U.S. Amateur Racquets Championship

Tennis & Racquet Club of Boston

December 11^th – 14^th, 2008

 

Small draw, pre-Christmas? Who cares!!! The Tennis and Racquet Club of Boston hosted a fantastic weekend of rackets, parties and fun. The 2008 Tournament Committee, made up of many of the new Boston players Lucas Walsh (last name sound familiar?) Ryan Hayes, Brad Ursprung, Evan Turner et al showed the Rackets’ community that Boston is back, baby!!

 

Of course one cannot talk of the Boston club without mentioning the names Denis Walsh, Dev Hamlen, Todd Meringoff and Nelson Russell. These veterans are handing over the ropes to the new blood to market and represent the club on tour. Of course these old boys (well, Todd is not really an “old boy” but …you catch the drift) do continue to play and travel. Richard Bernstein (an old boy) unfortunately was working in Montreal for the weekend and missed the fun. He was there in spirit and graciousness as he offered his apartment for the weekend. Alistair Gourlay, Nick Kaulbach, Shawn Faguy and Ace were the lucky recipients of Richard’s open house.

 

On to the fun!!! Thursday night there was the traditional Gentlemen’s Dinner held at the very beautiful Union Club of Boston. Drinks, hors d’oeuvres, great food (almost ½ cow on each plate) and lots of stories were the order of the day. Speeches of course were on the agenda welcoming out-of-towners and expressing thoughts about the game. Young Evan Turner of the Boston club, stood up during the evening and delivered a speech about rackets, friendships and camaraderie. Ever hear that before? Oh yeah!!! Often!! But not from a young first year player. It was surely the highlight of this part of the evening. Close to this highlight was the Joke of the Night, delivered by Lucas Walsh and the Poem of the Night from James Coyne. Please contact Lucas and James for information concerning these fine efforts. The Annual T&R pre-Christmas Winter Party was being held on the same night, so it was back to the club for drinks, pool, a little gambling and more fun. Home by 2 a.m. or so.

 

Friday it was time to settle in and play some rackets. A couple of the highlight games on Friday were the match between Nick Kaulbach and Dev Hamlen. Dev won the first game 15/12. it was close all the way but the cagey vet managed to capture the victory. Young Kaulbach roared back and took the second game easily, 15/6. The third and deciding game was by far the most exciting with Kaulbach eking out a narrow 16/13 win. Another match of interest was Alistair Gourlay’s 2 straight win over Lucas Walsh. What? You say!!! An interesting match between and accomplished player and a rookie could not be. But it was. First game was what one would expect, 15/0. But game two surprised Ali a bit, for sure. Lucas pounded the ball hard and scored many winners, with wonderful racket shots amking Gourlay move a bit. Final score in this game was 15/10 and Walsh was not given the points…he earned them.

 

Friday night many visitors and members dined at Les Zygomates, a fine French restaurant, located on South Street (where all the hippies meet). Fine food and drink then back to the Cactus Club for shooters and champagne. Another 2 a.m. finish.

 

Saturday was quarter final and semis day. The top seeds, James Coyne (1), Todd Meringoff (2), Ali Gourlay (3) and Alan Rose (4) had easy games in the ¼ and Coyne and Meringoff proved too strong for the 3 and 4 seeds. Meringoff, in Gourlay’s words, put on a rackets clinic for the gallery.  Meringoff was quite flawless and was moving Gourlay side to side and deep, Keeping Gourlay from cutting any balls off near the service line. Todd owned the court for the whole match, winning 15/6, 15/5, 15/0. On the top end Alan Rose jumped on many James Coyne mistakes and managed to score some points and keep the games interesting. It was Coyne the victor in the end with scores of 8, 5 and 7. The best doubles match wasthe semi-final,  between Boston, represented by Meringoff and Rose versus Montreal’s Kaulbach and Faguy. Game one saw the MRC lads lead for most of the game, only to fall short 15/11. Game two was a quick 15/1 romp but the final game was again close as Faguy and Kaulbach showed that they can play very good doubles and will only improve with experience. Final in this game was 15/12.

 

Joe Tecce’s, an Italian place in the North end, was the scene of some good food and great entertainment. The entertainment was supplied by Todd Meringoff on the keyboard, demonstrating that he is not only North America’s finest player (born here that is) but an accomplished pianist as well. Jumping in at times were Ace with a rendition of Johnny Be Goode and James (The Crooner) Coyne, with many Sinatra tunes and a fine rendition of Otis Redding’s, (Sitting on the) Dock of the Bay with Todd on the ivories. The two finalists in the Singles draw were together singing and playing hours before there match. Do Federer and Nadal party until all hours the night before a final? Not a chance!!!! Only one sport (I think) can offer these great scenarios. Then it was back to the club for some more drinks, some gambling and fun. Oh, oh!!! 2 a.m. once again. Really getting too old for this S&%#t.

 

Sunday noon was the scheduled time for the Singles’ final. Both players arrived none worse the wear after their performance the night before. Meringoff came out the strong in the first game and took an early lead only to see it evaporate as Coyne managed to even things at 14. Todd won the 3 point set 3-0 and thus the first game. The second game was a similar one but with the roles reversed. Coyne was aggressive and took a huge lead. This lead was eventually diminished and soon the game  was at 14 all and another 3 point set. Meringoff had game ball but Coyne staved off a second loss and managed to even things at 1 game each. As always, game three was decisive. The game belonged to Coyne all the way. He held leads of 7-0, 9-2 and 12-3 before closing it out at 15/5. But it was in this game, at 12-3,  that the rally of the weekend, maybe the year took place. Perfect racket shots were made only to see them returned with ease. This rally lasted about 18-20 shots with Todd winning, much to the delight of the Boston crowd. Game three gave the gallery the third 3 point set of the match. It was a close game all the way, but Coyne’s strength  and experience proved a bit too much and the match was his after the 17-15 win.

 

Had to leave for home for the doubles but reports tell me Coyne and Gourlay beat Meringoff and Rose in three games. There was a 35-45 shot rally in game three won by Gourlay and Coyne. Apparently Ali was more excited after this rally than actually winning the title. Maybe you can check the Tennis and racquet Club of Boston's web site for the scores.      www.tandr.org

 

Tom Dobbins, Janice Pearson, Jimmy Burke, Camden Riviere and the U.S. Amateur Committee deserve many huge thanks for the fine weekend at the Tennis and Racquet Club of Boston. Thanks guys and girls.