Georgetown University - After eight years of playing paddle and three years of passionately promoting college platform tennis I offer some observations, advice, and optimism for the future of the sport at the college level. There has been a lot of talk about college platform tennis and, I'm pleased to say, something to show for it too.
At Yale University, Kate Macauley (Yale '11) and Rob Coster (APTA College Program Chair) have done a great job securing two courts at a nearby country club, getting support from local players and enthusiasts, and holding weekly events for Yalies. After two years in the making, Yale Platform Tennis Club has 30 students of all abilities on the roster, and about ten players who play each week. Kate has been successful by recruiting Yale friends to play and has grown interest through club fair events at school. [enlarge image to read full report]
Planning for the 2010 APTA Men's and Women's Nationals began April 20, 2009 and culminated with the four day event taking place March 4-7th, 2010.
With Waynesborough Country Club as the host facility, our vision was to change the format of the evening parties and host the men and women on Friday night, instead of Saturday, and offer a "Come as you are" party on Saturday evening, to allow players and spectators to watch the men's quarter final play, with beer flowing and a BBQ grille serving up chicken and burgers through the night.
We were rewarded by the tremendous turnout for the Friday night party (over 400 players/volunteers attended) as well as for the Saturday night men's quarter final play (close to 400 players/spectators came to watch). [enlarge image to read full letter]
The two things I will miss most about leaving the APTA board are the relationships I have bridged through trying to achieve a common goal and the experiences I have shared with the thousands of enthusiasts throughout the country during my time on the board.
It is hard to believe that it has been five years since our first clinic and exhibition took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mark Fischl and I went up to the Woodhill Country Club just off Lake Minnetonka on a beautiful Minnesota fall day. The leaves were in their prime fall colors and the weather was a gorgeous 55 degrees and sunny. We had 35 people come out for what would be the beginning of an 18-city tour during my tenure with the APTA board.
When I first started this initiative, my goal was to bring in some new life and direction to depressed or undeveloped paddle markets. The idea was to bring out new players and help the[...]
2010 APTA National Championships: On-line Postings Provide Real Time Story
http://vimeo.com/18363470
http://vimeo.com/18363046
Thursday, March 4, 7:30 a.m. EST
We're here at the Waynesborough Country Club in the Philadelphia suburbs for the 2010 APTA National Championship Competitions. I will be documenting the event and posting news and results every few hours.
Today, we will feature the Women's and Men's President's Cups. Tomorrow will be the Women's day one of the Nationals. The men will play some first round matches to open up more courts for Friday's matches.
Thursday, March 4, 9:15 a.m. EST
Well, the team photos have been taken, and the Men's and Women's President's Cup competitions are under way. Are you familiar with the President's Cup? This special event is held every year immediately prior to the Nationals. Each APTA region selects five of their best teams (ex[...]
It seems that Chicago has been getting more and more attention lately in the platform tennis world. No disrespect to the East or West coasts, but I would say this is rightfully so.
Although only 2-3% of the known platform tennis courts are in the Chicago area, their's is the largest organized league in the country with approximately 3,000 players.
Also, over the past seven years, seven Chicago men and women have captured ten of the 14 National Men's and Women's Nationals( Susie Keane, Mary Doten, Scott Mansager, David Keevins, Brian Uihlein, David Ohlmuller and Chris Gambino). [enlarge image to read more]
One of the great highlights during the APTA National Championships in Philadelphia was the party at the Waynesborough Country Club and Cindy Prendergast's induction into the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Committee President Bob Brown and APTA President Tim McAvoy presented the award to this dedicated enthusiast.
These achievements were noted among Cindy's many contributions to the sport:
- Winner of six APTA National events, including three mixed, two women's, and one senior women's titles
- Recognition for her effortless style of play, easygoing manner, and outstanding sportsmanship
- Served on dozens of tournament committees and a force behind Delaware's hosting of the Mixed Nationals
- Led a delegation to Germany to introduce the sport of platform tennis
March 17th was the biggest night of the year for the Chicago league. Teams battled it out in playoff fina[...]
Tom Stafford, the new Czar, filed this report on the development in PTM
The APTA Junior Tour Czar has quite a ring to it. As most things with me — it’s self-titled. Timmy simply asked me to head up the new APTA Junior Tour.
Dave Kjeldsen and Viking had done such a great job with it for the last umpteen years and now APTA was going to bring it in house. David was not passing on that great horned hat, but certainly I had to have a title that was fitting. Director — boring, Head — don’t have much of one, Chief in charge — closer, CZAR— Now we’re getting someplace.
This is my 41st year of playing platform tennis — not bad for a 47 year old. I played in my first tournament at 6, had 13 fun filled years of Juniors with the same partner, played “the circuit” through the 70′s, 80′s and 90′s and now get to watch over as the future stars take shape from the junio[...]
Jerry Albrikes
Age: 40
Hobbies: Fitness, running, tennis and the Minnesota Vikings
Family: Married to Beth; Children: Olivia 15, Liza 14 and William 3
Residence: Mystic, CT
Tennis Highlights: Former #1 in New England in Men's Open, Doubles and Mixed
Occupation: Head Professional at Mystic Indoor Tennis for 10 years to present
Platform Tennis Beginnings: Peter Harvey introduced me to the game six years ago. I played tournaments for four years with Lennart Jonason and this year with Johan. Currently plays out of Essex Platform Tennis Club in Essex, CT, once a week and tournaments on weekends."
Johan du Randt
Age: 32
Hobbies: Golf, Squash,teaching my dog tricks and playing poker
Family: I have a girlfriend named Neely and a Stafforshire Bull Terrier named Bliksem. He was our mascot at the Nationals.
Born: Somerset East, South Africa
Residence: Newton MA
Tennis Highlights: Ra[...]
Mike Cochrane and Scott Estes secured the Men's #1 position while Mary Doten and Susie Keane edged Heather Prop and Lynn Schneebeck for the top Women's slot.
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