Women’s Charities:
Rain was forecast all week long. Somehow, on November 2nd, the weather broke and nothing but 65 degree warmth and sunshine was in the forecast. Women’s Tournament Director, Liz Hayward, kicked off the show on Friday morning with a full 32-team draw, featuring all but a few of the top-ranked players. Among ‘the few’ not playing included Sarah Krieger, the other half of last season’s Charities Champs. The other winner, Robin Fulton, paired up with Cindy Prendergast.

Patty Hogan was absent due to family illness. Therefore, everyone felt that with teams switching around and two of the game’s top players absent, the women’s draw was up for grabs. Everyone, that is, except the top seeded team of Sue Aery and Gerri Viant. Coming off another National Charities takeover.

Director Hayward only seeded three teams; however, five other teams were placed. As expected, the road traveling up to the quarterfinals was without upset. The road to the semifinals was a slightly different story. At 3:00 p.m. the quarters began. On court one, Sue Aery and Gerri Viant defeated Mary Doten and Julie Sierks in a 6-3, 7-5 battle.

Defending champion Robin Fulton played with Cindy Prendergast and defeated Jane McNitt and Leslie Hough 6- 1, 6-1 on court two. On court four, Kerri Delmonico and Shelly Morse quickly routed the well-respected team of Linda Hoch and Susan Williams by a score of 6-0, 6-0.

By the time the first three quarterfinal matches were over, the third-seeded team of Bobo Delaney and Tonia Mangan were just beginning their second set against Chicago hopefuls Chris Sheldon and Sally Cottingham. After dropping the first set 7-5, Delaney and Mangan stormed back in the second to win it 6-2. There were fifty spectators who witnessed the locals defeat Mangan and Delaney 7-6 in a hard-fought third set tie-breaker.

The semis proved to be more one-sided than anyone imagined. Within one hour, top seeded Aery-Viant defeated Delmonico-Morse and second seeded Fulton-Prendergast defeated Cottingham-Sheldon. The 2001 finals was to be a rematch of the 2000 finals, minus Sarah Krieger.

Approximately 100 spectators crammed in to watch this much-anticipated match. With one break each set, Aery and Viant triumphed by a score of 6-4,6-4. Fatigue and conditioning seemed to play a major role in the match, with Aery and Viant the less-affected.

Next year’s event is anticipating the return of Patty Hogan, Sarah Krieger, and new first-time mother Lauren Zink. One thing for sure is that with so much returning and developing talent, anything can happen at the Charities.

Men’s Charities
As was the case in the Women’s Charities, the 64- team Men’s Charities, directed by Gene Kempner, was packed with action and a few upsets to boot. The first two rounds saw the relative ease of advancement for all eight seeded teams except for George Zink and Bill Fiedler who hammered out a 6-4 third set victory over Wayne Dollard and Scott Pecor. Jokingly, Dollard recalled, “I think that we were two or three points away from putting George into permanent retirement.”

Zink and Fiedler went on to advance in straight sets over Eric Toth-Tim Foster and then Mike Marino-Chris Williams in the quarterfinals.

The top seeded team of Chris Gambino and David Ohlmuller cruised through the quarters against Mike Gillespie and Bob Conklin, 6-3,6-2. Also in the quarters, the number two-seeded team of Flip Goodspeed and Scott Mansager defeated Cincinnati’s Joe Leytze and Andy Todd, 6-1,6-1.

In the last quarterfinal match, the top-ranked Chicago team of John Hough and Brian Uihlein defeated Scott Bondurant and Greg Stipa in a tight 6-2,7-6 match.

As was the case in 1999 and 2000, Gambino-Ohlmuller eased through the semis, where as Goodspeed-Mansager had to give it their all. In the end, it was to be a repeat final of the past two years in which Gambino-Ohlmuller prevailed.

In the final match, Ohlmuller and Gambino stretched their domination of the major men’s events by defeating the former 5-time National Champions in a decisive 6- 2, 6-3 victory.

The men’s field is rapidly evolving with more and more tennis and athletic talent. Next season will certainly live up to the hype that the Charities can respectably boast about.

Is it truly possible to determine who the best platform tennis players were based on their records, or is it more realistic to ask the veterans who played through the late 70’s heyday and continue to compete today? No matter what criteria you use, the one name that always rises to the surface in women’s paddle is Robin Fulton.

Robin picked up her first wooden paddle in 1978 when her parents installed a court in their Darien. CT backyard. A year later, Robin began to take the game seriously, at The Paddle Center in Norwalk, under the careful watch of her friend and coach, Bob Callaway.

