united states court tennis association united states court tennis ...

USCTA
Our premier events, the Silver Racquet and New York
Open Handicap, were held over the October 30-November
2 weekend. The events were well attended and the level of
play was exceptionally high. In the Silver Racquet, youth
was very noticeable as former Van Alen Cup players created
havoc with established players in the draw: Will Thompson
defeated Greg Van Schaack, Pat Winthrop defeated Jeremy
Wintersteen in three sets, and Greg Park advanced to
the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Addison West took out
Lex Miron, the number one seed, and Winthrop defeated
Guy Devereux in three sets. In a very close and exciting
final, West claimed the championship by beating Winthrop
in three hard fought sets, the final one going to 6/5.
The New York Open Handicap was once again a popular
event, attracting players from nearly all of the clubs. In
the “A” Division (handicaps 20 or below), both professionals
and low-handicapped amateurs competed as well as a
number of very experienced squash players who challenged
the tennis players. The final paired Jeremy Wintersteen (a
past winner) against Tony Hollins, assistant professional at
Newport. Wintersteen defeated Charlie Johnstone, Winthrop
and Noah Wimmer, while Hollins defeated professionals
Neil Smith and Jacques Faulise as well as amateurs
Mac McAndrew and Thompson. In the final, Wintersteen
prevailed over Hollins to win yet another championship.
In the New
York Open “B”
Division, a record
40 players
competed from
every major club.
As expected in a
well-handicapped
tournament,
Graham Jones. photo by Michael Do
there were many
very closely contested
matches. Graham Jones eventually won the event
over Max Niederste-Ostholt. Both players from New York
had just recently taken up the game. The final was very
close with the score tied at six all before Jones managed to
win the last two games and claim his victory.
The Whitney Cup doubles competition, the next major
event, took place in mid-December. Teams from New York,
Greentree/Aiken, Philadelphia, New England (Boston and
Newport combined), Washington and Tuxedo competed
for the title. Two divisions were created and an intense
round robin competition followed in each. As usual, there
were many back-and-forth and close matches with a very
high level of play in both divisions, from the first team
to the senior team. This was the first time in the history
Page 32
of the Whitney Cup
that neither New
York, Greentree nor
Philadelphia were in
the finals. The final
paired the new and
improved teams from
New England and
Washington, which
James Stout. photo by Michael Do
provided an exciting
match. With the team
matches tied at two wins, the final match between the two
number two teams determined the outcome. In this match,
the score went to five games all in the second set before
New England — coming from behind — pulled out the
final game. Greentree memorabilia assembled by Peter Di
Bonaventura, which included photographs of past Whitney
Cup events, was on display at the Friday night dinner for
Whitney Cup participants and guests. Post dinner highlights
included some memorable Greentree yarns recounted
by strictly innocent bystanders.
The US Amateur Singles and Doubles Championships
were held in March. Fourteen players participated in the
Singles event. The final paired the number one amateur,
Lex Miron, against Addison West, a fast rising star in the
game. West defeated Pat Winthrop of Newport in the
semifinal and Miron beat Bill Barker of Washington to set
up the anticipated final. West showed his improved form
and play as he continued to move up the amateur ranks by
defeating Miron in straight sets 6/0, 6/3, 6/5 and adding another
championship to his list. In the US Amateurs Doubles,
eight teams competed for the trophy. In the final, it was
also an all New York event as Alexis Hombrecher teamed
with Miron to defeat West and Peter Pell in straight sets.
The US 55 Singles and Doubles Championships were
held during the same weekend. The Singles title was won
again for the fourth straight year by Greg Van Schaack,
this time over Charlie Johnstone who had to default due to
injury. In the doubles final, Van Schaack paired with Chris
Cline to take another title in a straight set win over Jim
Wharton of Newport and Johnstone, 6/0, 6/3.
A final word of congratulations to our New York professionals,
Mike Gooding and James Stout, who won the
National League title. In its third year, this inter-club
event allows the various club professionals to play against
each other, to display a high level of play to members and
visitors and to promote the game.
The year ended in a flourish with our in-house Finals
Night. During this exciting evening, champions in our singles,
doubles and handicap tournaments were determined.