The WPPTA was formed in 1967 by five private clubs: The Edgeworth Club, Allegheny Country Club, Fox Chapel Racquet Club, Fox Chapel Golf Club, and the Rolling Rock Club. The purpose of the organization was to promote paddle to other clubs and organizations and to sponsor the Western Penn. Open tournaments, the first of which was held in 1968. Within four years women’s., mixed, and junior tournaments had been added to the schedule.
Source: Paddle Talk, Vol. 2, No. 1
In searching for a new caretaker board members consulted with Felix McCrea, who had retired after almost 20 years at the club on a full-time basis and five more years on part-time. He suggested they talk to the foreman of the Scarsdale Parks and Recreation Department, namely Hugh King.
Hugh admitted that when Jim Carlisle approached him about the job, he was apprehensive. He was, after all, a family man with three young sons. At the Village he had a staff under him, and a pension. “So I sat with Felix,” Hugh said in a voice that still echoes County Galway, “and he told me he was there during the Depression, and that there were days when nobody came into the Club. And Felix said, ‘I never lost a paycheck. You don’t have to worry about security’.”
When Hugh King was hired in 1967, FMTC acquired a man who was to become universally liked and admired. And the feeling was mutual. “I didn’t expect that I’d become part of a big family, but that’s what the Club is.” To the Club, he contributed not just his own devotion, but also the help of his wife, Rose, and that of his three sons. Each has pitched in, whether it was one of the boys shoveling snow or Rose King taking the curtains home for a wash. “Rose is not there as often as Hugh, but when she is, with her marvelous twinkle, it is a definite asset,” said Molly Kindred.
Former President Bob Lee commented that to replace Hugh would take five or six people: “His Irish wit and his unbelievable tact have solved more problems! You wonder who the president is sometimes because he finds a way to solve the problems you’ve been thinking about.”
The 1976 ladies chairman, Donna Henderson, touched on another side of the Club manager’s caring personality. “Who else would think of assisting a robin to repair its nest as I saw him doing on the porch eaves this morning?”
“The overriding characteristic of both Felix and Hugh,” said Brook Kindred, “is that they were more like Club members than employees. Their spirit, their care, their involvement was so much deeper. If I were to leave the Club, certainly I’d miss my friends, but I would miss Hughie King as much as any person I know here.”
When Hugh retired in 1994, his son Kevin took over.
Source: Adapted from Diana Reische, Fox Meadow Tennis Club – The First Hundred Years, 1983
It had been a controversial journey but the new wing was now a reality thanks to the efforts of Kingsbury and Close.
Ollie Kingsbury weilds the scissors as the new wing of the clubhouse is formally opened. Watching are Governors Wilson, Sullivan, Ware, Nagle, H Hammer, Tredwell, and Close.
Fox Meadow members have enjoyed singing together and, on especially happy occasions, can be counted on to have their own lyrics ready. The opening of the much-disputed new wing at the Governors’ Tea in 1967 was such an event.
“Maybe the spirit unique in Fox Meadow can’t be entirely captured in cold type,” muses Ollie Kingsbury, “but a seven verse song and chorus composed for the occasion comes rewardingly close.”
The credits read “Lyrics by John and Ellie Lou Kirk and Bob Kingsbury (with constructive editing by numerous members). Performed to the music of ‘The MTA,’ strummed by Julie Westland and Dotsie Erskine. Directed by Delsa Wilson.” The “Pudge” in the song was Pudge Neidlinger, house and grounds chairman and an architect by training, who gave form and function to the wing. Here is the chorus and first verse:
Under Close control the machine began to roll
As Walter paved the way
Then to Oliver K the reins were passed one day
And the Wing was on its way.
Pudge gave it style—it was lawyered by Carlisle.
Pushed through the neighbors by the Board.
It’s a monument; it’s a testament
And it’s all we members could afford.
Source: Adapted from Diana Reische, Fox Meadow Tennis Club – The First Hundred Years, 1983
During Paul Sullivan’s presidency in 1967, the Club renovated eight old courts and built a ninth one. Dues were raised to $150 a year to help finance the program.
