It's Sue's fault

Yesterday, Sue said, "We need a tennis blog."

Empress Sue

I can't remember why she said that.

(I can hardly keep track of who scored the last point, even though my husband can remember every point he played in a basketball game 44 years ago.)

So, I don't know why we needed a blog.  Empress Sue, if you remember, put it in a comment below.  Nonetheless, here is the blog of the Empresses of the Courts of the Emerald Empire, otherwise known as the Emerald Golf Club.

There were eight of us playing doubles in the sunshine yesterday. Empress Cathy, I think, was sporting the Cutest Outfit--with Empress Gail a runner-up.  But, since it wasn't during a tournament, no award was forthcoming. 

Her color-coordinated skirt and top (black, red, and white), Empress Cathy said, was a relic (so to speak) of the days when one could find tennis wear in places other than the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center shop at Hilton Head Island.  I swear: that's the only place in the universe that still sells real tennis stuff (especially women's)--outside of the cyber universe, of course.  Even Dick's cavernous emporium didn't have much, when I went there looking for prizes before last week's tournament.  Golf skirts, yes, but no tennis couture to speak of, and not much "gear," either.  Perhaps there's less merch because tennis doesn't have the same glamor it did when the top (American) stars were as much in the public eye as Tiger Woods or Kobe Bryant are now.  We do have the Williams sisters as role models, but they don't wear tennis attire, they wear costumes.

We learned after the tournament last Saturday that Empress Judy had actually made her tennis ensemble. Meaning, she sewed it herself; she didn't just pick out one thing from one rack and another thing from another rack, which is what I mean by "putting together" an outfit.  Hers, I had silently nominated for the Cutest Outfit Award at the tournament.  It was a charming little number with a black watch plaid skirt and a matching racquet-shaped applique on the T.  Next tournament, "Cutest Outfit" is going to be a real category, for both male and female players. Gals, let your male partners know so they can start shopping now.

Speaking of the tournament, props to Empress Evelyn (that has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?) for not only taking first place in the Women's--er, Wasp--Division, but also being the Tournament Champion, winning 80% of games played.  You go, woman! 

Empress Evelyn: power and grace

Great turn-out for the Spring Fling tournament and the after-party at Empress Gail's.  She and Bruce are super hosts.  The tables in the midst of the blooming garden were so inviting.  And, they used real plates and cutlery.  No paper and plastic for this crowd, no sirrree.  Not only ecologically sound, but also, elegant.  Our potluck cuisine was delicious.  We're as good with a recipe as we are with a racquet, eh?  I noted Empress Lora at the kitchen sink, helping to tidy up--as I was scooting out.  She gets the Good Karma Award.

Here are more scenes of the Empresses in action at the tournament.

Empress Pat

Empress Gail

Empress Lora

To illustrate this post, I looked for a photo of one of the courts on the Emerald's web site. I couldn't find one.  I know it's a golf club, but you think there'd be at least one tennis-related graphic.  The Empresses being Empresses, after all.  Like what about a shot of the attractive and functional Court #1?  Or maybe a shot of the desperate and determined Skip fixing it with duct tape and fishing line.

Winning Empresses: Nancy (3rd, tie), Judy (2nd), Cathy (3rd, tie), and Evelyn (Champ). With some guys.