Round One of the River Oaks Tennis Tournament Luncheon and Fashion Show came off without a hitch — or a drop of rain — on Wednesday. It turned out to be a splendid, if a bit steamy, day for the sellout crowd of close to 600 that gathered around the club swimming pool for the season's premier social event.

While it looked like business as usual, it was anything but. Tuesday night, the exclusive country club's ballroom was ready-set-go for the two-day luncheon event. Tables set, flowers placed and party favors — plush ROCC-monogramed beach towels — in place. Rain was the worry that had moved the traditionally outdoor event inside — a change of venue that no one likes.

At 8:30 Wednesday morning, clubhouse manager Maria McGinity declared the day safe for outdoor schmoozing and the club team went into action at warp speed to move everything outdoors. "By 9, we had the water glasses on the tables (all 57 of them)," she said. Three cheers for banquette manager Maricela Prado and her team of 30 hustling workers, who made the transformation and had the outdoor setting ready well before the 10:45 a.m. start time. Not a bad turn-around either for fashion show director Lenny Matuszewski and the team from Tootsies, who made that mega fashion adjustment in record time.

Now about those topless models with tattoos. Actually, those were the male models who strutted the catwalk in shortie bathing trunks. It's a traditional ooh-la-la moment that never fails to have the ladies issuing forth a few playful, if unlady-like, cat calls.

And did we mention the men in suits — perspiring in the unseasonably muggy air. This mostly-female event has become rather popular with the gents, Bill Hurt taking credit for breaking the female barrier a few years back. Dandies in summer finery included Peter Strohmer, Jim Hackett, David Modesett, John Eads and Ralph Eads. The men, you see, dress as fashionably as the women at this must see-and-be-seen gathering of social swells.

Lisa Eads and Mary Eads chaired the luncheon that sells out in the first five minutes that the computers open for reservations. Among the lucky ROCC members securing tables on the first of the two-day, back-to-back luncheon events were Kelli Blanton, Maureen Hackett, Karen Johnson, Lynda Transier, Cynthia Allshouse, Lilly Andress and many more.

Among the lovelies in spring frocks and play clothes were Courtney Lanier Sarofim, who along with hubby Christopher Sarofim, is hosting Chilean tennis player Fernando Gonzalez and his stunning girlfriend in their River Oaks abode. Others in the mix included Kate Gibson, Lynn Wyatt, Lindsey Holstead, Lauren Clark, Debbie Daugherty, Tina Pyne, Jana Arnoldy, Melinda Berkman, Stephanie Walker, Sheridan Williams, Courtney Hopson and Kimberly DeLape.