Newsletter - November 2023

A Fond Farewell

After 18 years of hard work and dedication to Seven Oaks Country Club tennis program, we wish Jonni Seymour the best that the future has in store for her. Jonni came to Seven Oaks Country Club with a plethora of accomplishments. She is one of Bakersfield's elite athletes. Tennis was the avenue she chose to excel in as a CIF Valley champ and three year MVP at Highland High School, and at age 16 was on the USTA national winning team ranked #8 in singles and #1 in doubles. Jonni's rankings as a member of Southern California Tennis Association are equally as impressive at #66 in singles and #1 in doubles.

Jonni is also one of the premier collegiate tennis players on the west coast who became the first University of California Irvine women's player to earn league first team, singles and doubles honors ranking nationally, also earning All Big West first team honors in singles and doubles for three consecutive years and ranking as high as # 77 in singles and #12 in doubles. Jonni's Irvine coach, Coach Edles, said this about her, "Jonni is a team leader on and off the court setting an excellent example for all our players. Her greatest attribute is her consistency, she has the ability to perform at a high-level every day, day in and day out." As if all that wasn't enough, Jonni also competed on the European professional tour, but a case of homesickness brought Jonni back to her roots. She returned to UCI as a coach, but her yearning to be back in Bakersfield with family, was the edge, Director of Tennis, Dave Krueger had, to get her to join our team at Seven Oaks.

"We are so grateful she did, Dave said, Jonni was an asset, at Seven Oaks, because she not only made and shaped better tennis players, but she genuinely cared aout everyone she taught, and became a mentor and a dear friend to so many. She was part of something special, and her impact here will never be forgotten. Thank you for being such an amazing coworker and friend; Seven Oaks will greatly miss you for all the experience you brought to the club." Proud parents, John and Patty have always been her biggest fans and will take some credit for her good genes. The sweetest victory came later in life when she teamed up with her dad to win two Gold Balls in The National Father-Daughter tennis tournament in SanDiego and Boston. Members, Joe & Joan Tallman had this to say about Jonni, "Jonni has been such a great asset to the tennis program at Seven Oaks Country Club and she will really be missed. We wish her all the best in the future."

Another member, Lauren Eittreim said, "Jonni has always made tennis FUN! I had never played tennis before, but after attending her beginner drills, I was hooked. Her personality, commentary, music, games, and encouragement kept me wanting to come back. Next thing I knew, I was taking lessons and spending my mornings out on the courts. I don't know that I would've had the courage to keep showing up if it wasn't for her. Myself, my kids, and our "Newbie" crew have all enjoyed our time on the court with Jonni. She became a friend to all of us!" Another member, Bri Starr said, "Walking into Jonni's tennis drills for the first time 4 1/2 years ago was life-changing! She made me fall in love with a sport that I knew nothing about. Looking back, I can't imagine my life without tennis. She has taught me so much and the friendships that I have made are priceless."

6 | The Seven Oaks Scene

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