APTA President John Horine in the PTM column From the APTA...
Many people have called and e-mailed me regarding the recent size of tournament draws. In several areas, the numbers of teams signing up for tournaments has been smaller over the past few years. I have noticed the same trend in the event that I run, the Maryland State Men's Championships. For many years, we had full draws of 48 teams. In the last four years, the numbers have been approaching 32 teams. Upon doing some research, I found that most teams not participating did so for good reasons (i.e. Injury, work, family or other commitments). In some cases people
could not play for several years. However, virtually everyone I spoke to still plays and intends to play in the future events. I have also spoken to league players and captains around the country. In nearly every conversation, the numbers are up in league play. This[...]
Anyone who has run an APTA sanctioned tournament knows that one of their many responsibilities is the ominous task of collecting dues from those participants who are not members of the APTA. I will never forget the first time I had this responsibility. I mentioned the dues payment to one of the participants who responded by saying, "Why should I pay APTA dues? What benefits do I get from being a member? If they are like most organizations they surely don't do anything, and besides, I probably don't want whatever they are selling."
At the time I fumbled to find an appropriate response, even though the answer was obvious to me. It seems only logical that by supporting the governing body, you are supporting the infrastructure for the sport. In addition, in a sport as small as platform tennis your voice will most likely be heard when you have questions or concerns. This line of thinking i[...]
Bob Brown, chair of the APTA Rules and Equipment Committee, on a proposal to eliminate the singles lines:
Why do we have white lines defining a singles court when the game of platform tennis is rarely, if ever, played by just two people? That is the question that was raised by the APTA Rules and Equipment Committee in a recent proposal to the Board of Directors to eliminate the unnecessary singles lines.
If this were done, the lateral service line would be extended (by two feet per side) to the outside service line. The concern would then be whether the wider service box would have any effect on the play of the game. The committee has conducted some play tests and preliminary results have concluded that the wider service box does not have any noticeable effect on the game.
However, the Board decided that it would be appropriate to advise the membership of this proposed change an[...]
APTA President John Horine provided an update in the March and September From the APTA columns in PTM:
I am very excited about the progress the APTA Board has made so far. In the past, APTA Board discussion of a Hall of Fame has never gotten off the ground. I am determined to make this a reality. This is where you, the APTA member, come in.
A significant development occurred this spring/summer for The Platform Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame Foundation. The Hall of Fame became incorporated as a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible organization. Thanks to the work of Cincinnati player/attorney, Andy Giannella, the Hall of Fame now stands alone from the APTA with its own Board and fund raising capabilities.
You can bet one of the first goals will be to begin fund-raising for a permanent location (Note: This had to wait for an application to be made to the IRS for approval of the 501 (C) (3) [...]
PPTA President Gary Horvath provided the update:
In 1998, a group of the country's top teaching professionals met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for the USA Professional Platform Tennis Association (PPTA). Since then, the PPTA has developed a certification process that provides professionals with an initial rating at one of three levels (P1, P2, or P3) based on their performance on a battery of tests. In a nutshell, the PPTA certification exam includes a written examination covering all aspects of the game, an on-court examination of teaching skills, a feeding skills test, and a playing evaluation.
As those who have taken the test will testify, the process is comprehensive. The written exam is heavily weighted towards the topics of teaching and strategy, but requires knowledge of teaching concepts and principles, tactics, business, stroke and strategy diagnostics of photographed[...]
Back to Top12 and under Junior National Champions: Andrew Nebel and Chris Cummins
Marjorie Hodson reported on the event for PTM:
If you have been worried about the future of platform tennis, you can relax. The future was on display at the Beacon Hill Club, Canoe Brook Country Club, Short Hills Club and Echo Lake Country Club on Saturday, January 27, and it is bright. The APTA Junior Nationals, an exciting lead-up to Super Bowl Sunday, featured competitive matches and unparalleled sportsmanship. Parents and pros pitched in to prop up a pneumonia plagued Patty Hogan, and play proceeded as planned. Check-in and lunch at the Beacon Hill Club preceded a great photo opportunity with the giant inflatable Viking hat. Players then dispersed to nearby clubs to begin the competition. Following Round Robin play in all age groups, semi-finalists returned to Beacon Hill to finish.
In 10 & Under play Pete Donnally, a finalist last year, teamed with Karen Cash (whose sister La[...]
The Canoebrook Club in Summit, New Jersey was the host club for the 2001 Men's and Women's Open Nationals. From Phoenix to Maine and everywhere in between, 192 men and 128 women converged for three days of the best competition platform tennis has to offer.
The five-time defending men's champions, Michigan's Flip Goodspeed and Scott Mansager, were once again the odds on favorites even through they were the #2-ranked team in the country. The Jersey boys, David Ohlmuller and Chris Gambino, were seeded #2 and expected to push for their first team championship. The big question in their minds was whether or not Chris Gambino's knees would hold up to the challenge.
New Yorkers, Scott Estes and Scott Mackesy showed up at Canoebrook as the #3 seeds. Coming off their big win in Short Hills, anything would be possible in the Nationals. The other New Jersey duo, Anthony Cosimano and Steve[...]
David Ohlmuller
Born: November, 1969 in Montclair, NJ
Current: Single and resides in Chatham, NJ
Occupation: North-East Technical Manager - Wilson Sporting Goods
As a child, David grew up as a junior tennis tournament player. In college, he continued his tennis as the #1 player for Loyola College.
David was introduced to paddle in 1989 by his mother, then acting APTA secretary, Ginny Ohlmuller. From 1990 to 1995, David earned his first three National Titles. All were Mixed Opens with Patty Hogan. In 1995, David (and his partner, Bruce Kelsey) also won his first Men's Open National Championship.
In 1996, David was hospitalized for 25 days after a car accident nearly took his life. Eight surgeries later, David's leg showed progress and talks of amputation were dismissed. It didn't take long for David to hit the courts for his '97 comeback tour. David has progressed each y[...]
Cherry Valley Country Club in Garden City, New York hosted the 50+ Women's National Doubles tournament on February 28th, with matches also being played at the Garden City Country Club and Plandome Club.
Karen Cashman & Courtia Worth, the 2000 champions, were back again! The newly formed team of Helen Garrett / Ann Mitchell had sharpened their paddles for the event along with the seasoned teams of Alice Duff/Penny Johnston, Winnie Hatch/Sharon Hummers, Gloria Grafer/Elaine Hoolahan and Rita Goldberg/Ruth Weil. Viking supplied all players with balls and coolers.
Cashman & Worth, the twin towers, were defeated by Garrett and Mitchell in the semi-finals 6-3, 7-6, with Courtia diving for the ball the last point of the tiebreaker!
Hatch & Hummers defeated Duff & Johnston on the other side of the draw, 6-4, 6-2. Hatch & Hummers then faced off against Garret & Mitchell, two players who [...]
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