History of the Game | Platform Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame

1975

APTA announces tie in with Eastern Tennis Magazine

In November, Tennis Trade started a new publication, Paddle World, devoted entirely to platform tennis. All APTA members received one year's free subscription.

1975

Saddle and Cycle Club in Chicago builds courts

Jim McCormick with the display capturing the history of the game at Saddle and Cycle in the Klimley Sportshouse

In 1975, the Saddle & Cycle Club, under Platform Tennis Chairman Frank Klimley and the initial subscriptions of 110 members, constructed two wood courts. The initial warming facility was in the north end of the main clubhouse with views out toward the courts, thirty meters away. In 1979, the 'Saddle' had two Men's and one Women's team playing in the highly competitive North Shore Platform Tennis League. Then in 1985, not only were new aluminum courts with heaters and improved lighting installed, but the original Sportshouse 'warming hut' was constructed adjacent to the courts, both adding to increased play and member enjoyment. In 2015 club member Jim McCormick, a long-time player of the game at Saddle and Cycle, purchased an original racquet (circa 1930) and had it framed along with the description of the origins of the game at the club. Source: Racquets Committee (Heather Mont[...]

1975

Dr Pepper Junior Development Program

The Dr Pepper Junior Development Program consisted of two aspects: educational, which covered the Exhibition-Clinic program and the printing of 10,000 rules booklets, and the tournaments. Dr Pepper sponsored the two-part program for the 1975-76 season to the tune of $50,000. This funding was to be spent on mounting the Exhibition-Clinics, providing prizes at the tournaments, and advertising and promotional materials. At the tournaments, Dr Pepper would provide prizes, supply sweatshirts and travel bags, and have coolers with refreshments at each court location. A representative of the Company would present the winners of each tournament with a check for the cost of their transportation to the 1976 Nationals. Miss Teen New Jersey would present the prizes at the Nationals. Jim Gollhofer, New York Metro Manager for the Dr Pepper Company, commented that the program offered the Company[...]

1975

The American Professional Platform Tennis Teaching Association formed

Formed in the fall, the Association had the objective of establishing standards for playing and teaching. Founding members were: Doug Russell, John Brownlow, Bob Callaway, Peter Chase, Hank Irvine, Dave Jennings, Craig Mielke, Steve Nycum, Chuck Saacke, Robin White and Joan Silbersher. The Paddle Tennis Center in Norwalk, Connecticut held the first training and certification session on the weekend of October 25 and 26. Source: Paddle Talk, No.2

1975

Women start ‘B’ tournaments

The “pro-circuit” had made those who could not compete feeling left out. The ‘B’ events were designed to address this issue.

1975

Growth of the game brings more court builders and innovation. You could even build your own.

Court builders started cropping up all over the country. And they brought innovation - different deck materials (aluminum, steel, plywood) and on grade construction. You could even build your own court from a kit for $6,000!

1975

Shoe-Goo – everyone was using it!

The court deck was very tough on the tennis shoes of the day. Shoe Goo was the answer!

1975

The game comes to “Ole Miss”

Platform tennis had come to the Deep South in resounding fashion. Two courts were being built as part of a recreational complex and the game was to be incorporated into the intramural program for both men and women with the courts available from 7:00 am to midnight.

1976

Tribuno World Paddle Championships

The World Championships [Tournament Brochure] were the culmination of the Tribuno Men’s Circuit and included a women’s event. Forest Hills hosted the event on April 2-3. Tribuno Wines raised prize money to $82,900 for the 1976–77 Tribuno Men’s Circuit, which consisted of nine events in Cleveland, Hartford, Rye, NY, Short Hills NJ, Chicago, New Canaan, CT, Washington, DC, and Scarsdale. The prize money for each of the first seven tournaments was $4,200, while the Scarsdale Nationals prize money was $6,500. On April 1 and 2, 1976, the tour culminated at the Tribuno Platform Tennis World Championship, held at Forest Hills, Queens, NY. Tribuno put up $15,000 for both the men’s and women’s events, with the winners earning $5,000, the largest purse in the sport. Without a doubt, this event was the pinnacle of commercially-sponsored platform tennis competition. On a clear, be[...]

1975

Richard J. Reilly Jr., Inc. introduces the “Happy House”.

A big step forward for the traditional warming hut which was so important for the social aspects of the game. Happy Hour in the Happy House. You could even build it yourself

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