“Scrambles” tournaments established

Considered by Blanchard as “one of the greatest steps forward in the history of platform tennis,” Ken Ward created the scrambles format and conducted them at Manursing Island Club. These scrambles tournaments were keys in increasing participation by balancing talents and introducing tournament play without the championship tensions and rivalries.

Ken Ward and John Stephenson presided over the draw. The entries were secretly classified into A and B players, and the names of each group put in a separate hat. No two players from the same hat or the same club could play together.

Ken Ward and Oz Moore discussed the draw. “I have the worst luck in these scrambles tournaments,” said Ken. “I never seem to draw anybody who is any good. Why, sometimes my partners haven’t ever seen a paddle. Of course, if I did get anyone that was any good, they’d all be suspicious.” “I’m the same way,” replied Oz. “I never get a good partner either. I’m always out of luck, too.” “Let’s compare notes,” suggested Ken. “Who did you draw last year?” “You!” said Oz.

Unless a player drew Charlie O’Hearn, Paul Hicks, or Cliff Sutter for a partner, he would not know for sure that he rated as a B player—and if he did draw one of those men, he was so pleased that he forgot the insult. The scramble format proved to be an excellent way to develop hidden talent and grow the game.

In the first scrambles tournament, Sidney B. Wood, Jr., a former Wimbledon champion, who had never played platform tennis until he entered that tournament, drew Donald White as a partner, one of the best players of the time. Sid picked up the game quickly. He and his partner were able to win against some of the stronger scrambled teams. This illustrated the affinity between the two sports.

Source: Adapted from Fessenden S. Blanchard, Platform Paddle Tennis, 1959