Another year for the charities goes off without a hitch thanks to the leadership of John Noble and Company. This November, 296 players competed in four events: The Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Men’s 45+, and Men’s 55+.

In the women’s open tournament, last season’s finalists Aery/Viant and Fulton/Prendergast were no-shows. Therefore, the draw was ripe for the picking. The biggest quarter-final upsets came when 5th seeded Kerri Delmonico and Shelly Morse upset the top-seeded team of Tonia Mangan and Bobo Delaney. They proceeded to defeat Jane McNitt and Leslie Hough (who defeated 3rd seeded Hilary Debbs and Patty Hogan) in a three-set semi-final match. In the other half of the draw, 2nd seeded Mary Doten and Julia Sierks held their ground to reach the finals. Kerri and Shelly won the finals (their first Charities Title) in a hard-fought match.

In the men’s draw, the top seeds proceeded to the semis with only a few minor upsets…that is if you ignore the fact that the 10th seeded team of Mike Stulac (Toronto) and Scott Bondurant (Chicago) defeated Cosimano/Stipa in the 16s, Goodspeed/Mansager (6-2,6-2) in the quarters, and Estes/Mackesy(4-6,6-0,7-6) in the semis…not to mention Dollard/Hallet(7-6, 6-7,7-6?) in the 32’s! On the other half of the draw, defending champs Chris Gambino and David Ohlmuller defeated Hough/Uihlein in the Semis and Kaufman/Milbank in the quarters to reach the finals. The 7-6, 6-4 final match-up was a battle with the defending champions prevailing.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 4, Issue 3, January, 2003

Westchester native Bob Considine teamed up with famed Chicago web designer Geoffrey Johnson (Lands End, JCrew) in late 2001 to create what was to become the hottest platform tennis web site of 2002 – paddlepro.com.

Considine originally intended for the web site to simply be a value-added service to the men and women he taught paddle to; however, the Westchester Platform Tennis Association saw the in-progress site and requested to have their league/tournament information included. The Sound Shore Invitational soon after became the first tournament to register 100% of player entries through the web via credit card.

Shortly after the WPTL signed on, members began requests for an online paddle store to purchase items such as balls, paddles, trophies, and team logo-printed clothing. “We will continue to expand the website as long as it is positively adopted by the paddle community and people wish to financially support it through the online store,” Considine explained. He added, “In other words, if people continue to support paddlepro, we will continue to improve it.”

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 4, Issue 2, November, 2002

As the result of a very successful fund raising effort in connection with its conducting of the National Championships of platform tennis for men and women last March, the Long Island Platform Tennis Association was able to distribute $24,000 to three local charities.

The beneficiaries were the Family and Children’s Association, the Interfaith Nutrition Network, and Rotacare. Each received an $8,000 share of the contribution.

“A large portion of the contributions came from the individual members of LIPTA who participate in the sport during the fall and winter seasons,” indicated General Chairman Charles Vasoll. Several corporate sponsors enlisted by Director of Finance, Duane Hayden, also helped make the event a financial success. Leading that list was the AON Corporation. Other corporate sponsors deserving of mention were The Island Financial Group, First American Title Insurance Company of New York, National Land Tenure Company LLC, and Graphic Technology, Inc.

Viking Athletics Ltd. also made a significant contribution. Viking CEO, David Kjeldsen reduced costs by donating team uniforms for President’s Cup players and providing all balls for the events.

“As it was when it was previously held on Long Island in 1992, the event was a success socially, athletically, and financially,” Vasoll stated. He concluded, “We just hope that another decade won’t have to pass until LIPTA can sponsor the competition again.”

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 4, Issue 1, September, 2002

She says that she’s 5′ tall wearing new shoes on a good day. Stating that “size doesn’t always matter,” Patty Hogan is a six-time National Champion who has proven year after year that mental prowess is more important in platform tennis than physical size.

Born 42 years ago in New Providence, New Jersey, Patty’s early platform tennis mentors included Hank Irvine and Wendy Chase. Today, Patty is the mentor for hundreds of adults and juniors across the country. The achievements I’m most proud of are the 17 Junior National Champions I have taught to play our sport,” Patty said. She added, “I am also extremely thankful to the Beacon Hill Club for giving me the freedom and flexibility I need to do my job to the best of my ability.”

Over the years, Patty has had record-breaking seasons with many of the best women to play the game. “My best season was the winter of 98′-99′ when I played with my friend and long-time partner, Cindy Prendergast.” Patty concluded, That season, we went undefeated straight through our last match in the Nationals.” No other women’s team in recent history has repeated this feat.

Arguably the best current player in women’s platform tennis, Patty is as much a contributor as a taker. Her other numerous undertakings include: Beacon Hill -Director of Racquet Sports, Junior Nationals Chairperson, PTM Instructional Staff Supervisor, PPTA Testing Professional, Viking Cup Event Coordinator, and Player’s Committee Representative for the APTA.

Patty is planning on playing the 02′-03′ season with Hilary Debbs. In the meantime, she is working her way toward becoming a scratch golfer. Patty exclaimed, “I just shot my first 80! It’s not the same as a National Championship, but it sure feels good too.”

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 4 Issue 1, September 2002