Question of the season

The Question of the Season is a quarterly NSMTA website feature that provides our members an opportunity to tell about themselves by means of their bios and through an interesting facet of their careers as senior and super-senior players.
by Paul Fein |

Fall | December 2023

”Who is the most interesting, important, inspiring, or even life-changing person you’ve met while playing senior sectional, national, or international tournaments or team events? And why?”

Mike Lammens

BIO — Played football and No. 1 singles on the tennis team at South Gate High School in Los Angeles. On the football team, was first-string and was 2nd team all-league defensive middle guard and offensive right guard. Also voted “Most Inspirational Player” on the football and tennis teams. 

Took up tennis again in my mid-40s. Obtained a Master’s degree in Construction Management in 1981, but quit my job as a construction professional at the age of 55 to teach tennis full time. Subsequently developed and patented the QM-1 Camera Mount (mytennistools.com), which I sold and marketed for about 11 years. Sold the business in 2022 and “retired.” Currently play both pickleball and tennis, and started a new website “mypickleballtools.com.”  :)

MOST INSPIRING PERSON — This is tough to answer as I have learned so much from so many! But when it comes to life-changing, I have to credit my deceased doubles partner of around 12 years, Paige Hiatt. He was a class act on and off the court, and we would work together diligently on all the aspects of our game—mental, physical, and emotional—and have a blast doing it. Paige and I achieved a year-end national doubles ranking of No. 6 in the 55s. We also won numerous State and City titles.

Through our journey together, I learned a lot about myself and how to handle tough situations. I still ask myself, when faced with any kind of adversary, on or off the court, what would Paige do in this situation?

Jon Wilson

BIO — I grew up in Dover, New Hampshire, which was not a hotbed of tennis. My mother was a tennis player, and we had some neighbors who were also avid tennis players. We also lived near public courts. This group started a club to promote tennis utilizing the public courts. They ran free tennis lessons for juniors and organized leagues and tournaments, and this volunteer club with no facilities grew to have a sizeable, very active membership. This Sherwood Tennis Club was active for over 30 years and was responsible for many young players acquiring a lifetime sport with some having quite successful college and amateur careers. I personally was an average junior tennis player and played through high school with no accomplishments worth mentioning. I resumed playing after college and started to realize how much I really enjoyed tennis. I have had more success in my 50+ career, simply because I enjoy playing and have grown to love the sport.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON — The reason I continue to play USTA events is the people I meet and the relationships that result from playing. I almost always come away realizing the bond that has developed with so many tennis “buddies” that I couldn’t imagine occurring under other circumstances. With that reality in mind, the promoters of the game of tennis have to be the most important, inspiring, and life-changing people. While I have to give honorable mention to the late Henry Tiberio, I have to say the one at the top of the list is Bob McKinley. Anyone who has played at Bass River in Beverly, Massachusetts, on Sunday mornings over the past two decades won’t be surprised by this selection. His weekly email to promote this “senior” event goes out to 182 senior players. Bob has also organized and captained many teams to national and intersectional events. I know I am not alone in greatly appreciating what Bob McKinley has done for senior tennis in New England.

Dennis Engelbrecht

MOST INSPIRING PERSON — My nomination for most interesting, inspiring, life- changing person is actually a group of people, our spouses/partners, without whom we would lack the support necessary to do our thing, but also for there to be sufficient other people to comprise tournaments and championships in which we are so privileged to compete. For me, this has been an “all in” year for training and tournament play based on my goals and the dream of winning a gold ball (or a few). At each tournament, we get the opportunity to meet these interesting people from all walks of life, professions, and ports literally around the world.  Their role is manifold, but first allowing us to pursue our competitive obsession for this great sport. It requires substantial financial commitment (I stopped counting at $30,000 for the year), travel, time commitment, time away from children and grandchildren, time away from us when we can’t travel together. As much as we all hate rain delays, actually all delays, our spouse/partner frequently sits quietly with their book while we adjust away any fun activities we might have planned, so they can watch us make inexplicable errors, at times mop, make them nervous as heck and sometimes cheer, but not for opponents’ errors, lest they get the “glare.” When we finish, more waiting as we shower (after we stop sweating) and do something with our soaked attire. And, we usually get some free advice or tips, but surely rely on them for emotional support as needed and probably get more love than we deserve. For some, they sometimes get to play with us in doubles—yay! I can say for sure that my pursuit would not be possible, nor nearly as fun and rewarding if it weren’t for my spouse, Gay. However, I am inspired and thankful for all of our supporters, for without them, there would be no competition.

