History of the Game | Platform Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame

1975

APTA Presidents’ Council formed

The first meeting of the newly established council took place on October 13, 1975. The Minutes reflected the discussion on the Council's Charter (Membership, Purpose and Functions) and an emblem to be awarded to past presidents

1975

The American Professional Platform Tennis Teaching Association formed

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Formed in the fall, the Association had the objective of establishing standards for playing and teaching. Founding members were: Doug Russell, John Brownlow, Bob Callaway, Peter Chase, Hank Irvine, Dave Jennings, Craig Mielke, Steve Nycum, Chuck Saacke, Robin White and Joan Silbersher. The Paddle Tennis Center in Norwalk, Connecticut held the first training and certification session on the weekend of October 25 and 26. Source: Paddle Talk, No.2

1975

APTA Forms Men’s and Women’s Players’ Committee

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As the game expanded and the APTA added more and more tournaments, they recognized the need to establish more direct communication with players. The Player’s Committees served as forums to discuss issues of concern to players, such as equipment and tournament regulations. The Committees liaised with the Tournament Committees and the APTA Board (John Mangan was the first head of the Men’s Player’s committee and had to deal with his old partner, Bob Kingsbury, on the APTA Board; they got along so well they never had a meeting!). Source: Paddle Talk, No. 2. Personal communication from Robert R. Kingsbury.

1975

Women start ‘B’ tournaments

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The “pro-circuit” had made those who could not compete feeling left out. The ‘B’ events were designed to address this issue.

1975

Growth of the game brings more court builders and innovation. You could even build your own.

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Court builders started cropping up all over the country. And they brought innovation - different deck materials (aluminum, steel, plywood) and on grade construction. You could even build your own court from a kit for $6,000!

1975

Shoe-Goo – everyone was using it!

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The court deck was very tough on the tennis shoes of the day. Shoe Goo was the answer!

1975

The game comes to “Ole Miss”

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Platform tennis had come to the Deep South in resounding fashion. Two courts were being built as part of a recreational complex and the game was to be incorporated into the intramural program for both men and women with the courts available from 7:00 am to midnight.

1976

National Championships. Sellout crowd of 2000 witnesses dramatic Men’s at Fox Meadow, filmed for TV by PBS

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In 1976, for the first time, stringent qualifying criteria were applied to entrants to limit the draw to a manageable number. The event could be followed on television as PBS, courtesy of Tribuno, filmed it.

In the Men’s, the Baird brothers defeated defending champions Jennings and Steele. This was the first of ten Men’s titles for Steve Baird. Wendy Chase and Linda Wolf defeated BJ DeBree and Fay Gambee for the Women’s title. DeBree then teamed with Herb Fitz Gibbon to win their second straight Mixed title. In the Senior events, Baird and Lankenau lost their bid for a hat-trick in the 45+, losing to Don Miller and Dick Squires, but did capture the 50+ championship. — In 1976, for the first time, stringent qualifying criteria were applied to entrants to limit the draw to a manageable number. The event could be followed on television as PBS, courtesy of Tribuno, filmed it. In the Men’s, the Baird brothers defeated defending champions Jennings and Steele. This was the first of ten Men’s titles for Steve Baird. Wendy Chase and Linda Wolf defeated BJ DeBree and Fay Gambee for the Women’s title. DeBree then teamed with Herb Fitz Gibbon to win their second straight Mixed title. In the Senior events, Baird and Lankenau lost their bid for a hat-trick in the 45+, losing to Don Miller and Dick Squires, but did capture the 50+ championship.

In 1976, for the first time, stringent qualifying criteria were applied to entrants to limit the Men's draw to a manageable number. The event could be followed on television as PBS, courtesy of Tribuno, filmed it. Commentary was by Billy Talbert and Dick Squires The gang's all here to watch as Chip and Steve Baird, receiving, win the 1976 Nationals. Note the cameraman with his overview from the cat bird's seat! By 11:30 on Sunday the ticket allocation of 2000 had been sold. Most spectators found seats in the stands on three sides of the Court 1 and others climbed tress or hung from the roof and pipes of the clubhouse. In the Men’s, the Baird brothers defeated defending champions Jennings and Steele in four sets that included a dramatic ending when Steve passed out for a moment. This was the first of ten Men’s titles for Steve Baird. Wendy Chase and Linda Wolf defe[...]

1975

Richard J. Reilly Jr., Inc. introduces the “Happy House”.

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A big step forward for the traditional warming hut which was so important for the social aspects of the game. Happy Hour in the Happy House. You could even build it yourself

1976

Tribuno World Paddle Championships

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The World Championships [Tournament Brochure] were the culmination of the Tribuno Men’s Circuit and included a women’s event. Forest Hills hosted the event on April 2-3. Tribuno Wines raised prize money to $82,900 for the 1976–77 Tribuno Men’s Circuit, which consisted of nine events in Cleveland, Hartford, Rye, NY, Short Hills NJ, Chicago, New Canaan, CT, Washington, DC, and Scarsdale. The prize money for each of the first seven tournaments was $4,200, while the Scarsdale Nationals prize money was $6,500. On April 1 and 2, 1976, the tour culminated at the Tribuno Platform Tennis World Championship, held at Forest Hills, Queens, NY. Tribuno put up $15,000 for both the men’s and women’s events, with the winners earning $5,000, the largest purse in the sport. Without a doubt, this event was the pinnacle of commercially-sponsored platform tennis competition. On a clear, be[...]