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

National Platform Tennis Championships. Cleveland, OH, March 3-8, 1987

National Championships

1987-2

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 Tennis News, Spring 1987 & September 1987

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.

FMTC hosts 52nd Men’s Nationals and Men’s and Women’s President’s Cup

The Fox Meadow Tennis Club, represented by tournament liaison Bob Brown, continued the fine tradition of play and formality that makes a National Championship. Paul Molloy capably headed the Tournament Committee. Fox Meadow’s President Dick Warren helped to convey the membership’s love for the game by showing the hospitality on which it always thrived. Hank and Betty Otto arranged housing for the many participants for the second year in a row. The officials were aptly handled by Tournament Referee Paul Sullivan and Brook Kindred. And, last but not least, Hugh and Rose King whose charm and class symbolizes every Fox Meadow member’s incentive to do their tournament assignments correctly and in style.

Source: Platform Tennis News, April 1986

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.

Fifty-Second National Men's Platform Tennis Championships, Fox Meadow Tennis Club, March 15 & 16, 1986

National Championships

1986-2

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 Club. Moore and Hank Irvine were National Champions in 1986 and 1987.
Greg Moore in action in the final of the Men’s Nationals at Fox Meadow Tennis Club. Moore and Hank Irvine were National Champions in 1986 and 1987.