BIO — Two major career phases, the first in sports, dominated by tennis, the second career in business consulting, focused largely on the commercial construction business, with full retirement scheduled for Dec. 31 this year. I started playing tennis at 15, started teaching at 17 with Nick Bolleteri, and grew within that firm, All American Sports, to become Exec VP and 40% partner. Along the way, I ran one of the largest junior tennis camps in the world and was director of tennis at Sawgrass and Amelia Island Plantation in Florida. Before going back to school to earn an MBA and pursue a consulting career, I sidetracked with ownership of a USBL basketball franchise, worked for Turner Broadcasting as a sales and marketing manager for the Goodwill Games, and worked on social justice issues with the Center for the Study of Sport in Society. The past 23 years have been with The Family Business Institute primarily running a CEO Peer Group program for construction companies across the US. Seven children (combined) and eight grandchildren.

Jerald Hayes

BIO — I grew up in Danville, Indiana, and started playing tennis when I was 9 in a parks program. Tennis was not a Danville High School sport.  I played during the summers and was a walk-on at Purdue University. I quit after two practices because I felt it would take too much time away from studying in my civil engineering program.

I didn’t play for 15 years until a neighbor asked me to play when I was 36, and I have been playing ever since. I won my first ball (silver) at age 75 playing doubles. I won my first national tournament in my first year in the 80s. I have now won 17 gold balls to date and I am 87 years old.

As a member of the U.S.A. Team selected by the USTA committee, I’ve won four gold medals at the ITF Super Senior World Team Championships. They came at the 2016 Gardnar Mulloy Cup (80 and over) in Umag, Croatia; at the 2017 Gardnar Mulloy Cup in Orlando, Florida; at the 2022 Lorne Main Cup (85 and over) in Boynton Beach, Florida; and at 2023 Lorne Main Cup in Mallorca, Spain, when I was team captain.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON — I am probably not the first person to select John Powless as the most interesting, important, and inspiring person I have met to date in my tennis-playing career. 

I first met John at a tennis tournament in French Lick, Indiana, where I lost to him in the finals. I played so well against him he asked me to be on the USA Gordon Trophy Cup Team the following year (USA vs Canada). That request gave me huge confidence in my playing ability.

John was unique in not ever forgetting a person's name.  I was a nobody as a tennis player in my early years, but he never forgot my name.

John gave me a pep talk after I lost a match at the World Team Championships in Turkey. Another confidence booster.

It was somewhat ironic winning my first ball (silver), losing to John and his partner in doubles.

William (Bill) Finger

BIO — At age 70, I returned to competitive tennis after a 30-year break. Tennis was a lifeline for me growing up in Jackson, Mississippi. I played from No. 3 to No. 6 singles and No. 2 and No. 3 doubles on the Duke University tennis team in the 1960s. In early adulthood, I built a family.

Tennis again offers an anchor, now for old age. In 2016, I self-published my first book and am considering options for the second one, now in manuscript form. In The Crane Dance: Taking Flight in Midlife, I describe my midlife journey through understanding and dealing with chronic low-grade depression.

My new book, Courting: A Tennis Memoir, which will be published soon, describes my experiences returning to competitive tennis and how the process led to a greater understanding of tennis in childhood, college, and young adulthood. 

