by Ivan Ronaldson
With the Hickey Cup at Lakewood oversubscribed, Westwood held a Level event for handicaps 70 and above. A total of 15 players entered, with nine locals and six traveling from Philadelphia and Newport. In the top half of the draw, both the 1st and 4th seeds were knocked out in their first match, leading to a semifinal between unseeded Brian Lutz and Andy Davidson. Brian’s athleticism wasn’t quite enough to deal with Andy’s experience and serving variety. Davidson won 6-4, 6-1 and advanced to the final.
In the bottom half of the draw, Sydney Alderman from Philadelphia faced off against Westwood’s Brian Cunningham, who’d only dropped one game in his round of 16 and quarterfinal matches. Sydney won a hard-fought battle 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
In the final, Sydney’s fantastic retrieving and floor game produced some great rallies, but Andy’s consistent target shooting proved decisive. He must have racked up a dozen grilles in two sets. Davidson won the match 6-4, 6=4. Both should be playing in the 60+ next year.
