Viking Cup Adult/Child Tournament has over 230 participants

The Viking Cup adult/child paddle tennis tournament is quickly becoming the APTA’s largest paddle tournament! This year over 230 adults and children participated in playoffs at 13 sites over an eight state area.The Viking Cup adult/child paddle tennis tournament is quickly becoming the APTA’s largest paddle tournament! This year over 230 adults and children participated in playoffs at 13 sites over an eight state area.

David Kjeldson, CEO of Viking Athletics and the primary sponsor for the Viking Cup, has continued his support of junior paddle development across the country. This adult-child format has been well received and has been well received and has been a great goal for the children.

In October, the local play-downs determined the draw for the national competition at the Fox Meadow Tennis Club in Scarsdale, New York. All participants received a Viking t-shirt and hat, as well as a copy of Dick Squires book, “How to Play Platform Tennis.” Viking Athletics also donated balls for all tournament play.

Five new clubs participated in local action. They included Sleepy Hollow Country Club in New York, New Canaan Field Club, Field Club of Longmeadow, Mass., Glenview Country Club in Chicago, and our host club for the nationals, Fox Meadow Club in Scarsdale, N.Y. Congratulations to Patti Hogan at the Beacon Hill Club for generating the largest number of entries, 28 Teams!!!

The Fox Meadow Club was again the generous host for the national competition on November 16. The facility was an excellent hub for all of the activity and the members were most generous for sharing their club.

Play was strong from morning through dusk, with the Philadelphia region again taking top honors in two of the three categories! In the eighteen and under competition the father-son team of Pat and Patrick Nowlan faced off against fellow Philadelphians, Jon and Ben Holskin, for the second year in a row. Team Nowlan-Nowlan notched their third national Viking Cup Championship by outlasting the Holskins 6-4,6-4.

The fifteen and under title was captured by the local team of Bob Considine and Anthony Nunziata. Considine-Nunziata defeated the father-son team of Phil and Tyler Gaffney who hail from the Beacon Hill Club in Summit, New Jersey. Considine-Nunziata won the event for the second year defeating Gaffney-Gaffney 6-4,6-4 in the final.

The twelve and under draw saw nine year old Peter Hissey, from the Philadelphia area, team up with his mother Laurie, to regain the 12 and under title for the second year in a row. Last year Peter teamed up with his Uncle, Tim McAvoy. In the finals, team Hissey-Hissey defeated Marie Minnick and Brandon Kuchta from Long Island, New York, 6-4,6-4.

The Viking Cup success resulted from the dedicated efforts and organizational skills of Caryl Swain and Robin Fulton.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Issue 3, January, 2000