MOST INSPIRING PERSON — Tio Campanile defies the odds we all hope to beat – growing old. He came to tennis late in life and played in a national tournament only after he turned 90. In 2018, I saw Tio win his second USTA Men’s National Clay Court Singles Championship (he also won the doubles in 2017 and 2018). At the banquet that night he welcomed me to his table. I made a friend for life.

Tio, now age 96, inspires everyone at the Raleigh (North Carolina) Racquet Club, where we both play, with his longevity, generosity, and still solid tennis game. He remains my role model for staying engaged in life.

Paul Fein

BIO — My dad hit fly balls to me in our backyard when I was eight or nine, and I became a baseball centerfielder. I didn’t start playing New England tournaments until my last year in the juniors. I peaked at No. 7 in men’s singles and No. 4 in doubles, as I was fortunate to have standout partners, such as John Mayotte, John Hughes, Joe Bouquin, Bob Kulig, Tom Roesch, Jim Nichols, Ed Shein, and Phil Kadesch. After a 30-year hiatus, I returned to competition on the senior circuit, where I upset Fred Drilling (No. 2 in 75s) and Phil Lucas (No. 8 in 70s) and ranked No. 5 nationally in the 75s. I’ve also met and become friends with wonderful people at tournaments.

As a tennis writer, I’ve written for magazines in 30 countries, received 40 writing awards, and had five books published. The most recent are The Fein Points of Tennis: Technique and Tactics to Unleash Your Talent (2021) and Tennis Confidential III: More of Today's Greatest Players, Matches, and Controversies (Feb. 2024). Just as rewarding has been doing volunteer work for the Springfield (Mass.) Tennis Club and the Springfield Tennis Council, the highlight being when I founded and directed the Springfield Satellite Tournament, which had an international field and was commended by World Tennis magazine, in the 1970s.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON — I met the late Ron Tonidandel in 2003. After visiting his nonagenarian mother at a retirement home in northern Connecticut, Ron often came to the Forest Park clay courts, the tennis mecca in Springfield, Massachusetts, where we practiced together. We became fast friends, talking about many facets of tennis, especially improving the USTA’s flawed ranking system.

When Ron retired after a distinguished career as a Cleveland trial lawyer, he channeled his energy and brainpower into becoming a top-notch senior player. Based in Sarasota, he drove around the country playing national tournaments—hence his apt email address: travelingtennisman@gmail.com. Ron played every division from 65 through 85, plus father-son doubles where he won six gold balls with his son Jeff. Amazingly, he played more than 30 tournaments a year for several years. “Ron T,” as he called himself when he phoned me, ranked a career-high No. 4 nationally in 80 singles. During his mid- and late 80s, injuries slowed Ron somewhat, but he underwent various surgeries so he could return to tournament competition, which he loved so much. Highly intelligent, dynamic, and funny, Ron was a cherished friend, mentor, and inspiration.

Jim Mathis

 BIO — Played two years of small college tennis. Became a High School teacher and coach for 33 years. Started the Leavenworth High tennis team and coached it for 30 years. Directed over 200 tennis tournaments. Played competitive tennis for 25 years. Umpired professional tennis matches in Kansas City 1975–80. Served 20 years on the Kansas High School Coaches Association.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON — The most inspiring tennis player that I’ve met while playing tennis is George Morton. Morton is a retired Army lieutenant colonel. He played college tennis at Vanderbilt from 1965–68. Morton retired from Ft. Leavenworth (1994) and lives here in Leavenworth from May to mid-September. He then moves back to his winter home in Naples, Florida. He plays senior tournaments. He invited me down to play in tournaments and stay at his winter housing until injuries didn’t allow me to play competitive tennis. Morton was a volunteer assistant coach for the Leavenworth High School team for a number of years. We host two tournaments a year, and Morton helps make the draw as well as helps direct the tournaments. Morton gives tennis lessons. He is in the Kansas City USTA Heart of America Hall of Fame. 

