Honoring The Best Cheryl Jones or many years the SCTA planned to his father, a man of few Fhave a separate Senior Hall of Fame words, told him after he lost to honor outstanding players who have a match to a player that he distinguished themselves in the game would never be able to defeat locally, nationally and internationally. Last that particular opponent. year, it became a reality. This year, the He proved him wrong the success of a really good idea was evident. following year when he came Extra tables had to be squeezed into the out the winner in their next Founders Room at the James West Alumni match-up. Since then, he has Center at UCLA to accommodate the represented the US in many throngs of family members and friends international events and his who came to be a part of the celebration collection of gold balls is honoring ten superb Southern California substantial. His family, who senior players. was on hand, cheered wildly On July 28th, Bob Duesler, Virginia Glass, when the lanky Duesler was Charleen Hillebrand, recognized as Dorothy Matthiessen Joan Johnson, Ed one of Southern Charleen Hillebrand Kauder, Mel Lewis, California’s elite Hillebrand joked about Dorothy Matthiessen, senior players. her slim-to-none commitment to Jim Nelson, Ben Press Never at a loss for words, practicing before matches, but she has and Suella Steel were Glass accepted her award, proved beyond a doubt that an athlete honored.Mark Winters sharing stories about the can have success and not have to put in served as Master of difficulty she encountered as too much time with boring and unneeded Ceremonies for the an African-American involved drills. The gold balls that she has collected mid-day affair following in tennis before the sport are a testimony to her preparedness for a short introduction was truly integrated. The San tournaments. She won 14 world titles by SCTA Executive Virginia Glass Diego resident has been an and partnering with Steele, won a huge Director Henry Talbert Photos Cheryl Jones integral part of the game’s number of doubles trophies. She came to who lavished praise on the honorees and diversity expansion in spoke of the success of senior programs Southern California in the section. SCTA President Bill and nationally for many Kellogg was on hand to congratulate years. The native of the all the members of the second class of Philippines has always inductees. Jim Bisch, who is Chair of been passionate about the Senior Tennis Council, spoke to the her commitment, and gathering about the rich history of the the Senior Hall of Fame senior game in the section. It wasn’t a final honor guarantees that chapter, because many of those inducted future generations will are still adding to their accomplishments. be aware of the ample Duesler, who has a quiet, but self- contributions that Glass assured demeanor, was a high school math has provided. teacher before retiring. He reminisced Who says that The Duesler family-bottom row-Skip, Bob and Branden. that at the beginning of his tennis career, practice makes perfect? Top-Sheelah, Becky and Drake. 1 www.scta.usta.com the US from South Africa in suggested. Versatility is an integral part of the early 1970s and Southern her game, because she has seven Grand California has made her feel Slams under her belt – and she vowed welcome. that she is looking forward to being Imagine being a small around for a long time to come. college coach and having a Using a super-sized Weed tennis student on the roster who racquet, Nelson (He was the first to do would eventually become so and win on the national level.) teamed the most recognized woman with Duesler and Lenny Lindborg, as tennis player who ever well as Phyllis Adler (a member of the lived. Joan Johnson was the inaugural Senior Hall of Fame class last coach of California State year) and others, to win 100 gold balls, University, Los Angeles when making it a challenging collection to dust. the legendary Billie Jean King Jim and Barbara Nelson with Suella and John Steel The founder of the Southern California (nee Moffitt) was a student, people wonder how a man that seems Senior Tennis Society in 1972, he made but Johnson was a force in and of herself. to be barely able to walk can run after certain that seniors had a voice in the As a teen, Johnson was the first winner tennis balls so well.) section. A member of the SCTA Board of the Girls’ 18 Orange Bowl and later Matthiessen is still working as an of Directors, and the Co-Chair of the played with the Junior Wightman Cup interior designer, and she is still working Senior Tennis Council, he is still active