The initial rental term between Centercourt Athletic Club (CAC) and the Platform Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame Foundation (PTMHOFF) had been for two years and was up for renewal in 2010. During the negotiations for the renewal it became clear that CAC had seen considerable growth in membership and the once “unused” space allocated for the Museum and Hall of Fame now was required for club activities. As a result the lease was not extended.

This was a considerable set back for the PTMHOFF as, in addition to rental payments, a significant amount of work had been done to develop the plan for the space and associated displays.

It was time for the PTMHOFF to regroup and rethink how to realize their dream.

Source: PTMHOFF Minutes, November 2010

Every year, normally around the second week of August, the buzz around the Cincinnati area is about the upcoming ATP Masters Series, showcasing the best tennis professionals in the world. This year there was a special event that made the week even more unique: Jason Gray and Four Bridges Country Club organized a charity event that benefitted the Bryan Brothers Foundation and included a performance by the Bryans’ band.

The event took place on Monday, August 16th, in conjunction with the opening night of the tennis tournament. The Bryans, the top seed, had a bye in the first round and did not have to play. Through the efforts of Four Bridges members Pierre Dommestrup, Phil Huff, and others, support was obtained from presenting sponsor Beacon Orthopedic and contributing sponsors Ciney Tech, Katz, Tener, Brant, & Hild, Bethart Printing, and Ace Authentic.

Leading up to this event, the Bryans had been closing in on the all-time record for the most doubles titles as a team (62). Therefore, the event was organized around them breaking the record and turning the charitable event into a celebration of their on-court accomplishments. [enlarge image to read more]

In the more than 80 years that our sport has been in existence, there have been rule manuals, magazines and instruction books, but not a comprehensive history detailing its evolution. Along similar lines, the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame Foundation has been a force for honoring the history of Platform Tennis without the benefit of having a building to call home.

That’s where Tina Kelly, APTA board member and author, came in with a project to serve both needs through one book — the creation of Passing Shots. This beautifully rendered coffee table book highlights platform tennis over the years. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Platform Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame Foundation.

“The actual idea came from the Hall of Fame Foundation — Bob Brown, Rich Lombard, and their committee,” Kelly said. “Their concept was to do this book to raise money for the building effort and because they love and want to celebrate the sport.”

While Kelly has a magazine publishing background, has worked as an associate producer and writer for documentary films, holds a master’s degree in English from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and is a freelance crossword puzzle constructor (she’s had nine puzzles published in “The-New York Times”), Passing Shots is her first foray into book publishing.

“Although I coordinated, designed and wrote quite a bit of the book, it was definitely a collaborative effort. Many players and longtime supporters of the sport contributed. In fact, the book evolved into being a lot more text than we had planned originally, because there were so many wonderful stories that had to be told.”

When asked about her favorite part of the book, she found it difficult to pinpoint. “There were just so many fascinating mementos that we came across. From photos of rooftop courts in Tokyo and an Austrian exhibition of wheelchair paddle, to Radio City chorus girls being introduced to `paddle’, tennis in Atlantic City in 1937.”

Kelly said that while there were, literally, thousands of photos to sift through, each new cache presented its own unique challenges. “Frankly, a lot of the older photographs had water damage or were cracked or stained. And even if we did find an image we could use, it was quite a process to identify people, places and dates.

In many cases, the captions had completely faded. Thanks to hard detective work and the unflagging help of people like Jim McCready, curator of the Platform Tennis Museum and a platform tennis historian, we feel hopeful that we were successful in identifying and honoring so many of the pioneers of the sport.”

Out of about 180 photos in the book, more than 45 are from before 1960. And Kelly notes that some of the best old photos they found came from the personal files of Molly Ware and Do Deland, daughters of the inventors of the sport, Fessenden Blanchard and James Cogswell. “Of course Bob Considine generously contributed many terrific modern action photographs as well, which gives readers a sense of today’s fast-paced game.”

Other unique memorabilia in the book include old draw sheets, ticket stubs, and tournament brochures, as well as some vintage advertisements from the 1930s and a tournament invitation from December of 1938.

“I was astounded when sorting through the old material. In one box I came across the original 1936 Men’s Nationals draw and in another a shadowy photo of the Old Army Athletes, the original group of players who lived on or near Old Army Road in Scarsdale, New York. Overall, I’ve been impressed by how relatively little the sport has changed in 80 years, a remarkable testament to the foresight of the founding fathers.”

Kelly says the book will appeal to many types of people and would make a great gift. “I think it’d be ideal for anybody who is interested in sports history, but more importantly, people who play the game and don’t know about its vibrant background,” Kelly said. “So many people can’t believe it was created in 1928. They don’t know the exciting history behind the game they love. I also see it as a way to grow the game. Hopefully, someone unfamiliar with the sport will come across the book and say, `Oh, that looks like fun. I’d like to try it.'”

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 12, Issue 3, January, 2011

Courtia Worth put together a paddle morning, mid-day lunch and shotgun golf tournament on Monday, October 4th at the Hartford Golf Club in Hartford Golf Club in Hartford, CT. Among the many reasons to attend were the opportunities for raffle trips, an open bar and delightful dinner and finally an opportunity to celebrate the life of Hall-of-Famer, Winnie Hatch.