Gary Jenkins 

BIO — Played varsity tennis for four years at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, 1969–73. We had good teams but were perennial runners-up to the great Trinity teams of that era. Taught tennis at various clubs in Houston until a second knee reconstruction in 1980 made me decide to change careers. Played tournaments regularly during the 1970s, including the WATCH Circuit in Florida one year. Didn’t play competitively between the ages of 30 and 50. Then decided to jump into the senior scene where it was rough sledding after such a long layoff. Things eventually improved, and I was named to the U.S. international senior team in 2019 and finished ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 9 in the World in 2021, my first year in 70s. Retired and moved back to Texas from Massachusetts in 2020.

MOST INSPIRING PERSON — Senior tennis players looking for ranking points know that a lot of travel is involved. I started playing senior tennis at 50 while living in New England. I met Kevin O’Neill while playing in the local scene and he was full of information on where and when the national tournaments were. It turned out that Kevin usually drove to these events, some of which were 1,500 miles away. So we began to travel together, driving as long as 17 hours a day. Importantly, Kevin was willing to stay at my default lodging of choice—Motel 6. Sometimes even volunteering to sleep on the floor! Kevin made his car available to any players who needed transportation. He was a very selfless presence at tournaments, always helping others. So, Kevin, thanks for all the camaraderie on all those tennis miles. It made life on the geezer circuit possible.

Summer | July 2023

“What do you remember most about the biggest singles or doubles upset you achieved at a senior or super-senior sectional, national, or international tournament?”

Mark Vines

 BIO — I grew up in the great tennis town of Richmond, VA. Played and graduated for SMU in Dallas, TX. Played and coached on the ATP Tour for a few years,  where I had wins over Ivan Lendl, Yannick Noah, and Harold Solomon. Happily playing now for 30+ years in the Seniors USTA and ITF tournaments. Lots of gold balls and many fantastic memories!

 MY BIGGEST UPSET — My most memorable moment in Senior tennis occurred representing the USA at the World Team Championships M60s in Germany. In the final vs Australia, Wes Cash and I upset the favorite team of Glenn Busby and Mike Ford. The clinching match point was a 22-shot thriller, which earned Wes and me our first-ever World Team Championship! I’ll never forget that proud feeling of winning gold for the USA…with my best friend, Wes Cash at my side! God rest his soul…

Charlie Siracusa

 BIO — Since 4/4/22, I was CGO and now CEO of Troll Clothing/Welder Nation …Honoring all of our Blue Collar workers with our trademarked slogan “Dirty Hands Clean Money.” I worked for 15 years with Hanes, 22 years with Carhartt, and three years with Timberland. I was an Ironman participant for more than 15 other triathlons and ran in three New York City Marathons. I was introduced to tennis in 1985 by my friend Charlie Kasper, who perished on 9/11. He was a FDNY Battalion Chief, who was off that day yet went toward the danger, not away from it. (https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Memory-of-9-11-victim-motivates-senior-tennis-2081294.php)

 MY BIGGEST UPSET — The memory of my biggest victories and comebacks has three common threads—focus, patience, and discipline—in that order in singles. It’s a feeling that I felt last Friday in my 5:30 am–7:30 am singles match. It’s about the breath and a quiet mind that got me from 4-6 (down 3-5) two set points to win the set 7-5 and then won 7-4 in the tiebreaker. I don’t need any more medals or trophies. My mission is pay my tennis Blessing forward. Carpe Diem.

John Mayotte

 BIO — John Mayotte grew up in Springfield, MA in the ’50s and ’60s. John’s family was fortunate to live across the street from Forest Park, which had multiple sports fields, including 20 hard and clay tennis courts. All the neighborhood boys and girls hung out at the tennis courts. That’s where and when John and later his brothers Chris and Tim went on to successful professional careers and excellent educations. We have been very fortunate.

