60-and-over tennis group seeks more members

More than 35 years ago, for the love of tennis, five local men organized to play the game.

They were Fred Gavin, Dr. Bob Scates, Charles Kimball, George Blackburn and Bob Bruce.

With only outdoor courts available - at McEuen Field and, later, at North Idaho College - they played from early spring to late fall. Their criteria for play was "as long as the temperature is 40 degrees or above and the courts were clear of snow."

By the late 1980s, many retirees who moved to the area joined the group. They became know as "The Top of the Hill Gang" and arranged to play year-round at Ironwood Athletic Club, now known as Peak Health and Wellness in Coeur d'Alene. The group plays there every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8 to 10:30 a.m.

Senior men age 60 and older wishing to join the group can call Peak tennis pro Bill Graves at 667-2582, ext. 107; Doug Wood at 773-2258, Dick Cripe at 665-0010 or Roy Wellman at 765-9623.