Apr 12, 2021 | USCTA News
Clarence A. “Otto” McGowan, Jr. 1935-2021 We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Mr. Clarence “Otto” McGowan, a 54 year Life Member of the Racquet Club. Clarence Aloysius McGowan, Jr., 85 of Chestnut Hill, died on Tuesday April 6, 2021 due to complications from metastatic melanoma. The eldest of a sister and three brothers, Mr. McGowan was born to Mary Ellen (McKeever) McGowan and Clarence McGowan, Sr. in Philadelphia. He attended St. Athanasius School, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the Beta… Read the Full Story >
Mar 31, 2021 | USCTA News
Hear ye, hear ye, signs of hope. Herein you will read that Covid continues to have us mostly mired in a waiting game as the world inches toward inoculation. Yet, there are significant movements afoot and hopeful signs of pathways forward. Here is a summary of what was reported at the February 26 meeting of the Board of Governors. Aiken: ATC continues to have a full schedule including doubles clinics and Monday night league. The Norty Knox would be the next tournament to consider but presently it is hard to see a way forward to host that in April. Boston:… Read the Full Story >
Jan 16, 2021 | USCTA News
The status quo continues for amateur play. There are rays of hopeful light shining on our game. Georgian Court University remains closed, and Newport and Boston have suffered regional restrictions and closures. But, at the other courts the amount of intraclub play is generally high, averaging 80% or more of normal court usage. At our clubs, there is no meaningful change to rules or attitudes about hosting guests: friendly and wishful but erring on the side of caution. Similarly, while there is hopeful interest in traveling to play, the general feeling is one of patient understanding that this won’t happen… Read the Full Story >
Jan 5, 2021 | USCTA News
By James Zug The USCTA’s 23rd Annual Dinner was a fantastic, if remote reunion for the game of tennis in America. Nearly a hundred members from across the country attended the Zoom call. After much conversation and admiration of the special Annual Dinner commemorative coasters, President Jim Zug welcomed everyone. He started the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of the friends who died in 2020. They included: Howard G. Cushing, Jr., Robert G. Forbes, David B. Ford, Sr., O.J. Heestand, Daniel J. McSweeney, C. Rodney O’Connor, Arthur B. Whitcomb, Jr., Donald M. Wilkinson, Jr. and Charles R. Williams. … Read the Full Story >
Feb 1, 2020 | USCTA News
In preparation for our 100th issue of Chase the First, I took some time to go back and read the past ninety-nine issues. I have prepared a quick synopsis of all that we have covered since our first issue on November 1, 2011. Wow – has our game grown and changed for the positive. Here is some of what’s happened, including “Tips from the Pros,” articles, artwork, the Top 25 lists, books, and the RTO forum – read to the bottom, and you will find out who was the most photographed player. We have had three USCTA Presidents – Greg… Read the Full Story >
Jan 9, 2020 | US Events, USCTA News
The following changes have been made to the 2020 Schedule. These changes impact the Hickey Cup, U.S. Mixed Doubles and the U.S. Ladies Open MARCH 20-22, 2020 @ Georgian Court Hickey Cup – National level Singles Championship for handicaps 60+ APRIL 17-19, 2020 @ Philadelphia U.S. Mixed Doubles JUNE 12-14, 2020 @ Tuxedo U.S. Ladies Open Singles & Doubles The Fixture Card has been updated to reflect these changes.
Dec 31, 2019 | USCTA News
by James Zug In mid-December 2019, the Racquet & Tennis Club hosted the twenty-second annual United States Court Tennis Association dinner and auction during the traditional Whitney Cup weekend. One hundred and ninety-four people came to the dinner. The evening, chaired most ably by Ted Goneos, began with a splendid cocktail hour in the main lounge of the club’s second floor. It was a reunion of sorts, with old friends gathering from every club in the U.S. and a half dozen overseas. As usual, there were a wonderful panoply of silent auction items. All the way from Melbourne, Richard Travers… Read the Full Story >
Dec 15, 2019 | Overseas Events, Tournament Results, Uncategorized, US Events, USCTA News
by Peter Pell 2019 Whitney Cup by the Numbers… 5 The number of consecutive Whitney Cups won by New York prior to this year. The Greentree team ended the streak on the back of remarkable wins in the finals by Addison West & Ben Stein (over Spike Willcocks & Lex Miron), Dylan Patterson & Hugh McDonald (over Bruce Manson & Jonathan Larken), and Simon Aldrich & Rob McLane (over Greg Van Schaack & Lincoln Frank). 0.08 The differential in the ratio of games won to games lost, which sent Greentree to the finals over New England and Washington. The three… Read the Full Story >
Dec 1, 2019 | Uncategorized, USCTA News
Two great articles about Tommy Greevy by James Zug Click here to read Jim Zug’s 2012 story “Tommy Turns 70” including quotes and stories from fellow players and professionals. Click here to read James Zug’s interview with Tommy Greevy in 2011.
Nov 30, 2019 | USCTA News
by George Bell On a Sunday morning in January, I turned off a major roadway in Manhasset, NY and entered Greentree, an estate marked by a modest, painted sign that you could easily miss. Malls and car dealerships had displaced the Gold Coast mansions long ago, but not this one. Hemmed in by the neon of another century, Greentree had defied the odds, frozen the clocks. The quiet was immediate. The property’s entrance road gave passage to a forgotten world, where great stretches of cold, blue light lay across an inch of new snow. The security guard stepped out of… Read the Full Story >
