HPC Members,

We’re excited to get Men’s New Member Training started again this season! Our first session was held on Sunday, September 13 at 8:30 pm at the Hinsdale Paddle Club.

These Sunday night sessions are designed to introduce prospective and newer members to platform tennis, help them develop their skills, and give them an opportunity to get comfortable with the game and the club.

If you know someone who may be interested in joining HPC or getting involved in men’s paddle, please send their name and contact information to Paul Garver at paul@hglegal.com, and I’ll reach out to them with the details and get them plugged into the Sunday night sessions.

We’re also very fortunate to have Brian Veale back again this year to coach our new men’s players. Brian does a terrific job teaching the game, working with developing players, and helping introduce them to HPC paddle. A big thank you to Brian for volunteering his time and continuing to support the program!

Please keep an eye out for potential new players and send them our way. We’re looking forward to another great season and to welcoming some new faces to HPC!

Attention all club members, treat yourself or gift a pass to your friend or family member! The volley machine is a great tool to improve your game. Passes can now be purchased under the Events section on Court Reserve. On 10/31 you will receive via email a unique user code to access the machine. 

The cost is $50 (no prorating) and is valid from November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027.

To get the most out of the volley machine we recommend downloading the Volley app ahead of time. Instructions can be found at:  https://getvolley.com/getstarted!     

 Please note:

• Do not share your code with anyone.
• The member must be present on court for all reservations made under their account.
• Spouses and/or family members must each purchase an individual pass unless they are together on court using the machine.

Please note all HPC Members, alcohol is not permitted anywhere in Burns Filed Park.

We want to make you aware of an issue recently brought to our attention by the Hinsdale Park District and to clarify the rules at Burns Field Park.

The Park District has cameras in the Burns Park warming hut and informed us that individuals have been observed consuming beer. Under no circumstances should beer or any other type of alcohol be brought to or consumed in the warming hut or anywhere on park property.

Please understand that violating this policy may result in a citation from the Hinsdale Police Department and could also jeopardize your HPC membership.

We appreciate your cooperation and strict adherence to this policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Rick Larsen at Ricklarsen007@gmail.com.

Hinsdale Paddle Club is pleased to be able to participate in the SWPTL Women’s Wednesday Night Spring League once again. The spring league is a travel recreational league (i.e., non-PTI format). The goal is to provide organized, competitive play in a more relaxed, evening setting.  Matches will be played at local Southwest League member clubs.

As in previous years, there will be a Level A (Series 2, 3, 5, 6), Level B (Series 7, 9), Level C (Series 11, 13, 14), and Level D (Series 15, 16). You MUST register for your Fall/Winter series level.

For LEVEL A ONLY (Series 2, 3, 5, 6):  Teams will be formed by using a DRAFT system coordinated by the league. Volunteer captains will select players over multiple rounds to create their own team. In summary, you will be rostered to a team that will be a combination of players from other local clubs.  Being that Level A is a combination of players, a team’s host club will be determined/assigned by the league. The draft will be held on 3/18.

Host Clubs for all levels are mandated by the League to provide food and drinks to ALL PLAYERS on the home and away teams.

Substitutions should be in line with regular season rules. Sub at same level or up only. No sub down permitted.

Any Level B/C/D players who are waitlisted may have the opportunity, if space is available, to combine with another member club and join a team within that club.

The league will kick off on Wednesday, April 8. The first match starts at 7 pm, second match starts at 8:15 pm.

If you have any question, please contact Kelly Lyn Kelly at 6kellys@comcast.net.

We’re excited to announce construction is now complete on the two new courts at the Bill O’Brien Platform Tennis Center! Starting Friday, September 5th, Courts 7 and 8 will be open for HPC members to reserve and enjoy.

This project has been years in the making. The HPTA Board of Directors worked closely with the Village of Hinsdale to secure the necessary approvals, permits, and funding. We’re proud to share that the project was funded entirely by HPTA, through reserved funds and successful grant applications with the APTA and CPTC, with no cost to the Village of Hinsdale and no assessment to HPC members.

