APTA President, John Horine, explained the benefits of the new magazine in helping grow the game:
“Platform Tennis season is around the corner so now is the time to start getting in shape. Eat right, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and all that, you know.
What are the latest and greatest paddles? Are there new tennis shoes that will hold up better under the stressful conditions we place them under? What’s the scoop on the ball for casual play as well as the tournaments? What are we wearing this year to fend off the chilly winds of winter?
Now, you don’t have to remember all these things to get yourself ready. The source of answers is right here in your hands, the new Platform Tennis Magazine. Take some time to check it out from cover to cover. There's something here for everyone. The APTA sponsorship of PTM is a sign of our growing commitment to promote paddle from the gra[...]
The second issue of PTM carried some positive feedback and some complaints on delivery timeliness.
In the From the APTA ... section APTA President John Horine had this to say:
“Our first issue was a smashing success. A heartfelt thanks to Wayne Dollard and APTA Board members Pete Mathews and Mark Holtschneider. Your summer efforts have resulted in a fantastic magazine. Wayne must have put 10,000 miles on his car this summer crisscrossing the country collecting pictures and articles for this seasons issues.”
Horine’s comments were echoed in the Letters to the Editor section:
“Just read your first issue cover to cover and wanted to congratulate you on a wonderful job! Forty-eight pages of interesting paddle reading...who could ask for anything more? Wishing you continued success in this worthwhile venture!”
Sally Rogers / Scarsdale, New York
“Thank you for t[...]
PTM carried the following story on the new development:
How strong are your powers of observation? Have you noticed a different look on some platform tennis courts recently? If you attended the 1999 Nationals at the New York Athletic Club, you saw it on the showpiece courts, which R.J. Reilly provided for the event. The traditional quartz iodine lights, which have sat perched atop the twenty foot light poles for as long as most players can remember, are slowly being replaced by slightly larger metal halide fixtures.
Why the change? Energy efficiency and advanced optics are the main reasons. The 400 watt metal halide fixtures only use about one third of the energy that the traditional 1500 watt quartz iodine fixtures use. This provides a cost savings to the owner and is easier on our environmental resources (paddle players are conservation minded too). Furthermore, only a 110 amp po[...]
APTA President, John Horine, made the point in the From the APTA section of PTM
“At our teleconference in September, the APTA Board decided to put our foot down on foot faults. This season there will be roaming foot fault judges at each APTA sanctioned tournament. PLEASE read and abide by the rule book. Do not foot fault. You have been duly warned.”
Viking and Wilson provided some insights into how paddles have evolved over the years:
“Paddle technology has come a long way. When platform tennis was first played in 1928 the paddles had square, wooden faces, had no holes and were lightweight (about eight ounces). As the sport grew in popularity, the paddles changed. Stronger woods were tried, but the extra strength resulted in added weight. Holes were then added to reduce weight and created the added benefit of allowing ‘spin’ to enter the game.
Metal edges were added in the 1960s to reduce wear. But, with the introduction of the metal edge came the "paddle rattle". In the 1970s, manufacturers experimented with Lexan and aluminum paddles. The first open throat paddle appeared and was made with an aluminum yoke. Fiberglass and acrylic skins were added to reduce warping, increase power, and reduce weight. The new surface mat[...]
The final Chicago Charities Tournament of the decade/century/millennium was played on a perfect autumn weekend and showcased the top talent in the game. Over 150 teams, competing in four divisions, converged to do battle in one Tournament of the decade/century/millennium was played on a perfect autumn weekend and showcased the top talent in the game. Over 150 teams, competing in four divisions, converged to do battle in one of the most competitive fields ever assembled at an APTA tournament event.
Headquartered at Glen View Club's new "paddle palace", the tournament provided some upsets and some near upsets. David Ohlmuller and Chris Gambino, the nation's number one ranked team, came in from the east to defeat Chicago's Bill Fiedler and Scott Bondurant (two-time defending champions) in a three set men's final, displaying some of the finest driving and net play ever. The Chicago team h[...]
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