APTA Annual Business and Board Meetings

The Board Meeting had an extensive discussion on balls and developing a policy for use of balls in National Championships and Ranking Tournaments.

Hedstrom had made a proposal to the APTA regarding the growth and development of the game. The proposal generated quite a discussion as summarized in the Minutes:

“Each Director was asked to comment on the proposal. Comments were: money (Passport) destroyed the camaraderie of the game; TV coverage doesn’t work; not enthusiastic about playing indoors; against paying a few top professionals; questioned ability to obtain sponsorship; concept of proposal was good, but it lacked substance. Alternate suggestions were: pay travel expenses for President’s Cup players; pay top professionals to hold clinics around the country; sponsor Pro-Am events in several regions; Seniors tour; target a program for B level players; Juniors clinics; and, target the club player.”

Presidents Cup – A Mini Olympics

In the days preceding each year’s men’s and women’s (and now mixed) National Championships, hardy bands of competitors from each region of our country collide in cataclysmic contests (how’s that for alliteration and exaggeration?) to determine who takes home the gold (only figuratively) from the annual Presidents’ Cup challenges.

Each Region develops its own method for selecting tearns, some calculating individual points, some demanding team scores. All you have to do to be eligible is pick up a copy of the Tournament Schedule, find out which events in your region carry PC points, and then rack ’em up.

As evidenced by the pictures on this page, the Presidents’ Cup is unequaled for both competition and fun . So start early in the season, and let the games begin.

Source: Platform Tennis News, Fall 1992

Lineal who? A sister company of Hedstrom, the maker of Vittert paddle balls

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.

Platform Tennis News, Mid-Winter 1993

Lineal Grand Prix Series in full swing across country

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 updates his classic book “How to Play Platform Tennis”

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.

First APTA sanctioned tournament in Montana; Reilly showcases “The Lawn Level Court”

Art Houilhan’s enthusiastic public relations campaign for the Grizzly Affair drew players from neighboring states and Canada. The tournament also officially introduced Reilly’s latest innovation: The Lawn Level Court.

The concept of the new court was to make it more attractive so it will fit appealingly into any setting. By excavating below the court for the pier and heater installation, the need to install the court three to four feet above ground on concrete piers would be eliminated. The court therefore sat at grade level, making it much easier to watch play.

Platform Tennis News covered the event in detail:

“In its constant quest to expand, the APTA can now add Montana to its list of states that host tournaments. Without a platform tradition, most Montana residents had no idea what platform tennis was. Thankfully the Grizzly Affair tournament’s enthusiastic public relations committee (a.k.a. Arthur Houlihan, previously from Waccabuc, NY) has changed that.

Free publicity rained on the tournament. Prior to the matches, articles appeared in several Montana newspapers with descriptions of the game, pictures of local players and details of the upcoming “Northwest Platform Tennis Championships” (a media appellation, not ours). The local radio station gave it a plug, and even the sign at the local bank, which normally flashes temperature and time, encouraged people to attend the big event.

As a result, the local participation and interest was high as ranchers, ski buffs, lumberjacks, artists, businessmen and country gentleman stopped by to take a look at the new sport. In addition to the enthusiastic local teams, players representing 15 states and Canada attended last year. Of course, the outstanding Nordic and alpine skiing at nearby Big Mountain ski area and Glacier National Park helped rope in paddle/ski enthusiasts. Others seemed to be attracted by a Ray Kinsella “if you build it” phenomenon.”

“There are currently four courts in Whitefish that were used for the tournament. The one that started it all is owned by Charlie Burkhart (originally from Philadelphia) and some of his neighbors. The Reilly clan has added three more with their new facility. Located where more snow falls than almost any other part of the country, the Reilly’s have an ideal testing ground for the new heating system specially engineered for this type of court’. Despite all the snow on the ground, the courts were clean and dry and remained so all winter long! “

Source: Platform Tennis News, Fall 1992

Platform Tennis News covered the event

Symposium at Fox Meadow on improving platform tennis programs

Twenty-seven club Chairmen from as far as Wyoming attended the program hosted by R.J. Reilly Platform Tennis Courts at Fox Meadow Tennis Club.

