This past Saturday, 8 pros and 8 club members intermingled in a very enjoyable and action-filled tennis pro-am. Playing in a unique round robin format, (designed by our pros who happen to have PHDs in computer programming), each amatuer played with a different pro, against a different amateur and pro, making for interesting and varied matchups. Names were pulled out of a hat, so who you played with and against was “luck of the draw”. The round robin consisted of 3 one-set rounds. Then, using a plus/minus point differential scoring system, a playoff round ensued, pitting the 1st place amateur and pro against the 2nd place amateur and pro, 3rd place, against 4th, 5th against 6th, and 7th against 8th.

For those who ignored the complicated scoring system and just tried to strike the tennis ball, a great time was had. Amateurs came up with some surprisingly good shots, and the pros, well what can I say, that’s why we call them pros. 1st place went to Kiril Popov (pro) and our beloved sponsor Parker Gennett, who defeated Rodrigo Valle (pro) and Frank Goroleski. The winning pro received $80, and the runner up $50 for their efforts. Yours truly did manage to finish 3rd place, thus securing an invite for next year.

A special thanks to our sponsors, Dr. Parker Gennett of Foot Care Centers, and Dr. Dan Sambursky of Opthalmic Associates , not only their generous sponorship, but their positive support and participation. There was some debate whether a sponsor should be entitled to win his own event, but when I declared Dan Sambursky the front runner to win next year’s event, all protest died down.

Participants:
Pros: Representing Bolivia, Bulgaria, Israel, Florida & Pa
Kiril Popov - Birchwood Racquet Club
Dan Hanegby - Binghamton U Mens Tennis
Steve Spencer - Binghamton U Mens Tennis
Rodrigo Valle - Binghamton U Mens Tennis
Jordy Asher - Cadence
Billy Mendler - Binghamton Tennis Center
Collin Crawfor - Binghamton Tennis Center
Michael Starke - Binghamton Tennis Center

Amateurs: Representing the greater Binghamton Area
Parker Gennett
Dan Sambursky
Joe Fanara
Tim Saunders
Jay Jaen
Frank Goroleski
Jeff Kopolow
Bill Mirch

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It is time to announce the Male & Female Most Improved Players for 2003. This presitgious award is one we enjoy giving out, and the pro staff gives the matter much debate and deliberation.

This years winners are Sue Vail & Doug Smith. Both winners will receive a plaque, a free lesson and most importantly, have their names engraved on our Most Improved Player Plaque that hangs in the lounge

This is our 18th year of handing out the award. We already have our eyes peeled, searching for our 2004 nominees. It could be you, so keep working on your game!

Past Winners

Year Male Female
2002 TJ Cafario Molly Fitzgerald
2001 Dan Sambursky Cindy Moore
2000 Larry Rouff Kathy Reid/Theresa Price
1999 Sheldon Maskin Barb Jones
1998 Jeff Conklin Gail Deveraux
1997 Fred Weiss LouAnn Rauber
1996 Jack Olsen Linda Lewis/Slyvia Kaenzig
1995 Mike Ashman Sandi Sanzo
1994 Dale Sacharov Andrea Reger
1993 Jud Griffin Ann Cameron
1992 Al Tricomi Lana Rouff
Ray Everhart Janet Nardocci
1991 Dale Fluegel Linda Hall
Chuck Ketchuk Mary Lou Kent
1990 Rick Marsi Karen Anderson/Tulia Grassman
1989 Pete Bouman Babette Markey
Mick Atwater
1988 Marvin Menewich Jean Quataert
1987 Bob New Kathi Wise
Vince Goirdano Julia Ruan
1986 Michael Burke Linda Spear

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Now that the sun has shown for the past four days, it is officially time to: announce our US Open Bus trip. The day is Tuesday, August 31, which is Day 2 of the Open. We meet at 6:30 am at the Binghamton Plaza. As the US Open has not yet set their ticket prices, we have set a tenative ticket price of $87 for the Arthur Ashe stadium and $80 for a grounds pass, which gets you everywhere but Arthur Ashe stadium. We have 135 tickets available; 90 tickets for Arthur Ashe, and 45 grounds passes.

Tickets go on sale March 1 (now) and will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Ticket sales will only be open to members until April 1. Full payment secures your ticket.
The price includes your ticket, bus transportation there and back (unless you miss the bus!) and Bob deVente’s famous tailgate party in the Shea Stadium parking lot. If you are an ardent tennis fan, this is a must trip.

