by Rob Whitehouse
The Racquet Club of Philadelphia was proud to host the U.S. 60’s & 70’s Singles and Doubles National Championshipsover the weekend of February 27th – March 1st, welcoming a strong field of competitors and producing many outstanding matches throughout the event.
Champions
• 60’s Singles: Bill Barker
• 60’s Doubles: Bill Barker & Steve Hufford
• 70’s Singles: Marty Hublitz
• 70’s Doubles: Marty Hublitz & Kip Gould
60’s Singles
The 60’s Singles draw featured seven competitors. In the opening round, Steve Hufford defeated Sewall Hodges 6/2, 6/2, while Kenny Soffer advanced over John Iole. Thad Gray moved through by default due to injury.
In the semifinals, Bill Barker displayed excellent all-court tennis to defeat Hufford 6/1, 6/2, while Soffer’s steady ball control proved too strong for Gray. The final featured long rallies and impressive court coverage from both players, with Bill Barker defeating Kenny Soffer 6/2, 6/4to claim the title.
60’s Doubles
The 60’s Doubles draw featured six teams and several close matches. John Iole & Rowan Carroll edged Alec Monaghan & Eric Strauss in a tight three-set quarterfinal, while Thad Gray & Kip Gould advanced over Sewall Hodges & Paul Bolster.
Both semifinals went to the lower-seeded teams, as Bill Barker & Steve Hufford defeated Carroll & Iole, while Kenny Soffer & Anders Cohen advanced over Gould & Gray. In another competitive final, Barker & Hufford defeated Soffer & Cohen in three sets to capture the championship.
70’s Singles
The 70’s Singles division featured ten competitors and several marathon matches. Rowan Carroll defeated Dick Tanfield in three sets, while Marty Hublitz rallied past Sewall Hodges after dropping the opening set. Kip Gould advanced over Peter Vogt in two tight sets, and Paul Bolster defeated Jules Zacher in straight sets.
In the semifinals, Gould defeated Carroll, while Hublitz’s sharp volleying proved too strong for Bolster. The final proved to be a terrific battle with long rallies and momentum swings throughout the match, as Marty Hublitz edged Kip Gould 6/5 in the deciding set to win the championship.
70’s Doubles
The 70’s Doubles event featured tight matches throughout the draw. The final was no exception. After dropping the first set and trailing 3–1 in the second, Kip Gould & Marty Hublitz mounted a remarkable comeback, winning 2/6, 6/4, 6/3 to secure the title.
The Racquet Club congratulates all competitors and champions on a fantastic weekend of national championship Court Tennis.
US 70s – Champions Marty Hublitz & Kip Gould with Finalists Peter Vogt & Dick Tanfield, Rob Whitehouse 
US 70s – Champion Marty Hublitz with Kip Gould (Finalist) & Rob Whitehouse 
US 60s – Kenny Soffer (Finalist), Champion Bill Barker & Rob Whitehouse 
US 60s Doubles – Kenny Soffer & Anders Cohen (Finalists)with Champions Steve Hufford & Bill Barker, Rob Whitehouse