Before long, Robin had excelled in local women’s paddle and was competing at line one in the men’s league for the Stanford Yacht Club. Bob Callaway recalls, “I can remember Charlotte Lee, Linda Wolf, and the other top women in their prime times, however, no one could intimidate or dominate a match like Robin Fulton. The women today are much better and more consistent than they used to be and Robin is certainly the most athletic and skilled woman I’ve ever seen play the sport.”

Callaway added, “Robin Fulton was the first woman to aggressively blitz the net as part of her back-court strategy. This is certainly the signature move which Robin started and you see in other great players today like Sue Aery and Gerri Viant.”

Early on, Robin partnered with Linda Wolf and Pat Butterfield. Together, they accounted for five National Finals, including two National Championships.

In 1991, Robin began playing with Diane Tucker. Together, Robin and Diane achieved Hall-of-Fame quality results. Diane recalls, “Robin told me that she never played more than one season with the same partner, however, we had so much fun on and off the court that the one season lasted six.” Over the six years they played, they reached the Women’s Open National Finals each year and earned four titles along the way. After the 1997 finals in Pittsburgh, Diane retired from paddle to pursue business opportunities. Robin began playing with Sarah Krieger and had exceptional results, but no additional National Titles. This season, Robin has partnered with Cindy Prendergast. She plans another run for the National Women’s Open Title in 2002.

To break down Robin’s paddle accomplishments in a nutshell, she reached the Women’s Open finals 12 times over 18 years, winning with four different partners. In addition, since Robin turned 40 in 1997, she has reached the 40+ finals each year (with three different partners). Finally, in Mixed play, Robin has reached the finals 11 times over a 16-year stretch, accumulating an additional four National Titles along the way.

Today, Robin resides and instructs tennis in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Her husband, Bob, is a professional golf instructor and an accomplished platform tennis player. Robin’s daughter, Chris, attends prep school and her son, Tom, is currently attending college.

Is it truly possible to determine who the best platform tennis players were based on their records, or is it more realistic to ask the veterans who played through the late 70’s heyday and continue to compete today? No matter what criteria you use, the one name that always rises to the surface in women’s paddle is Robin Rich Fulton.

Robin Rich Fulton was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

From the APTA column by John Horine:

As we look forward to a new season, I can’t help but look back on these last few months. On September 11, a horrified nation looked on as thousands of lives were destroyed and many more changed forever. In the days that followed, we all took some time to reflect on our own lives and what is important to us. Family members and friends are at the top of our list. I spoke to a dear friend of mine (and former APTA Board member) who lost her sister-in-law on September 11th. She told me of the outpouring of support she had received from paddle players from all over the country. She was very thankful for their cards and e-mails. Platform tennis at its core is a competitive recreation with like-minded people who enjoy the game. On a larger scale, platform tennis is a sport made up of a close community of people around the country – all enjoying each other and the sport they love. Platform tennis players share a camaraderie unlike many of our sister sports. Friendships that are formed on and off the paddle court seem to transcend levels made in most other sports. As we go into this new season, celebrate our great sport and the wonderful people we meet playing across this great country.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 3, Issue 2, November, 2001

Anthony and Steve began playing platform tennis at New Jersey’s Brookside Racquet Club in 1993. Neither played much tennis; however, both were eager to learn platform tennis. Shortly after they met, Anthony’s father suggested the idea of the two forming into a tournament team.Who would have guessed that joining a former wrestler with a former football player would give us one of the top platform tennis teams in the country?

Anthony Cosimano
Born: Ramsey, New Jersey
Current: Hoboken, New Jersey
Age: 31
Profession: Sales
Marital Status: Single
Summer Hobby: Weight Training

Steve Haller
Born: Allendale, New Jersey
Current: Mahwah, New Jersey
Age: 34
Profession: Sales
Marital Status: Newlywed
Summer Hobby: Golf

Anthony and Steve began playing platform tennis at New Jersey’s Brookside Racquet Club in 1993. Neither played much tennis; however, both were eager to learn platform tennis. Shortly after they met, Anthony’s father suggested the idea of the two forming into a tournament team.

Who would have guessed that joining a former wrestler with a former football player would give us one of the top platform tennis teams in the country?

These two scrappers have earned a reputation for always being in the match, regardless of score. Last season, Cosimano and Haller lost first sets by scores of 6-0 and 6-1 but still managed to come back to win matches. Completing another record season, they finished fourth in the APTA 2001 men’s rankings.

Each and every year since they began playing tournaments, Cosimano and Haller have outdone their previous season. This past season’s number four was well deserved, as evidenced by their record at the top “Grand Slam” events.

