Senior SCTANewsletter SEPTEMBER 2002 Talbert Cup: US Slips Past Europe Mark Winters U.S. captain Ed Baumer with his European counterpart Walter Spiess. Baumer and Bill Hussey kept the Talbert Cup in U.S. Photos: Mark Winters hands. he Bill Talbert Cup, an annual Men’s competitive. Howard Moffett played an 85 competition between teams from It’s great from important part in the victory. T the U.S. and Europe, was started in a friendship 1999. Named for Gardnar Mulloy’s long-time point of view. Gardnar is always trying to doubles partner, the event is played each get more international representation so year at the Werzer Tennis Club in the ITF will establish a cup for the 85s. Portschach, Austria. At stake is a magnificent Gaining more recognition has taken trophy that Mulloy had donated by the more time than we thought it would. Duke and Duchess of Fragnito. Things have been pretty slow to change. This year, business activities kept Mulloy This year was a lot better because at home in Florida. Ed Baumer assumed his players from France, Norway, Slovenia, duties as captain. Bill Hussey provided Ralph Wilson and Bob Sherman were tough Switzerland, along with Austria and assistance. Southern Californians, Joe Kanter, in doubles. Germany, took part. The players are Howard Moffett and Bob Sherman were proud to represent the U.S. and I know members of the team that eked out a good. The Europeans had a number of play- the Europeans feel the same. That’s the victory in the 5th Talbert Cup. Up 6-4 after ers with a great deal of international experi- general spirit and what makes the Talbert the first day of singles play, the U.S. dropped ence; individuals who had played Wimbledon Cup special.” three of the five doubles matches, but still and other Grand Slam tournaments. The key With plans underway for the 2003 Talbert escaped with an 8-7 victory. to victory was our doubles play.” Cup, Baumer admitted, “we had a great “We’ve been winning, but it’s always been Hussey echoed Baumer’s thoughts team and I was proud to be the captain, but close,” said Baumer, who has played in all five saying, “I have played in three of the I must admit, I am glad to be handing the Talbert Cup contests. “All of the players are competitions and they have all been very organizational work back to Gardnar.” Friendship Was The Winner Mark Winters ast year was the involved’,” Harbula admitted. “As it first Friendship turned out, it was fantastic. The L Cup event spon- camaraderie was wonderful. We got sored by Ralph and Mary to know people who we hadn’t Wilson; a competition in played with or against. We also had which women from a chance to spend time with our around the United States opponents and learn about them. faced an international The tennis was good and so was the group of 75-year-olds. The communication between teammates 2002 two-day tournament and the international players.” was held at the Werzer Those who are picked had a Tennis Club in Portschach, Jean Harris and Judy Stark with Mary and Ralph Wilson. Photos: Mark Winters portion of their expenses covered by Austria. Eighteen players the Wilsons. They also received team took part, seven of whom were from California. They included: Lucy jackets and specially selected momentoes that make the experience Dettmer, Eleanor Harbula, Jean Harris, Elaine Mason, Virginia Nichols, even more rewarding. “I thought it was fantastic,” said Stark “It is an Judy Stark and Jeanne Truan. As she did in 2001, Mason served as the experience that will be with me the rest of my life. It was so well run, team captain. and everyone was so friendly, even the opposition.” “I have nothing but admiration for Mary and Ralph,” Harbula said. Normally a doubles player, Stark participated in the singles too. “I “They left no stone unturned. They were right there for everyone.” played singles for the first time in 12 years. I enjoyed playing on clay, but As the name implies, the Friendship Cup is about friendship, I didn’t enjoy chasing all the drop shots Lilo (Carstens) hit.” not only among the teams, but also among teammates. Given that On the last day of play, Stark had a scare. Following her doubles International Tennis Federation Cup team selection is based on match, she began to feel dizzy and lightheaded. “It was very hot for June rankings, this event is a curiosity because US members were and I didn’t drink enough water,” she said. “I went to the hospital and selected in a drawing held at the Intersectional Team Championships. once I became hydrated, was fine.” “My first thought when I heard they decided not to go by rankings Stark was grateful for the concern that