Cleveland Masters – They thought this was going to be the first money tournament

Welcome to the best location in the nation – Cleveland, of course. To all our old friends its super to see you again, and to you new faces, its great to see you guys as well.

For the men it is a historical occasion! Who would believe we would be pounding the pill for the long hard green. For the first time in the history of our favorite sport, dollars are replacing the firm handshake and the clasp on the back1 from the not so ardent admirers. For some, perhaps the courts will get smaller, the wires a little looser, and the lines altogether erased; but not to any of the fine sportsmen gathered here this week. I am sure, it will be more of the same – great paddle, good fellowship, super parties, and naturally lousy weather.

Masters? You know what masters are. Masters are the top of their professions, the best of whatever they are trying to do; and what we have gathered here this weekend, male and female, is exactly what we hope to do as the years slide by. We think we have the right formula for Paddle Tennis success in continuing the innovations that hopefully we are known for in Cleveland.

We have two companies in particular that are making this possible and many, many others in the supporting role. Myles Reilly, President of R. J. Reilly, Jr. Inc., paddle tennis court builders extraordinaire, called on the phone on a typically Cleveland dreary fall day and said that their firm would be interested in sponsoring the first, and hope· fully, the best sanctioned monied tournament ever played in the U.S. Myles said his company wanted to do it in Cleveland where innovations have become commonplace. Flattered we were, and accepted their kind offer we did. Not only is their support a valued cash donation, but the center aluminum court at the Cleveland Racquet Club is also installed and loaned to the Masters by their company as well.

We are also fortunate to have in town one of the great companies with an eye not only for the girls but for the sport-minded as welL Jess Bell of Bonne Bell Cosmetics was asked if he and his company would have an interest in joining hands to support the Masters, and Jess responded quite so. The final details were ironed out one morning when Jess was running his daily five-mile jog from home to office. Bonne Bell also is the only company, believe it or not, in greater Cleveland to have its own paddle tennis court less than one hundred steps from the President’s office! To all of the Reillys and all of the Bells, we in Cleveland so thank you for sponsoring our First Masters. We are also most appreciative for all of the other sponsors from the Corporations as well as to the Individual Sustaining Sponsors that are making the tournament possible.

Why Prize Money? Cleveland was most anxious to trap the best athletes in the country to play the game we all love. At some point in time we are hopeful of spreading the game to the inner-city and other places where it might not normally be found. We think controlled
commercial ism is good for the game and we want a part in it, to help direct the game on a direct course rather than have it slide into the hands of people that sell their interest first and the game itself somewhere less than last place. It is our way of helping the APT A to sponsor junior tournaments, Executive Secretary, training films, year book and whatever.

We are glad you are here to participate in the First of what we hope will be many fantastic Masters. We have to apologize to everybody about the draw — – but don’t call us, we’ll call you.The Directors

Source: Cleveland Masters Tournament Brochure, November, 1974

Note 1: Not so. The first APTA-sanctioned professional tournament was the Vat Gold Cup held in 1973 and the Mercedes Benz Classic which had been held the week before the Cleveland Masters on Amelia Island, FL was the first tournament for cash