By Haven Pell
The second edition of the Martin Cup was played at Westwood Country Club near Washington on November 1 through 3.
Named for Alastair B. Martin, one of the finest amateur tennis players of all time, the event is designed to be a senior version of the Whitney Cup. Last year it was won by Philadelphia and this year by the host club.
As with all new events, the goal was to further develop player enthusiasm and to work out the best format for the enjoyment of all the participants.
In the first year, teams came from Philadelphia and Aiken to play against two teams from Washington. This year there were five teams — New York/Greentree/Aiken, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, and “Rest of the Country,” a mélange of players added to what began as New England.
The format was three pairs per team with aggregate ages 110, 130 and 140. Each team played the other four in a round robin format thus guaranteeing four 10-game matches for each player.
Rather than playing all the matches between two clubs consecutively, as is done in the Whitney Cup, matches were scheduled more or less randomly throughout the weekend to heighten the suspense.
The order of finish was Washington (4-0); Rest of the Country (3-1); Philadelphia (2-2); New York/Greentree/Aiken (1-3); and Chicago (0-4).
Like the Whitney, Cup, the Martin Cup, is organized and managed by representatives of the Martin family (Steve Hufford and Haven Pell) and the team captains: Tom Rowe (R. O. C.); Greg Van Schaack and Charlie Johnstone (New York/Greentree/Aiken); Kenny Soffer (Philadelphia); Andrew Fritz (Chicago); and Mark Philpott (Washington). Much credit is due to them for organizing an inclusive format that permitted everyone interested to play.
The Washington team consisted of John Motz and Bill Barker (110), Mark Philpott and Marty Hublitz (130) and Steve Hufford and Haven Pell (140).
The Chicago team graciously hosted a magnum of Taittinger champagne at the cocktail party on Friday evening, and the players signed the empty bottle to add to the Martin Cup memorabilia in Washington.
Buffet lunches and cocktail parties were held on Friday and Saturday followed by a Sunday brunch.
Efforts have already begun to fill out the teams for next year and to reduce the number of players borrowed from elsewhere.
Special, thanks to Ivan Ronaldson for organizing one of the largest team round robins (30 matches) ever seen; James Greenley for marking and Dai Edwards Evans for liaison with Westwood Country Club.
The Martin Cup itself is a trophy, won repeatedly by Alastair B. Martin, and donated by Simmy Martin Jain and Christopher B Martin.
