Fox Meadow’s Centennial Celebration

FMTC President Charlie Evans honored thirty-seven Club members who had won APTA National Championships; Next to him are all-time winners Madge Beck and Dick Hebard. Molly Ware and Do Deland received awards for their fathers, Blanchard and Cogswell. In the fall of 1981, Charlie Evans, president of Fox Meadow Tennis Club, proposed to the Board of Governors that the Club celebrate its 100th anniversary in 1983. He recommended that the Club publish a book about its history, and that it should try to host the 1983 APTA national Men's Doubles championship, at which time it would honor members who had won national titles. Lastly, Evans suggested holding a party for past and present members sometime in 1983. The board approved the recommendations, and appointed Walter Close as centennial chairman, and John Ware as the editor of the centennial book. In January 1982, a planning committee m[...]

Richard F. Balzac elected FMTC President (1983-1985)

Busy APTA tournament schedule and large turnouts

In less than three month's play during the 1983-84 season, 50 APTA tournaments were staged. Mixed, 45s, Bs, and men's and women's ranking events were all seeing larger draws and the return of post-play parties.

Thornton “Gub” Gerrish (1913-1984)

Gub Gerrish had served on the APTA Board in the mid-70s and had been the group’s official photographer for many years. A man of tremendous energy, enthusiasm and personal magnetism, Gub was an avid spectator, distinguished photographer and reporter at hundreds of paddle events. He was a true gentleman who epitomized the spirit of paddle--competition, sportsmanship and camaraderie. A permanent trophy in honor of Gub has become part of the annual Rye tournament, with the trophy being presented to the winners of the senior event. Source: Platform Tennis News, February 1984

John D. Richart elected APTA President (1984-1986)

Richart, of Upper Montclair, New Jersey, joined the Board in 1981, and had served as assistant treasurer, treasurer, and vice president.

President’s Cup – Region IV sweep Men’s and Women’s

In the Women’s, Region IV won with Region I finishing second and Region II in third place. In the Men’s, Region IV again won, their fourth win in seven years, but had to win their last match against Region III to do so. Region III finished in second place and Region I was third.

National Championships – Men’s and Women’s Nationals played in a blizzard; Juniors travel to Kalamazzo, MI

Jim McCready filed a report on the Cleveland Nationals in PTN, April 1984 For five days, the heart and spirit of platform tennis were in Cleveland at the National Championships. From March 7-11, the top men and women competed for the titles, as well as the President’s Cup crown. Near-blizzard conditions and 15-degree temperature were the norm for most of the event. In the women's event, which fielded a full 64-team draw, 400 fans braved the icy cold to watch Robin Fulton, the previous year's champion, and Yvonne Hackenberg, four-time champ, pair up to defeat Pat Butterfield and Diane Tucker. On the men’s side, 96 teams competed, including the New York-based team of Steve Baird of Harrison and Rich Maier of Nyack, who were seeking their fifth straight title. In the finals, they got off to a fast and deliberate start by winning the first two sets 6-3, 7-5. However, the four[...]

Rule changes: Singles, Sets played in Men’s Nationals & 45+, and Paddle Specifications

The October 1984 edition of the Official Rules of Platform Tennis carried the following Board-approved changes: Doubles and Singles The rules are the same, except for the following: In Singles, the game is played within the standard singles court, two serves are allowed, and no-ad scoring is used*. The no-ad game point is served into whichever service court the receiver chooses. The Hi-Bounce ball is recommended for singles. *(conditional 1-year trial rule - '84-85) Recommended Number of Sets Men's – Nationals: 2 out of 3 to the finals, then 3 out of 5. Fifth set played out Men's – 45: 2 out of 3, all the way Platform Tennis Paddle Standards Total Length: 18 1/16" maximum Width of Head (at widest point): 9 5/16" maximum Play Length (handle to outside edge of rim): 10 7/16" maximum Source: Platform Tennis News, November 1984

Senior President’s Cup

Jerry Manhold, with the help of Howie Sipe in Chicago, Chet Kermode in Cleveland, Jack Wales in Pittsburgh, and Bill Ballard in North Jersey, obtained APTA sanction to explore starting a Senior President’s event. There were some changes in the President’s Cup format used by the Senior President’s Cup players. • Players would be selected from among active league players in the four largest leagues: Chicago area, Cleveland area, Pittsburgh and northern New Jersey. • APTA membership was mandatory. • Play would be along the lines of the Gordon Cup competition in tennis, i.e., two matches at 45+ and 1 match at 50+, 55+, and 60+. • Play would be over one day only, which would provide a senior team with three matches in one day, followed by a fellowship dinner. • The Senior Cup was to be a prelude to a major senior championship; Source: Platform Tennis [...]

National Championships results – Men’s Nationals return “home”; AT&T sponsors Junior Nationals

The Men’s Nationals returned to Fox Meadow, the "spiritual home" of Platform Tennis for the 1985 Championships. For the occasion, Molly Blanchard Ware, the daughter of Fessenden Blanchard a co-inventor of the sport, recalled the early days of the game and the camaraderie in an article in the New York Times. Source: APTA newsletters covering this event are missing