Many, Many Categories
This annual event is played during the whole month of May (I think so most of the teaching pros are available to play, since many people have migrated north); and you have to schedule your own matches.
It has all kinds of categories… men’s, women’s, mixed, NTRP rated and age. I am playing age 70 singles and am the #2 seeded player, behind Fred Drilling’s #1 (Fred and I are teamed up in the VERY small 70 doubles category).
In a reasonable draw of eight players, my first match was vs. Doug Brunner, a regular January tournament participant. He is a solid player (he told me afterwards that he beat one of the top area players in a practice match last week).
Weaknesses Show
Early on, I could see that he preferred to hit his backhand to his somewhat erratic forehand… so forehands is what he saw. I stayed totally focused and, although many of the points/games were long, I was able to run the first set out at 6-0.
Doug settled down and hit some nice topspin backhands and forehands for winners. And we found ourselves at 3-3. Different from the Florida Super Senior Grand Prix, this tournament is playing two sets and a ten-pointer; so I forced myself to bear down and not let the set slip away.
I was able to hold serve, break his serve, and serve it out for a 6-0, 6-3 victory in about an hour and a half (during which I lost 4+ pounds!).
The next round will be vs. the winner of a match, which will take place on Tuesday. For the full list of all the categories and players (many of whom you will not know), click HERE
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George,
You make the 70-group very proud and soon to be 70 (4 months) also. Way to go.
Larry