Premier Cup – Berka and Eberly collect the cash

The 5th Annual Premier Cup took place this year at Sunset Ridge Country Club in Chicago on October 10th & 11th. This year’s field featured the strongest veteran teams in the sport as well as many of the top up and coming teams. Sunset Ridge boasts six courts and is under the direction of Peter Berka. This year’s field had representation from states of Illinois, Ohio, New York, and New Jersey for the two-day event that had a total purse ofS5,000.

The first day of competition started at 10 a.m. on Saturday and lasted through dark as each team played a round robin competition within their own group (three matches).

Format:
• Two out of three sets; regular scoring

• Super tie-breaker for 3rd set (Sat. only)

• Top two teams from each group advanced to semi-finals on Sunday

Rules for Advancement:
• Best overall record from round robin play

• 1st tie-breaker used is head-to-head, followed by sets won (then % of games won)

Premier Platform Tennis & Wilson Racquet Sports provided personalized apparel for the players. The club itself came through in a much appreciated and professional way by providing drinks and food for all players and spectators throughout the weekend as a thank you to all who carne out to enjoy what many call the “Super Bowl” of platform!

The first day of competition ended with both groups having to go the tie breaker method to decide who would advance and play for the money on Sunday. In the end, the teams of Scott Bondurant and Mark Johnson (1st) and Steve Derose/Jon Lubow (2nd) advanced from the Green group along w/ Chris Gambino/Scott Mansager (1st) and Peter Berka/Drew Eberly (2nd) from the Purple Group.

By Sunday, the word had got out that Sunset Ridge’s own Peter Berka was playing in the Semi’s. The home club members, along with many of Chicago’s finest, came out to watch the best battle for early season supremacy!

The match started at 10 a.m. with the top team from each group facing the 2nd place team from the opposite group for a place in the finals. Both matches were tightly contested and those who witnessed saw some incredible performances.

The finals saw a rematch from Saturday’s round robin play as the top seeds Chris Gambino/Scott Mansager squared off against the local favorite & hosts Peter Berka/and Eberly. In a match that was clearly closer than the score indicated, Peter Berka/Drew Eberly avenged their only loss on Saturday to take the title 6-3, 6-0 and be crowned 2009 Premier Cup Champions!

“Each year the players, tournament and sponsor support continues to go to a greater level, making this event one of a kind,” said Jason Gray, tournament director.

Congratulations to Sunset Ridge and Peter Berka for putting on a fantastic and professional weekend of platform on and off the court. The event would not be made possible without the efforts of the tournament sponsors Premier Platform Tennis, the Chicago Platform Tennis Association and Wilson Racquet Sports.