Broderick/Gambino capture Premier Cup, “The Super Bowl of Platform Tennis”

The 7th Annual “Super Bowl of Platform Tennis” was held October 14-16 in Columbus, Ohio, at the Scioto Country Club. Columbus hosted some of very best men’s teams in the country, who showcased their incredible talents for all to enjoy. Teams from cities and states such as Chicago, New Jersey, Cincinnati, and Richmond, competed for the only paddle purse as well as bragging rights. Columbus’ own Denny English’s and Brian Heil’s fans helped fill the home team’s warming hut.

At the same club where Jack Nicklaus learned how to play golf, beginners were encouraged to pick up the game of platform tennis. Kicking off the weekend’s festivities was a free clinic conducted by the APTA. All ages and levels were invited to learn the game and its intricacies and were taught by an enthusiastic group of pros. This is a relatively new feature of tournaments nationwide and is one way that the APTA is helping increase participation in the game.

Once the courts were warmed up by the clinic action, the tournament kicked into a higher gear and the competent game play of eight super-powered duos. Saturday was the round robin portion of the tournament in which each team played three matches. Winners took two out of three sets. While the players were dazzled by sunny skies, the glare and breezy conditions made conditions less than ideal.

In the end, the top two seeded teams of Drew Broderick/Chris Gambino and Peter Berka/Drew Eberly went undefeated and advanced to the semi-finals. Joining them were Steve DeRose/John Lubow and Mike Marino/Dane Schmidgall. Once play was completed for the day, all teams were organized for the “money” matches that took place Sunday morning.

The weather for Sunday was perfect for play and viewing, and, once again, the spectators witnessed incredible shot making and high-caliber play. The semi-finals featured the top four seeds, and in the end the top two seeds advanced with hard fought victories. In the first semi-final, a rematch of last year’s Premier Cup final pitted Berka/Eberly vs. Marino/Schmidgall with a different outcome this time.

Berka/Eberly avenged last year’s loss with a straight set victory and advanced to the finals. On the other side, Broderick/Gambino defeated DeRose/Lubow in straight sets setting up a final of the two top seeds as well as the only unbeaten teams.

The battle of the Drews was the highlight of the weekend. The top-seeded teams squared off in a match that was certainly closer than the score. New champions Broderick and Gambino were crowned after defeating the 2009 champions Berka and Eberly 6-2, 6-2.

Playing off for 3rd and 4th places, DeRose/ Lubow won in straight sets over Marino/Schmidgall. The battles offered long points and spectacular shots.

For the first time in the seven-year history of the Premier Cup, all teams received financial compensation for their athletic ability and effort. The tournament directors were proud to boast of a total purse of $10,000.

The deluxe warming hut was home to a cheering crowd and paddle enthusiasts new and old. The sport commonly known as “The Hidden Gem of Racquet Sports” received great support from the locals and showed Columbus what amateur and professional platform tennis looks like.

Huge thanks go out to the presenting sponsors, Total Platform Tennis and Wilson Racquet Sports, for their continued support for the event. A special thanks to the host Scioto Country Club for a warm and luxurious venue. And finally, thanks to Denny English and Brian Heil, who helped raise a record purse for this year’s event, making the 2011 Premier Cup the richest in many ways.

Source: Jason Gray, Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 13, Issue 2, December, 2011