NORTH AMERICAN RACQUETS ASSOCIATION

TENNIS & RACQUET  CLUB

U.S. Amateur Racquets Championship

Tennis & Racquet Club of Boston

December 11^th – 14^th, 2008

Small draw, pre-Christmas? Who cares!!! The Tennis and Racquet Club of Boston hosted a fantastic weekend of rackets, parties and fun. The 2008 Tournament Committee, made up of many of the new Boston players Lucas Walsh (last name sound familiar?) Ryan Hayes, Brad Ursprung, Evan Turner et al showed the Rackets’ community that Boston is back, baby!!

Of course one cannot talk of the Boston club without mentioning the names Denis Walsh, Dev Hamlen, Todd Meringoff and Nelson Russell. These veterans are handing over the ropes to the new blood to market and represent the club on tour. Of course these old boys (well, Todd is not really an “old boy” but …you catch the drift) do continue to play and travel. Richard Bernstein (an old boy) unfortunately was working in Montreal for the weekend and missed the fun. He was there in spirit and graciousness as he offered his apartment for the weekend. Alistair Gourlay, Nick Kaulbach, Shawn Faguy and Ace were the lucky recipients of Richard’s open house.

On to the fun!!! Thursday night there was the traditional Gentlemen’s Dinner held at the very beautiful Union Club of Boston. Drinks, hors d’oeuvres, great food (almost ½ cow on each plate) and lots of stories were the order of the day. Speeches of course were on the agenda welcoming out-of-towners and expressing thoughts about the game. Young Evan Turner of the Boston club, stood up during the evening and delivered a speech about rackets, friendships and camaraderie. Ever hear that before? Oh yeah!!! Often!! But not from a young first year player. It was surely the highlight of this part of the evening. Close to this highlight was the Joke of the Night, delivered by Lucas Walsh and the Poem of the Night from James Coyne. Please contact Lucas and James for information concerning these fine efforts. The Annual T&R pre-Christmas Winter Party was being held on the same night, so it was back to the club for drinks, pool, a little gambling and more fun. Home by 2 a.m. or so.

Friday it was time to settle in and play some rackets. A couple of the highlight games on Friday were the match between Nick Kaulbach and Dev Hamlen. Dev won the first game 15/12. it was close all the way but the cagey vet managed to capture the victory. Young Kaulbach roared back and took the second game easily, 15/6. The third and deciding game was by far the most exciting with Kaulbach eking out a narrow 16/13 win. Another match of interest was Alistair Gourlay’s 2 straight win over Lucas Walsh. What? You say!!! An interesting match between and accomplished player and a rookie could not be. But it was. First game was what one would expect, 15/0. But game two surprised Ali a bit, for sure. Lucas pounded the ball hard and scored many winners, with wonderful racket shots making Gourlay move a bit. Final score in this game was 15/10 and Walsh was not given the points…he earned them.

Friday night many visitors and members dined at Les Zygomates, a fine French restaurant, located on South Street (where all the hippies meet). Fine food and drink then back to the Cactus Club for shooters and champagne. Another 2 a.m. finish.

Saturday was quarter final and semis day. The top seeds, James Coyne (1), Todd Meringoff (2), Ali Gourlay (3) and Alan Rose (4) had easy games in the ¼ and Coyne and Meringoff proved too strong for the 3 and 4 seeds. Meringoff, in Gourlay’s words, put on a rackets clinic for the gallery.  Meringoff was quite flawless and was moving Gourlay side to side and deep, Keeping Gourlay from cutting any balls off near the service line. Todd owned the court for the whole match, winning 15/6, 15/5, 15/0. On the top end Alan Rose jumped on many James Coyne mistakes and managed to score some points and keep the games interesting. It was Coyne the victor in the end with scores of 8, 5 and 7. The best doubles match was the semi-final,  between Boston, represented by Meringoff and Rose versus Montreal’s Kaulbach and Faguy. Game one saw the MRC lads lead for most of the game, only to fall short 15/11. Game two was a quick 15/1 romp but the final game was again close as Faguy and Kaulbach showed that they can play very good doubles and will only improve with experience. Final in this game was 15/12.

Joe Tesce’s, an Italian place in the North end, was the scene of some good food and great entertainment. The entertainment was supplied by Todd Meringoff on the keyboard, demonstrating that he is not only North America’s finest player (born here that is) but an accomplished pianist as well. Jumping in at times were Ace with a rendition of Johnny Be Goode and James (The Crooner) Coyne, with many Sinatra tunes and a fine rendition of Otis Redding’s, (Sitting on the) Dock of the Bay with Todd on the ivories. The two finalists in the Singles draw were together singing and playing hours before there match. Do Federer and Nadal party until all hours the night before a final? Not a chance!!!! Only one sport (I think) can offer these great scenarios. Then it was back to the club for some more drinks, some gambling and fun. Oh, oh!!! 2 a.m. once again. Really getting too old for this S&%#t.

Sunday noon was the scheduled time for the Singles’ final. Both players arrived none worse the wear after their performance the night before. Meringoff came out the strong in the first game and took an early lead only to see it evaporate as Coyne managed to even things at 14. Todd won the 3 point set 3-0 and thus the first game. The second game was a similar one but with the roles reversed. Coyne was aggressive and took a huge lead. This lead was eventually diminished and soon the game  was at 14 all and another 3 point set. Meringoff had game ball but Coyne staved off a second loss and managed to even things at 1 game each. As always, game three was decisive. The game belonged to Coyne all the way. He held leads of 7-0, 9-2 and 12-3 before closing it out at 15/5. But it was in this game, at 12-3,  that the rally of the weekend, maybe the year took place. Perfect racket shots were made only to see them returned with ease. This rally lasted about 18-20 shots with Todd winning, much to the delight of the Boston crowd. Game three gave the gallery the third 3 point set of the match. It was a close game all the way, but Coyne’s strength  and experience proved a bit too much and the match was his after the 17-15 win.

