by Mit Carothers
The Calhoun Witham Doubles Tournament saw its return after a year hiatus on November 13-17 at the Aiken Tennis Club. Sixteen teams participated with out-of-town players and guests welcomed to a full slate of tennis and social events that we had not seen since play was interrupted. Players, club members, and guests were treated to Oyster Night on Thursday, Cocktails, and Tennis on Friday, Saturday night dinner, and a Sunday brunch. At the conclusion of 24 matches, we had a champion in Jerry Mount and Rob Silvay.
The undefeated bracket winners of brackets A and B were Marvin/Griswold and Rabun/McAlhaney. They advanced to play once-beaten Mount/Silvay, winner of bracket C, and the fourth-place team of Rutherfurd/Dupee. It should be noted that there were three Rutherfurd’s playing in the tournament and this included their fourth generation of court tennis players.
After the team of Jason Rabun and Jason McAlhaney defeated Alan Rutherfurd and Matt Dupee, Jerry Mount, and partner Rob Silvay defeated Stuart Griswold and Chip Marvin, and the final was set. After falling behind 5 games to 1 in the final set, Jerry Mount and Rob Silvay found their way through a very small opening to win in 3 sets at 6-5.
