TAP - World Championships

This event is MAGICAL

Stand Up Adaptive Tennis

I cannot tell you the incredible impact this event has on everyone involved.  There are no words that can describe the dedication and HEART each of these incredible athletes have for our GREAT GAME!
Played in Houston Texas at the Galleria - LifeTime Tennis

December 8th-10th, 2017

Check out the action...

Players came from all over the world to compete

Filemon Armas - Mexico and Yashuro Takahara - Japan

Antonio Solano - Mexico

Felipe Arevalo - Chile

Mike Marsh - USA

Daniel Scrivano - USA

Francisco Cardoso and Antonio Solano - both from Mexico

USA PLAYERS

Daniel Scrivano, Rachel Johansen, Jeff Bourns, David Valenti, and our

2017 Champion Matt Bulow

Not pictured: Eric Schmeltekopf, Mike Marsh, Richard Herskovitz, Sandra Giorgetta and Jeff Clark

Matt and Finalist Fredric Garciaz from France

Tournament Leaders...

Our fearless leader Cindy Benzon (my Sis from another Mother), Behind Cindy in the white warm up is Jeff Bourns - Committee Member and a big part of the leadership, Chair of the TX Adaptive Committee and a great mentor Henry Cox and the creator of the event Enzo Amadei!

A VERY BIG part of the success for this event came from the INCREDIBLE DONATION of time that our Texas Officials donated... they include:

Harrison Foster, Tomoko King, Janel Woerner, Beatrice Hummel, Ronnie Flores, April Hadley, Buffy Powell, John Mullins, Linda Bratton, Elio Coqueo, Jason Harrington and special help in recruiting Officials  from Nancy Vivero and Ginny James.  

ITS BEEN A WHILE!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!  Lots to be thankful for...

WOW! How time flys... we haven't been blogged in a while...  

So - just to remind you this blog is dedicated to CATFISHING!

(and I throw in some family pictures and on the side there's a little Tennis Officiating info too!)

This picture is the best explaination of why I love to go catfishing!

Lets get it started by showing off the latest catches: 

This is Wil Chandler (my son-in law) Holding an 8.11oz Blue.

Tony Davidson, my brother from another, holding 20lb Blue

This here is yours truly - the guys let me hold this 30lb Blue

After I told Tony about our 'catch and release' policy on the 15+ pounder's he gave me a few - "Are you SERIOUS!" comments - and then finally gave in ... here is Tony releasing both Cats... 

Any now for the BEST catches of the day... 

We are all so blessed in MANY ways - I have to say... there's NOTHING better than this:

This is my grandson Owen teaching "Kpa" a few shaving tricks...!

     

This is Owens sister the beautiful Addelyn - BaBa and Kpa forgot her swim suit - so she wore BaBa's!!!!!  

This is our grandson Wilder and his incredible sister Harper!  Since the last time we chatted (in 2014!!!!) my daughter Alex and Wil add Wilder to the family!  Harper is reading to her brother!   

This is Harpy with Roxy -   Roxy has adopted our family and we couldn't be happier! 

Here is Owen with my Dad (a serious aFISHionado of Grandkids and fishing).  Fun times at Addelyn's Thanksgiving Day school lunch!

Harry (our youngest!) turned 21 yesterday!  YEP - thats a PECAN PIE he wanted for the occasion... we celebrated with Mark and Traci.

INCREDIBLE young man.  Very proud!

 

My friend Marcellus Clay once said...

"Its just a job.  Grass grows, birds fly, wave pound the sand.  I beat people up." 

And me? - I make waves and catch Katfish.

 

Making waves on Lake Waco

 

Finishing off an early morning adventure... 

Blue Kats being gently held by the Katfish King

"All Americans believe that they are born Katfishermen.  For a man to admit a distaste for Katfishing would be like denouncing mother-love or a sunset!"

-John Steinbeck

One of the best Katfish Katchers in Texas

Another GREAT fishing trip with Rick

Join us!  Its fun and we are teachable.

Dearest TightLine Catfishing members, fans, and those people that regrettably got a Tightline Catfishing tattoo...

 

Please allow me to take some of your time to be a BRAGGING KPa (grandpa).

We will get the blog up and running with Catfish pictures soon - but first let me introduce you to our families newest member... 

 

WELCOME

OWEN JAMES SAGER

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014

Big Sister Addie and Little Brother Owen

Owen Sager - 9.3 lbs - 21 1/4 in.

 

WOW!  What a picture...

