Back to TopMarilyn and Gub Gerrish at Fox Meadow Tennis Club in Scarsdale, NY
Gub Gerrish had served on the APTA Board in the mid-70s and had been the group’s official photographer for many years. A man of tremendous energy, enthusiasm and personal magnetism, Gub was an avid spectator, distinguished photographer and reporter at hundreds of paddle events.
He was a true gentleman who epitomized the spirit of paddle--competition, sportsmanship and camaraderie. A permanent trophy in honor of Gub has become part of the annual Rye tournament, with the trophy being presented to the winners of the senior event.
Source: Platform Tennis News, February 1984
The October 1984 edition of the Official Rules of Platform Tennis carried the following Board-approved changes:
Doubles and Singles
The rules are the same, except for the following: In Singles, the game is played within the standard singles court, two serves are allowed, and no-ad scoring is used*. The no-ad game point is served into whichever service court the receiver chooses. The Hi-Bounce ball is recommended for singles.
*(conditional 1-year trial rule - '84-85)
Recommended Number of Sets
Men's – Nationals: 2 out of 3 to the finals, then 3 out of 5. Fifth set played out
Men's – 45: 2 out of 3, all the way
Platform Tennis Paddle Standards
Total Length: 18 1/16" maximum
Width of Head (at widest point): 9 5/16" maximum
Play Length (handle to outside edge of rim): 10 7/16" maximum
Source: Platform Tennis News, November 1984
Jerry Manhold, with the help of Howie Sipe in Chicago, Chet Kermode in Cleveland, Jack Wales in Pittsburgh, and Bill Ballard in North Jersey, obtained APTA sanction to explore starting a Senior President’s event.
There were some changes in the President’s Cup format used by the Senior President’s Cup players.
• Players would be selected from among active league players in the four largest leagues: Chicago area, Cleveland area, Pittsburgh and northern New Jersey.
• APTA membership was mandatory.
• Play would be along the lines of the Gordon Cup competition in tennis, i.e., two matches at 45+ and 1 match at 50+, 55+, and 60+.
• Play would be over one day only, which would provide a senior team with three matches in one day, followed by a fellowship dinner.
• The Senior Cup was to be a prelude to a major senior championship;
Source: Platform Tennis [...]
Though Richard C. (Dick) Squires was a fine player, winning the Men’s title in 1966 and later adding two Men’s 45+ titles, he made his mark on the game as an outstanding promoter who helped take it on a growth spurt never seen before or since.
When Life Magazine put paddle on the cover of a 1967 magazine, you could sense that something was about to happen in terms of the game becoming the “in thing.” What the sport needed, however, was a flamboyant advocate and showman who could lead the growth and become a catalyst for opening new frontiers. Squires did exactly that and broke a few eggs along the way.
“Mr. Paddle” wrote about the game, published books on the game, produced instruction films about the game, built courts, endorsed attire, conducted clinics and found sponsors for an exciting new tournament that CBS Sports televised for its Sports Spectacular show. He al[...]
Stoessel was the former Ambassador to both the Soviet Union and Poland, and was responsible for the paddle courts built at both Embassies.
In 1982, he had been appointed Deputy Secretary of State.
Don was the APTA President from 1942-1944.
He began playing paddle in the early 1930s, and became a National Champion in 1943 with Charles O'Hearn as his partner.
He was friendly with Blanchard and Cogswell and often contributed to the direction in which the game has evolved.
Don was a member of Innis Arden Golf Club in Old Greenwich, CT, and an enthusiastic promoter of the game to the membership.
The Innis Arden Mixed Invitational Tournament trophy is dedicated to him.
Source: Platform Tennis News, Spring 1987
Back to TopJerry Manhold (left) and the Manhold Cup Trophy. Howard Sipe (center) and Chet Kermode
Manhold had served a five year term and was a major force behind the development of the Senior Paddle Scene.
A former National Champion, he worked tirelessly as a Board Member to improve the plight of the Senior paddler.
"The Legend," aptly dubbed by Howard Sipe, had striven to broaden the scope of competition throughout the U.S., and had introduced and chaired The Manhold Senior Challenge Cup competition.He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Source: Platform Tennis News, September 1984
At the annual meeting in May there was some spirited discussion on the following motions:
• Allow a let to be taken if a lob, once landing in the court, were to bounce out, over the screening.
• Allow a carry or double hit to be considered legal in paddle (currently illegal).
• Have the first server in a tiebreaker start from the deuce court ,rather than the ad court, which is now the case.
All were denied.
Source: Platform Tennis News, September 1984
The Platform Tennis News, Summer 1996 had a summary of the Annual BOD meeting which included looking at the development of a website:
…."Looking to the future to provide greater service to the membership, John Horine was directed to look into an Internet site…"
The BOD Minutes of Sept 19, 1996 indicated a somewhat luke warm response to the proposal subsequently presented by Horine and funding was not approved…
"The Board's reaction was varied, ranging from enthusiastic to skeptical. A motion to appropriate up to $5,000 to fund an adventure (sic) on the Internet was defeated.
John, however, was not dissuaded and the website became on eventuality in 1997.
The Sept. 24 1997 Minutes of the BOD reflected the reality:
"John Horine reported the revised Web site looks good, and it has generated much activity. He asked each Regional President to sell advertising space f[...]
In the Summer 1988 issue of Platform Tennis News, the veteran court builder shared the following observations:
Head Hunters and Architects
In 29 years of building platform tennis courts, you could say we've seen it all—or at least most of it—from:
• Lifting a court to the top of a city building by helicopter, to
• Having a building crew told not to stray far from the building site in Indonesia, lest they loose their heads, literally, to
• Building a six-court complex at the top of NYU's library only to move it several years later because the building's world-renowned architect was insulted that he was not consulted before the courts were put on "his" building.
When I first played paddle 30 years ago, I was immediately enamored of the game, but horrified at the poor quality of the courts we all played on. Being familiar with construction, and believing the game[...]
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