by Pierre Lorillard
The Wharton Cup for handicaps 50-59 was held at the Tuxedo Club this past weekend January 29th & 30th. The draw was a relatively modest 11 competitors who endured a “bomb cyclone” blizzard to attend. Despite the small draw and the weather challenges, the matches were highly competitive and featured players ranging in age from 14 to 75.
In the first main draw semifinal Paul Brooke of the Tuxedo Club faced Adam Yaari from New York who survived a three-set nail biter (5/6, 6/1, 6/4) in the quarterfinal against youngster Hazel Christensen from Tuxedo to advance. In the semi, Brooke’s aggressive serves and cutting shots to the corners kept Yaari on the move but the New York member’s tenacity led to victory 6/3, 6/5.
The second main draw semi saw Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh from the Tuxedo Club face Henry Wilson from New York in a hotly contested match. Van Nieuwerburgh eked out a 6/5 win in the first set and Wilson narrowly won the second set 6/5. Starting 3-3 in the third set, Wilson’s length and youthful vigor proved too much for Van Nieuwerburgh’s determination with the New York player winning 6/3.
The stage was set for an all New York final of Yaari versus Wilson. Wilson jumped out to an early lead only to have Yaari fight back but come up short 6/4 in the first set. The second set saw Wilson again jump out to an early lead only to have Yaari mount another furious comeback to 5 all. Alas it was not to be, and the towering Wilson was able to retrieve too many of Yaari’s excellent shots to win the second set 6/5.
Congratulations to Henry Wilson and thanks to everyone for competing.
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Finalist Yaari, Dave Christensen, Champion Henry Wilson
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Dave Christensen, Back Draw Finalist Len Mazzone and Winner Peter Bender
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Finalist A. Yaari and Champion Henry Wilson
