Region VII News 2008-2009

Paddle is Coming to Charlotte!

BOYD DESPARD
JANUARY 13, 2009
CHARLOTTE, NC

YOU can bring happiness to a lost paddle soul in Charlotte. Spread the word!

As the New Year unfolds in 2009, new opportunities are all around. One such fantastic opportunity is expanding the platform tennis footprint in the South with an attempt to capture Charlotte, NC - top twenty most populous cities in the US, top 5 in the South.

But we need your help! As Charlotte is home to banking, technology, manufacturing, transportation, etc., we have attracted many "Northerners" who have brought their appetites and energies for paddle sports to the area. Many have settled with tennis to feed their paddle enthusiasm, continuing to fuel the tennis explosion in the area, but all have left the paddle gear in lost forgotten boxes in storage, not willing to part with at Goodwill or garage sales, but rather hoping that some day ...... their dreams will be filled yet again and they will be able to stand tall and strong with the paddle Gods!

We need your help to spread the word to family, friends, acquaintances that live or have moved to the Queen City area. Our web site is www.charlottepaddle.org and my e-mail address is bdespard@charlottepaddle.org for more information on our plans to get paddle to Charlotte. Happy New Year

Experience Prevails in 1st Tar Heel Men's PCQ

RICH GREEN
DECEMBER 13, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, NC

Paddle players old and new gathered from around the south to enjoy the 1st men's tournament in Chapel Hill.  Participants came from Savannah, Hilton Head, Charlottesville, Winston-Salem, Chapel Hill, and Nyack.  On a beautiful December day with temps starting in 20s and rising to 40s, Chapel Hill's 2 courts were going from 8am until 6.  The draw was limited to 10 teams this year to be able to finish in 1 day.  When UNC's 3 additional courts are completed Chapel Hill may accommodate more teams.
Complete Coverage and Slides

Todd and Lawson Claim the 2008 "Games on the James" Title

TOM WALLACE
DECEMBER 11, 2008
THE COUNTRY CLUB OF VIRGINIA

Platform tennis weather was certainly in evidence on Saturday, December 6. The Country Club of Virginia was the host site for the 5th annual “Games on the James” platform tennis championships, and the temperatures hovering in the low 30s had paddle enthusiasts smiling and spectators shivering.

Fourteen teams squared off for the multiple-consolation tournament, which included some very experienced teams and some game newcomers. Richmonder Andy Todd and CCV’s Peyton Lawson claimed the title over Carolina’s team of Rich Green and Greg Archer. The third place playoff was an epic battle, as Charlie Cobb and his brother, Mike, took a third-set tie-breaker over Charlottesville’s Forrest Butler and Mark Tulenko. Mike Cobb unleashed an enormous forehand winner as the first snowflakes made their appearance.

Other players in the draw representing CCV included Steve Loderick, Ruddy Rose, John Mason Antrim, Tom Bryan, Sandy Gullquist, Massie Meredith, Blake Gayle, Will Ferrell, Todd Oney, Chris Snow, Hampton Bargatze, Randolph Trow, and Tom Wallace.

Picture: (l-r) Rich Green, Greg Archer, Tom Wallace, Andy Todd, Peyton Lawson.

Peachtree Platform Tennis Exhibition & Clinic

PETER LAUER
NOVEMBER 1, 2008
ATLANTA, GA

Current and two time National Platform Tennis Champion Brian Uihlein, along with seven time National Champion Scott Mansager, traveled from Chicago to Atlanta to help kick off a new season of platform tennis, a popular and growing racquet sport in Atlanta and around the south. Joined by Rod Workman, PPTA President Mike Rahaly and APTA President Mark Fischl, they headlined a November 1 Exhibition and Clinic at the new Cherokee Town Club platform tennis venue. The event was hosted by the Peachtree Paddle League and sponsored by the APTA, Wilson and 11 other league sponsors. More details and photos

Peachtree Paddle League Update 2008-09

PETER LAUER
SEPTEMBER 16, 2008
ATLANTA, GA 

Atlanta platform tennis continues to boom, with a great ‘08/’09 season planned by the Peachtree Paddle League ( www.peachtreepaddle.org ). Beginning with a season kick-off party Oct 10 ^th at the “Whale Bar” featuring the premier of the new video “Dawn of Paddle” on the 150” HD screen.

On November 1 ^st we’ve planned an Exhibition & Clinic at the newly built paddle venue at Cherokee Town Club. Brian Uihlein, Scott Mansager, Mike Rahaley and Rod Workman will dazzle the crowd, with a guest list that includes all tennis directors from clubs around Atlanta. Mark Fischl, APTA President, will also take part.

The Peachtree Paddle League season starts play the 2 ^nd week of November, with expanded play, more teams, more players, more sponsors & more courts. As well, on November 22 ^nd , 8 players from the Glen View Club in Chicago are coming to town for an Interclub challenge.

January 17 & 18 is the weekend for the 4 ^th annual Peachtree Invitational, this year a NRT as well as a PCQ, with spots reserved for out of town players who want to come challenge the locals, and see what all the buzz is about. The official season wraps up on February 28 ^th with the grand finale challenge among the 6 teams in the League.

We’re in conversation with various other clubs to build additional courts, and believe that the sport has unlimited potential here in the Heart of Dixie (and tennis). Come visit!