Serena & Venus Return

Great news from the folks over at the Family Circle Cup! World No. 2 Serena Williams will be returning to Charleston’s premiere tennis tournament to compete for her sixth time. Returning as the Family Circle Cup’s reigning champion, Serena may once again have the chance to take on her competitor from last year’s finals – World No. 7 Vera Zvonareva, who has also officially entered the 2009 Family Circle Cup to be held April 11 – 19 on Daniel Island. Also returning this year is one of Serena’s toughest competition — her sister, No. 6 Venus Williams!

A favorite island event, the Family Circle Cup has been drawing crowds to Daniel Island for ten years. For ticket information, call (843) 856-7900 or visit familycirclecup.com.

Walking: Out and Back

By Contributing Resident Jeanne Wells

Since Christmas day was 75 degrees and sunny, my husband and I decided to take a walk around Daniel Island, where we live. There are a lot of walking/biking paths and we picked a nice long one that we like. It winds around behind the Family Circle Cup arena/tennis center, over some marshy areas, and eventually runs parallel to the Wando River.

During our walk, we passed by a fence that we had noticed before, but since we were heading in the opposite direction from our usual route, we noticed what was beyond the fence for the first time: an old cemetery. Since the fence seemed to be more of a demarcation line than an actual barrier (there was ample space beside each end of the fence to walk around it, and it also would have been easy to crawl under, climb over, or step between the slats) we wandered into the cemetery to explore a little bit. There were a few headstones, and a couple of ancient benches, but it was clear from the unevenness of the ground that there were many more unmarked graves here.

It was a beautiful place, overlooking a section of marsh. Based on the headstones and markers we could see, it looked like the last time anyone was buried there was in the 1960s or 1970s sometime. When we got home, my husband did a little cursory Internet research, and came across an excerpt from a book about Daniel Island, which mentioned the cemetery. According to the information he found, it is known as Simmons Cemetery because it was adjacent to a plantation owned by someone named Maurice Simmons around the time of the Civil War. We also learned that some of the graves we had seen were those of African-American soldiers, two of whom had served in black infantry regiments during World War I and another who had served in the U.S. colored infantry during the Civil War.

It was interesting to find this old place in an area that is better known for its newness. It was so tranquil and lovely, and seemed like a wonderful final resting place.

THE PRACTICE RANGE: Consistency on the Course

By Daniel Island Club Head Teaching Professional, Ron Cerrudo

When I ask my golf students what their major problems are, the most common answer is lack of consistency. First and foremost, consistency comes from good basic fundamentals. Players should know why they hit a god shot as well as why they hit a poor shot. If you are a person that stays on the driving range hitting ball after ball with no clue why your shot is good or poor, you’re simply wasting time and energy.

Practice your weakness. Golfers are constantly practicing things they do well because it’s fun. None of us enjoy doing something badly; however, golf is a game of many facets. If one part of your game is weak it can creep into the entire process.

A good way to find weakness is to chart your game. Each time you play, keep a separate card and track the entire process.

1.    Number of fairways hit (greens in regulation)
2.    Putts per round (not only the total, but what is your percentage on putts from inside five feet)
3.    Number of putts taken from outside 20 feet
4.    Your average score within 20 yards of the green
5.    Number of times you get up and down out of the bunkers, or if you are a high handicapper, how many strokes do you average just getting out of bunkers

By tracking these, you can find where your greatest weakness occurs. If you can’t figure out how to improve these parts of your game, maybe it’s time to get some outside help.

Remember the old saying “Practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect!”

TASTE OF THE TOWN: Shrimp & Grits

Virtually every restaurant in Charleston has a shrimp-and-grits dish, but Executive Chef Tyler Dudley at the Daniel Island Club treats the club’s members and guests to this Lowcountry favorite by presenting it in a martini glass on special occasions and as a full entree for those who can’t get enough of this tasty dish. Tyler sets his recipe apart from others with his use of tasso ham, giving the dish a smoky and savory flavor. Here he shares his signature recipe.

Shrimp and grits
Serves 6
1-tablespoon Grape seed oil
2 lbs                     Large peeled and deveined shrimp
1 ½ lbs                Andouille sausage sliced thin on the bias
½ lbs                   Tasso ham shredded
2-tablespoon       Shallot chopped
1 ½ cup                Chicken stock
2 tablespoon        Chopped parsley
2-tablespoon        Sliced green onion green part only
2-tablespoon        Seeded and chopped tomato
Salt and pepper

Heat the grape seed oil in heavy bottom sauté pan over medium heat. Add the shrimp and sauté until slightly pink then remove. In the same pan, add shredded tasso, andouille sausage and chopped shallot and sauté for two minutes. Deglaze the pan with chicken stock and reduce by half. Add shrimp back into pan and cook an additional two minutes. Adjust seasoning.

Cheddar grits
2 cups            Whole milk
2 cups             Chicken stock
1-teaspoon        Kosher salt
1-cup            Stone ground grits
¼ cup            Butter
1-cup            Heavy cream
½ cup            Shredded white cheddar
2-teaspoon        Fresh ground pepper

Bring the milk and chicken stock to a slow boil.  Stir in salt.  Slowly add the grits, stirring constantly.  Let the grits thicken and then turn the heat down to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes.  Stir occasionally, avoiding burning on bottom.  Stir in butter, cream, and cheese.  Simmer for 5 minutes and stir in pepper. Check seasoning.

Divide the hot grits between 6 bowls and spoon the shrimp and sausage mixture over the grits. Garnish with parsley, green onion and tomato. Enjoy.

What’s your favorite Lowcountry recipe? Comment below and share with others.

SERVE & RETURN: Perfecting Your Return

By the Daniel Island Club’s Tennis Professional, Ben Cook

Without a doubt, the serve and return of serve are the two most important shots in tennis today. If you have a big weapon, you will pick up a free point or two per service game. If you struggle, you will find yourself on the defensive end in your service games. This is why many players spend hours working on their serve.

The more neglected shot, in terms of practice time, is the return of the serve. If you have a strong return, take the offensive in many of your opponents’ service games and get more breaks. To be a better service returner, try to work on the following.

1.    While your opponent is going through his/her service ritual (bouncing the ball, etc.), make sure your feet are moving. Avoid being flatfooted.
2.    When the toss goes up, try to take a step or two going forward. This will get your momentum moving into the shot instead of being on your heels.
3.    When your opponent makes contact with their serve, you must get in split step. This will allow you to react better and be ready to move in either direction. Being flatfooted on your opponent’s contact will lead to missed returns.

So keep sending time working on your serve. But also find a partner to serve you some, and work on those returns. It will make you a better player.

Contributed by Ben Cook, Head Tennis Professional, Daniel Island Club

What helps make you a better tennis player? Comment below and share your insights with other readers!