by Mit Carothers
Seven teams entered the 2019 Northrup Knox Tournament and seven teams entered the Aiken Spring Handicap at the Aiken Tennis Club played April 18-21.
The Northrup Knox featured 2 groups in round robin play with the top two teams in each advancing to the semifinals played on Easter morning. Group A winners Michael Sullivan and Robert Glance moved on to play Dan Villiers and Pete Roessler, advancing to the finals with a 6-3, 6-5 win. The second semifinal saw Thad Gray and partner Morgan Purvis defeat Group B winners George Handy and Matthew Mackin 6-4, 6-4.
In the Knox final, Morgan Purvis and Thad Gray avenge an earlier defeat in the tournament, saved a match point, and emerged as champions by a score of 5-6- 6-5, 6-3.
The seven teams entered in the Aiken Spring Handicap were also grouped to play a round robin format to determine the semifinalists. Group A winners Alan Rutherfurd and Chip Marvin were 3 set winners, 5-6, 6-3, 6-3, over the team of Matt Dupee and Kate Villiers. In the second semifinal group B winners Cissie Sullivan and Mit Carothers defeated Tom Sargent and Laurie de Graff 6-4, 6-4. The final saw Sullivan/Carothers defeat Rutherfurd/Marvin 6-5, 6-1.
Traditions such as the Thursday night oyster roast and the Saturday night dinner were again thanks to the efforts of Robert and Cheryl Glance, out of town guest arrangements (and extracurricular activities) again arranged by Dan and Carol Mayfield and live streaming handled by Lou Papouchado. Tournament draws and marking thanks to club professional Trey Bogue and Linda Knox again presented the Sunday trophies.
Michael Sullivan & Robert Glance
