2010 Year-End National Rankings

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.

A team to watch: Brian O’Connor and Mark Parsons

Brian O'Connor Age: 25.75 Hometown: Larchmont, NY Marital Status/Kids: "I am not sure what marital status means. If that is the same as martial arts status, yes, I have a yellow belt with two black stripes. Kids... no, I do not fight kids, although some in my class are pretty tough” Hobbies: Tennis, beaches, bodybuilding, and Gossip Girl Achievements in Tennis: • Hold record at Binghamton University for most singles victories • Team advanced to NCAA's 3 times • Two-Time National Grandfather/ Grandson Champion How and When You Got Into Platform: " I fell in love with paddle when I was a young bang-baller. I spent most of my childhood following women's paddle, as my mother (Joanmarie) would bring me to all her local events and league matches." What You Like About the Sport: "The various styles of play provide for interesting matchups. Among the top teams strategies [...]

Premier Cup – Berka and Eberly collect the cash

The 5th Annual Premier Cup took place this year at Sunset Ridge Country Club in Chicago on October 10th & 11th. This year's field featured the strongest veteran teams in the sport as well as many of the top up and coming teams. Sunset Ridge boasts six courts and is under the direction of Peter Berka. This year's field had representation from states of Illinois, Ohio, New York, and New Jersey for the two-day event that had a total purse ofS5,000. The first day of competition started at 10 a.m. on Saturday and lasted through dark as each team played a round robin competition within their own group (three matches). Format: • Two out of three sets; regular scoring • Super tie-breaker for 3rd set (Sat. only) • Top two teams from each group advanced to semi-finals on Sunday Rules for Advancement: • Best overall record from round robin play • 1st tie-breaker used i[...]

Mixed and Husband & Wife Nationals in Cleveland, OH

Ohlmuller & Johnson Defeat Main & Caldwell in Three-Set Finalin the Mixed Marina Ohlmuller and Mark Johnson teamed up for their first run at the APTA Mixed Nationals, and after an amazing three-set final against Aila Main and David Caldwell, they emerged victorious, 6-7, 6-0, 7-5. There were big momentum swings in the match, as is often the case with paddle, and in the third set they were at one point down 3-0, 40-love with the other team serving. The match was marked with steady play by Marina and Aila, while dazzling displays of athleticism from Mark and David enthralled the spectators. This is Marina's third national title. She and husband David won the Husband/Wife Nationals in 2003 and 2005. Its Johnson's first. Props Outlast LeFevres for APTA Husband-Wife Title The unseeded team of Heather and Vince Prop won the 2010 APTA Husband-Wife National championship, defeating J[...]

Courts inaugurated in Atlanta

Melanie Oudin helps inaugurate courts in Atlanta On Friday, October 9, The Peachtree Paddle League (PPL) kicked off the new season in fine style with its annual gala and exhibition at the newest platform tennis venue in Atlanta, the Racquet Club of the South (RCS). Made famous recently by the charmed success of US Open quarter finalist, 17-year-old Melanie Oudin, RCS unveiled their brand new courts and viewing deck to a crowd of some 125 people, including many enthusiastic kids. Topping off the night was an appearance by Melanie in person, who picked up a paddle and played her first set of platform tennis, paired with Philadelphia native and Atlanta transplant, Ali Tross Cole. Behind the RCS story was a grant from the American Platform Tennis Association to help with the cost of construction of their two courts. Mark Fischl, then President of the APTA, was instrumental in [...]

2010 Year-End Junior Rankings

2010 Year-End Senior Rankings

UNC Platform Tennis – clinics and exhibitions

Marty Pomerantz, Director, Campus Recreation, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill filed this report with PTM: It took about five years of cajoling, collaborating, and construction, but this author's vision for a multi-purpose recreational facility finally evolved from a paper napkin at Bruegger's Bagels to a successful grand opening on Saturday, October 17. The new South Campus Recreation Complex (SCRC) sits atop what once was an eight court tennis center and home of the Carolina Varsity Tennis Team. Today, it consists of three sand volleyball courts, three tennis courts, two full length basketball/inline hockey courts, and the piece de resistance, three brand new ground level platform tennis courts. The grand opening event included sand volleyball and tennis tournaments, which attracted a number of student teams. But the highlights of the day's festivities included a professi[...]

Charles F. Baird (1922-2009)

Hall of Fame inductee, Chuck Baird died peacefully on December 26, 2009 at the age of 87, after a long bout with Alzheimers. A true ambassador of platform tennis, he was an active participant in both the play and the promotion of the game. He was consistently highly ranked in the years that he competed on the "open" circuit and in the Nationals. Although never a winner of the open Nationals, he and his partner, Roger Lankenau, went as far as the quarter-finals. Upon entering the Senior ranks, his first Championship win was in the 50+ Nationals in 1973. What followed thereafter was a record-breaking streak of Senior National Championships, totaling 23 wins in the 45+, 50+, 55+, 60+, 65+ and 70+ categories. He was also a finalist 15 times in these Senior events. In 1982, he and his partner George Schmid achieved a milestone never accomplished before or since, winning three events, in the 5[...]

Highlights of APTA Board Meeting and Tim McAvoy on the Board members and mission

Financials: Aila Main presented an overview of our income statement and balance sheet which showed our financial position as being very strong. However, given the wide variety of initiatives the APTA is pursuing, it was proposed that we raise the league membership dues. Tim and Ann proactively reached out to many of the APTA league Presidents and the idea was agreed to by all of those people. It was moved that we raise the APTA league member dues from $25 per year to $30. The motion carried unanimously. Then, a variety of discretionary spending items were discussed resulting in the following actions: It was moved that we put $15,000 into the budget for "Grow the Game" grants this year and each succeeding year. The motion carried unanimously. It was moved that we transfer (one time) $40,000 from our cash on the balance sheet to the fund for grants for this coming year. The m[...]