Friendship & Talbert Cup: International Play Like No Other
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Senior SCTANewsletter SEPTEMBER 2001 Friendship & Talbert Cup: International Play Like No Other Mark Winters amed for his long- more than I do. It’s a challenge, but time doubles part- the good thing is, next year, he will ner Bill Talbert, not be able to beat me. I’m moving N Gardnar Mulloy was up and he will have to face Tom instrumental in starting the Talbert Brown.” Swetka’s wife Sally, who was Cup. He captained the team that a spectator at each of the contests, defeated Europe 9-6, this spring, in said of Sherman, “Bob seems to play the two-day event played at the just as hard as he has to.” Werzer Tennis Center in Portschach, Sally Swetka was part of the Austria. Bill’s son Peter Talbert American contingent that faced was in Portschach. “He had heard Europe in the inaugural Friendship about the Cup, but had never seen Cup. Her teammates included the it played,” Mulloy said. “I'm glad we SoCal duo: Dorothy Knode and were able to pull out a win. Last Members of the Talbert Cup Team with event director Manfred Neumayer. Piyachart Hussey along with Elaine year, we tied 7-7. This year was a Mason, Margaret Wickham and different story.” Donna Moore who are from Ed Baumer, Bill Hussey and NorCal. Injuries kept Dodo Bob Sherman played pivotal roles Cheney and Eleanor Harbula from in securing the victory. With the taking part. tie last year, the U.S. leads the Ralph Wilson, who owns the Buffalo series 3-0. Hussey said, “the Bills, and his wife Mary McLean Talbert Cup is about friendship Wilson organized the event and pro- and camaraderie. The result isn’t vided hospitality for the U.S. team. that important. Getting together “Ralph and I just love that part of the and sharing the experience is the world (Portschach),” McLean Wilson purpose of this affair.” Baumer Friendship Cup teammates. Photos: Mark Winters said. “We wanted women who play in added, “an event like the Talbert the 75s and 80s to have an opportunity Cup solidifies international understanding International Austrian Championships - to experience what it’s like to play in about older players. For a long time, there Werzer Cup and 44th International Portschach. That’s why we started the were countries that said they couldn’t field European Veterans Championships. They had competition.” teams at this level. Now, they realize they also matched strokes at Klagenfurt and Pro football is Wilson’s business, but can come up with players. The Talbert Cup before that at the National Hardcourts and tennis is his passion. “I know whenever Mary gives people who have never had a chance Indoors. “Playing five finals five weeks in a says ‘Dear’ that I had better do what she to play on an ITF team an opportunity to row must be a first,” said Sherman, who suggests,” he said with a smile. “When she compete.” won all the matches. “The scores don’t indi- suggested starting the Friendship Cup, I Talbert Cup aside, Sherman and Alex cate how much Alex made me work.” agreed completely.” Swetka set a veteran’s record in Portschach. Swetka countered, “he seems to do a They faced off in singles finals at the 18th little of this and a little of that. He does (continued on page 3) Gibson Cup Experience Dee Williams-Horne This year, I had the honor of being cap- to play indoors for three days, but the U.S. tain of the Women’s 70 Althea Gibson advanced to a semifinal meeting with New Cup team that took part in the International Zealand. In that match, which was played on Tennis Federation competition held in slow red clay in extremely windy conditions, Melbourne, Australia. The event was named the determined New Zealanders won the for Althea Gibson the great tennis champion deciding doubles match to earn the victory. who was the first African-American to win Great Britain won the other semifinal and the U.S. National Championships and went on to defeat New Zealand in the final. Wimbledon. The U.S. defeated Japan for third place. The USTA sponsored a team that includ- The physical conditioning and the calibre ed: Elaine Mason, who is No. 1 in the U.S. 70s of play exhibited was extremely impressive. and No. 1 in the ITF 75s; Louise Owen, who The pride displayed as players fought for the is No. 2 in the U.S. and No. 1 in the ITF 70 Cup was truly amazing. I met many people division; Louise Russ, who is No. 3 in the U.S. who knew Gibson and played with her. and No. 2 in the ITF 70s; and Joyce Jones They had many fond memories and told who is No.1 