Had to leave for home for the doubles but reports tell me Coyne and Gourlay beat Meringoff and Rose and I am waiting for the scores.

Tom Dobbins, Janice Pearson, Jimmy Burke, Camden Riviere and the U.S. Amateur Committee deserve many huge thanks for the fine weekend at the Tennis and Racquet Club of Boston. Thanks guys and girls.

As Reported by:  Ace MacLellan on 15DEC2008

Report from the Boston Tournament Weekend ~ December 6^th through 9^th, 2007 

An enthusiastic field of 20 players and 6 professionals took part in the 5-tournament weekend hosted by the Boston Tennis & Racket Club, including the Pro Singles, Pro-Am Doubles, Murray Sales Singles and Doubles, and the Kendrick Cup.  Boosted by a strong turnout from the Montreal Racket Club, play in the Murray Sales was especially competitive, leading to an all Montreal - Detroit final in both the singles and doubles.

Steeped in Boston tradition, the stag dinner was held at the Union Club in the British Officer’s Room, a fitting tribute to our visiting professionals.  Boston was very pleased to host 6 professionals, including our own Jimmy Burke and Tim Chisholm, Neal Smith, Ryan Tulley, Steve Toseland and James Stout.  Saturday evening social events started with a cocktail party hosted by Janie and Denis Walsh at their Beacon Hill home, followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant.

The Pro Singles followed a round robin format culminating in a final match between Neil Smith and James Stout with Stout winning in 3 games.  After a close 1^st game during which Stout won 16-14, he dominated in games 2 and 3 for the victory.  Those in attendance were able to watch some of the best rackets play ever exhibited on the Boston court.

The Pro-Am Tournament saw James Stout and partner Nelson Russell defeat the team of Neil Smith and Denis Walsh.  Russell provided very good support for his partner, including a run of 9 straight points in the 1^st game as well as strong service hands in the 2^nd game.

The Kendrick Cup showcased 3 new players of the next generation from Montreal, Peter McEntyre, Andrew Horn and Taylor Dixon.  Unfortunately for them, the final was an all-Boston affair with Matt Porter defeating John Olsen in 2 games.

Montreal and Detroit dominated the Murray Sales with the biggest upset of the weekend being when David McEntyre defeated Jeff Yager in the quarter finals, 2-1. Manny Tancer made Motor City proud with a 2-0 win over McEntyre in the finals.  Montreal got their revenge in the doubles final when the team of Ron Kaulbach and McEntyre defeated Tancer and David Lockhart in the final match of the weekend, a hard fought 2-1 victory.  The match seemed to be over with the Montreal team up 14-3 in the 3^rd game when Kaulback pulled a hamstring but managed to hang in there for the win.

Thanks to all those who attended and especially to the Patrons of the weekend who generously sponsored their professional partners.

The T&R Rackets Committee

Denis Walsh, Nelson Russell, Todd Merringoff and Richard Bernstein

~ Tournament Invitation ~

 The Tennis & Racquet Club of Boston

Cordially Invites All Players and Supporters of the Game

December 6^th thru 9^th, 2007

To Boston for the 2007 NARA:

PROFESSIONAL SINGLES

PRO-AM DOUBLES

KENDRICK CUP

(Novice Players)

MURRAY SALES, Singles and Doubles

(Singles 40+, Doubles 90+)

~ Weekend Social Schedule ~

Thursday, Dec. 6^th……………………………Black-Tie Stag Dinner

                                                                                           (Following Professional Singles Final)                                                                                            Union Club ~ Cocktails ~ 7PM

                                                                                            ~ Dinner ~ 8PM

                                                                                           Ladies Dinner ~ 7PM

                                                                                           Please RSVP with Janie Walsh

                                                                                           At 617-227-4149

Friday, Dec. 7^th………………………………..Cocktails at The Club

                                                                                                Pro – Am Doubles Final

Saturday, Dec. 8^th……………………………A Beacon Hill Evening

                                                                                                (Following the Kendrick Cup Finals)

                                                                                                Cocktail Party at the Walsh’s ~ 7PM

                                                                                                Dinner at Lala Rokh ~ 8:30PM

Sunday, Dec. 9^th………………………………Brunch at The Club

                                                                                                Murray Sales Singles and Doubles Finals

~ DATES WELCOME ~

Please Call Jimmy Burke, T&R Rackets Professional, to Register

617-536-4630

2007 Boston Tournament Weekend

Entry Fees and Costs

Entry Fees:                             Professionals ~ play courtesy of the T&R, includes Stag Dinner;

                                                            Pro ~ Am Doubles~ $75.

                                                            Kendrick Cup ~ $75.

                                                            Murray Sales ~ Singles ~ $75.

                                                            Doubles ~ $50. pp

Stag Dinner:                          $125.

Ladies Dinner:                        ala-carte

(Please RSVP with Janie Walsh 617-227-4149 by November 15^th)

Saturday Evening:                  ala-carte

Sunday Brunch:                    $40.

~ Limited ~

Tournament Sponsorships Available:

Patron ~ $500.

(Includes Stag, Brunch, Pro Sponsorship, Pro-AM Entry Fee,

Murray Sales Single and Doubles Entry Fee)

Sponsor ~ $350.

(Includes Stag, Brunch, Murray Sales

or Kendrick Cup Entry Fee)

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

A limited number of rooms are available at the Back Bay Hilton (617-236-1100) and can be booked at the “Tennis and Racquet Club” Rate of $189/night

Important Note: Must Be Booked by the cut-off date of November 6, 2007