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30 | Four Seasons Hemet Herald | May 2019 | Tennis Friends Once Earle Irvine's tennis friends learn of his impressive athletic background, they understand why he's such a viable force on the tennis courts at age 81. In March, more than two dozen tennis friends gathered at El Patron restaurant to celebrate the active tennis player's birthday. Earle began his stellar athletic career in high school where he was an All-American basketball player and went on to play first string at the University of Washington. The multi-talented athlete also was a pitcher on the university's baseball team. His prowess on the baseball field earned him a spot in the university's Hall of Fame in 1995 and in 2000 the talented athlete was "honored" to be one of 53 members of the All Century Team in Baseball. Tennis became Earle's "sport for life" in the early 1970s and he hasn't put the racquet down since! He began playing a lot of competitive tennis while living in Hawaii, where he reached a 4.0 USTA level. In his 60s, he and his brother, Jim, won a USTA Northwest section tournament, and in his 70s, the duo took first place in a 4.0 USTA tournament in Vancouver, Canada. Still a viable force on the tennis courts, now that he's in his 80s, Earle no longer plays competitively, but enjoys playing socially with his tennis friends at the Four Seasons. "The people here make it fun," Earle said. "This is the largest group of close tennis friends I've made in all the years I've been playing tennis." Known for his serve and forehand, he noted that "being 6' 4" helps." "I'm always happy when I'm on the courts and I hope to leave the court of life with a smile on my face," he said with a touch of humor. Tennis Friends welcomes new players. Come out to the courts, meet Earle and the array of other players who make this sport a fun, social experience. Schedule times: women's begin at 9 am, Monday and Friday; men's begin at 8 am, Tuesday and Thursday; mixed-up doubles begin at 8 am, Saturday. There is a small, but fun group of women golfers in Four Seasons who gather to play weekly on Thursdays. We usually play at the Hemet Golf Course, but occasionally we travel to a different course. Also we sometimes meet for lunch after our round. We are trying to "grow" our group. We welcome all women golfers. Yes, at this time we are gender-specific; after all, we call ourselves the DIVAS. We welcome ALL levels of play, because that is what we are. No handicap required. We are not an official, sanctioned league. We just love to get together and play and socialize. You can play nine or 18 holes. If you are new to golf or have been playing for years, please consider joining us. You don't have to be a Four Seasons resident. For more information, contact Helen Johnson at (951) 926-2537 or email htjohncal@gmail.com Ladies Golf Accomplished tennis player, Earle Irvine practices his serve. Earle Irvine, (right) pauses between games to pose with fellow players, (L-R), Herbert Bernstein, Hank Alberts, and Dennis Jorgensen.