When I turned 50 last year, I figured it was time to dust off my tennis racket. But finding actual matches in our local senior league? Man, that turned into its own workout.
Step 1: Digging Up Basic Info
First thing I did was hit up Google. Typed in “Charlotte County senior tennis” like a madman. Most sites just showed fancy club memberships costing a fortune. Dead ends everywhere.
Step 2: Phone Tag With Parks Department
Called the county parks office three times straight. Finally got Bob on the line who mumbled something about “Tuesday socials at the community center”. Showed up that Tuesday – saw six people playing mahjong and zero tennis courts. Felt like a total chump.
The Breakthrough Moment
Ran into my neighbor Hank at Publix. Dude’s 68 and built like a tree trunk. He goes: “You still using computers for this? We post match sheets at the community center bathroom!” The next morning:
- Drove to Punta Gorda Community Center
- Walked past three ‘Activity Room’ signs
- Found a crumpled paper taped near the toilet paper dispenser
- Bingo! Handwritten slots for doubles matches every MWF 8am
Making It Stick
Copied all names and numbers from that nasty bathroom paper. Started texting folks directly instead of waiting for signups. Found out most players don’t check emails at all – you gotta call after 4pm but before Wheel of Fortune starts.
Now I play doubles every Wednesday like clockwork. Still can’t believe the league’s main info hub is literally toilet-adjacent. But hey – when it works, it works!