 MY BIGGEST UPSET —  The most fun result and likely upset was my tournament win at the National Grass Court 65 Championships at the Seabright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club in Rumson, New Jersey. I chose this result because this was my first return to national senior tennis tournament competition. I played Mike Beautyman in the semis and beat Brian Cheney in the final. The grass courts were in great shape, and the sun was shining on a beautiful fall Sunday. This event reminded me of my many matches and good times at Longwood with my buddy Paul Fein.

Marty Black

 BIO — Age; 66. Married. Retired Newspaper Exec, 40+ years in the industry. Worked for Washington Post (1975-95), San Diego Union-Tribune (1995-97), Seattle Times (1998-2001), Honolulu Advertiser (2001-10), and Honolulu Star-Advertiser (2010-18). Played tennis in high school (VA State Champs in ’74), College (No. 1 singles and doubles for Rochester Institute Tech; won ICAC Singles Championship in 1981), competed 40+ years in USTA League at the 4.5 level. Occasionally played doubles in local/regional tournaments.

 MY BIGGEST UPSET — Since I've only played a few senior events, the only good example I can provide is winning the Silver Medal in Singles in the 2013 National Senior Games in Cleveland, OH in the 55-59 Age Division. I remember the weather in Cleveland was so bad we had to play indoors (in June), and I won two very close matches in the quarters and semis. I defeated Gary Pittman in three sets to win the Silver, while my wife and father-in-law watched from above the courts. After that match, I only played a few more singles tournaments since I didn't want to ruin my knees (especially playing on hardcourts!).

 Joe Bachmann

 BIO — I was born in Budapest, Hungary, where I played junior tennis and got to No. 1 in the 14 and 16 age groups. After arriving in the U.S. following the Hungarian revolution, I played two years of high school tennis and lost in the semis of the Ohio state high school championship to Clark Graebner. I played briefly at Arizona State before being drafted into the U.S. Army. I took a break from the game for five years, and after graduating from Ohio State, started to play open and age-group events in the Midwest with some success. I was fortunate to win 16 gold balls in USTA senior tournaments and was inducted into the Midwest Tennis Hall of Fame. I continue to play and plan to enter some 80-and-over tournaments in the future.

 MY BIGGEST UPSETS — My biggest wins were over Gene Scott, Bodo Nitsche, Keith Diepraam, and Keith Carpenter. They were touring pros and former Davis Cup players in their respective countries. I had plenty of good losses as well, including to Alex Olmedo, Manolo Santana, Fred Stolle, and Roscoe Tanner to name a few. All my wins over “name” players mentioned above were in the 35-55 age groups.

Don Long

 BIO — Don Long played No. 1 on the Springfield College tennis, as well the leading scorer of the soccer team from 1961 to 1965. Upon graduation, as a 21- year-old, he accepted a one-year appointment as soccer, squash, and tennis coach at Wesleyan University. Wesleyan was a member of the Little Three along with Williams and Amherst, which later became part of the NESCAC Conference. These schools became the strongest Div. III tennis conference in the country and remain so today. What began as a one-year interim appointment turned into a nearly 40-year career at the same institution. Upon retirement in 2002, Don became involved in senior tennis competitions across the country. He rose quickly from a top 10 player to become consistently ranked in the top 3 in his age group. He has been selected to represent the USA team at the World Championships five times winning 80% of his matches at the No. 2 position. In U.S. national competition, he has won five gold, six silver, and more than 20 bronze balls over the last ten years.

