By CINDY HOFFMAN
Contributing Writer
(July 17, 2025) Dale and Mitzi Ash were honored for their longtime dedication to the tennis community with a planting and tree dedication on June 21 in the Remembrance Court, a garden area at the Racquet Center that was created in 2004 to honor players who have passed away.
While the Ash’s are very much alive, and still avid tennis players, they have relieved themselves of their longtime duties as President and Treasurer/Secretary of the Ocean Pines Tennis Club.
“Mitzi and Dale have been the backbone of the tennis community for many years. It was fitting that we honor and recognize them at the “changing of the guard,” Deb Downing, the current President of the Tennis Club said.
“Dale has been the president of the Tennis Club more times than we know and always volunteered to take the job again when no one else stepped up to take the position,” Judy Kearney, the current Treasurer for the Tennis Club, said.
“Through the years, Dale has worked tirelessly for the tennis community. He has been the spokesperson at OPA meetings, lobbying for tennis court maintenance and with Public Works to ensure the grounds were looked after.
“Mitzi served as Secretary/Treasurer for the last 14 years. She, alongside Dale, organized events, managed the clubs funds, all while fully participating in club play.”
Mitzi did yeoman’s work, helping me prepare the tennis directory every year, said Dale. The directory, which is not in print this year, provided members with information on staff, a calendar of events, instructions, contact information and a membership list.
The Tennis Community joined together before the Davis Cup Round Robin to recognize their contributions.
“We were overwhelmed by the surprise and very appreciative of the thoughtfulness to have a tree dedicated to us in the Remembrance Court,” Dale said.
The community chose an Eastern Redbud, “Heart of Gold” variety to honor the couple. “It’s one of my favorite trees,” Mitzi said, noting the heart-shaped leaves.
The Remembrance Court is special to Dale and he will continue to manage it. The garden is divided into decades, beginning with the 1980s. Name plaques remember and honor each player who has passed away. The Remembrance Court was envisioned not as a place to view from afar, but to enter and reflect upon friends who have passed.
“The tree was a way to honor Dale while he is still with us and he can recognize the significance between the tree’s growth and the tennis community’s growth and well being,” Downing said.
Having their tree planted in the Remembrance Court is significant to Dale because of his role as the keeper.
Dale and Mitzi have both been playing tennis for decades. Dale started with lessons when he was 12 years old and has played regularly since. He’s played in Ocean Pines since 1978. Mitzi has been playing since she was 20. She has played in Ocean Pines since 1985.
They have been through many evolutions of tennis in Ocean Pines. They remember playing on the tennis courts at the Yacht Club, before the Racquet Center was developed. Dale also remembers years ago that there were courts at the current site of the Post Office.
The courts have been expanded throughout the years. Dale remembers when Pickleball players started to put down tape on the tennis courts for their use. Eventually, Pickleball courts were created, now the most popular racquet sport in Ocean Pines.
Mitzi enjoys the community aspect of the Tennis Club. She likes the welcoming atmosphere on the courts, even for drop-ins, noting that young and old and all levels of play are welcome.
Dale has observed that since the change in membership to a single consolidated rate for all racquet sports this year, he has seen more people playing tennis.
Deb Downing is the current President of the Tennis Club. She and Kearney will lead the community this year.
“We are pleased with the energy and enthusiasm that the leadership has brought to the Ocean Pines Tennis Club,” Dale said.
Visit the website atoceanpines.org/web/pages/tennis for more information.