“Our goal is to improve our ranking each year,” said Haller. He added, “We know that we have a legitimate shot at each major tournament we enter. We look forward to playing Rochester in October and we plan to take some of the major titles this season.”

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 year coming into the 2001 Nationals.

This year, David and Chris showed why they were the #1-ranked team in the country, dropping only 26 games in six rounds, including a 6-2, 6-4 final win over the 5-time defending champs, Scott Mansager and Flip Goodspeed.

David is anxious to compete in next season’s first ‘slam’ event, Chicago. He explained, “Over the past few years, Chris and I are 2-2 with Goodspeed and Mansager. Chicago will give the winning team the edge. It should be interesting.”

Chris Gambino

Born: October of 1969 in Matawan, NJ
Current: Single and resides in Fair Haven, NJ
Occupation: Assistant Trader -Sherwood Securities

Chris Gambino might have been the best junior tennis player to come out of New Jersey. He was #1 in the USTA Eastern U.S. Boys 12’s, 14,’s, 16’s, and 18’s. By his senior year, Chris was recognized by Arizona State after winning the New Jersey State Singles title.

At ASU, Chris spent his time schooling the Division 1 competition at line #1.In his college years, Chris had wins over Todd Martin, John Stark, Alex Obrien, and Brian McPhie. Chris was on his way to the pros until a car accident ended his tennis career with a broken shoulder and wrist. Chris was a senior at the time.

Five years later, in 1996, John Milbank introduced Chris to platform tennis at the Navesink Country Club in New Jersey. Since then, Chris has dramatically improved each season, culminating with the Men’s Open National Championship in 2001.

Only time will tell the potential for David and Chris. Anything’s possible, just as long as they steer clear of danger and focus on the long road ahead of them.

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 match play, grips, rules, size of the court, philosophy and mission of the PPTA/APTA, code, equipment, history, and court maintenance.

In addition, each applicant is asked to teach both a private and a group lesson on topics (strategy, techniques, positioning, wire shots) specific to platform tennis.

Because feeding is an important part of teaching, the applicants are also evaluated on their ability to consistently feed for net shots, screen shots, basic strokes, service returns, and serve-and-volleys. Finally, the applicants are rated on their playing skills.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 4, March, 2001 and Vol. 2 Issue 5 May, 2001

The Viking Cup Adult/Child Tournament was held on November 12, 2000 in three age categories.

12 and Under Championships
Hissey-Hissey def. D’Elia-D’Elia 6-7, 6-4, 7-5

15 and Under Championships
Barinski-Barinski def. Gafney-Gafney 8-4

18 and Under Championships
Nolan-Nolan def. Nunziata-Considine 6-7, 6-2, 6-4

Patty Hogan, Tonia’s college classmate, was responsible for getting the sister-in-law team together. Tonia had met future husband Tim Mangan at Bobo’s wedding in 1983 and began playing with Bobo after getting married in 1992.

Bobo Mangan-Delaney

Born: Yakima, Washington
Profession: Head Pro at the Noe Pond Club in Chatham, New Jersey, for the past four years (tennis and platform tennis instructor for the past 14 years).
License Plate: BOBOPRO
Children: Zealand (8), Corey (7), and Trevor (3)
Marital Status: Bobo’s husband, Frank, is an Investment Banker at TD Securities in New York City.

Past: When it comes to platform tennis family history, the Mangans are famous. Bobo was introduced to `paddle’ as a child by her mother, Nancy, and her Uncle, John. Nancy had a high women’s national ranking and John was the men’s national champion. If that wasn’t enough, legendary Hank Irvine was her local professional instructor.

Future: “Tonia and I began playing together the year she married my brother, Tim. We find it amusing that we are so often mistaken as sisters. We certainly play alike and most of our matches turn out to be long drawn-out wars. This season we hope to cause some damage in Chicago, Philly, Fox Meadow, Short Hills, and the Nationals.”

Tonia Dillon-Mangan

Born: Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Siblings: Four brothers and a younger sister
College: 1982 Douglas College / BA in Economics
Profession: Financial Planner for Paine Webber, managing over $120 million in assets.
Stress Relief: Platform Tennis
Children: Brooke (7), Jack (3), and Caroline (3 mos.)
Marital Status: Tonia met her future husband, Tim, at Bobo’s wedding in 1989. They married three short years later.

Past: Tonia’s college classmate, Patty Hogan, first introduced her to ‘paddle’ In 1983 Tonia conquered her first title, the New Jersey “C” flight State Championships. Tonia recalls that in her first National Championship she got “smoked” by Diane Tucker and
Robin Fulton 6-0, 6-0. Last year Tonia finally got her revenge, recording her first win against the famed duo.