 MY BIGGEST UPSET — As the memories of significant victories have faded, while my thoughts kept turning to another type of match. They are "the ones that got away.” It is those matches against a great player where that “upset victory” was just a game, a point, a net cord, or maybe just a half-inch away...  those matches can remain visceral and vivid in your mind forever. I had such a match in Umag, Croatia, against 10-time World Champion Peter Pokorny of Austria. A win would have given me the #2 seed at the upcoming World Individuals just two weeks away, I was up 5-3 in the 3rd set and up 40-15 on his serve. It was double match point.  he had just missed an easy shot, and in disgust swung wildly at a first serve UNDERHAND... not even trying to get it in.  It went off the frame, 30 feet in the air with tremendous spin and somehow came straight down about 4 inches over the net... not only in the box, but also unplayable. So, now I'm disgusted while he collects himself, and hits a good shot to win my second match point.  I am still serving for the match 5-4, but he breaks me, and we go on to make it 6-6 and a tiebreaker. I go up 6-5 serving my third match point, and decide to hit a little drop slice serve.. it was perfect and he barely got to it.. hitting the ball right to me while moving hard into the net.  I hit an easy low lob as he turned and watched it go just two inches out. Another match point gone.  Up 7-6 and at 8-7 I had my 4th and 5th match points with Pokorny hitting two terrific shots off the outside half of the lines. That was it! Game, set, match, Pokorny. If I got one more point, I would be telling you about my big "upset victory," but instead it’s just “the one that got away.”   

Jimmy Washington

 BIO — Although I never had a tennis lesson in my long life, now 82 years old, I’m writing a book about using the methods of science for improving the performance of tennis. This book is part of my research on “thinking,” using tennis as a laboratory, and then it also helps my tennis game. After age 75, I began playing one national Level I tournament each year, which is the National Clay Court Championships at Virginia Beach, Virginia, where I got the following awards: a bronze ball in 75 singles and two silver balls in 80 singles.

 MY BIGGEST UPSET — The first came against Steve Lunsford, who ranked in the top 10 nationally then. I had never played him until the 2017 National Clay tourney in Virginia Beach, in the 75 singles. Warming up, I was struck by his two forehands. Getting started into the match, I was distracted by that and also unclear where I should try to hit the ball. So I decided to hit straight at him and watch how quickly he would decide which forehand to use, and then how quickly he could change grips. This tactic seemed to help my cause, so for the rest of the match, I often hit straight at him, and ended up with a 6-3, 6-2 upset win.

     I also had a big 75 singles win over Mike Stewart, 6-7(4), 6-0, 7-6(4), at the 2019 National Clay Championships at Virginia Beach, Virginia. Mike has been world No. 1 in dubs, and he is strong in singles. About halfway through the third set, my leg was getting gimpy and while trying to figure that out, I noticed that Mike was beginning to limp. So I grimaced and pretended to run fine, and I began trying to make Mike run more. At match point, I hit a drop shot that he could only smile at. So I pulled out an upset win by acting as if my bad leg was young and healthy and by picking on his bad leg. 

Geoff Moore

BIO — I was born in Brisbane, Australia in 1946 and started playing tennis at the age of 8. At 11, I was selected to practice with Ken Rosewall, who was just selected to the Australian Davis Cup team with Lew Hoad.  After that practice lesson, I practiced that slice backhand every afternoon. I wanted a forehand like Roy Emerson, a volley like Rod Laver, and a serve like John Newcombe. By age 18, I was the No.1-ranked junior in Queensland. In my first major tournament in Australia, I played Arthur Ashe in the first round and gave Ashe a really good match, going down 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.    

  I turned Pro at age 19, and in 1971 left Australia with some other players to play the ATP World Tour. While traveling, I was offered a position as Tennis and Squash Director at a club in Toronto, Canada. In 1978, I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, to be the Tennis Director at a new country club. In the 35-75 age divisions, I’ve won many State, National, and International singles and doubles tournaments. I’ve represented the USA in international competitions 12 times, and in 2022, I won the ITF World Men’s 75 Singles Championship. In May 2023, I won the Atlanta Senior Men’s 75 Singles Invitation against a strong field. As of June 2023, I am ranked No. 2 in 75 singles in the world. I will represent Team USA in the World Team event, which will be held in Spain in October.