A special thank you goes to two HPTA Board Members whose leadership made this possible:

• Kevin Parks, who guided the project from the start, working with Village Trustees and staff.
• Jack McMillin, who oversaw construction and managed the contractors and subcontractors to bring the courts to completion.

We’re grateful for their hard work along with the commitment of the entire HPTA Board of Directors, as well as for the continued support and enthusiasm of our members. We couldn’t be more excited about this addition and look forward to seeing you out on the courts soon!

We want to bring to your attention some recent instances at KLM where the front door was left unlocked after League and Warrior matches. As hosts, it’s crucial that we all understand and fulfill our responsibilities to maintain the security and cleanliness of our club.

Here are the key steps to ensure the front door is securely locked:

The last person leaving the premises should:

a. Turn off all lights using the switch to the right of the door.

b. Confirm the door is closed securely.

c. Swipe the keypad above the door handle with the back of your first three fingers to engage the lock. You should hear a confirmation once the door is locked.

We appreciate your attention to detail in following these procedures. It’s essential for the safety and security of our club.

Additionally, we kindly request everyone’s cooperation in maintaining a clean environment. Please make an effort to clean off the counters/tables, and if you notice a garbage can is 3/4 full, even if you leave early, take the garbage bag out with you and dispose of it properly. It is our HPC players responsibility to take the garbage out.

Your proactive approach in keeping our club clean and secure is highly valued. Let’s all contribute to creating a positive and organized environment for everyone.

Thank you for your cooperation and efforts.

Rick Larsen and Jim Towns

The HPTA Board of Directors would like to introduce the new Head Paddle Professional at Hinsdale Paddle Club (HPC), Matt Lemery. 

Lemery was born and raised in Menominee, MI (border of Wisconsin). He graduated from Ferris State University in 2003 with a B.S. in Marketing and became a USTA-certified teaching professional through the Professional Tennis Management Program. After two years of teaching tennis as the Junior Director at the South Barrington Club, Lemery was offered the Head Pro position at Westmoreland Country Club.  This is where his love of paddle started.  Four years later, he became the Head Paddle Pro at Sunset Ridge Country Club (winter season) and the Director of Tennis at Ivanhoe Country Club (summer season).  In 2013 he took over as Director of Racquet Sports at Butterfield Country Club and helped create their first paddle program.  After five years at Butterfield, Lemery did a complete 360 and took a job as a recruiter at Hunt Club.  Unfortunately, he was furloughed during COVID.  A Ferris friend contacted him about joining him at his company Essential Tennis.  Here he focused on video coaching.

Lemery competed in National tournaments for 11 years, winning the 2008 St. Louis Open, finishing runner-up at the 2010 Husband Wife Nationals, and was Nationally ranked as high as #42. He still competes in league play and plays on the HPC Series 2 team.

He is married to Suzanne Lemery (Director of Racquet Sports at Hinsdale Golf Club), and together they have two boys. Jamison (Jamo) age 9 and Jaxson (Jax) age 6.

Lemery is extremely excited about becoming the new Head Paddle Pro at HPC. He looks forward to working with all levels and is available for spring and summer lessons.  

You can reach him at matthpc23@gmail.com.

Please join the board in welcoming Matt Lemery, HPC’s new Head Paddle Professional.

Attention all Hinsdale Paddle Members! Come celebrate the legacy and accomplishments of our APTA Hall of Famer and six-time national champion paddle pro, Mary Doten, before her retirement this March. The event will take place at the Bill O’Brien Paddle Hut on Friday, March 3rd, at 5:30 p.m.

Mary has been the head pro at Hinsdale Paddle for 20+ years and has introduced and taught scores of our members to the game we all love, and has built our strong, rapidly growing women’s program from the ground up.  Following a presentation to Mary, heavy appetizers and drinks will be served.

Come join us in showing your appreciation to Mary as we bid her a fond farewell into retirement.

There is no charge for this event.

If you have any questions, please contact Jane Veldman at jane.veldman@gmail.com.