Future: “Patty Hogan introduced me to Bobo six seasons ago. We’ve been battling it out and have finally cracked the top five. This could be our season. Last season was our best, which is ironic considering I was pregnant and we skipped the Nationals. Bobo and I reached two finals and two semi-finals.”

Rich is widely regarded as the best man to ever play platform tennis and was first introduced to platform tennis at the age of 18 by his high school tennis friend, Jay Edwards. Six years later, after graduating college, Jay got Rich to take platform tennis more seriously. At the ages of 23, Rich and Jay entered their first paddle tournament. On that day a star was born. In his first round match in his first platform tournament, Rich defeated Keith Jennings and Chauncey Steel, the previous season’s national champions.

Born: Born March 2nd, 1953 in The Bronx, New York, Rich currently lives in Northfield, Illinois, 30 minutes from downtown Chicago.
Profession: Head Racquets Pro at the Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield for the past six years. Rich has been teaching tennis and platform tennis for over 20 years.
Family: Rodman (9), Lindsay (6), Kevin (3) and wife Susan
Men’s National Titles: 10

In The Beginning: Rich was first introduced to platform tennis at the age of 18 by his high-school tennis friend, Jay Edwards. Six years later, after graduating college, Jay got Rich to take platform tennis more seriously. At the ages of 23, Rich and Jay entered their first paddle tournament. On that day a star was born. In his first round match in his first platform tournament, Rich defeated Jennings and Steel, the previous season’s national champions.

As the years went on, Rich improved faster than anyone else in the history of the game. Between the years 1980 and 1992, Rich made it to the National Championship finals each year! Nine of Rich’s ten national titles were earned playing with his favorite partner, Steve “the other legend” Baird.

When asked about his most memorable match with Steve, Rich recalls his 5 hour and 40 minute duel with Tully and McAvoy in the 1985 Hartford Invitational finals. During this five set event, spectators were able to watch a couple hours of paddle, go eat dinner, and then return to watch a couple more. Rich is still amused when he recalls the umpire leaving the cold at 17-16 in the fifth set. Rich and Steve closed out the match the following game.

What Have You Learned?:“The more you play, the more confidence you develop. When you are confident that you can win, you will.”

Future:“I’ll continue to play as long as my body allows. Now that my kids are growing up, I look so forward to the future with them. This morning I took Rod out to the courts. His screens are already better than some of my friends.”

When asked why Rich got so involved in platform tennis, he said, “I have always enjoyed platform tennis tournaments more than tennis events because of its social aspect. In tennis you often play someone you’ve never met before. Usually the match isn’t as sociable and afterwards you don’t see them again. In platform tennis there is usually a cocktail party the night before the event; and on the day of the tournament, all of the players will sit down together for lunch. Also, something is always going on Saturday evening.., dinner, dancing, socializing, etc.”

Recently: Rich was inducted into the Hall of Fame 1n 1999.

The gospel of platform tennis continues to spread beyond the borders of the good old USA. R.J. Reilly recently completed three new platform tennis courts in conjunction with European Platform Tennis AG (just outside Zurich). The Sportcenter Stork decided to complement its tennis and squash courts with three new Reilly All-Aluminum Courts. The courts are ideally sited for viewing, as they are placed inside a small stadium which allows spectators to watch play from all sides. They can simultaneously take in the beautiful surroundings in this glorious Alpine setting.

The club hosted a grand opening of the courts in which many members and local sports enthusiasts watched the game played for the first time. Following the exhibition the guests tried it themselves. Jim Reilly, Vice- President of Sales and Marketing of R. J. Reilly, paired up with accomplished player and Reilly court builder Donald Bleasdale to demonstrate the game. Three German players from the Tennis Club Gaufelden (which boasts two other Reilly courts) made the trip across the border to make it a truly international exhibition. Wolfgang, Nadine and Simone’s mastery of the sport in three short seasons since they’ve picked it up provided encouragement to the Swiss players who planned to give it a try. Reilly and Bleasdale spent the rest of the weekend helping future international paddle stars of all ages learn the rules, understand the wires, and become the newest aficionados of the sport we call paddle.

For U.S. paddle players looking to improve their game in a spectacular and romantic setting, R.J. Reilly has exciting news. R.J. Reilly’s fall paddle camp will be hosted at the new Swiss paddle center during the first two weeks in October. Local paddle converts will also have the opportunity to learn the fine points of the game from some of the sport’s finest teaching professionals including Hank Irvine, Bob Callaway, and Gary Horvath. The first Swiss/German/U.S. International Platform Tennis Tournament is scheduled to take place at the end of the camp sessions.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine Vol.2 Issue 1, September, 2000