 MY BIGGEST UPSET — I’ve won a lot of tough 3-set matches in my career, but always remember the match against Armistead Neely in the National 50s Clay Courts semi-final. Armistead was the No. 1 seed and the player to beat in those days. I lost the first set 6-3, and the second set got to 6-6. I was down 5-1 in the tiebreaker, then hit some great passing shots to win it 7-5. I played the third set with a lot of confidence, winning 6-1. I think Armistead was still thinking about how he lost that second set. The next day, I won the Gold Ball, beating Jamie Pressley in the finals in another three-set match!   

John Emory

 BIO — I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and am an investment banker.  I started playing tennis in high school, didn’t play tennis in college, and started playing USTA regional tournaments in 2022. My best national USTA ranking was 87th in 50s singles in March 2023. I was co-captain of the Stanford University Varsity Sailing Team and past national champion in one-design sailing, so sailing was my main sport until switching to tennis in my 30s.  

 MY BIGGEST UPSET — What I remember most were the tough conditions of serving directly into the sun on one side and extreme heat on both sides in a split-sets singles match versus Shiva Lakshmin at USTA 50s National Hardcourt Championships (Level 1) in Peachtree City, GA, March 2023. I won the first set 6-4, which I viewed as a good upset, before he came back to win the second set 6-4 and the match tiebreaker 10-6. I had a doubles match right afterward with my partner Brett Taunton against Ehud Kish and Scott Lindsey (who beat us) and remember a feeling of satisfaction at how my physical fitness had held up through back-to-back matches against quality players in the heat, even though I hadn’t won.

Jim Upton

 BIO — I credit my mother Paulette for my love for tennis. She played senior tennis in Southern California in the 1970s. I played tennis there in the 14s-18s. I was a Tustin High School tennis standout with CIF credentials in Orange County. I retired from my Real Estate Development Business in 2006 at the age of 58. I immediately started training for competitive tennis through gym work and aerobic training.  From 2006 to 2021, I dedicated my life to USTA-sanctioned tournaments either in California or nationally. I played in 217 singles events, 118 doubles events, posting 707 wins with 282 losses. Of those 149 were Championship Matches. I or my partners had 76 Wins. I averaged a top ten USTA national year-end ranking. I’m now 75 years young.

 MY BIGGEST UPSET — None of my USTA Championship singles matches, stand out as notable, except 2014–19 when I won 22 events in the 60 and 65 age divisions. However, one doubles match does stand out. At the 2020 USTA Level-2 Pacific Southwest Senior Championships in Newport Beach, Tom Bozarth and I were seeded No. 2 in the 70 doubles event. Frank Zebot and Mike Talmadge were the No. 1-ranked doubles team nationally and the No. 1 seeds. In a hard-fought, back-and-forth battle, we won 6-4 in the third set.  

Peter O’Brien

 BIO — I learned tennis at an early age on red clay courts in New York. I was the No. 1 player at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass. I joined Berkeley Tennis Club and returned to playing serious tennis in the Seniors. I played on the National 60s Championship team in 2011. In the 75s and 80s divisions, I won three Bronze Balls in doubles and two Silver Balls in singles. I ranked in the top 5 nationally in the 80s in 2022.

 MY BIGGEST UPSET — I was able to upset players when I had total confidence in my game and fewer concerns about my opponent’s game. These upsets happened in my first years in a new age group, specifically the 75s and 80s. My best tournament of upsets came at my first National 80s tournament at Laguna Beach, California, in 2022. I defeated David Dollins 4-6, 7-6 (5), 10-5; Robert Quall 1-6, 6-1, 10-2; and Michael Stewart 6-3, 6-1. Ironically, in January of that year, I lost in the early round of the Wilson 80s tournament in Palm Springs. I felt in that tournament I was too concerned about my opponents’ game and lost trust in my game. I changed my thinking in the National Tournament. There I concentrated on what I do best, didn’t overthink, and just executed. I found myself in “the zone,” and I was fortunate to beat two seeded players on my way to a Silver Ball before losing in the final to (world No. 1) Fred Drilling 6-4, 6-4.

