by An Interested Observer
The 2025 US 50s Singles and Doubles was contested at the Racquet Club of Chicago from March 21-23.
We had 7 players travel to Chicago from New York, Charleston, Aiken, Westwood, Radley and Queen’s. There was also a strong field of Chicago players and there were some notable performances in the early rounds. One of those performances goes to Aiken’s Vaughan Massie, who played much better than his handicap would have suggested in pushing Westwood’s Bill Barker all the way in a 6-5 6-5 battle. Another tremendous performance goes to Chicago’s Stewart Licudi. He was in ominous form and looked in control against number 1 seed Nick Warner. Unfortunately, after lunging for a ball he incurred a hamstring injury and was forced to withdraw after winning the first set. John Pak also showed promising form with impressive straight sets win over number 2 seed Bill Barker, 6-4 6-5.
The final was between Chicago’s John Pak and Queens Clubs Nick Warner. Nick had earlier been pushed to 3 sets by Ryan Carey and had progressed to the final with the withdrawal of Stewart Licudi. John started well, volleying the ball with great accuracy and hitting the targets consistently. Nick had no answer for John’s start and lost the first set 6-2.
Nick got into the match in the second set and with more accurate floor shots and more time spent at the service end, leveled the match, taking the set 6-4.
Nick started the 3rd set well, finding a tight consistent railroad. With all the momentum he rattled off a series of games and won the final set and the tournament.
The final score was 2-6 6-4 6-1.
The doubles final was a brilliant display of athleticism, shot making and talent as the players exhibited shots and retrieving far better than their handicap range.
Nick Warner and Bill Barker won a close, hard-fought final by the score 4-6 6-4 6-2 over Chicago’s Peter Dunne and Stewart Licudi.
Thanks to all the players who made it to Chicago for the tournament and thanks also to Racquet Club General Manager Richard Duggan, Athletic Chairman Chris Gorter, tournament Chairman Jonathan Lewis, Head Chef Mike Coronel for his delicious meals throughout the weekend and to John Cashman, Steve Virgona and Rob Whitehouse for marking the tournament.