in 70s doubles (in the U.S. with wonderful stories, while inquiring about her Angie Ray). The U.S., the defending champion wellbeing. and No. 1 seed, faced teams from: Australia, As a personal note, Gibson’s accomplish- France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico Williams-Horne (center) and the Gibson Cup team. ments have always inspired me. I was so and New Zealand. Great Britian, the No. 2 proud to be captain of the team named in seed, was placed in Group II. team from Group I faced the No. 2 team in her honor. It was an experience that I will The format consisted of two singles and Group II; the top team in Group II was remember and cherish forever. I’m sure that a doubles played against each of the teams in matched against the No. 2 team from Althea Gibson would be very proud of the a group. Those with the best records Group I. effort put forth by all those involved in the advanced to the semifinals where the No. 1 Unexpected heavy rains forced the team matches. ................................................ Put This On Your Calendar International Play Bob Isenberg Austria was the location and the cities involved made the competi- he annual North/South Challenge Cup competition will take place tors feel like they were stars. In T October 29–30 at the Fig Garden in Fresno. This Super Senior event con- truth, they were, as the Inter- sists of four divisions (65's, 70's, 75's and 80's) and pits Southern California national Tennis Federation show- against Northern California. The intra-state competition, which involves the cased teams in age groups from top players in the above age divisions, is strongly supported by both the 35-50. Brett Dickinson played for Southern and Northern California Tennis Associations. captain Bill Kellogg’s Men’s 35 The North has won the last two years, but, from my perspective as team Italia Cup team at Portschach. captain, I know the South will rise again. The record over the past 15 years Mike Fedderly was a member of is: South 9, North 5. There has been one tie. the Men’s 40 Tony Trabert Cup Play begins at noon on Monday, October 29th. The annual North/South squad which played at St. Kanzian. dinner, with entertainment will be hosted by NCTA. It follows the first day’s Peggy Michael was captain of the play. Following the Tuesday afternoon matches on October 30th, the Women’s 40 Young Cup team that Challenge Trophy will be presented. took the courts at Velden. Tina At this writing, Southern California will field teams in the 65's and 70's, Karwasky was a member of Pam but players are needed for the 75's and 80's. If you have played competitively Austin’s Women’s 45 Court Cup in either of those divisions and would be interested in taking part in this tradi- team that was featured at Bad tion-rich event, call Bob Isenberg at (805) 480-0699 or Annette Buck at (310) Hofgastein. 208-3838. 2 Friendship & Talbert Cup Photos: Mark Winters Piyachart and Bill Hussey are Portschach fans. Dorothy Knode, Piyachart Hussey and Elaine Mason on Lake Worthersee Shore. Bob Sherman was consistent in singles. Dorothy Knode was a proud winner. Sherman and Ralph Wilson were doubles finalists. Mirek Kizlink was a success on court and his wife Claire captured the action in water color. Friendship Cup Team captains Iniga Hagen - Europe (left) and Elaine Mason - U.S.A. (right) Talbert Cup captain Gardnar Mulloy with Mary McLean Wilson. Friendship Cup participants took a trip around the lake on a cool evening. and Manfred Neumayer. (from first page) game. “They are so generous,” Knode said In 2002, the Friendship Cup plan is to of the Wilsons.” They made sure we bring 17 players from the U.S. to face a group n today’s world, tennis is the ultimate received all sorts of gifts. Mary made sure that will include representatives from ambassador. “The Germans have everyone had a good time; that all our Australia, Austria, England, France, Germany I always been very pleasant, but not needs were met. She was always looking to and Italy in 2002. “We are going to select really sociable,” said Sally Swetka. “The do more.” players based on a drawing,” McLean Wilson Americans have also stayed by themselves. Mason, who captained the women’s said. “To be eligible a woman must be in the But, after playing the matches, we greeted team, said of the Friendship Cup experience, 75 division, a National Senior Women’s each other by name and spent time togeth- “they (Wilsons) know how to do things and Tennis Association member, have played er. The Friendship Cup is about friendship.