Ace Book Club Tennis Court Managment System

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Peter

www.bookacourt.net
Club Management System
• Is your club still operating a paper based court booking system, relying on someone at the other end of a phone?
• Do your members have to travel to the courts to book a court?
• Are ‘no shows’ a problem?
• Let ACEBOOK move your club into the 21st century with an on line booking system that is simple to use, profitable for your club and which offers a range of background services to help with club administration.
• ACEBOOK provides your club members with state of the art, court reservation facilities: From the comfort of their home, on the road, from the club house.
Court Reservation
• Offset the cost: We provide unlimited advertisement slots on your reservation system. Adverts will be visible to the entire membership as they access the booking page … the busiest page on your web site!
• ACEBOOK ensures better court usage and limits ‘no shows’.
• Available Anytime, Anywhere : Our Secure and Reliable service is available 24 / 7. All a user needs is a computer or a mobile phone which can connect to the Internet. We can also provide touch screen devices to enable court reservations on the club’s ground.
• Encourages Fair court usage : Court usage rules can be customised to suit each clubs needs.
• Facilitate Communication : Club committee can easily send email or SMS messages to their members, to keep them informed of up-coming events. Club members can contact other members, who make themselves available, to organise a game.
• Provides valuable knowledge : Professional, easy to read PDF reports will help you identify what your current club strengths and weaknesses are and what areas can be improved to maximise the potential of your club’s facilities.
Benefits
• On line court booking from home PC, Laptop at work, mobile phone or in the clubhouse
• Clubhouse ‘check in’ facility (optional extra with touch screen tablet)
• Reservation confirmation, reminder and cancellation (email)
• Statistical reports for better club management and planning
• Identifies court usage as leisure, coaching or competition
• Local weather information
• Find a player to play with or against
• Automated messaging from committee to members (email, reservation dashboard), to let members know about club news, events, competitions
• Internal club ladder (soon available)
• SMS (optional subscription service)

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Head IG Youtek Radical – Racket Review

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Peter
Apparently blue enables you to see the ball better

As you can see I am a bit of a fan of the Head Radical, I first got hold of Agassis Liquidmetal stick as a teenager and loved its large sweet spot and forgiving nature. Since then I have only used radicals and have had no reason to change. Today ofcourse the racket is seriously popular as a certain Mr Murray uses it. I have a long swings and I am able to generate great racquet head speed on groundstrokes. The racquet feels very stable under contact and rarely twists under power. With such a large sweet spot, volleys are comfortable and easy to punch. It feels excellent when serving, solid and powerful. It generates a lot of spin on the topspin serves. I always string it with polyester string which gives it a lovely feel and great pop on groundies.

All in all Head have stuck with a winning formula and tinkered with nothing but the paint. If you are looking for a good all round racket, thats easy to play with and manoevrable you couldnt go far wrong with the Head Radical.The radical comes in various sizes from 95 sq inch up to the oversize version at 107 sq inch and from 250g up to 310g if you are a pro. So there really is a stick for everyone in this range

The current 2012 version of this racket is the Head IG Youtek Radical with d30 technology, it retails for £159.99 or approx $250

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Federer leaves Berdych feeling Blue in Madrid

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Peter

Federer was awarded a Men in Black suit by Will Smith

Roger Federer won his 20th Masters 1000 title in Madrid, his 74th tournament victory in all, a victory that seemed in doubt up right up until Tomas Berdych dumped a Federer return of serve into the net after 2 hours 45 minutes of play. Federer could do little to counter the power of the Big Czech early on, as he pummeled the Swiss with blistering winners and big serves. He quickly went 4-1 up and held on to the first set at 6-3. Annnaconce, Luthi and Mirka were looking puzzled, and Roger slightly worried as the Czech continued his onslaught in the first game of the second set. Federer held and broke to lead 2-0 and after a few dodgy service games held out for the second set. Berdych continued to take the ball early and take away the Swiss time, nothing seemed to be working for Roger, his bread and butter the serve was coming back with interest, his groundstrokes werent getting enough penetration and the big man was running left and right to defend every point.