Makes a tough guy like me - wanna cry

seeing my beautiful little girl with

MY GRANDSON!!!!

 

Ashley and baby Owen

 

Getting some much deserved and needed rest

on Mom's lap after a "pushy" few hours!!!

Proud Dad - Nick and Owen

Addie getting a kiss in over Moms shoulder!

 

OK Addie and Owen - KPa will be coming soon... you know what they say... when grandpa's come - all discipline flies out the window!

 

I have to be the luckiest son, dad, husband, and KPa in the world! 

My Grandma use to tell me and my sister Kim, 

"Being a Grandparent is Gods way of compensating us for getting older..."

 

Your turn Kitty Kat (that's my daughter Alex) -

She is due in February -

that will number 4!!!

Addie

Harper

Owen

????

 

TIGHTLINE UPDATE... we have wetted a few fishing lines so... blogs to come!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

 

TightLine Fishing has been on a long Vacation!

Favorite Vacation Fishing Pier in Rockport, Texas

 

NOPE! Haven't been there lately - but, we have been staying busy with Little Caesars and finishing up the College Tennis and Tennis Officials School season!

 

While works got in the way...a little too much 

 

Since its Fathers Day - I thought that I would take this opportunity to show off the family...

I am a very proud Dad!!!

 

The USS Sassy has been in the shop at Prikryl's Marine for a ship overhaul!  Gary Prikryl is my Yacht Carpenter and trusted friend.   He and his Dad have been friends of ours since my Dad and I went out to their shop on North Airport Road in Waco and bought the Ship back in the early nineties.  Prikryl Marine is an institution in Waco... Gary and his Dad and Mom have a passion for boating and the Waco Fishing Community.

Calm day on Lake Waco!

 

Getting ready for some Summertime Night fishing.

 

One of the best Saturdays I have ever had was going with my Dad to buy the USS Sassy.  We have had MANY-MANY hours of fishing fun on that KatFish vessel.  We often wonder how many Kat's Sassy has sniffed out of Lake Waco and Belton over the years....

Sniffin Sass

Captaining the Vessel

    

Best ship partner a guy could have...my Dad

 

Crash (Ashley) and Addie - Fish Fry time...

Ali-Cat (Alex) and Harper - Fish Fry at the Lake

Harry - best buddy a Dad could have.

 

Dad and a BlueKat!

Nick (our incredible Son-in Law) and Rick (BFAM: brother from another mother) -

you cannot find two better TightLiners!

 

Wilder (our awesome Son-in Law) Alex and Harpie!

 

Dad - Sass and a smiling BlueKat

 

Dads bring a lot to the table!  Thanks for being their for our family Dad! 

I love you - Kev

 

 

TIGHTLINE FISHING

(the crew member on left is NOT NORMAL)

Although TightLine Fishing is a CATFISHING blog - I do include some Texas tennis matters and a lot of stuff about friends... this BlogSpot is dedicated to a special person and one of my truly best friends...

 

Mrs.Vera Lee

December 27, 1925 - February 23, 2014

Waco lost a great friend and true ambassador to tennis this week in the passing of Mrs. Vera Lee.

She was the ROCK of the Charlie McCleary Tennis Center for close to twenty years.

Anyone that played tennis in Waco – knew of Vera and her beautiful inviting voice.  She NEVER met anyone she did not like and always found a way to get people involved in our programs.  She had a magic about her that made people feel special and always the center of attention.

Vera ran leagues that included players from all over Central Texas.  She helped with organizing activities that included local charity events to professional tournaments.  Players from all over the World knew her voice and kind hospitality.  Vera not only helped with leagues and tournaments she was the “stable” part of the group of people that ran the McCleary Tennis Center.  From tennis instructors to pro shop employees she kept us somewhat level and ALWAYS focused on customer service.

Besides being the “General” of the Tennis Center she set an example of leading a God driven life.  She always put God first and “walked the walk” of a person you would want to be like.  She was also a giver and she gave big from her heart – everyone that met her was touched by her love.

Vera was a great mom to her son Tommy and secondly to all of the McCleary gang.  She was a true living inspiration, teacher, giver and most of all friend - she will be missed.

Mrs. Vera and Ben Leonido -

Ben and his awesome family where a big part of the Tennis Center. 

 

Vera and Leni. 

Vera gave hugs that had meaning - we will miss them...

 

Here is Mike (Ronnie's son) Ronnie, Vera, her son Tommy,

me and Harrison - 16 years ago!!!!

Vera was my partner at the Tennis Center
And my close friend forever!!!

Vera was loved by all.