the off season.

Tryouts are going to be held at San Gorgonio High School on Saturday, September 5th from 8-10AM. If you played last season, you DO NOT have to come to tryouts. Tryouts are ONLY for new players.

I am looking forward to starting the season and seeing my team! In the meantime, grab your tennis rackets and your Mom or your Dad and get some practice time in on the courts before the season starts!

Practice starts September 14th and the first match of the season will be on September 26th.   Your coaches will be calling you the weekend before practice starts.

If you have questions, you can contact me directly at 909-534-3439.

See you all very soon!
Coach Patrick

Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents!

The Spring 2009 Season is just about over with Allstar weekend right in front of us.  I just read that the weatherman is predicting a 40% chance of rain Saturday morning.

Allstar Weekend is this Saturday and Sunday, May 2nd and 3rd. We really need parents to step up and take the initiative to volunteer their assistance this season at Allstars. We can use parents to help keep score (it is not hard at all) and pickup balls.

“What If It Rains” on Allstar Weekend? Well that is a good question.  All I can tell you is we will have to wait and see what it looks like in the morning.  I will post tomorrow morning if we are NOT having allstars.  Just plan on being there. Even if it rains in the middle of the night, we will be sticking to the scheduled matches as planned.  Of course, if it is pouring down rain there will be no matches.   Lets just hope for NO RAIN! 

If you have questions, you can contact me directly at 909-534-3439.

Looking forward to Allstar Weekend!
Coach Patrick

Hello Tennis Buddies Kids & Parents!

The Spring 2009 Season is just about over already.    Hard to believe, isn’t it?   Laila and I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend and look forward to seeing everyone out at Allstar Weekend!

Looks like we have one remaining skills match this weekend and two remaining singles/doubles match weekends.

Allstar Weekend is May 2nd and 3rd.  We really need parents to step up and take the initiative to volunteer their assistance this season at Allstars.  We can use parents to help keep score (it is not hard at all) and pickup balls.   Please talk to your coach and tell them you want to help.

I think the rain is behind us now, however, I will still leave my “What If It Rains” answer below.

I bet you are wondering what we do when it rains… The first thing you should do is check this website for an update. I will post on rainy days… so, you can find the answer right here.

If it is raining at MATCH or PRACTICE times, then there will be NO MATCH or PRACTICES. If the rain stops, but the ground is wet, then call your coach. Coaches numbers are posted here. Of course, if the rain stops and the ground is dry, then go to your match or practice.

If you have questions, you can contact me directly at 909-534-3439.

Looking forward to Allstar Weekend!
Coach Patrick