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Greetings!
Chase the First this month is full of lots of news - from tournament reports to major news about new courts. We hope you enjoy it!
Looking for some entertainment this weekend? Washington is hosting the 2011 National Open. The tournament is open to pros and top amateurs who are based in the United States. If you cannot attend in person, you can catch the action online at National Open or follow @USCTA on Twitter for up-to-the-minute scores.
Next weekend New York is hosting the Whitney Cup - team matches between Aiken/Greentree, Tuxedo, New York, Washington, Philadelphia, and New England. Featuring some of the top amateur players in the U.S., it is without a doubt the best amateur doubles event of the year. Last year, Aiken/Greentree knocked off the defending champions, New England, in a tense, down-to-the -wire, final. Who knows what will happen this year.
The USCTA will hold its annual awards dinner and auction on the Friday of the Whitney Cup. Always a fun event, this year's dinner will be extra special, with two players - Penny Lumley and Rob Whitehouse - being inducted into the Court Tennis Hall of Fame. Add to that the annual awards and a fabulous auction and you have a not-to-be-missed night! Hope to see you there!
So, read on!
Finally, if you have comments, an idea for a story or perhaps you want to write a story, please let me know. Your input is very valuable.
Happy Holidays to all!
Sincerely,
Jane Lippincott - Editor
U.S. Court Tennis Association
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US LADIES OPEN
VIGRASS TAKES SINGLES & DOUBLES TITLES
The National Tennis Club hosted the 2012 US Ladies Open Singles and Doubles. 17 players from the US and UK entered the tournament. Ladies' World Champion Claire Vigrass won the singles and partnered with Amanda Avedissian to win the doubles. Dana Goodyear Kopald claimed the plate trophy. A unique highlight of the weekend were clinics run by Vigrass (recently turned pro) for the players. For a full recap of the weekend's action and festivities, click here.
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THE CALHOUN WITHAM
A SOLD OUT SUCCESS!
The Aiken Tennis Club hosted the 12th Annual Calhoun Witham Cup - a doubles tournament for players with a handicap of 30+. The tournament was sold out back in September, with 24 teams from around the world competing. After a weekend packed with tight matches and great entertainment, Ginny Goodyear and her son, Seth Kopald, took home the silver. For the story click here.
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JIMMY DUNN
The annual Jimmy Dunn Doubles tournament was hosted by Philadelphia on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Always a fun tournament, this year was no exception. Click here for the complete results.
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SILVER RACQUET WEEKEND
The fall's premiere singles competition was a great success.. Alexis Hombrecher took the Silver Racquet Singles title, beating defending champion Pat Winthrop in straight sets.. In the handicap divisions, Mike Gooding (NY), Bill Connors (BOS), and Chris Heffernan (TUX) claimed top honors in the NY Open Handicap A, B and C divisions, respectively.
Click here for the tournament summary and Michael Do photos. |
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HADDON TOMES WEEKEND
Read all about it....PROHIBITION COMES TO THE HADDON TOMES!
Click here for the comments and photos by Dan Laukitis |
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REFEREE'S CORNER
by Greg Van Schaack
History, rules, and etiquette...click here to take this month's quiz. (Don't worry the answers are attached!)
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TOP 25 LIST
Pat Winthrop and Alexis Hombrecher are tied for the #1 US Amateur spot in the latest Top 25 List. Published 4 times a year, the next list will be out in February for the Gold Racquet.
Click here to see who else made the list!
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SNOWBOUND IN TUXEDO
REAL TENNIS ONLINE FORUMS
Do you read the forums on Real Tennis Online (RTO)? If not, you missed the story of the intercity weekend gone bad - or how players from Philadelphia got snowbound in Tuxedo in October. To read this entertaining story click here. |
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USCTPF ANNUAL SOLICITATION
You will be receiving an annual fund solicitation from the United States Court Tennis Preservation Foundation (USCTPF) in the next few days. Enclosed with the mailing is a brief report entitled "Court Tennis in America: The State of the Union" by Haven Pell, USCTPF chair and Greg Van Schaack, USCTA president, outlining the cooperation between the two organizations. The letters underscore how important your donations are to preserving and promoting the game of tennis in this country. For a sneak preview, click here.
As always, your donations are much appreciated!
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COURTS ON THE HORIZON
Last month we learned the exciting news that the Racquet Club of Chicago voted to restore their tennis court. The work is slated to begin in early 2012. The last club champion was crowned in 1932! All of us in the court tennis world look forward to seeing play in Chicago and a successor to the 1932 champion. For more details click here.
While one court is coming back on line, we are pleased to announce that a brand new court is on the horizon. The court, to be located in South Carolina will be the first new court in the U.S. since Washington opened in the 1990's. To read more about Court Tennis Charleston click here.
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United States Court Tennis Association
c/o The Racquet & Tennis Club
370 Park Ave. New York, New York 10022
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DECEMBER
9 - 11
New York, NY
(Top Amateur Doubles)
13
NATIONAL LEAGUE
NEW ENGLAND @ TUXEDO
(Professional Singles & Doubles)
16
NATIONAL LEAGUE
PHILADELPHIA @ TUXEDO
(Professional Singles & Doubles)
16
NATIONAL LEAGUE
TUXEDO VS. NEW ENGLAND @ NEWPORT
(Professional Singles & Doubles)
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TIPS FROM THE PROS
by Steve Virgona
When playing handicap doubles the better player (lower handicap) should always serve or receive the first game of each set.
This is of vital importance as you want the better player serving and receiving to try and build a lead and also, if the game goes to 5-all, it is in your favor to have the better player exerting greater influence on the match.
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GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE... SOLD!
The Annual USCTA Dinner, Awards, and Auction on December 9 in New York promises to be one of the highlights of the court tennis season. USCTA President, Greg Van Schaack will preside over the evening's awards. Of special note is the induction of Penny Lumley and Rob Whitehouse into the Court Tennis Hall of Fame for their extraordinary achievements in the game.
Following the awards, Dinner and Auction hosts - Charlie Johnstone and Brian Owens - will open up the bidding for the live auction. They have compiled a fabulous list of items! All proceeds go to the USCTA. For a complete list of auction items, please click here.
Can't make the dinner? You can still submit your bids to usctaauction@gmail.com
For dinner reservations or questions, please contact Brian Owens.
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ANNUAL REPORT
All 2010/11 USCTA members will be receiving their annual report in the mail. At 90 pages, the report includes several feature stories, complete tournament results, club and committee reports, past champions and lots of pictures. In short, there is something for everyone!
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NATIONAL LEAGUE
STANDINGS
NEW YORK 10-4
PHILADELPHIA 9-5
NEW ENGLAND 5-2
TUXEDO 4-10
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