DECEMBER 2002 CupCup TimeTime AgainAgain Mark Winters hile the US Open defeated Germany 3-0. W is the showcase “The USTA decided to use for the pro game, a couple of playing captains the International Tennis and I was one of them,” Federation Cup events are said Nelson who injured a the focus of fall competi- tendon in his heel and tion for seniors. Nine “hobbled around” during Southern Californians were the latter part of the com- involved in events that petition. “This is my third were played throughout year in the age division and Austria on red clay. If Germany had players who the names of Northern had just come into the 65s. Californians are added to These are the same guys the list, the number of state who beat us when they participants jumps to 14. first came into the 55s Charlie Hoeveler, of and 60s. So the win was Ross, California, was on the The Men’s and Women’s 65 teams were Cup winners. very special.” Men’s 55 Austria Cup team Nelson added, “Velden that finished third, in the largest of the Cup contest, played at the Tennis Club Rot Weiss and Portschach were great. The weather in Bad Hofgastein, in which the US was a was beautiful. We were fortunate and didn’t ◗ 2-1 finalist to France. “I’ve played with Sinc have any rain.” and Cathie several times,” said Steel, a vet- Dorothy Matthiessen and Doris DeVries eran of 14 teams. “It wouldn’t be a Cup team (continued on next page) Nine Southern Californians without Charleen. I think she has played on at least 20 were involved in events that teams. This year it was great. I wish we had won. were played throughout We split the singles. Rosie Darmon and Françoise Austria on red clay. Durr defeated Charleen and me. Truthfully, Francoise beat us. She was just too good.” ◗ Jim Nelson captained and played at TC Raiffeisen events. Twenty-two countries (that’s correct Velden and Tennisclub Velden 22) participated in the trophy chase that in Velden am Worthersee, took place at The Colony Club in Vienna. along with Bob Duesler, on Cathie Anderson, Sinclair Bill, Charleen the Men’s 65 Britannia Cup Hillebrand and Suella Steel carried the colors team. In the final of the 20 The Gibson Girls – Louise Owen, Louise Russ, Mary Boswell in the 13 team Women’s 60 Marble Cup country contest, the US and captain Dee Williams-Horne – were spectacular. (continued from previous page) the Tennis Golf Wellness Hotel Mori (cer- of Reno, Nevada were the tainly the best named facility) and Tennis reason the US defeated Club TCK in St. Kanzian. Canada 2-1in the final of the Tom Brown of San Francisco and Alex Women’s 65 Godfree Cup Swetka of Mountain View, California played in that featured 14 countries. the Men’s 80 Mulloy Cup competition, which Dee Williams-Horne involved 15 countries at St. Kanzian. The US captained the Women’s 70 came up 2-1 short against Australia in the Gibson Cup team that upset final. “This is the first time in the six years of Great Britain 2-1 in the final Mulloy Cup play that the US has lost,” said of the 12 country contest Mulloy for whom the Cup is named. played at Tennisclub (PTC) in “Unfortunately, we didn't have the horses Portschacham Worthersee. since Bob Sherman and Nehemiah Atkinson, “The US retrieved the Cup the top players in the 80s, didn’t play.” from Great Britain in an Mulloy Cup team members were Tom Brown, The ITF World Championships, played electrifying final that would Irving Levine, captain Gardnar Mulloy and Alex Swetka. the week following the Cup events and fea- tured a record 600 players. In the Women’s 60 singles, Steel was a 6-3, 7-6 finalist to extremely proud to cap- Heide Orth of Germany. Hillebrand/Steel tain an elite team of downed Anderson/Bill 6-1, 6-4 for the dou- champions who showed bles. “I didn’t play singles in the Cup and was fitness, determination and seeded No. 8,” Steel said. “I have so much the desire to bring the respect for Heide that I didn’t have much Cup back to the US.” confidence in the final. My expectations were Vince Fotre and not high enough. I had some chances, but I Graydon Nichols of hold her in awe. In the tie-breaker she got Hanford, California were tight, but I couldn't take advantage of the sit- members of the Men’s 75 uation. After the final, a number of people Grant Cup team that fin- said that I made a statement. I guess you ished third in the 15 could say I made a huge statement.” country event at Tennis The doubles victory was even more Club Waltersdorf in Bad noteworthy. “Charleen