Source: Diana Reische, Fox Meadow Tennis Club – The First Hundred Years, 1983
Paul Sullivan (1927-2009) was born in Brooklyn, NY and lived most of his life in Scarsdale.
He attended Princeton University, and served in the Navy as a radioman in Annapolis during WWII. His work career spanned over 50 years, first with Hayden Stone and then with Smith Barney.
Paul was a avid tennis player and became a USTA umpire and officiated at the US Open and Wimbledon. He grew up playing tennis with John Parker Compton at Fox Meadow and became the long-time chairman for the Compton Memorial Tournament.
During his term 1967 the club renovated the eight old courts and installed a ninth one.
Paul also made many contributions to platform tennis and to the APTA where he served as President from 1963-1965. Sullivan was elected to the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame in 2002.
APTA President Ned Swanberg and his partner Tom Richardson lost to the 1964 Champions David Jennings and Oliver Kimberly, Jr. in four sets.
Charlotte Lee and Peggy Stanton won the first of their four straight Women’s titles, defeating two time champions Do Deland (Cogswell’s daughter) and Susan Wasch.
Gordon Gray and Anne Symmers won their second straight Mixed.
George Lowman and Bill Pardoe won their second straight Men’s 50+.
Gogswell’s grandson won the Junior Boy’s with John Lowman; they had been finalists in 1965 and 1966.
Source: Oliver H. Durrell The Official Guide to Platform Tennis, 1967; and APTA Platform Paddle Tennis 1963-1973: Rules and Records, 1973
Women’s Nationals 1967: Peggy Stanton and Charlotte Lee
The book was authorized by the APTA and the dust-jacket explained the book’s goals:
“This book has been prepared to answer every conceivable question about platform tennis. It tells the story of the origin and development of the game, describes the strategy and tactics of play, how to go about constructing a platform, where to purchase paddles, balls, and net, the official rules, and how to run a tournament. It also explains the activities of the American Platform Tennis Association, and lists its past officials, as well as the records of every major tournament ever played under the auspices of the Association.”
One of the useful tips from the chapter on “How to Run a Tournament”
“The Chairman can host the semi-finals for luncheon at his home, thus allowing the finalists a chance for a shower and change of clothes. Bull shots (vodka and beef broth) are traditional on this occasion. Be sure to invite the Finals Umpire to lunch. This is a good time for him to get to know the finalists and the clubs they represent. He can be a member of a regional Tennis Umpires Association or a capable member of the club.”
Walter H. Close, Jr.: Walter Close started his platform tennis career in the early 1950’s and soon became known as a “worker” who gravitated to the important jobs. He teamed with Dick Hebard to win the National Men’s 45+ in 1960 and again in 1961. But, his accomplishments stretched beyond the court. He served as APTA Tournament Chairman from 1958-1959, after which he served as association President from 1960-1961. These were busy and successful years for the game and, during his regime, the APTA membership increased from 24 to 38 membership clubs. (Fox Meadow Tennis Club).
John A. Stephenson: John Stephenson served as Vice President of the APTA from 1941 to 1946, and as its President from 1948-49. An avid player and tough competitor, he won many local tournaments, and was very active in promoting paddle at the Manursing Island Club, and organized some of the first night play under lights. (Manursing Island Club, Rye, NY).
Clifford S. Sutter: Sutter won four National Men’s, two Mixed and one Men’s 45+. He was one of the canniest and most consistent players of the game, a student of placement and control of the ball who was at his best in the return of serve, where he altered both speed and direction. Sutter introduced many tennis skills to the game of platform tennis, and was a master of a prime offensive and defensive tool of the game, the lob. He introduced deeper lobs to the game than was common at that time and they were, in a word, devastating (Field Club of Greenwich).
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Swanberg enjoyed many years as an active player and enthusiast of the game. He fondly recalled the well-attended annual meetings of the APTA at the Princeton Club in New York City and, at one of these meetings during his tenure, he reported that it appeared that the game was growing at a rate of 20-25% annually, based on metrics of court construction and APTA membership rolls.
Swanberg was instrumental in getting ranking players to put on exhibitions at clubs where new courts had been built.
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