66662_NWSLTR 8/27/05 3:56 PM Page 1 SENIOR www.scta.usta.com SouthernSCTA California Tennis Association news SEPTEMBER 2005 Mark Winters ach year in June, a collection of US and Franz Kornfeld of Austria/ European seniors play for the Talbert Egil Torjusen of Norway, Cup in Portschach, Austria. The event, and Baumer/Howard created by Gardnar Mulloy and named for Moffett playing Charles his late doubles partner, Bill Talbert, is sup- Dekeyser of Belgium/ posed to feature competitors who are 85 Ernst Weisskopf of years old (and beyond). Trouble is, the Switzerland. Sherman/ Europeans have difficulty coming up with a Wilson were 6-3, 7-5 complete squad with the correct birth dates. winners. Baumer/Moffett Last January negotiations took place “playing over their heads” during the European Indoor Veterans were 7-5, 6-0 better Championships at Seefeld, Austria. At that than their opponents. time, it was agreed that both teams could The other players use up to four players younger than 85. responsible for the 14-10 When actual line-ups were submitted, victory, the 7th for the Ernst Weisskopf, Charles Dekeyser, Ed Baumer and Howard Moffett US in 8 outings, included: Earl Beard, John Benn, Jim Carleton, Ken Hayes, Howard Kunz, Bill Lurie, Bob Seymour and Tom Whitlow. Baumer, who will be 92 in The US kept the Cup. December, has been crusading, along with Mulloy, to make the Talbert Cup an Egil Torjusen, Franz Kornfeld, Bob Sherman and Ralph Wilson official Inter- national Tennis Talbert Cup captain, Ed Baumer found him- Federation team event with 12 players Co-captain Bob Seymour self in a diplomatic quandary. He had three instead of the usual four representing each performers under 85. His opponents had 8. country. The ITF, as they so often do, have Competing against decidedly younger refused, saying that a 12 man team isn’t opponents, the US held its own in the first possible because “it’s never been done day’s singles. The score was 6-6. The Cup before.” Baumer simply shakes his head, came down to the final doubles; contests adding, “I sure would like to see it happen involving Bob Sherman/Ralph Wilson against before I turn 100!” Captain Ed Baumer 66662_NWSLTR 8/27/05 3:56 PM Page 2 www.scta.usta.com Living Up To Its Name Two Additions Mark Winters Mark2 Winters ecause of a scheduling conflict with this ission Hills Country Club, year’s National Women’s 65, 75 & 85 the home of the Campbell's BIndoor Championships, the 5th Wilson MSenior Championships (a Friendship Cup, a US-Europe contest usually USTA Category II National event played before the European Senior Champion- which takes place January 22-29, ships, was held in Portschach, Austria after the 2006) and the Campbell's National event. Men’s 60 & 90 Hard Court The Solomons know tournaments... California was represented by the “H” Team, a group that Championships (April 3-9, next included Cathy Hall, Liz Harper, Janet Hubbard and Piyachart year), has appointed Eric Allen Director of Tennis and Athletics. Hussey. (Elaine Mason served as the team captain.) Players who Prior to his arrival in the desert, Allen was the Director of Tennis are 75 and older, and compete in at least one national age group at the River Place Country Club in Austin, Texas. He brings some impressive credentials to the posi- championship, are eligible for selection. Names are placed in a Allen’s skills will be tion, such as being a Level P-1 bowl, and the 12 that are chosen have all their expenses during showcased when he USPTA professional and an ACE the tournament covered by Ralph and Mary Wilson. The Wilsons teams with Steve and certified personal trainer. also take care of the 12 performers on the Europe team which After an all-conference career had players from Australia, Austria, Canada, England, Germany, Abby Solomon, along at University of Texas, where he Hungary and Switzerland. with Ed Trost and was an Academic All-American, Jayne Robertson, at and set the record for consecu- tive doubles victories, Allen the January and April played the ATP tour for two tournaments years. next year. Since that time, he has distin- guished himself in the business side of the game. His tennis and health club experience will enable Mission Hills members and guests to take full advantage of the multi- million dollar advances the Club has made. The competition showcased the international talent of the 75s. Allen’s skills will be show- “Poor Liz injured her ankle in an accident at the airport and cased when he teams with Steve and Abby Solomon, along ended up in a soft cast,” said Bill Hussey, Piyachart’s husband. ...and organize them successfully. “She was unable to play, but loyally supported the team.” with Ed Trost and Jayne Hussey continued, “in a meeting with the team before the Robertson, at the January and April tournaments next year. They matches, Mary Wilson emphasized what she and Ralph mean by will also be part of the teamwork respon- sible for