The first APTA-approved Summer Paddle League began on May 3, 1993, when four teams initiated play at the Morristown Field Club, in Morristown, New Jersey.
Play continued every Monday evening through August 30th, with the courts at the Beacon Hill Club in Summit, New Jersey providing the alternating site.
Robert A. Brown had more years of service to the game than anyone else.
He started as APTA Treasurer in 1969, and was then Secretary, and President (1974-1975) during the time the sport was growing rapidly and expanding internationally.
He hired the first Executive Director of the APTA, incorporated the APTA as a not-for-profit corporation, revamped the bylaws, authored the “Etiquette of Platform Tennis,” and championed the yellow ball that is today’s standard.
If that was not enough, the APTA brought him back on the Board in 1988 as Region I president, and then chair of the Rules and Equipment Committee. He also managed to play while handling these assignments and accumulated an impressive senior record, with a total of 38 National Senior finals, including 21 wins.
In achieving his last win at the age of 84, he became the oldest player in the history of the game to win a National Championship.
Kent Sutton, a freelance writer and teaching professional at Indianapolis Racquet Club, “lost his virginity” at 31—his paddle playing virginity, that is.
This article, which originally appeared in the Indianapolis Sports Monthly, was reprinted in the Spring edition of Platform Tennis News.
“I lost my virginity recently at age 31. It was a cold and overcast morning in early December, and, though not romantic, it was a perfect setting for myself and four other women as we had our eyes opened to a new and wonderful experience. It was just 25 degrees but after several minutes of “foreplay,” my constant movement soon had me shedding layer after layer of clothing. After two short hours it was over. My cheeks were rosy, my lungs full of air, and my legs were sore – but a good sore. I wanted to keep going, but unfortunately other virgins were coming to this sacred place to discover the joy I had found. I have repeated this experience many times since. I do it as much as possible during the week, and sometimes three and four times a day on weekends. After we finish we usually get something to eat and talk about this or previous times. Not many of us smoke. I love this game called ‘paddle’ by those who indulge.”
The article goes on to describe the origin of the game, equipment needed, and where to play.
Source: Platform Tennis News, Spring 1993
The first prize money series of events on the platform tennis scene in over a decade ended its four-event run with a grand finale at the Brookside Racquet and Swim Club in Allendale, NJ that drew rave reviews and plans for similar future tournaments.
Over $10,000 in prize money was up for grabs when the top 16 men’s and women’s teams from the Lineal Group series collided at Brookside, making for ultra-competitive matches, superb shot-making, and spell-binding watching for the fans.
The biggest checks were carted home by Peter Gruenberg and Art Williams on the men’s side, and Robin Fulton and Diane Tucker on the women’s.
But the biggest winners of all were those who participated in the various events surrounding the main show.
Source: Platform Tennis News, Spring 1993
The Men’s and Women’s Nationals were covered in PTN Spring 1993:
“It was the toughest one of them all to run,” admitted APTA Nationals chairman Walt Peckinpaugh afterward. “But with the money we raised for charity, and overcoming the bad weather, and putting on the Saturday night show … well we didn’t do too badly, I guess.” Almost a foot of snow fell during the tourney, along with hail, sleet, rain and more.
Robin Fulton/Diane Tucker solidified their claim as numero uno in the women’s ranks with a rollercoaster three-set win over Patti Hogan and Kate Rogers. But on the men’s side, Bill Fiedler and Barry Judge took the men’s title by knocking off both top seeds in thrilling three-set matches.
Source: Platform Tennis News, Spring and Fall 1993
These were courtesy of Mark Banford of the Winter Club in Lake Forest, IL.
“Four stars” and “two thumbs up” were the universal reaction to the celebrated Rye Invitational, hosted by Westchester Country Club in Harrison, NY.
A slew of platform stars came out to strut their stuff, highlighted by the 1992 men’s Nationals champs, Rich Maier and Bob Kleinert, making their seasonal debut. And what a debut, as they roared through the tourney with the loss of only one set, and finished off by topping the number one seeds, Peter Gruenberg and Art Williams, in straight sets.
The high-flying women’s duo of Robin Fulton and Diane Tucker cemented their role as the leading ladies by also only losing a single set all weekend, and knocking off Patti Hogan and Kate Rogers in a straight -set final.
While not quite a cast of thousands, there were more than 240 other players who assumed roles from struggling first-rounders to almost up-setters, as not only the men and women national ranking tournaments were played out, but two age groups (men’s 45+ and 55+) as well.
Source: Platform Tennis News, Winter 1993
Just who was this Lineal Group sponsoring organization? They were part of Ditri Associates, Inc. who also owned Hedstrom Corporation the manufacturers of the Vittert paddle ball
The Lineal Group was a leading manufacturer of casual, storable, and commercial furniture. Lineal included Samsonite Furniture Company, Halcyon, Harbour Towne, Pacific Rattan, Fort Smith, Tradewinds and Molla. Lineal was also the largest U.S. manufacturer of folding tables and chairs, and marketed these products under the Samsonite name.
Despite moving the tournament from December to October to ensure better weather, the event was still plagued by rain. But, Detroit still fielded one of the strongest draws, with players battling for a piece of the $5,000 prize money.
In the end, nothing mattered to the 32 men’s teams and 16 women’s duos that congregated from Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Connecticut, Indianapolis, Kalamazoo, New Jersey, and all points east and west. Their paddle was competitive and the hospitality was extraordinary. Frank Willard and his organizers proved that the Detroit area was fully capable of handling a major aggregation, which they would do again in spring of 1995 when the men’s and women’s National Championships were contested in that area.
Source: Platform Tennis News, Mid-Winter 1993
Dick Squires was one of the great promotors of the game who helped take the game on a growth spurt never seen before or since.
“Mr. Paddle” wrote about the game, published books on the game, produced instruction films about the game, built courts, endorsed attire, conducted clinics and dreamt up and found sponsors for an exciting new tournament that CBS Sports televised for its “Sports Spectacular” show. He also opened the first commercial platform tennis facility on a roof-top in New York City.
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