Marjorie Hodson reported for PTM:
The weather was beautiful, the site spectacular and the tournament committee, Indian Trail Club staff and volunteers outdid themselves in staging the 2009 Mixed Nationals and Husband-Wife Mixed Nationals.
With sunny skies and temperatures that were cool enough for the players but comfortable for the spectators, the Indian Trail Club hosted the Mixed Nationals the weekend of March 13 — 15. The club took this opportunity to show off their new McBride House, which is so much more than a paddle hut! The staff anticipated needs before the contestants even knew they had them - with such touches as a bin of ice and plastic bags for after match aches and pains — to add to a memorable weekend.
Play began on Friday with the Husband-Wife contests, with both Open and Senior divisions playing in a one-day format. In the Open draw, Jessica and Matt Guyaux[...]
David Caldwell & Blake Cordish had thoughts on the subject:
Over the last five to seven years a fresh crop of experienced tennis players has dramatically influenced the way the modern game of paddle is being played. Tennis players have helped to make paddle a faster, more aggressive game characterized by new shots, spins and strategies.
New Shots
Tennis players have brought their ground strokes to paddle and the effect has been increased pace, spins and additional offensive firepower off both sides from the baseline and the net.
On the forehand side, many tennis players utilize a semi-western grip that allows for more topspin so the ball can be struck harder and still come down in the court. This has also allowed for new offensive strategies such as using an off-pace, topspin groundstroke to dip the ball to a net person's feet so the player can then "blitz" and volley the next [...]
Mark Holtschneider opined.
At this year's National 45s/55s/65s Championship, a tape of the 1976 Men's Nationals was playing in the paddle hut. The play was dominated by lobs and soft overheads to the corners. There was an occasional flat forehand drive. There were no Mansager-like crushing forehands, no Goodspeed-like two-handed backhand drives, and no Uihlein super cut overheads. Contemporary players look much quicker and more athletic. A few players in the hut said that today's top players are definitely better than the best players of the '70s. Others agreed that athletes in all sports are better today than they were 30 years ago - track times are faster, pole vaults are higher, basketball players are taller, and football players are bigger.
I disagree. I think the late 1970s champs could compete with the best of today's players.
First, the rackets and balls in the '70s wer[...]
Friday, May 8 The Annual APTA Board Meeting was called to order at 12:45 p.m.
The APTA website - overview and ideas for next steps:
Paul Wiggin gave a detailed report on the website and led a general discussion on APTA priorities for the next 12 months. The site is off to a great start and continues to grow in size, quality, viewership and in contribution to both the APTA membership and to the sport.
The Board agreed with Paul's prioritization of the future initiatives and, in addition, emphasized certain action items:
1. Having worked out most of the bugs in the on-line tournament registration procedure, the APTA now wants to encourage Tournament Directors to use the APTA site for tournament registrations, at APTA sanctioned events, to ensure that the waiver is signed.
2. Put a "passive waiver" onto the draw sheets (e.g., "By signing up for this tournament and appearing on this[...]
The Fonthill Platform Tennis Club, just 25 minutes north of Niagara Falls, offers two platform tennis courts, a comfortable warming hut, players that welcome you with open arms, and a fridge full of beer. Basically a platform tennis player's dream!
James Aldred, President of the club and event organizer, along with long-time friend and club member, Rich Humphries, put together the winter's most anticipated event.
On March 28th 2009, the top Canadian platform tennis players came out to compete for the first prize money tournament ever in Canada. Club members all pitched in with home made food and baked goods, Lorenzo's Fine Foods was on the grill, and Embroidery Plus donated jackets. The local Tribune newspaper touted articles and camera crews showed up to give the event television coverage.
David Dodge of Premier Platform tennis put up the prize money which was divided between w[...]
Hall of Fame inductee, Margaret G. ("Peggy") Stanton, died peacefully in her home in Quogue, New York, on June 17, 2009, at the age of 85.
Peggy was a major contributor to the advancement of women's platform tennis and was also a distinguished player. She won the Women's Nationals in 1967, 1968, 1969, and 1970, and was a finalist in 1971. She was also a finalist in the Mixed Nationals in 1969, and went on to win two Senior Women's Nationals in 1974 and 1977 and was a finalist in 1976.
Peggy was an active promoter of platform tennis, an enthusiastic worker for the advancement of women's platform tennis, a well known instructor, and played in many exhibitions. She was the first female Director on the APTA Board, in 1971, and served for three years as the women's tournament director.
In recognition of her achievements, Peggy Stanton was inducted into the Platform Tennis Hall of Fa[...]
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