The match was very much on Berdych’ racket, if he could hold serve and maintain his level his 2nd Masters Level victory would be his. He went 0-30 on the first 3 of Roger’s service games in the third set, yet with clutch serving Roger held on. At 3-4 Roger broke to lead 5-3 done and dusted I hear you say. Well erm, no. The giant Czech broke straight back and held to take it to 5-5. A resilient service game ensured Roger would at least take it to a tiebreaker, however at 30-30 Berdych began to show his nerves and floated a forehand long before he dumped a forehand in the net to hand Federer the victory. A match Berdych could have and should have won, yet the Swiss despite being behind on the score and in the rallies hung on, used his head and dug deep. Perhaps a quality he has learned to develop in his later years.

In the ladies final Serena Williams took on World Number One Victoria Azarenka in the showpiece. Williams picked up were she left off in Charleston as she dominated the points with aggressive serving and huge returning and swept through the set 6-1. It appears that the aura of invincibility that Vika has on the hard courts hasnt transalated to the clay as she looked uncertain at times today. In the second set, much of the same as Serena smashed her way through the Belorussian for a quickfire victory. Both the WTA and ATP tours head to Rome this week for the Rome Masters as all players tune up their games ahead of the 2nd grand slam of the year at Roland Garros.

So the blue courts brought with them much controversy but a fantastic week of tennis despite the poor underfoot conditions. I have a feeling but for the colour we would perhaps not have had as many complaints!

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Nadal Dances on Ice in Madrid

Posted on May 10, 2012 by lovetenn

Madrid witnessed its first major casualty on the clay today, as Rafa Nadal King of Clay was humbled by Fernando Verdasco a player to whom he has never lost to. The Spaniard was 5-2 up in the 3rd set and looked home and dry, but he retreated behind the baseline amidst a barrage of powerful groundstrokes from Verdasco. Nando broke and held  twice to leave it at 6-5, then broke again as Nadal served to take it to a breaker. 5 games in a row without response.

For the Madrid tournament, the loss of Nadal is a huge loss, the marquee name for the Spanish crowd and yet another slant against the blue courts. Nadal was respectful of the winner in the presser afterwards though finished by saying if the courts were blue next year then he would have one less tournament on his 2013 calendar.

Federer and Djokovic had no such trouble against Reeshard Gasquet, who he beat 3 & 2 in 58 minutes. The Suisse seemed stronger in every department and having been severely tested in his opening match must be delighted to have made the quarters with ease. Djokovic was up against it for the first set anyway as Stanislas Wawrinka’s heavy shots pounded his baseline. Nole took the first set breaker and broke at 1-1 in the second to make it through  6 & 4.

Quarter finals day tomorrow sees, Verdasco face Thomas Berdych, Federer faces Federer, Djokovic takes on Tipsarevic or Simon and Del Po takes on the Dog. In the ladies draw Maria and Serena face off on clay, Serena the Charleston winner and Shaz the Stuttgart winner go head to head in an interesting matchup. Radwanska faces qualifier Lepchenko, Stosur faces Hradecka and Li Na takes on Vika!

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LINDT launches Union Jack Limited Edition LINDOR Cornet to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Peter

LINDT launches Union Jack Limited Edition LINDOR Cornet to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in style with LINDOR
The much-loved chocolate brand launches a unique Union Jack design celebrating all three British colours of red, white and blue
LINDT launches competition for UK fans to win £60 of LINDOR to celebrate Her Majesty’s 60th year on the throne. April 2012, UK: LINDT is embracing the colours of the United Kingdom, to support and celebrate a truly British event – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Taking the much-loved flavours of Dark, Milk and White LINDT chocolate, these delicious LINDOR truffles have been packaged into a patriotic cornet exclusively for LINDOR lovers in the UK and to celebrate the Queen’s 60th year on the throne this summer.

