APTA President John Horine in the PTM column From the APTA…

Many people have called and e-mailed me regarding the recent size of tournament draws. In several areas, the numbers of teams signing up for tournaments has been smaller over the past few years. I have noticed the same trend in the event that I run, the Maryland State Men’s Championships. For many years, we had full draws of 48 teams. In the last four years, the numbers have been approaching 32 teams. Upon doing some research, I found that most teams not participating did so for good reasons (i.e. Injury, work, family or other commitments). In some cases people
could not play for several years. However, virtually everyone I spoke to still plays and intends to play in the future events. I have also spoken to league players and captains around the country. In nearly every conversation, the numbers are up in league play. This is particularly true in the “B” and “C” categories.

Evening court time for casual play is booked solid in many areas and teaching pros’ calendars are full most of the season. In general, although tournament play may be experiencing a slight lull, play throughout the country is on the rise with activity springing up in new areas every year. What does this mean for the APTA? More members!

The perception that the APTA is mostly for tournaments and tournament players could not be farther from the truth. We are here for you. Whether you are a first year player or a national champion, the APTA is available to help you. Just moved to an area? We can help you find courts and a contact person. Thinking about building a court? We have a list of court manufacturers. Question about rules? Check out the Web site (www.platformtennis.org) or contact the office. Need help with your forehand? So do I! The APTA office will soon have a list of APTA certified teaching pros in your area available to give lessons.

The point is, “yes,” the APTA is interested in the size of the draws of all the tournaments we sanction. However, looking at the big picture, we have to be pleased that the sport continues to grow. As our sport grows, so will the commitment we make to our members to help you enjoy our wonderful game.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 3, January, 2001

The Canoebrook Club in Summit, New Jersey was the host club for the 2001 Men’s and Women’s Open Nationals. From Phoenix to Maine and everywhere in between, 192 men and 128 women converged for three days of the best competition platform tennis has to offer.

The five-time defending men’s champions, Michigan’s Flip Goodspeed and Scott Mansager, were once again the odds on favorites even through they were the #2-ranked team in the country. The Jersey boys, David Ohlmuller and Chris Gambino, were seeded #2 and expected to push for their first team championship. The big question in their minds was whether or not Chris Gambino’s knees would hold up to the challenge.

New Yorkers, Scott Estes and Scott Mackesy showed up at Canoebrook as the #3 seeds. Coming off their big win in Short Hills, anything would be possible in the Nationals. The other New Jersey duo, Anthony Cosimano and Steve Haller, was also up on the idea of a first National finals appearance. Consistency in all of the major events gave them the #4-seed slot.

Rounding off the five to eight seed slots were Baird/Milbank, Anderson/Poe, Bondurant/Fiedler, and Conklin/Zink.

The eight top seeds advanced to the round of sixteen, however, only six moved on to the quarter-finals. Marino/Williams from Chicago defeated Baird and Milbank (NJ) 7-5, 6-1 and Cochrane/Kaufman (NY) were victorious over Chicago’s Bondurant/Fiedler.

The semi-finals matched the top four seeds against each other, something rare in a Men’s National event. Gambino/Ohlmuller moved past Estes/Mackesy in two convincing sets. Goodspeed/Mansager advanced past Cosimano/Haller, but not without dropping a set along the way. The 2000 finalists were set to face off against each other again in 2001. On the line was Mansager/Goodspeed’s record five-consecutive National titles.

March 24th has to be a special day for Ohlmuller and Gambino. They won in the finals by a score of 6-2, 6-2, showing why they are the #1-ranked team in the country – by not missing. Goodspeed and Mansager, on the other hand, were unusually human. In the end, Gambino and Ohlmuller earned their first Men’s Open team title (David’s second) by winning twelve straight sets at Canoebrook.

On March 23rd, platform tennis’ 64 best women’s teams arrived in Summit to compete for the 2001 Women’s Open title. First and fourth seeds Sue Aery / Gerri Viant and Patty Hogan / Cindy Prendergast were the final favorites, having faced off against each other here numerous times before. Second and third seeds, Bobo Delaney / Tonia Mangan and Robin Fulton / Sarah Krieger had outstanding seasons, earning enough points to qualify for their draw placements.

The five to eight seeds were Delmonico/Morse, Debbs/McNitt, Noyes/Penney, and Cash/Newsome. Like the Men’s event, the seeds held their place into the round of 16 without upset. In the sixteens, the upsets were Lovejoy/Shaw over Cash/Newsome, Dodd/Zink over Delmonico/Morse, and Burkhart/ Heidenberger over Noyes/Penney.

Then came the quarter-final match-up everyone was waiting for: Zink/Dodd vs. Hogan/Prendergast. As anticipated, this match lived up to the hype, with newcomer Lauren Zink receiving her first-ever tournament loss to the six-time National finalists in a 6- 3 third-set loss. The remaining top seeds held their places in straight sets to advance into the semi-finals. They were Fulton/Krieger over Lovejoy/Shaw, Aery/Viant over Debbs/McNitt, and Delaney/Mangan over Burkhart/ Heidenberger.

Hogan and Prendergast had their hands full again in the semi-finals with another ‘6-3 in the third’ win over Delaney and Mangan. On the other side of the draw, Aery / Viant defeated Fulton / Krieger 6-4, 7-5, setting up a much-anticipated finals rematch.

A capacity crowd of several hundred packed in to fill the four sets of bleachers, as well as the preferred seating offered in the “luxury tent.” It was cool and partly cloudy; perfect weather for platform tennis. The final match was a repeat of the previous season where Aery and Viant balanced consistency with well-focused attacks. This year, the score came down to 6- 2, 6-4, giving them their second consecutive National Championship.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 5, May 2001