The Northrup Knox Memorial Tournament, Aiken Tennis Club’s signature annual event, once again delivered a weekend of high-level court tennis competition, camaraderie, and vibrant social gatherings. This prestigious handicap doubles tournament, open to players with handicaps of 35 or better, featured intense matches across four days of play. The tournament format consisted of best-of-three-set matches, with third-set adjustments in the group stages (4-all) and semifinals (3-all), while the final played a full best-of-three.
Tournament Format and Participants
The tournament featured two groups of five teams, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals. The participants were as follows:
Group 1:
• George Handy / Morgan Purvis (defending champions)
• Nick Summerlin / Brad Ursprung (Boston)
• Geoff Ellis / Jason McAlhaney
• Thad Gray / Sawyer Duncan
• Dan Villiers / Ryan Carey
Group 2:
• Jon Crowell / Eli Segal (Philadelphia)
• Ben Cook / Charles Bostwick (lowest team handicap of 15, competitive but faced challenges)
• Madison Daly / James Daly (entered with a 28 handicap, improving from 40 the previous year)
• Dr. Vaughan Massie / Jason Rabun
• John Shafer / James Chamberlain
Group Stage Results
In Group 1, Geoff Ellis and Jason McAlhaney topped the standings, with Dan Villiers and Ryan Carey securing the second semifinal spot. Defending champions Handy and Purvis struggled with lower handicaps and giving more points away but managed to win their last match to avoid a winless campaign.
Group 2 was highly competitive, with three teams finishing with the same number of wins. The Philadelphia pair narrowly missed out on the semifinals despite a strong showing. Dr. Vaughan Massie and Jason Rabun clinched first place, while Madison and James Daly advanced in second.
Semifinals
1. Geoff Ellis & Jason McAlhaney defeated Madison & James Daly 6/3 6/4 in a tightly contested match showcasing the Daly brothers’ continued improvement.
2. Dan Villiers & Ryan Carey edged past Dr. Vaughan Massie & Jason Rabun in a thrilling match, 6/3 3/6 6/5, demonstrating incredible resilience.
Final
The championship match was a dramatic and hard-fought battle. Geoff Ellis and Jason McAlhaney took the first set 6/2, but Ryan Carey and Dan Villiers responded strongly, taking the second set 6/3. In the decisive third set, Ellis and McAlhaney surged to a 5/1 lead, but Carey and Villiers mounted a brilliant comeback to close the gap to 4/5. In a tense tenth game, Geoff Ellis showcased his skill with two exceptional cut volleys, steadying nerves and securing the match 6/4. This victory marks Geoff Ellis’ first Northrup Knox title, earning him a place on the prestigious honors board.
Social Events
The tournament was not only about the competition but also the vibrant social atmosphere that accompanied each evening:
• Thursday Night: Oyster Night, featuring fresh oysters provided and shucked by Madison and James Daly.
• Friday Night: Southern BBQ, a classic favorite.
• Saturday Night: Dinner on the court, bringing the players and spectators together.
• Sunday: A relaxing brunch with cocktails for all attendees.
Acknowledgments
A special thank you to:
• Madison and James Daly for their incredible work in providing and preparing the oysters.
• Robert and Cheryl Glance for their tireless efforts in organizing and cooking for the social events.
