Senior Women’s Nationals

Women’s 40+ and 60+ National Championships
The weather was spring-like and the ladies showed there was still a lot of spring in their step as they competed for the Women’s 40+ and 60+ National titles.

Helen Garrett and Sandy Simmers once again claimed the Women’s 60+ National title despite strong competition from some new teams. This was their 5th gold in a row and their 6th as a team. In a rematch of last year’s final, they defeated Louise Cash and Mary Fenton by the score of 6-2, 6-7, 6-4. Other winners were: Winnie Hatch and Courtia Worth, 3rd place; Ginny Sniatkowski and Ruth Weil, 5th place and Sharon Hummers and Hope Kerr, Last Chance winners.

An exceptionally strong field in the Women’s 40+ event led to some exciting matches. Continuing their title run, Cynthia Dardis and Amy Shay defeated Bobo Delaney and Tonia Mangan to win their first National title. Liz Jaffe and Sue Tarzian topped Robin Fulton and Betsy Heidenberger in the battle for 5th place and Donna Charlton and Janet Faig finished 9th, ahead of Darlene Finnegan and Susan Penney. Lamia Beydoun and Debra LaMountain claimed the Consolation crown and Anne Delaney and Amanda Dolan won the Last Chance battle.

Women’s 50+ National Championships
Frigid temperatures did not deter the enthusiasm of the 23 teams participating in the Women’s 50+ National Tournament at Fox Meadow Tennis Club on January 14. Given the caliber of the teams involved, it was not surprising that there was some incredible platform tennis played that day. The team of Bobo Delaney and Sarah Krieger, newcomers to the 50+ tournament, lived up to expectations. The number one seeds had no trouble reaching the finals where they played the unseeded team of Janet Faig and Donna Charlton who also had little trouble reaching the finals. The match was played on January 15 at the Center Court Tennis Club in New Jersey. Given that all four participants were from New Jersey, there was a great turnout to watch the finals where Delaney and Krieger beat Faig and Charlton 6-0, 6-4. Congratulations to both teams and to all the participants. It was an exciting tournament and one that is expected to get bigger each year as more paddle playing women reach the magic age of 50!

Submitted by Judy Luskin

Women’s 70+ National Championships
The Women’s 70+ National Championship was played at Fox Meadow Tennis Club on January 14, 2009. The day had a very low temperature, but a very high spirit and performance. The first seeds, Sharon Hummers and Ann Moriani, lost in an exciting first round 3 set match to Hope Kerr and Betty Michinard. Kerr and Michinard went on to win the tournament with two more 3 set matches. Gingie Greene and Lynne Verna in the semis gave them a fight with the score 7-5,1-6, 6-3. The fmals were also exciting. They played the second seeded team, Nancy Libby and Margot Turk, 6-4,6-7,6-2. They all played beautifully. It was a proud day for all the 70+ women who participated.

Submitted by Ann Brown