and I are very Marble Cup stalwarts Charleen Hillebrand, captain Janet Adkisson, Suella Waltersdorf. “We were comfortable together,” Steel said. “I'm the Steel, Cathie Anderson and Sinclair Bill defeated by Australia 2-1 set-up player. She plays with power. There in the semifinals,” Fotre is a rivalry between the two of us and make Althea so proud,” said Williams- said. “Then they beat Austria in the final. Sinc and Cathie. This was the third time Horne, who was in her second year as cap- That was a big upset because it is so hard to we have defeated them in 2002. This was tain. “We were tied 1-1 after splitting the sin- defeat Austria on their home ground.” also the second world championship we gles and needed to defeat a well established Having played on five Cup teams, his 2002 have won in the last three years. Last year team in the doubles to win. We did and the experience was Cup was ours. memorable. “It was “The matches were played in a place the most pleas- which has to be one of the most scenic ant,” Fotre admit- spots on the planet. The Werzer Astoria ted. “We had very Seehotel, where we stayed, is surrounded by competitive matches mountains mirrored in the huge blue and we played in a Worthersee. We were seeded No. 2 behind beautiful spot. The Great Britain, the defending champion. In red clay was excel- the semifinal against France, we had to come lent; very well from behind in both singles matches to win cared for.” in three sets. Our No. 1 player made a Elaine Mason of remarkable comeback. She was down 0-4, Fresno, California 0-30 and won the set 7-6 (9). was the reason the “It was so exciting to watch the level of US did not lose a competition between these women, some match in Women’s of whom are grandmothers, as they ran 75 Queen’s Cup Tournament director Manfred Neumayer, 65 doubles finalists Dorothy Matthiessen around the court making shots at a level play, which involved and Carol Wood, champions Doris DeVries and Belmar Gunderson with that most would find surprising. I was three countries at ITF representative Peter Nader. 2 Tournament Time: Dates To Circle Mark Winters including women,” said Leong, who manages the tennis facility. “They were so pleased with hav- ing the opportunity to play last year that we decided to include mixed doubles for the first time.” The high point of the desert circuit is the 16th Snackwell’s Mission Hills Senior Champion- ships, January 20-26, which is a Graydon Nichols, Bill Tully, Vince Fotre and captain USTA Category II event. Steve Ben Ball were Grant Cup performers. and Abby Solomon are the contacts at (760) 325-8084 or The directors: Kurt Haggstrom, Steve Solomon and Glenn Erickson. I won with Rosie Darmon so I have three email:[email protected]. in a row. The victories have been on “All the courts have been resurfaced grass, clay and hard courts. I guess I’m anuary is Tournament Time in the and the property, along with the locker becoming comfortable on all surfaces.” desert. This year’s schedule has expand- rooms, has been refurbished,” Steve Matthiessen was 6-3, 6-0 better than J ed. The 14th Monterey Country Club Solomon reported. “Campbell’s, BMW, DeVries in the Women’s 65 final. DeVries Super Senior Tournament is moving from the American Airlines and Morris Desert Media teamed with Belmar Gunderson of Orlando, end of the month to January 5-9. Carl are back as event sponsors along with Florida to defeat Matthiessen and Carol Schroeder is the contact at (760) 346-0679. Balance Bar and Extra Holidays, our new “We are looking to have all guys who have time share resort rental affiliate. On played the tournament before to use the Thursday evening, the tournament will spon- event as a start for their season in the sor another fabulous dinner dance. desert,” Schroeder said. "The new date Participants will also receive an exceptional should give us even more competitive draws gift bag that will have, among other things, a and make the tournament bigger.” custom designed hat and T-shirt.” The 10th Plaza Racquet Club Senior The final, but by no means least impor- Invitational, January 10-14, will have a new look tant tournament, is the Palm Springs because the tournament will be held at the Tennis Courts Senior Championships, new site operated by Kurt and Ana January 27 – February 2. Harry Fritz is the Haggstrom. The contact number is (760) contact; call (760) 321-8282 and ask for 323-8997. “Last year we decided to try a the Tennis Center.