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This past June, I witnessed the greatest tiebreaker I have ever seen, and it took place right here at BTC. Now I know what you are saying: The greatest tiebreak of all time was the McEnroe/Borg 4th set 18-16 tie break at the 1980 Wimbledon finals. While that match may have been one of the greatest Grand Slam finals of all time - with two of our sport’s finest players or all time riveting millions of fans in a truly classic matchup - beauty remains in the eye of the beholder. Move over McEnroe and Borg. You’ve been outdone

The matchup I prefer involved Collin Crawford and partner John Salmon pitted against Frank Goreleski and Dan Santelli. Three of these four are locals, the 4th being a NYC resident born and raised in Vestal. The setting: Court 3 indoors. The event: the 23rd Annual BTC Clay Court Championships. The match: 1st round Men’s Doubles.

The match started out innocently enough, with Goreleski & Santelli racing out to a one set lead and seemingly ready to close out the match. As is often the case, serving out a match is easier said than done. Before we all knew it, the 2nd set slipped from their grasp and a 3rd had begun. The “we” consisted of a small group of tournament contestants who, having already finished, was rather impatiently hanging around for this match to finish, so everyone could gather at Yanni’s for post-match analysis. Comraderie goes hand in hand with local competition. The time was late, after 9 p.m. The mood was restless at best. LET THE MATCH JUST FINISH!

At some point toward the end of the 3rd set, the mood changed. Players began elevating their games. Alarmingly good shots started happening. Suddenly, neither team wanted to lose this 1st round match. All of a sudden, these four entered into that seldom-visited realm of the 3rd set tiebreak. Our interest was peaked. We had a battle going. Yanni’s could wait. Destiny was about to take place.

The tiebreak started tensely. No player gave an inch. First, Samon with a two-handed forehand winner. Then Crawford with an amazing lob retrieve. Then Santelli with a scintillating forehand serve return, hit harder than any amateur has a right to. Followed by Goroleski with a service ace. The stakes had been raised. In a heartbeat, the score was 6-6, with one match point already saved. Then, as if by magic, all four players simultaneously entered that even less-visted realm of “tennis zen”. Their playmaking went off the charts. Match points weren’t merely saved, they were won in dramatic fashion, with the final shot being extraordinary. Points were not lost, they were won. This was no longer an ordinary 1st round doubles match. Every point made the highlight reel. 12-12, 14-14. Saving match points with a blazing winner became routine.

In the meantime, loyal fans knew they were witnessing something special. We huddled courtside like pack rats by the door to Court 1, barely able to contain our enthusiasm. Maybe a beer or two helped our mood at this point. Who cares. Could history be in the making? Would they beat the 18-16 mark?

On and on the contestants battled, oblivious to everything but the tennis ball. Time seemed to stand still. Suddenly it was 18-17, serving for the match. And once again, a shot well above the players’s normal level of play was struck. Winner. The modern record broken! History being made at BTC. And yet they fought on. Finally, the inevitable occured; a ball was netted, and the tiebreak ended, 22-20 in favor of Collin and John. The look on their faces was more of relief than victory. All four players just stood there, unsure of what to do. Weary beyond weary, they staggered off the court with their partners, unaware of their new-found place in tennis history and lore. “We,” being of the old Aussie school of tennis, merely said, “Great match mates. Time to celebrate.” And that was the end of it. But the match remains etched in my memory: Four local players giving it their all, stretching their mental and physical limits to the limit, providing drama and theater for a precious few in attendance. During that tiebreak, these were my heros, achieving what we all dream of on a tennis court: taking your game to the next level, side by side with your partner, with a match on the line. Sorry John, sorry Bjorn, you played the 2nd greatest tie break of all time.

Collin, Dan & Frank, 3 of the four contestants in attendance at the Sambursky/Gennett Men’s Pro-Am (signing autographs)reminiscing about the match over a cold one, just as all the past greats do.

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Congratulations to Kiran Aravapalli for being selected as BTC’s Junior of the month. Kiran is 16 and a junior at Vestal High School. Kiran has been playing tennis for 5 years. Kiran has shown substantial improvement over the past year, beating kids he had previously lost to and displaying much improved consistency. He attributes his recent success simply to an increased dedication and amount of time he spends onthe court.

Question/Answers with Kiran

Kiran will be playing for Vestal High School Varsity Team this spring where he has his eyes set on the #2 singles position. For being selected to Player of the Month, Kiran will recieve one free hour of tennis towards his portion of court time. The first person to correctly identify the person in this picture will recieve a $5 credit toward their next court time. The hair should be a dead giveaway! We will only accept e-mail entries: btc@tennisctr.com

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