Platform Tennis News covered the day’s proceedings.

“Early in October, a dedicated and enthusiastic group of twenty-seven club chairmen came together from as far away as Wyoming and as close as the Fox Meadow Tennis Club, which donated its facilities for the event to its host, the R.J. Reilly Platform Tennis Courts.

They gathered to learn from one another and from expert discussion leaders about improving their programs. Kicking off the day’s activities, the attendees heard from Bob Callaway who pioneered a commercial paddle center in Norwalk, Connecticut almost two decades ago and Dick Reilly, an APTA honor award recipient and builder of courts, who sponsored the event.

Greg Moore and Buddy Scudder led a discussion group covering ‘How to Attract New Members/Players,’ “How to Keep Members Involved,’ ‘Upgrading Playing Skills,’ and the ‘Use of a Teaching Pro.’ Bob Callaway and Mike Gillespie spoke about ‘Clinics/Exhibitions,’ ‘League Play,’ and ‘Junior Play.’ ‘Club Tournaments,’ ‘Social Events,’ and ‘Making It Enjoyable’ were topics discussed in a round table led by Patti Hogan.

‘Maintaining and Updating Your Facility,’ ‘Warming Huts,’ and ‘Clothing and Equipment’ were featured interests in the group led by Dick Reilly. Notes taken by a designated recorder at each discussion group were compiled by Kathy Reilly and sent to all the participants for their use. Following the educational portion of the program, the club chairmen were partnered with one of 12 National Champions and other high-ranking players in a ‘Tournament with the Champions.’

Bertan Cikigil, tennis pro at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club, was the tournament director and devised a format he called ‘The Equalizer’ to keep the action close (Note 1).

Champions and Club Chairpersons were rotated so that everyone had an opportunity to play with and against a variety of players. He also provided a Red Bull’s Eye contest in which a point was automatically won if the opponent’s legal shot hit the 3’x4′ target hung on the screen before it could be fended off.

Marcraft Recreation supported the event by providing new Force paddles for the winning prizes, and ARD (Advanced Recreation Design) provided its balls for the competition.”

Note 1: See the “Hot Off The Wire” column in the Platform Tennis News, Mid-Winter 1992 edition for more details.

Source: Platform Tennis News, Mid-Winter 1992

Lineal Group Grand Prix Series heats up platform tennis scene

The first two of the four tournament series were in Philadelphia, PA, and Greenwich, CT, and aroused lots of interest. Platform Tennis News carried the story.

“For a new idea, the four-tournament, prize money Lineal Group Grand Prix series seems to have caught on awfully fast. The first two tournaments, Philadelphia and Greenwich Invitationals, aroused lots of interest and sparked extremely competitive draws. Even more importantly, the game of platform received added exposure and publicity to both the general sports public and paddle aficionados at various clubs in the tournament areas. Posters were plastered everywhere, flyers were distributed, ads were placed in local newspapers. Top men’s players put on exhibitions on both Friday nights before the weekend draws; and top women players did likewise with youth clinics on Saturday.

In fact, the Greenwich exhibition featured Detroit’s top twosome of Jeff ‘Dr. Detroit’ Hodges and Scott Mansager, who flew in for the event, combined with reigning No. 1 Scott Staniar and one of last year’s Nationals finalists, Mike Gillespie. Those four not only put on a brisk exhibition of how the game is played for an appreciative audience, but then stayed out on the courts to rally with all the local fans who brought their rackets with them.

On Saturday, almost 50 youngsters enjoyed watching No. 1 Gerri Viant combine with top stars Patti Hogan, Sue Aery and Robin Fulton in some sterling match play. Then the four ranking players put the kids through some exercises and strategy sessions that they’ll likely use to come back and topple those top players in years to come.”

Source: Platform Tennis News, Mid-Winter 1992