team. Jennifer Wypwick, the niece of in the administrative end of the sport. Johnson’s long-time friend Jeri Sheppard, Nelson is looking forward to representing accepted the award in her stead. the US in international competition in the In the 1955 US National Champ- future. The hard playing and hard working ionships, long before the Open Era of Nelson is sure that he will always be a tennis, Kauder was displaying his ability voice and serve as an example for seniors to serve “big”. The reserved former in the section. teaching pro spoke of his love for the Mention tennis and San Diego area game, but quickly added that supporting Hotel del Coronado and Press, the long- his family was always the top priority. All time pro at the facility, comes to mind. of them who were in attendance were Having already scheduled a family vac- happy to be a part of the tribute to their ation, he wasn’t in attendance, but many star. (Nelson shared memories of playing of his accomplishments are recounted at Kauder’s home, years ago, and the fact Jim Bisch and Mel Lewis in his book, “100 Years of Tennis at the that there always seemed to be children on her game. After winning countless Hotel del Coronado”. SCTA President in the swimming pool making too much awards as part of International Tennis William J. Kellogg accepted his award, “noise.” One of the noisemakers was Federation Cup teams, she isn’t sure broadening the tribute to the individual Kauder’s stepdaughter, Dara Torres, the of just how many gold balls are in her who won more than his share of national 2008 Olympic darling. who at 40, won a collection – at least 129. But, she is sure senior championships. He was also silver medal in the 50-meter free-style, that she was a graduate of Cal Berkley a proud member of three successful setting an American record.) and not Vassar, as her luncheon biography Gordon Cup teams. And even though he As is almost always the case, if Mel Lewis is in his 80s, Press seldom is on hand so is his patient and caring wife takes time away from the Ernestine. In truth, they seem to have a game that has always served unified presence. They were both at the him very well. ceremony. Harvard Park Tennis Club was Just because she didn’t there, too – in force, to make sure that begin playing the game until the charming former high school teacher she was in her thirties, and coach was well represented. It was a doesn’t mean that Steel tribute to the hard working Lewis that so wasn’t exposed to tennis. many came to see him accept the honor She told luncheon guests as a positive influence in the sections’ that her family was steeped senior game. (In a wonderful touch of in the game, but she candor, he said of his playing style that Dara Torres with Ed and Marilu Kauder copiously avoided playing 2 www.scta.usta.com until one day, it just seemed like the right was for a body of accomplishments, success, because of the hard work of thing to do. Her father helped hone her most of the honorees will be adding to the Senior Hall of Fame Committee— skills, and in time, she won six World their inventories in the future. It wasn’t Pam Austin, Bisch, Nelson, Carol Championship trophies. Partnering a retirement ceremony; it didn’t mark Schneider and Winters. Others who with Hillebrand, she also brought home the closing of a career. It recognized played a role in making the afternoon a collection of gold tennis balls and achievements and acknowledged that memorable include–Annette Buck, became one of the best in the game. more will be forthcoming. Martha Katsufrakis, Bob Kramer, Even though the Hall of Fame induction The luncheon was a resounding Kellogg, Barbara Sportelli and Talbert. Beach Club Nationals William J. Kellogg n May, the La Jolla Beach & 3 golf course, two swimming ITennis Club hosted the National pools, two additional oceanfront Women’s 50-90 Hard Court restaurants and cocktail lounges Championships, the fourth leg of and one of Southern California’s the national tournament circuit only private beaches. with the other surfaces being clay, For seventy-five years, the Club grass, and indoors. These events has had a long-standing tradition attract the best players from of community involvement, and is all over the country in each age dedicated to the sport of tennis. group. The Club started each of A literal “Who’s Who” among the competitions and has hosted The 90 standouts included Jean Harris, Lucy Dettmer, tennis greats have graced the them since their inception. A men’s Dodo Cheney, Judy Stark and Pat Yeomans courts of the Club, including Jack tournament, started in the early Langer, and No.