Players from five states assembled at the five paddle courts for three hours of casual play as many of Winnie’s former partners and friends kicked off the 2010-2011 season. Sprinkled amongst the twenty plus players were former champions; Sig Buckmeyer, George Lynch, Jack Westerfield, Bob Brown, Bill Childs, Ted and Nanny Hoehn, Sharon and Herb Hummers and Rich Lombard.

Several of the Hartford seniors mixed in with the outing players including one 70+ player who strapped on his oxygen tank and proceeded to race around the court to the amazement of all players and spectators.

The golf tournament drew nine foursomes (three dropped out due to threatening weather which the paddle gods short circuited) and all who played raved about a first rate course. For $20 you could buy as many mulligan as you felt necessary, resulting in six teams tying for third with 63s. Two golfing foursomes, traveling by ferry from Bridgehampton, showed how the game should be played, sans mulligan and walked off with the prizes as did Nanny Hoehn who won longest drive and closest to the pin. [enlarge image to read more]

Early each summer, David Dodge and Jason Gray sit down to discuss how they are going to out-do their previous year’s Premier Cup tournament competition. Dodge is the owner and founder of Premier Platform Tennis Courts. Gray is the Director of Racquet Sports at the Four Bridges Country Club in Cincinnati but moonlights as the consummate promoter of all things platform tennis.

Over the past several seasons, many cities have been host to the Premier Cup – a $5,000 invitation-only, elite paddle tournament. Who gets to play? The top eight men’s teams in the country are invited. If anyone cannot participate, the #9 team will be invited, and so on.

The 2010 Cup was set up a little different than those of past seasons. This year, the event took place in southern “virgin” paddle territory – Richmond, Virginia.

To kick off the three-day festivities, the American Platform Tennis Association organized a Friday night kick-off party featuring an APTA clinic and exhibition set to reggae music and the smell of grilled burgers.

Booths were provided by both the APTA and Wilson Racquet Sports – allowing spectators the opportunity to view the latest in platform technology and to learn more about the APTA.

Over 50 members of the Country Club of Virginia came out to watch top-ranked teams Peter Berka and Drew Eberly (of Chicago) play against Denny English and Brian Heil (of Columbus).

Following the play, all spectators were encouraged to grab their paddles and join the “pros” for an evening of social play.

At 9 a.m. on Saturday, the eight nationally-ranked “Premier” teams assembled at the Country Club of Virginia. The weather was a replay from Friday – sunny and 75 degrees. Players and spectators alike preferred the non-seasonal high temperature.

Jason Gray read aloud the rules of engagement: Two four-team divisions, each playing a three-set round robin against each other. The top two teams would advance to semi-final play on Sunday.

Over the course of the day, spectators cheered on the 16 competitors. Two Chicago teams went undefeated in round robin play – Mike Marino / Dane Schmidgall and Peter Berka / Drew Eberly. Steve Derose / John Lubow and Drew Broderick / Guy Moore went 3-1 and 2-2, respectfully, to advance to Sunday play. All-in-all, players represented Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Connecticut, Richmond, New Jersey, and New York.

Attendance grew each day of the event leading up to the semi-finals and finals on Sunday morning. Spectators came from as far as two hours away and as far north as Washington, DC.

In one semi-final, Berka and Eberly defeated Broderick and Moore 6-4, 7-5. Marino and Schmidgall defeated Derose and Lubow 7-6, 6-2 in the second semi-final.

As play progressed, players mingled with the spectators and helped provide great excitement and better understanding on how the game is played.

Representatives from area country clubs attended and expressed interest in potential new court growth.

In the finals, Schmidgall and Marino defeated Berka and Eberly in a two-set thriller.

Marino said, “I thought Dane and I stayed mentally tough throughout, and his shotmaking ability from both his forehand and backhand made the difference.” Marino added, “The Premier Cup was, as usual, a great event. The hospitality at the Country Club of Virginia was excellent, the weather was great, and the paddle was extremely competitive.”

Although the players won $5,000 in prize money, the real winners were the residents of Richmond. Club member Peyton Lawson said, “I was fortunate enough to be a part of the entire weekend festivities and Ihave never been more hooked on platform tennis. I had the opportunity to play against Berka/Eberly on Friday. I think we had them on the ropes for a few minutes! What I experienced this past weekend has encouraged me to get out and play more and travel to other tournaments that I hesitated on going to in the past.”

His interest was shared by scores of spectators. Premier Cup participant and Richmond resident, Andy Todd said, “I am very appreciative for having the opportunity to bring the 2010 Premier Cup to our area and help grow the sport in Richmond. Jason Gray and David Dodge, along with our very talented and organized committee, created one of the best events we have ever had and also provided an incredible atmosphere on and off the court, southern style.”

It was clear that the platform tennis interest has never been higher in Richmond. Dodge and the APTA are both hopeful to see the continued growth of paddle in Richmond and further into the south.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 12, Issue 2, December, 2010