National Championships now Include Men’s 60+

Gordon Gray (1933-2007) was one of the top male players from the late 1960s to the 1970s. He was the recipient of the APTA Honor Award in 1973 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.
Gordon Gray (1933-2007) was one of the top male players from the late 1960s to the 1970s. He was the recipient of the APTA Honor Award in 1973 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.
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1969 - Rev 1

CBS had coverage of the National Mixed Doubles narrated by Heywood Halle Broun, Jr. [See APTA 1969 Annual Meeting Minutes]

Gordon Gray and Jesse Sammis reversed the result of the previous year’s finals and started on a three-year streak. ABC was on hand to film the Men’s Nationals and the APTA obtained two copies that they made available for loan to member clubs of the Association, as well as individual members.

Charlotte Lee and Peggy Stanton won the Women’s again for the third time in a row, and Charlottee Lee got back into the winners circle in the Mixed with Bradley Drowne.

Walter Frese and George Holloway won the inaugural 60+ Senior Men’s.

The Junior Boy’s was won by Charles (Chip) Baird, Jr. and Steve Baird. Chip went on to win five straight titles, twice with his brother Steve, twice with George Krieger and once with James Hartmann.

Source: Oliver H. Durrell, The Official Guide to Platform Tennis, 1967; APTA Platform Paddle Tennis 1963-1973: Rules and Records, 1973

Jesse Sammis won the Men’s Nationals (with Gordon Gray) in 1969, 1970, and 1971
Jesse Sammis won the Men’s Nationals (with Gordon Gray) in 1969, 1970, and 1971