Roger T. Cole elected APTA President (1986-1988)

APTA Annual Business and Board Meetings – Much discussion on dues

National Championships

The men’s and women’s National Championships culminated at the Fox Meadow Tennis Club in Scarsdale, NY, and crowned new champions in both divisions. Sunny skies and warm temperatures drew large weekend crowds and spurred on competitors. The women's tourney produced the popular team of Pat Butterfield and Diane Tucker as champions. In the men’s draw, the new and legitimate team of Hank Irvine and Greg Moore soundly and artistically beat the defending champions Baird and Maier. Over six hundred spectators shared the surprise as Moore and Irvine stayed even, and then won the big points for the first set. Behind 1-3 in the second, they flicked the switch and won eleven of twelve games to storm onto the popular straight set victory 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Source: Platform Tennis News, April 1986 Greg Moore in action in the final of the Men’s Nationals at Fox Meadow Tennis Clu[...]

APTA looks at membership profile

Walter J. Stoessel, (1920-1986)

Stoessel was the former Ambassador to both the Soviet Union and Poland, and was responsible for the paddle courts built at both Embassies. In 1982, he had been appointed Deputy Secretary of State.

APTA Annual Business and Board Meetings – Two serve tournament scheduled

APTA Moves Office

The APTA moved to shared office space in a renovated building that provided common secretarial services. The move helped contain costs as the organization grew and was still located in the Upper Montclair, NJ, business district.

National Championships

The Cleveland Skating Club, which was celebrating it 50th anniversary, was the host club for the event. The women’s had a field of 56 teams and saw Pat Butterfield and Diane Tucker, the defending champions, just edged by Meri Lobel and Yvonne Hackenburg, in their semi-final match. In the final, they needed three sets to overcome the first-seeded team of Connie Jones and Gerri Viant. The men’s draw had a 72-team field and the finals were played in 70 degree weather. With very few errors by their opponents, Baird and Maier lost for the second year in a row to Moore and Irvine in straight sets. In the mixed, Jim Kaufman and Connie Jones won an exciting three set final over Tully and Meri Lobel. The pair were down 1-4 in the final set before winning the next five games. Behind The Screens 1987 National Championships - the stories and photographs. Source: Platform T[...]

Donald M. White ( -1987)

Don was the APTA President from 1942-1944. He began playing paddle in the early 1930s, and became a National Champion in 1943 with Charles O'Hearn as his partner. He was friendly with Blanchard and Cogswell and often contributed to the direction in which the game has evolved. Don was a member of Innis Arden Golf Club in Old Greenwich, CT, and an enthusiastic promoter of the game to the membership. The Innis Arden Mixed Invitational Tournament trophy is dedicated to him. Source: Platform Tennis News, Spring 1987

Jerry Manhold retires from APTA Board

Manhold had served a five year term and was a major force behind the development of the Senior Paddle Scene. A former National Champion, he worked tirelessly as a Board Member to improve the plight of the Senior paddler. "The Legend," aptly dubbed by Howard Sipe, had striven to broaden the scope of competition throughout the U.S., and had introduced and chaired The Manhold Senior Challenge Cup competition.He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. Source: Platform Tennis News, September 1984