The previous year’s events had been highly successful. The agreement again called for Hertz sponsorship of the APTA Regional Championships (this year with the addition of the new Region V), as well as the Presidents’ Cup. Once again Hertz agreed to underwrite travel expenses for the regional teams to the Presidents’ Cup and the cost of a Presidents’ Reception.

The Minutes of the APTA Executive Committee August 22-23, 1979 reflected the fact that Hertz decided in the summer not to continue sponsorship for the following season (1979=1980) because of the gas crunch.

Manufacturers Hanover sponsored a prize-money tournament on February 10 and 11 at the Apple Platform Tennis Club in New York City. Those eligible to compete were the top eight pro teams, both men and women.

The previous years tournament, also sponsored by Manufacturers Hanover, was limited to women. Its success opened up the event to men.

The APTA had been asked many times why the singles game never developed in platform tennis. Singles offered certain advantages: it was more physically demanding; it appealed to the younger player; and, matches were easier to arrange.

The APTA held National Singles Championships from 1935-1938, so the idea of singles play was not new. They based the decision to abandon singles on the severe physical demands involved. However, since APTA ball specifications now allowed for a livelier ball and wire tension was greater, it was easier to reach an opponent’s shot.

As a result, the APTA Board decided that the time for singles had come. As a first step, the APTA held a singles workshop at the Apple Club in New York City on September 23. A group of top-ranked men and women players tried out several suggested formats. Two formats emerged as the most popular types. Both would be tested during the season at various clubs and paddle centers around the country, with a decision on which to proceed with made at the end of the season.

Source: Paddle Talk, Vol. 4 No. 1 (November)

Calvert Distillers, a division of Joseph E. Seagram & Son. Inc., renewed its sponsorship of professional men’s and women’s platform tennis for the season.

The 1978-79 Passport Scotch Grand Prix of Platform Tennis featured the highest prize money in the sport’s 50 year history, a total of $169,400 for both men’s and women’s circuits.

Thanks to creative marketing, ample prize money, and the foresight of the APTA Board, platform tennis continued to grow. By 1978, it was estimated that four hundred thousand enthusiasts played platform tennis across the United States.

Hilton was invited by CBS to compete against five world-class racquet athletes in the World Racquets Championships.

Orange Lawn Tennis Club in New Jersey hosted the $50,000 Passport Scotch Platform Tennis Classic event. [Official Program]

The first-year team of Clark Graebner and Doug Russell won the biggest money prize in platform tennis history by capturing the men’s division. They defeated the Baird brothers, Chip and Steve, and split a prize of $8,000.

The 1978 national champions, Louise Gengler and Hilary Hilton, took the women’s title, and a record $8,000. They defeated the second-seeded team of Wendy Chase and Linda Wolf.

Source: Paddle Talk, Vol. 3 No. 6 (June-July)

British Open International Platform Tennis Tournament – February 3, 4, 5.

An invitation International Tournament under the joint auspices of the International Platform Tennis Association and the BPTA, to be held at Silvermere Country Club, Redhill Road, Cobham, Surrey. Sponsored by Racquet Sports International Limited. Teams from the United States, Holland and the United Kingdom.

The First European Open Championships – February 10, 11, 12.

Hapert, Holland, the site of last year’s Dutch Open Championships. Sponsored by Bellfires Corporation and its President, Nico de Wal. Teams from the United States, United Kingdom and Holland.

Program and Drawsheets

British National Platform Tennis Championships

Sponsored by En-tout-cas Limited, it involved regional competitions at a number of centers for all entrants, culminating in a National Final for regional winners. Men’s, women’s and mixed tournaments.

Source: Paddle Talk, Vol.3 No. 3 (January)

The APTA established the relationship with Hertz to stimulate interest in the “Amateur” regional circuit of tournaments that had been conceived as competitive opportunities for the “weekend player.” The Hertz Corporation, the largest vehicle rental and leasing company in the world, agreed with the APTA that these players deserve support.

The agreement called for Hertz sponsorship of the four Regional Championships and the Presidents’ Cup. Prize money was not a part of this tour, but the cost of the trophies for the Regional Championships was to be underwritten by the Hertz Corporation. In addition, travel expenses for the regional teams to the Presidents’ Cup, as well as a reception honoring all former APTA Presidents, would also be paid for by Hertz.