was shown by the was ‘what kind of event would it be without the best players Friendship Cup players, the Wilsons and the tournament staff. She was also quick to praise Pat Greer and Debra Kraus, members of the Wilson’s staff, who helped organize travel schedules and activities. Stark added, “the cocktail party and the banquet, all the events were lovely. Though I went to a British school in Buenos Aires, I had never been to Europe before. I really enjoyed Portschach. I loved Austria.” Though this was her third trip to Portschach, Harbula was similarly pleased. “It is the same beautiful place,” she said with a charming smile. “The highlight of playing there is staying at the Eleanor Harbula, Jean Harris, Jeanne Truan, Judy Stark, Lucy Dettmer and Mason love Werzer Seehotel and the five course dinners.” Piyachart Hussey and Elaine Mason were all smiles. Portschach. (continued on page 4) Here’s Your Chance f you are interested in participating in the Friendship Cup 2003 to determine the members of the U. S. and International Ias a guest of the event sponsors, Mary and Ralph Wilson, teams. All applicants will be notified in writing. Please note contact Pat Greer at the following address: that Friendship Cup alumni are not eligible to re-apply. 100 Evans Lane, 305 D, Manalapan, FL 33462 Players selected are responsible for travel to and She will send you an application form that must be from Portschach, Austria and for entry fees associated completed by October 31, 2002. Your name will then be placed with the European Championships. The Wilsons will on the list and a drawing will take place on November 15th provide accommodations. 2 Better Than A Dream Mark Winters aving written about tennis for well over twenty years, it is no longer a surprise to have someone H come up and say, “I read your story about...”. Usually such an introduction is followed by comments concerning the topic selected and the individual(s) discussed. An analysis of the overall presentation is added for good measure. Keeping this in mind, imagine how startled I was when Earl Beer walked up, while we were taking a boat trip around the Worther See, and said he was in Portschach, Austria because of a story that appeared in the Senior Newsletter two years ago. Beer’s first Portschach experience was Bob and Skip Duesler are Portschach regulars. nothing to write home about. He played three games in the 18th Werzer Cup International Austrian Championships in June of 2001, before damaging his left Achilles tendon. “I read the story and since I had never done anything like this before, I decided to try it,” he said. “I figured I was in the autumn of my years, and playing Earl Beer’s second visit to Portschach was fantastic. veterans tournaments in Europe seemed like Photos: Mark Winters an intriguing idea.” Deciding not to have surgery, Beer setting,” Piyachart admitted. “For people embarked on a rigorous physical therapy who like nature, it’s like being on a holiday. program. By last December, he was You can go to different places around the playing again. This past June, he returned lake and see a variety of things.” to Austria and played three tournaments; For Southern Californians, the surface – the International Veterans Championships terre battue – requires some adjustments. “I Manfred and Linda Neumayer along with Sissy at Klagenfurt and the 19th Werzer Cup, am glad I came,” Beer said. “It’s transformed Prevorcic are the reason tennis in Portschach is so along with the 45th International me, I will play a little on hard courts, but I’ve organized. European Veterans Championships, both become strictly a har-tru player.” at Portschach. There are other advantages to playing by “Klagenfurt was interesting,” Beer the lake in such a pictorial location, as remarked. “The city has a festival – an Piyachart Hussey pointed out, “it’s opened annual street faire during the tournament our eyes, getting to know so many people each year, so there is a lot going on. and making so many good friends. The tour- The public facility, where the tournament naments are run so well because they have was staged, was crowded. I don’t want to done it so long. They try to do everything take anything away from Klagenfurt, b u t they can to make you feel at home.” Manfred Neumayer,who has been Beer added, “the draws are tough, but organizi n g t h i n g s a t Portschach for a there is tremendous camaraderie. Being long time, is very good when it comes around people who are my tennis icons, to running a tournament.” playing against them, practicing and eating Bill and Piyachart Hussey have played with them, is a dream come true.