Platform loses an original; “Killy” Kilmarx

Kilmarx won the inagural Men's National Championship in 1935 with Kip Couch
Kilmarx won the inagural Men's National Championship in 1935 with Kip Couch
From head to toe Killy Kilmarx and Kip Couch introduced a certain sartorial splendor to the game From head to toe Killy Kilmarx and Kip Couch introduced a certain sartorial splendor to the game Kilmarx presents Championship Bowl to 1986 winners Hank Irvine and Greg Moore. Paul Molloy and Dick Warren are on the right Kilmarx presents Championship Bowl to 1986 winners Hank Irvine and Greg Moore. Paul Molloy and Dick Warren are on the right

Sumner “Killy” Kilmarx, one of the very first national men’s doubles platform tennis champions, died on March 2, 1996, in Scarsdale, NY. He was 96. With his long-time paddle partner, Clifford Couch, he won the first national men’s tournament held at the Fox Meadow Tennis Club in 1935.

The 1935 final was one of the longer matches in National Men’s play, a 4-6 , 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7 victory over later champion James Hynson and Charles O’Hearn, who defeated them in the 1937 National finals. But Kilmarx and Couch were victorious again in their return finals in 1939. Kilmarx was recognized by the unusual steadiness of his play and the debonair style of his attire on the court.

He was an honorary member of Fox Meadow for many years, having contributed to the development and the popularity of the early game.

Source: Platform Tennis News, Summer 1996