Whether you’ll be celebrating at home, partying in the parks or hosting your very own street party in true traditional British style, these deliciously smooth, melting, truffles provide the perfect way to enjoy chocolate with friends on this special occasion.
The LINDT Master Chocolatiers have unmatched expertise when it comes to the art of chocolate making, and are driven by their passion for skilfully creating delicate masterpieces such as the unique LINDOR truffle.

Launching in May, the limited edition cornet will be available in all major UK supermarkets, department stores and from the LINDT e-shop.
As a thank-you to LINDTs UK fans and to celebrate the Queen’s 60 years on the throne, the Premium Swiss chocolate maker will also give away hampers containing £60 worth of LINDOR to its UK Facebook fans – www.facebook.com/LindtUK
So get out the bunting, pour the tea and make your Jubilee blissful with LINDOR this summer….

The Lindor Union Jack Limited Edition is available from May 2012 in major supermarkets, department stores and the LINDT e-shop at www.lindt-shop.co.uk
RRP: £4.59, save £1 promotion = £3.59. To find out more and enter the LINDOR Jubilee competition, visit www.facebook.com/LindtUK

Since 1845 Lindt & Sprüngli has produced the finest chocolate that delivers a superior chocolate experience; through products that combine more than 165 years of unrivaled craftsmanship and expertise with the highest in quality ingredients. Every LINDT Master Chocolatier is handpicked via a rigorous recruitment process that ensures only the best chocolatiers can proudly bear the name of LINDT Master Chocolatier. The LINDT Master Chocolatier’s passion and creativity is unsurpassed and is evidenced in the numerous chocolate creations brought to market each year.

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lindtuk

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Azarenka Because Dreams Matter

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Peter

New WTA Video: Victoria Azarenka on her dreams of becoming World No. 1, overcoming knee surgery, and rock star aspirations …Because Dreams Matter

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Blue is the new Red!

Posted on May 3, 2012 by lovetenn

The Madrid Masters is unique, firstly it is played at altitude 2000ft above sea level, both the WTA and ATP tours converge on the Spanish Capital on the same week and this year the 2012 event will be played on Blue Clay. Yes you heard right blue clay. Brainchild of wacky Romanian Ion Tiriac, the regular clay will be dyed blue in an attempt to make the ball more visible to the television audience. The decision has been widely condemned by players , fans and pundits alike why cant they just keep it the same?

The Centre Court is nicely named La Caja Majica- for the rest of us The Magic Box, which has three completed covered clay courts within the Centre Court complex. These courts provide the centrepiece to the tennis centre in Madrid. There has been huge opposition to the colouring of the clay from Nadal, Federer Djokovic and Murray needless to say many other pros. In a tournament which is already infamous for its poor surface, adding blue colouring to make it more visible will do little to placate the top players. It needs to work or else it will be farcical. We can judge for ourselves next week? Can you see the ball better?

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World Team Tennis

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Peter

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Vika Because Dreams Matter

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Peter

Here is the trailer for Victoria Azarenka’s ‘Because Dreams Matter

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Rafa Reigns in Barcelona

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Peter

Rafael Nadal lifted his 7th Barcelona Open on Sunday coming through against countryman David Ferrer in two very closely contested sets 7-6 7-5. Ferrer was 2 points away from a 3-0 lead in the first set but seemingly mental blocks marred him from taking any advantage as he sprayed groundstrokes long and wide. Nadal quickly broke back and the players toughed it out until 5-6 when Ferrer has set point but yet again was unable to convert. Nadal dominated the tiebreak as once again Ferrer was found mentally wanting. Nadal broke again early on to lead 3-1, but once thing Ferrer is known for is his dogged determination and fighting capabilities, he brought it back to 3-3 and then 5-4 serving. The same pattern ensued, having worked so hard to engineer the break against Nadal, Ferrer succumbed in the next game playing several inexplicable shots long. After that it was one way traffic and we got the feeling that Ferrer had run out of steam and any belief that he may have had evaporated on a blisteringly hot Catalunyan day.

Nadal marches on and has a head of steam built up ahead of the blue clay and very different conditions on the blue clay of Madrid.

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