Montreal hosted the U.S. Pro Singles/Pro-Am Doubles this past weekend. It was probably (in my lifetime, anyway) the first time the event took place in Canada. Well, the MRC put on a wonderful show, starting with the Gentlemen's Dinner.

The key event of the dinner was the Calcutta auction for the Pro-Am Doubles teams. Each team was bid on by individuals (or consortiums). The top four teams with the highest bids became the top four seeds and the other placements were done randomly. At the end of tournament, the total of all the bids will be divided up to three winners (Champion - 50%; Finalist - 15%; Plate Winner (Consolation) - 15% )  and the MRC (20%). Many amateurs placing in the event bid on their team, but there was some hot and heavy bids racing around the room.

Fairly early evening for Bryce and his very able staff. Friday saw play from 10 a.m. until around 7:00 p.m. Finished at 7 on a Friday!!!Oh yeah, it wasn't the Canadians. Saturday was 1/4 final and semi-final day. Many great games and perhaps a few upsets. The play went on until after 10 p.m. when the final pair for the Pro-Am double final was known.

Sunday was finals day. In the Plate Final (doubles consolation), Neil Smith and Elihu Inselbuch easily beat Charterhouse professional, Martin Crosby and his MRC partner, lefty Claude Perron.

The singles' final took only the minimum number of games, but the play was excellent. The finalists know each other's game as they play on the same court (Racquets and Tennis) every week. There were some great rallies with each player able to  retrieve  what seemed like sure winners. Smith , at 45, looked like the Smith of old at times, but the youthful Stout (22 years old) was able to put it in high gear and come out the victor.

Ryan Tulley (MRC pro) and MRC Fellow, Sam Northeast came quickly out of the blocks and won the first two games before giving the elders a game. The third game was all youth and the title went to Tulley and Northeast. For Tulley, this was the second time he has been part of the title pair. he won with MRC Fellow, Nick James when they beat David Makey and Rupert Owen-Browne in NYC. Congrats Ryan, on the victory and the wonderful work done organizing this most successful weekend.

Will this type of weekend be a fixture in the Fall lineup next year? Who knows? But when the pros are on holiday from their schools in the UK, it makes sense to have it at this time. Maybe another club can take it next year.

Chuck and the rest of the staff were brilliant over the weekend. Kudos also go to Philippe and Dominique Metayer, who prepared and served the food over the weekend. Oops!! i almost missed Bryce. Well, he was Bryce.

Finally a huge thank you goes to Richard Cooper, whose love and dedication to our game, made some of this terrific weekend what it was, a success.

Until next time....

Pro-Am Weekend Draws