United States Tennis Association (USTA) – Northern California held their annual Awards Celebrating Excellence in Service (ACES), honoring the region’s best organizations, volunteers and players for their outstanding achievements and service to the game of tennis in 2016.  The awards were held on January 29, 2017 at the Gardens at Heather Farm in Walnut Creek, California.

Two locals were honored at this ceremony. Gold River Racquet Club (GRRC) was named the League Facility of the Year and Dana Newell was named Captain of the Year.

GRRC was selected for this award for its outstanding contributions to USTA Adult League tennis in Northern California.  USTA League tennis is the country’s largest recreational tennis league, helping more than 825,000 participants nationwide and in Northern California over 30,000 participants get on the court, have a good time, and step up their game. USTA League is organized into teams by level (much like a golf handicap) and gender for team match play. Teams are made up of a minimum of five to eight players, depending on the league.

Led by Director of Tennis Marty Rothfels, GRRC hosts 85 competition teams each year ranging from beginner level to high level advanced in all different age groups including 40+, 55+, 65+ and 70+.  GRRC has also had over 315 league champion teams and 12 teams that have gone to National Championship events.

GRRC also works with USTA to host regional and National league tennis events that bring hundreds of people to the area.  Additionally, GRRC hosts Adult and Junior Tournaments, Big Sky Men’s and Women’s Conference Championships as well as a Women’s Pro Circuit $60K professional women’s tournament.

Dana Newell is a 20-year Gold River resident and a member of Gold River Racquet Club for the same period.  A life-long tennis player (since the age of six), she played tennis at both American River College and Sacramento State University.  Naturally she is a fierce competitor, but she also loves the camaraderie of the ladies as well as their friendship and support.  She says tennis is her therapy time!

Dana was nominated by her peers in the Sacramento tennis community.  Her past achievements that have helped her to get this award were; Captained or Co-Captained 29 teams; Played on 59 different USTA teams; Competed in 294 USTA team matches; Went to USTA League National Championships on 5 teams (3 as a Captain).