Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 16 Issues 5 April-May 2015

There were many, many exciting firsts at this year’s junior Nationals: First ever Champions Dinner, first Pro-Am tournament post-event, first time for Live Streaming of the youngsters} first time for a game tent, and the first time in decades that the two-out-of-three set format was played.

Matches began Saturday, February 28th, in New Jersey, using over 5O courts at clubs thirty minutes or closer to the hosting Short Hills Club. All of the age groups) from 10 & Under to 18 & Under, pulled in impressive players from around the East Coast, with a few from the Pittsburgh area. (Players from over 200 miles away were offered a free entry fee.) As the play drew to an end late Saturday, the National Champions were crowned.

All three of the girls’ events were won by teams from the Philadelphia area. Callie and Catie Burkhardt from Wayne, Pennsylvania, captured their fourth title vvith a win in the IS & Under, and still have three more years to catch up to record-making, six-time winners, Corey DeLaney and Nicki Ross of Chatham, New Jersey.

The highlight of the boys division was the 18 & Under final. Champions William Cannon and Henry Fishman from Fairfield, Connecticut, who just qualified for this age group, won their third title together. (Cannon also has one other title, won with Colby Gardner in 2009).

The first ever Live Streaming atJunior National-from inside a minivan-was made possible by Jon Lubow, along with Lou Cortese and Ken Packett of Long Island fame, who were paid in free food and gratitude. Some of the best coverage came during a second round Boys 10 & Under match. While there wasn’t any commentary, a microphone captured the players hashing out scores, working on team strategy, and showing undeniably wonderful sportsmanship. …..[Click image below to read the rest of the article]

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 16 Issue 5, April-May 2015

Every year a women’s player is chosen to be the recipient of the Charlotte Lee award. It is awarded to a woman who represents all that we value in a competitive player: Fairness, honesty, and a positive attitude. This year’s recipient, Sally Cottingham, exemplifies all these qualities as well as being a kind, compassionate, and caring person. Nothing says it better than a few reactions to the proposal of her candidacy for this year’s award…..[Click image below to read full article]

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 16 Issue 5, April-May 2015

Suzanne Lanthier – BIG PASSION, BIG CONTRIBUTION
Suzanne Lanthier recently moved to London. One of her friends, who doesn’t live in Canada, told her to enjoy Europe. Getting used to small-town living in London, Ontario (pop. 350,000), compared to the city of Toronto, has been easy in many respects but not having access to platform tennis tortures her. London does have an old single cement court, which is where Lanthier learned to play when she was 13 years old and a ‘real court’ with no heaters in need of some major TLC. Back then there wasn’t a hut, so the Lanthiers, along with the other 20 or so families who made up the LPTC, would tough it out in the frigid cold to watch or wait their turn. The members eventually got a hut put in, Lanthier magically “found” a net to replace the holey one, and the court has become somewhat usable. She is devising a plan to create a platform tennis club in London and, knowing Lanthier’s expeditiousness, the chances of it happening quickly and well are high………..[Click image below to read full article]

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 16 Issue 5, April-May 2015

Fritz Odenbach

Residence: Rochester, NY

Occupation: Senior VP Sales at The Dolomite Group

Years of Service to the APTA Board: 15 yesra; Currently ending six-year term as Vice president

Family: Wife Sandra, daughter Mandy 928), son Fritz Jr. (25), stepdaughter Whit (21) and stepson Robby (18)

Years Playing: 42 years

How did you get started playing platform tennis? I started playing when I was 17. My dad would bring my two brothers and myself out to Oak Hill CC to play with his buddies in a Saturday morning round robin. We would dress in corduroys, cheap Fred Perry sneakers, turtlenecks, and of course a sweet-looking ski sweater.I was hooked from that point on!………….. [Click image below to read full article]

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 16 Issue 5, April-May 2015

MEN’S ROUND OF 16
Johan du Randt and Mark Parsons versus Hall-of-Farner David Ohlmuller and Mark Johnson may have been the quintessential platform tennis match: amazing shots, patience and aggression, wonderful sportsmanship, and obvious enjoyment of the game. In the first game, there was a team overrule on a service call and du Randt was given another serve. After the first two games, the reigning champions had the match easily in hand! but both teams were pulling off shots to impress. Ohlmuller, coming out of semi-retirement of five years to play Nationals, showed moments of brilliance off the screens. As the match got away from the local pros, there was much more heckling and laughing, like a spring social……….[Click images below to read full article]

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 16 Issue 5, April-May 2015

From the northern climes of Toronto, Ontario, to the central south of Charlotte, North Carolina, the APTA Viking Clinics and Exhibitions traveled to eight cities with over 400 participants and 500 fans marveling at the exhibitions.

The geography covered and the exposure offered is exactly why the APTA invests so much time and capital into this program. The events continue to draw crowds to public-access courts and reach new players in areas where there is plenty of room for growth…….

[Click images below to read the full article]

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 16 Issue 4 March/April 2015