Platform tennis was not only enjoying a resurgence in the United States, but its boundaries were expanding worldwide.
Alfred Schulter sent expansion news from Austria. Schulter had built the first two courts in his country with construction information and encouragement from the APTA home office. At the time, he was building new courts for the Sporting University in Graz, in the south of Austria. The Second Open National Championship of Styria (Graz region) was scheduled for Nov. 10-12.
Source: Platform Tennis News, Summer 1989
The APTA moved to a best-of-three sets format for the men's national ranking and National Championship events. Many ranking events had already adopted this format. The 12 point Tiebreak was recommended for all sets except for the third set in the finals of the Men's, Women's and Mixed National Championships which were to be played out.
See also 1984 rule change for Men's National Championship
Source: Platform Tennis News, Summer 1989
The APTA had asked Bob Brown, the 1989 Tournament Chair, to loan them his extensive notebook covering planning documents and records as they wanted to reproduce it for use as a guidance document for future events.
Brown had been involved in running the Nationals at Fox Meadow Tennis Club for many years and had developed a very detailed play-book. The book was handed over to the APTA at the May 19th Annual Meeting.
A week later Ginna Ohlmuller, the APTA Executive Secretary, called Brown to say that her car had been broken into and a silver trophy and the play-book had been stolen. Despite reporting the loss to the police they were never recovered.
Source: Robert A. Brown note dated 5/31/1989
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, racquets became more responsive, balls became livelier, and there was a general trend toward tighter screen tension. All these changes facilitated learning the sport and increased enjoyment for the recreational player.
The average player could now sustain extended rallies and balls wouldn’t simply die on the screens. At the highest levels of the game, however, long points and tight screens pushed the physical threshold of players further than ever.
The Mid-Winter edition of Platform Tennis News carried this article:
“It has been conceived but it is not yet born. If it survives, it will be named ‘PTN UPDATE.’ Like so many publications similarly designated, its mission is to bring current news to everyone while it is still, well, current. In our situation, the principal news will be the results of tournaments around the nation, any schedule changes, and information on competition in various leagues. ‘PTN UPDATE’ will take the shape of a “newsletter’ while Platform Tennis News will move more towards being a ‘magazine.’ It is expected that the new publication will be four letter-size pages in length, with one page being reserved for addressing and advertising.
To minimize cost and expedite production, no pictures are planned. These will continue to be used in Platform Tennis News. At present, three issues are be[...]
Tom Rodgers at Eastern Mountain Platform Tennis built the first court in Stockholm, Sweden in the Fall of 1988. Rick Williams and Fritz Odenbach helped promote the game by conducting an exhibition and clinics.
Rick Williams reported on the experience in the Mid-Winter edition of Platform Tennis News:
“Our host was Jan Stenbeck who is an enthusiastic player now residing on Long Island but still cultivating many strong Swedish ties. Located on city property near a public tennis/sport facility and in the shadow of the 1912 summer Olympic stadium in Stockholm, the public exposure is tremendous. This could be the beginning of a paddle tennis explosion in Sweden.
The climate is perfect for paddle with an average winter temperature a touch below freezing, short days with a long season and the Swedish passion for outdoor sports. It is a natural. A wonderful gentleman named Per Torne[...]
Vasoll penned an article for the Winter edition of PTN covering an informal conversation he had had with Robert Brown, former APTA President and the President of Region I, who had suggested that platform tennis take the lead in the elimination of the "let" on the serve. No changes were being proposed, but APTA membership was encouraged to provide opinions.
The Children’s Village (Dobbs Ferry, NY) Tournament, held annually at Fox Meadow, was now in its ninth year and the results had been fabulous. From $900 the first year to over $10,000 the previous year, money was donated to this worthy cause through a slew of sponsors, silent auctions, direct donations and the open hearts and wallets of the women's platform tennis community.
Much of the credit for this best run/ most fun tourney went to Fox Meadow member Barbara Rau and her able colleagues Barb Lippe, Yvonne Robinson and Delsa Wilson.
There was an anonymous "Super Angel" who kicked in big bucks every year. Home Insurance Co. also received an angel designation, while Family Circle Magazine was a benefactor, and People's Westchester Savings Bank and Hedstrom Corp. were Patrons. As noted in the Winter 1990 issue of PTN, “The list of donors and friends runs the length of the baseli[...]
Back to TopPlatform Tennis News reports on Juniors
Platform Tennis News reported on a 12 & under and 15 & under tournament run by Bobo Delaney at Montclair Golf Club, as well as a Junior clinic at Short Hills featuring Hank Irvine, Paul Quinn, Greg Moore, and Lloyd Ucko.
“Junior paddle got off to a bang this Fall in the East as Bobo Mangan Delaney opened the season with a fun tournament for the 12-under and 15-under set at Montclair Golf Club (NJ) in October. Due to the size of the draw, some events were run as round robins. The enthusiasm generated by professionals like Bobo makes all the difference in organizing a successful platform tennis event. Kids love to come out and play – round robins, tournaments, beat the pro-whatever! Get organized so your club can be the next to host a junior event.
Another special event occurred in November when Hank Irvine, Paul Quinn, Greg Moore, and Lloyd Ucko instructed children in the fin[...]
© 2024 Platform Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame Foundation, All Rights Reserved.