What started out five years ago as a handful of pros teaching platform tennis has grown into a record 115 certified pros in 18 different states.
Illinois leads the way with 34 certified pros.
The numbers are a reflection of the growth of the game and the acknowledgement that teaching platform tennis is a viable profession that can help club professionals establish themselves in year-round teaching positions.
Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol.6, Issue 5, April, 2005
When longtime platform tennis player and friend Dan McCormick introduced Kern Delmonico to platform tennis eight years ago, she had no idea of the sport's addicting nature. Coming from a family with two brothers and one sister Kern grew up in a competitive environment. She explained, "In platform tennis, I enjoy the team aspect, but in the end it's all about the competition!"" Kern had a few consistent partners and would achieve a consistent top five ranking year by year. I feel that I have stepped up a level this past year," Kern commented. She added, "Aside from reading the player tips and strategy in Platform Tennis Magazine, I think the biggest factor to my success is that my boyfriend Mike (Stulac) is rubbing off on me." Mike (the 2005 Men's Open Champion) and Kern have been dating for the past two years. In addition to platform, Kern is an accomplished tennis player. She discussed [...]
PTM Editor Wayne Dollard reported on one of his favorite tournaments:
The sun rose at 6:25 am on Wednesday, November 3rd over the Glenview Club as 76 women arrived to prepare for a long day of battle at the 33rd annual Chicago Charities tournament.
At first glance of the tournament draw sheet there were gaps that had previously been filled by top national ranking players: Aery, Shea, Hogan, Prendergast, Zink, Debbs, Mangan and Delaney. Was this Chicago Charities going to live up to the expectations set by the previous 32 events? After further review of the draw the #1, #4, #5, and #6 teams in the country were all represented. Perhaps more important, Chicago showed up with some fresh new talent taking the tour by storm.
On display the traditional first weekend of November was the power and depth of the Chicago area women's field featuring: former State Champions Sally Cottingham [...]
There's a growing trend in paddle that is helping to make the sport hotter than ever.. or at least warmer than ever. Today's warming huts are elegant, multifunctional structures with expansive social spaces both indoors and out that offer full kitchens, bathrooms and more. In fact, the term "hut" no longer does these buildings justice.
A force behind many of these new and improved huts is Chris Casiraghi, President of Reilly Green Mountain Platform Tennis. Most know the firm for their 45+ year history and innovation building of platform tennis courts; yet, they have expanded their offerings to meet the changing needs of their clients. 'We have definitely seen a shift in what our clients are asking for when it comes to warming huts," Casiraghi explained. "More than a decade ago, Reilly Green Mountain built (for the most part) modest warming huts. Today we are asked to build state-of-th[...]
Terry Miller was born in New York City 38 years ago. After tremendous success on the local junior tennis circuit, Terry jumped on the professional tour at the ripe old age of 16.
From 1983 to 1991, Terry competed with and defeated the top female tennis players in the world. Over this time period she reached the quarter-finals of the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open Grand Slam events. At one point, Terry was ranked 14th in the world.
After leaving the tour, Terry moved to Winnetka, Illinois, and became a tennis teaching professional. In 1993, she was introduced to her future platform tennis doubles partner, Jane McNitt. "I met Jane when I was teaching tennis at Indian Hill Club in Winnetka. We were then re-connected last fall when we played together at the exhibition opening of the new paddle hut at the Winnetka Park District."
Terry spoke about her new-found favorite sport, "I[...]
Scott Freedman was born in 1962 in Venice Beach, California. As a child of the late 60's, Scott was attracted to the excitement generated by the great paddle tennis players of the era who called Venice Beach their home.
Paddle tennis is (and was) played next to the beach on miniature tennis courts with a playable area 20' by 50' and a 31" high net. In comparison, the playable area of a platform tennis court is 20' x 44' with a 34" high net. Paddle tennis utilizes a tennis ball that is punctured with a hypodermic needle. There are no screens, so points are short and aggressive.
Although Scott had never played tennis or racquetball, the allure of this beach sport appealed to his superior coordination, conditioning and fast hands.
By the age of 18 (1980) Scott had accumulated four World Junior Paddle Tennis titles. After college, Scott returned to the beach and renewed his passion [...]
Brook Kindred died on January 7, 2006 after a long and brave battle with cancer.
He had the distinction of having served the cause of platform tennis for more years than practically any other living individual. Dating back to the early 1960's he was a tireless, unselfish and dedicated contributor to the support and promotion of the game.
He was elected to the APTA Board in the early 1960's and served on the Board for 16 years. He was Treasurer, Tournament Director, and single- handedly produced the Newsletter for many of those years. He also served on many National Championship committees and was the Tournament Chairman of the 1968 Men's Nationals.
He was instrumental in the formation and administration of the APTA Umpires Committee in the 1970's, and although that activity no longer formally exists, he still continued to go far and wide to officiate at APTA Championships and ot[...]
Mark Brosnan reported for PTM:
On Saturday, December 17, 2005, the Long Island Platform Tennis Association hosted its 3rd Annual Viking Junior Tour tournament at the Garden City Country Club, the Cherry Valley Club and the Garden City Community Park. With Christmas only a week away, the children received a surprise early morning visit from that jolly old Nordic man with rosy cheeks and a little round belly - that's right, David Kjeldsen, founder and chairman of Viking Athletics, was there to provide his support, wearing his trade-mark "horns"! Among the four age divisions, there were forty-two (42) teams participating (84 kids!), and countless parents and grandparents cheering. The level of paddle was extraordinary, the good sportsmanship was commendable, and the smiles were constant! John Cerga, Alex Bancila and Steve Bromley, the Directors of Racquet Sports at the Garden City Countr[...]
On Saturday, December 10th the New England Junior Open was held at The New Canaan Field Club. It was one of the first ranking event of the junior paddle season. Seventy four children participated, representing four states in the general area.
10-and-underWinners:
Peter Simonds and Daniel Adajian both of Southport and Fairfield defeated Reed Schultz & Jack Jeffrey of New Canaan 8-1 in a pro set.
12-and-under
Patrick Newton and Carter Lovejoy from New Canaan, played a tough fought match against CJ Purse of Greenwich and Parker Connolly of Wilton. They were victorious after an exciting three setter (1-6, 6-1, 6-3).
14- and-under
Jason Ottomano and Nick Newhouse from Weston, CT pulled out a third set tie-break beating the Safford brothers from Philadelphia.
18-and-under
Terry Keegan from Fairfield and Liam Bohonnon of Westport, defeated Jay Schwab and Cole Barris of Sc[...]
Patty Hogan, Junior Nationals Director, summed up the action:
This year's Junior National Championships, hosted by The Beacon Hill Club in Summit, N.J. will be remembered for several significant "firsts".
This was the first year there were enough players to hold a separate championship for the 10-and-under girls.
This was the first time we had a player from Yale win a Junior National Title, as Brandon Kutcha took time off from his studies to team up with his brother Michael to win the very competitive Boy's 18-and-Under title. They won a thrilling three-set, third set tie-breaker over the first player ever to come back from a stroke to reach a national final. That player is the incredible Eric D'Elia, who suffered a stroke in July but was able to team up with Marc Powers to beat some very tough teams en route to the finals and the close loss to the Kutcha brothers.
It was a[...]
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