staging the first Tennis friendship: namely, if there is a question about a line call, the Channel/Campbell's Senior and Super score, or anything else, members of her team were to make the Senior National Husband & Wife Hard decision in favor of their opponent. She stressed that courtesy Court and Grass Court Championships was to be observed at all times. She reminded the ladies that tentatively scheduled for March and they are the hosts with an opportunity of promoting friendship November of 2006. A combined age of 95 and understanding through tennis.” is eligible for the Senior competition, and Hussey, a devoted senior competitor (as is his wife who was 120 for the Super Senior category. a finalist to Mason at the Women’s 80 European Championships), Eric Allen For more information about all the summarized the outcome with the skill of the State Department Mission Hills tournaments, contact Eric Allen at (760) veteran that he is, “the US team lost by 10 matches to 9, which 328-5800, or at [email protected] Tournament direc- is as close as you can get to achieving the Wilson's goal – tor Steve Solomon is another valuable resource. He can be Friendship!” .................................................................. reached at (760) 325-8084, or at [email protected] 2 66662_NWSLTR 8/27/05 3:56 PM Page 3 www.scta.usta.com Lurie World Cup ‘06 Bill Hussey he Lurie World Cup will be played at the TPalm Springs Racquet Club on the first weekend in April 2006. All expenses for members of the Inter- national team, except meals, will be assumed by Bill Lurie for both days of the Cup matches, as well as during the Campbell’s National Men’s 60 & 90 Hard Court Championships at Mission Hills Country Club. Members of the American team will be provided housing in com- fortable condominiums for both events. The newly conceived Lurie American Team, consisting David Carey, Ted Zoob and Wolfgang Marcuse hope to play in Asia. of David Carey, Wolfgang Marcuse, Ted Zoob and Lurie, hope to play in Japan and China, (pending the completion of successful negotiations), following the completion of the Campbell’s Nationals. Lurie, who has requested housing from the Japanese and Chinese hosts, will sponsor the American Bill Lurie is the founder and the force Team. But, there is still a great deal of work to be done before “his dream” is realized. behind the competitions. For more information about the Lurie World Cup, call Bill Hussey at (949) 830-6527. .................................................... UCLA Southern California Tennis Association Los Angeles Tennis Center - UCLA 420 Charles E. Young Drive West Los Angeles, CA 90024-9115 (310) 208-3838 STAFF Mark Winters - Executive Editor Henry Talbert - Executive Director Annette Buck - Director Adult & Senior Tennis CONTRIBUTORS San Diego, under the spirited leadership of Virginia Glass, will host the 2006 ATA Championships. Bill Hussey, Cheryl Jones and Steve Solomon Glass, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2005 ATA event, is pictured with Nick Caesar and former ATP star MaliVai Washington. 3 66662_NWSLTR 8/27/05 3:56 PM Page 4 www.scta.usta.com Cheryl Jones he Mercedes-Benz The MBC has always hosted Coordinator, who staffed Cup, presented by a myriad of special days that the area along with Melanie T Countrywide, at the include – Gibson/Baldwin Night Bischoff, Community Devel- Los Angeles Tennis at the Net, Ladies Day, Pavilion’s opment Coordinator, and Center – UCLA, was a Kid’s Day, USTA Appreciation Ali Ordonez, USA League huge success. The atten- Day and Senior Day. Fans con- Tennis Coordinator, were dance – 82,329 – outdid sistently take advantage of these excited about the success of last year’s crowd by over 2,100. As always, activities in a big way. the event. Pelazini, said, each day the tournament played host to This year, it seemed as if “whether you wanted to special events, drawing fans from every every day was “Kid’s Day”, play tennis or the guitar; facet of the tennis world. because the MBC installed a there was something for Many tournaments offer enticements special area called the “Kid’s everyone! I would like to that encourage spectators to attend. adidas Zone”. During the week, more thank Brian Gottfried and all Youth Day is always immensely successful than 5,000 attendees enjoyed the festivities of the ATP players who made special for the MBC, not only because admission which featured a 100 foot long inflatable appearances, along with all of the sponsors. to the day matches is gratis for the young- obstacle course and slide; a Gibson Guitar They helped make the event a success.” sters, but each youth who attends the Pod; Sportwall; a Fast Serve cage; two mini Incentives encourage families, friends morning on-court activities takes home tennis courts; a Sport Court basketball and businesses alike, to make attendance special gifts, such as tee shirts, water bot- hoop and of course, a putting green.