Rich is widely regarded as the best man to ever play platform tennis and was first introduced to platform tennis at the age of 18 by his high school tennis friend, Jay Edwards. Six years later, after graduating college, Jay got Rich to take platform tennis more seriously. At the ages of 23, Rich and Jay entered their first paddle tournament. On that day a star was born. In his first round match in his first platform tournament, Rich defeated Keith Jennings and Chauncey Steel, the previous season's national champions.
Born: Born March 2nd, 1953 in The Bronx, New York, Rich currently lives in Northfield, Illinois, 30 minutes from downtown Chicago.
Profession: Head Racquets Pro at the Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield for the past six years. Rich has been teaching tennis and platform tennis for over 20 years.
Family: Rodman (9), Lindsay (6), Kevin (3) and wife Susan
Men's Nati[...]
The Viking Cup Adult/Child Tournament was held on November 12, 2000 in three age categories.
12 and Under Championships
Hissey-Hissey def. D'Elia-D'Elia 6-7, 6-4, 7-5
15 and Under Championships
Barinski-Barinski def. Gafney-Gafney 8-4
18 and Under Championships
Nolan-Nolan def. Nunziata-Considine 6-7, 6-2, 6-4
PPTA President Gary Horvath provided the update:
In 1998, a group of the country's top teaching professionals met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for the USA Professional Platform Tennis Association (PPTA). Since then, the PPTA has developed a certification process that provides professionals with an initial rating at one of three levels (P1, P2, or P3) based on their performance on a battery of tests. In a nutshell, the PPTA certification exam includes a written examination covering all aspects of the game, an on-court examination of teaching skills, a feeding skills test, and a playing evaluation.
As those who have taken the test will testify, the process is comprehensive. The written exam is heavily weighted towards the topics of teaching and strategy, but requires knowledge of teaching concepts and principles, tactics, business, stroke and strategy diagnostics of photographed[...]
David Ohlmuller
Born: November, 1969 in Montclair, NJ
Current: Single and resides in Chatham, NJ
Occupation: North-East Technical Manager - Wilson Sporting Goods
As a child, David grew up as a junior tennis tournament player. In college, he continued his tennis as the #1 player for Loyola College.
David was introduced to paddle in 1989 by his mother, then acting APTA secretary, Ginny Ohlmuller. From 1990 to 1995, David earned his first three National Titles. All were Mixed Opens with Patty Hogan. In 1995, David (and his partner, Bruce Kelsey) also won his first Men's Open National Championship.
In 1996, David was hospitalized for 25 days after a car accident nearly took his life. Eight surgeries later, David's leg showed progress and talks of amputation were dismissed. It didn't take long for David to hit the courts for his '97 comeback tour. David has progressed each y[...]
Anthony and Steve began playing platform tennis at New Jersey's Brookside Racquet Club in 1993. Neither played much tennis; however, both were eager to learn platform tennis. Shortly after they met, Anthony's father suggested the idea of the two forming into a tournament team.Who would have guessed that joining a former wrestler with a former football player would give us one of the top platform tennis teams in the country?
Anthony Cosimano
Born: Ramsey, New Jersey
Current: Hoboken, New Jersey
Age: 31
Profession: Sales
Marital Status: Single
Summer Hobby: Weight Training
Steve Haller
Born: Allendale, New Jersey
Current: Mahwah, New Jersey
Age: 34
Profession: Sales
Marital Status: Newlywed
Summer Hobby: Golf
Anthony and Steve began playing platform tennis at New Jersey's Brookside Racquet Club in 1993. Neither played much tennis; however, both were eager to learn pl[...]
From the APTA column by John Horine:
As we look forward to a new season, I can't help but look back on these last few months. On September 11, a horrified nation looked on as thousands of lives were destroyed and many more changed forever. In the days that followed, we all took some time to reflect on our own lives and what is important to us. Family members and friends are at the top of our list. I spoke to a dear friend of mine (and former APTA Board member) who lost her sister-in-law on September 11th. She told me of the outpouring of support she had received from paddle players from all over the country. She was very thankful for their cards and e-mails. Platform tennis at its core is a competitive recreation with like-minded people who enjoy the game. On a larger scale, platform tennis is a sport made up of a close community of people around the country - all enjoying each other [...]
The Rules and Equipment Committee had been working on an update of the booklet on "How to Conduct a Tournament Draw", and had reached the point of a final draft.
However, before going to press, Bob Brown had become aware of a difference of opinion among some Directors and members of Players Committees regarding the procedure for placing the seeds in the draw.
Ultimately the extant procedure was maintained
How to Conduct a Tournament Draw
Is it truly possible to determine who the best platform tennis players were based on their records, or is it more realistic to ask the veterans who played through the late 70's heyday and continue to compete today? No matter what criteria you use, the one name that always rises to the surface in women's paddle is Robin Fulton.
Robin picked up her first wooden paddle in 1978 when her parents installed a court in their Darien. CT backyard. A year later, Robin began to take the game seriously, at The Paddle Center in Norwalk, under the careful watch of her friend and coach, Bob Callaway.
Before long, Robin had excelled in local women's paddle and was competing at line one in the men's league for the Stanford Yacht Club. Bob Callaway recalls, "I can remember Charlotte Lee, Linda Wolf, and the other top women in their prime times, however, no one could intimidate or dominate a match lik[...]
Women's Charities:
Rain was forecast all week long. Somehow, on November 2nd, the weather broke and nothing but 65 degree warmth and sunshine was in the forecast. Women's Tournament Director, Liz Hayward, kicked off the show on Friday morning with a full 32-team draw, featuring all but a few of the top-ranked players. Among 'the few' not playing included Sarah Krieger, the other half of last season's Charities Champs. The other winner, Robin Fulton, paired up with Cindy Prendergast.
Patty Hogan was absent due to family illness. Therefore, everyone felt that with teams switching around and two of the game's top players absent, the women's draw was up for grabs. Everyone, that is, except the top seeded team of Sue Aery and Gerri Viant. Coming off another National Charities takeover.
Director Hayward only seeded three teams; however, five other teams were placed. As expected, the ro[...]
On November 17, 2001, the Viking Cup was hosted by the Montclair Golf Club and utilized the courts of Montclair, Essex Fells Country Club, Fellsbrook Club, and Essex County Country Club. On a beautiful Sunday morning, 37 adult/junior teams, representing the best in Canada and the US, assembled at Montclair. Well over 100 teams competed in the various play down-sites, which is a testament to the current health of junior paddle. All preliminary matches were run in a flighted round robin tournament with the top two finishers going on to the semis. The level of play among all of the teams was impressive to watch and made many of us feel we were watching the future stars of our sport display their precociously high level of proficiency.
18 & Under Finals
Anthony Nunziata and Bob Considine def. Diego Rodriguez and Doug White 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
15 & Under Finals
Ari and Rayni Borinsky def.[...]
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