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Greetings!
Happy New Year!
2011 ended with a bang. The 14thAnnual USCTA Awards Dinner & Auction at the Racquet and Tennis Club was a phenomenal success with over 175 attendees and more than $40,000 raised for the USCTA. Penny Lumley and Rob Whitehouse were inducted into the 2011 Class of the International Court Tennis Hall of Fame. Awards were presented for Artistic Achievement, Sportsmanship, Most Improved, and Service to the Game. Other highlights during the month included Steve Virgona winning his sixth National Open and New York capturing the 2011 Whitney Cup.
What is in store for 2012? The second half of the 2011/12 season looks to be busier than ever...starting with the U.S. Open in New York later this month, followed by the amateur level championships at various clubs. In the months to follow, there will be events for all levels and all ages - US Junior Nationals, US Amateur, Anne Boleyn Women's Handicap, Cherry Blossom, Tuxedo Gold Racquet - are just a few of the events you can look forward to. Add to the list the World Championship and you have the makings of a banner year. So, whether you participate as a player or spectator, make sure to join in the fun!
With the hope that your skill and enjoyment of the game continues to rise over the coming year - let's make it a memorable one!
Sincerely,
Jane Lippincott - Editor
U.S. Court Tennis Association
...with special thanks to Ryan Carey for his help on the layout and design for the newsletter! |
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GEORGIAN COURT
Great things are happening at Georgian Court in Lakewood, NJ. Thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers, led by Schuyler Wickes, Alexandra Escher, Alex Aimette and Jim Zug, more play is happening on the restored Jay Gould court.
Neil Smith has been running a series of clinics for the Georgian Court University women and they have been a success. Look for new players coming onboard from Lakewood. Read Jim Zug and Schuyler Wickes' story "Lakewood on the Rise" here.
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ANNUAL DINNER
The USCTA Annual Awards Dinner and Auction was a phenomenal success! Over 170 attended the dinner at the Racquet and Tennis Club in New York. In addition to the annual awards, Penny Lumley and Rob Whitehouse were inducted into the International Court Tennis Hall of Fame. The night, organized by Brian Owens and Charlie Johnstone, ended with the annual auction raising over $40,000 for the USCTA! To read Jim Zug's report, click here.
For Michael Do photos from the evening, click here.
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WHITNEY CUP 2011
The Whitney Cup was played in New York in December. Considered by many to be the season's premiere event, the Whitney Cup brings 60 players, organized by club, together for a weekend of inter-club doubles. New York beat New England in the finals. For a complete summary of the results, click here.
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2011 NATIONAL OPEN
Washington hosted the 2011 National Open. Steve Virgona dominated the 16 player field, beating Mike Gooding in a well-fought final. Earlier in the tournament, Senior Professional Phil Shannon and the amateur Prince's Court players used the home court to their advantage and put forth valiant efforts to the delight of the home crowd. Most notably, Rich Moroscak and Danny McBride defied the handicap odds by going three sets against their professional opponents. In the pro-am, Virgona teamed up with Andrew Purcell, to beat Josh Bainton and Bill Barker 10/9 in the final.
For complete results.
All of the matches were webcasted live and the archived video of the matches can be found here. |
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COURTS ON THE HORIZON
Members from Court Tennis Charleston (CTC) attended the Annual Dinner/Whitney Cup weekend in New York. The group has made tremendous progress in a short time. To read Edward Hughes, CTC Co-Chair's report, click here.
Also attending the USCTA weekend was Allan Bulley III, president of the Racquet Club of Chicago. USCTA President Greg Van Schaack introduced Bulley to the crowd of 170+ at the USCTA Annual Dinner. Bulley brought greetings from Chicago and assurances that the court would be restored in the very near future, to which the crowd responded with a standing ovation!
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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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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RACE BEGINS
The 2012 World Championship will be held on April 24-28 at Queen's Club in London. Current World Champion Rob Fahey will face the winner of a series of eliminators. Bryn Sayers will take on Ben Matthews, with the winner playing Steve Virgona in the Final Eliminator at Seacourt in March. Camden Riviere, the fourth potential challenger, had to withdraw from the competition due to an injury.
For more information read our story.
To view the World Championship Ticket Booklet.
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A READER RESPONDS....
"With my background in the Rules of Golf, I was delighted to see Greg Van Schaack's article on the Laws of Tennis and the little quiz he provided. I would love you to pass on to him my observation on Question #5,"How many chase possibilities are there on the Chase Side? And on the Hazard Chase Side?"
His answer was 47 on the Chase Side and 22 on the Hazard Chase Side. I believe there are 23 on the Hazard Side for a total of 70, not 69.
Chase: ½, 1, 1 + 2,2nd G., D, FG, Line = 8 chases
Chase Better Than: ½, 1, 2, 2nd G, D, FG = 6 chases
Chase WorseThan: 1, 2,½ yard worse than 2, 2nd G, Yard Worse Than 2nd G, D,Yard Worse than D, FG, Yard Worse Than the FG = 9 chases
Total = 23 Hazard Chases.
While Greg must have included the ever-ontroversial Yard Worse Than the First Gallery on the Chase Side to come up with 47 chases, he must have forgotten to count it on the Hazard Side. Some people argue that line is really Chase the Line, but if that were the case, there would only be 68 chases (46 & 22). The argument against calling it Chase the Line is that it is positioned exactly the same way in front of the First Gallery as the lines in front of the Door and the 2nd Gallery are positioned and they are called Chase a Yard Worse Than the Door (or as an alternative call, a Yard Better Than the First Gallery) and Chase a Yard Worse Than the 2nd Gallery (or as an alternative call, Chase a Yard Better than the Door), ergo the line that is positioned exactly the same in front of the First Gallery would have to be Chase a Yard Worse Than the First Gallery. All the space in front of that line to the net is where Chase the Line resides."
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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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JANUARY
(Professional Singles & Doubles)
3 - 5
GREEVY CUP
Philadelphia, PA
(Amateur Handicap 20-29)
3 - 5
BURKE CUP
Washington, DC
3 - 5
WHARTON CUP
Newport, RI
3 - 5
HICKEY CUP
Newport, RI
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TIPS FROM THE PROS
by Steve Virgona
When the ball is heading toward the side galleries you should always assume the ball is going to hit the bandeau. If it goes up on the penthouse you will have time and if it goes in the gallery the point is over. The one outcome that will catch you out is the bandeau so that's what you should play for.
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USCTPF ANNUAL
SOLICITATION
The response to the USCTPF Annual Solicitation has been fantastic. Thank you to all of you who have given to date. There is still time to give, so please think of the USCTPF as you make your 2012 giving plans.
Did you misplace your letter? - a copy is attached.
USCTPF Annual Appeal
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USCTA FACEBOOK GROUP
The USCTA is on Facebook!
Interact with other players.
Get the latest news, photos, results and more!
Click here to have a look
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NATIONAL LEAGUE FINAL STANDINGS
PHILADELPHIA 15-6
NEW YORK 12-9
TUXEDO 9-12
NEW ENGLAND 6-15
Semis - week of January 2 Tuxedo @ New York
Finals - week of January 12 semifinal winner @ Philadelphia.
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RTO STATS
Did you know that there are over 1200 players in the U.S. registered on Real Tennis Online (RTO)? What club has the most recorded matches for November? For this answer and more, check out the RTO stats...
Click here to see the stats. |
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