Well-Known Member
Hello DTTCCers!
Haven't posted in ages. Nothing new to report during that time though.
New news ... my club which is a NYC Dept of Parks Recreation Center is finally going to close down June 30th for renovation and it may be 2 or 3 years before they reopen There is the Tiger Badminton Club (they rented the gym of a synagogue) which is 1 long block away from my club. But 3 kids in college and funds are tight now. Same for Robert Chen's new club in Astoria, may be pricier than Tiger, plus inconvenient travels to and from Chen's club. the Dept of Parks was the most affordable in my current situation, $100 for 1 year, 2 nights a week (was 4 nights a week until they changed their schedule), and if i was available most of Saturday. It was also 25 minutes walking to/from home. With my NYC Dept of Parks membership, i can go to other Rec Ctrs, but all are inconvenient to get to as well as limited times to play TT. Downside of a rec ctr.
One of my friends/brothers from my old 1980s TT crew started playing again. He mentioned to me that he is playing at NYC/Chinatown's Columbus Park. Throughout the parks of NYC, they have these slate/stone tables with a metal net. Not the most ideal of playing conditions, but it is free. Not used to the table. Downside is wind, passersby, mosquitoes, uneven table, running after a missed ball before someone steps on it, etc. I walk 30 minutes to the park after work and hit with him. Last night, I hit with someone else and we had fun and good training. Going back on Saturday after work.
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@UpsideDownCarl,
My friend knows Eddie and plays with him sometimes at Columbus Park. He also told me Richard Ling is sometimes there on Saturdays. I work Saturdays and by the time i get off work and get there, it is late for him and he would have left already. Same for Eddie. I call Richard Ling "Dai Si Hing" (Big Martial/Training Brother) as we both learnt from the late Alex Tam, although I learnt briefly from Tam sifu. After a few basic lessons, he told me to go train with Richard. Sad that I didn't see Tam sifu in 30 years or so and he passed away 2 or 3 years ago. We all are not getting any younger, I want to see Richard at least one time in the near future. Would be cool to see and hit with Eddie again as well.
How much is it per year?
I suffered to pay about $217 for one club membership away far from me, and another club is also same amount, so i paid a lot for about 5 years or so, and then car fuel cost, all that only to keep myself into playing, but i decided that this year and next year will be my last time for membership in those clubs and then no more, i even don't go there more than 1-2 times per week anyway.
I am planning to do home practice with my old robot and new robot, at least to keep myself occupied and company for a while, then i will try to find nearby clubs if possible, or try to find players in my city so i can use the club in my city free, or if possible invite someone to my house to play as much we can, i really hate to keep paying for membership far clubs where they really have enough, it is not my fault that they rented in the clubs, they call it an academy and they ask membership fees for membership alone and for training/coaching also alone separate, well, to me from distant city that will cost me a lot, so you are lucky to have options at least, for $100 per year i can pay that always lifetime rather than over $200 slightly.