Spring | May 2023

"What is the most important reason you play senior or super-senior sectional and national tournaments? “

BJ Miller

 BIO — BJ Miller is an independent Civil Engineering consultant who spent his career working on California water problems, a virtual guarantee of full-time employment. He is an avid tennis player and analyst of the game. He has spent most of his tennis career as an active member of the Berkeley Tennis Club. He has been nationally ranked in singles and doubles in his age group for many years.

 WHY I PLAY — I play national tournaments for several reasons. Sectional and, especially, national tournaments are reunions with old friends. So, there’s a great social aspect to these tournaments. I also like watching tennis, especially competitive tennis, trying to figure out who’s doing what to whom and looking for the ways that good players win. Sectional and national tournaments are great places to do that. I play tennis because it is a great endeavor. A few years ago, I read an article on the results of a study of happiness for retired people. Besides the obvious things—good health, close family, and friends, and financial security—having an endeavor, something you wake up in the morning looking forward to, was the most important. Tennis is good exercise, you make friends playing tennis, and both of those are important as we age. But for me, it’s the endeavor to improve, or at least improve relative to my age, that is most intriguing. Entering a sectional or national tournament is a powerful motivator to improve, work on the weaker parts of your game, develop different ways of playing, and get in better shape. 

Bobby Hampton 

 BIO — I was born Dec. 1941 in Chicago, Ill., and grew up in Arkansas. I worked for eight years at the Chicago Post Office. I served two years in the Army, including 13 months in South Korea. I got married in 1966 to my present wife, Susie. I went back to college and earned my Bachelor’s degree in 1971 and Masters in 1972. Then I taught for 32 years in the Chicago public school system, retiring in 2006. I’m the father of four children and have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

 WHY I PLAY — “I’ve participated in sports all of my life. Basketball was my first love. I started playing tennis at 36, fell in love with the game, and have played it ever since. My No. 1 reason for playing the circuit is for my health. Competing in tennis tournaments forces you to really extend yourself. You will sometimes cheat yourself when working out, but you can’t cheat in competition. The greatest return I get from playing tournaments is the great bunch of people I meet and interact with. And the health benefits that result from the competition.”

 Fred Drilling 

 BIO — Tennis Pro all my life—USPTA and PPR. Played Jimmy Parker at Louisville Boat Club in 1954 and a 100 times since. Ranked No. 1 in the ITF 65s in 2007 and in 2022 ranked No. 1 in the ITF 80 singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Played college tennis for the University of Arizona and ranked No. 3 and No. 5 in the NCAAs. Ranked No. 44 in men’s singles in the U.S. in 1963 and No. 40 in 1964.

 WHY I PLAY — “I always feel good from the exercise, and I know it’s good for me. I love seeing the other players, some of which I have known since we were 14, like Jim Parker, and getting to know new friends that I’ve met over the years. And finally, I like traveling to see new places in either the U.S. or foreign countries.

 James Nelson 

 BIO — I truly love the game of tennis, and it has been my guiding light through life along with God and my family. I was motivated as a young boy when Ilie Nastase and the Romanians came to play the Davis Cup team led by Stan Smith in the 1960s on the Harold Clark Courts in Cleveland. I went on to win my first tournament soon after, and have been trying to win my second tournament ever since. I know I don’t sleep, eat, or exercise right, but I know how to play the game. I am very competitive, but my main objective is to keep it real and have fun. I have to say some of my best matches have been losses where I make a new friend.

 WHY I PLAY — I’m in my 70s, and I am now considered the Ambassador instead of the Director for our hometown indoor club in Ohio. I still teach a few lessons, but my main goal is to play the “Senior Tour” until my body says stop. I also play the Father/Son, Father/Daughter, and even the Husband/Wife tour. My wife broke her wrist while playing in our last national Indoor tournament in Virginia. I haven't partnered with her since, but this year we will be back for our first 140-year division. I have not won that Gold Ball yet, but both my daughter and son have secured two Silver Balls for me and numerous Bronze Balls. I am waiting for the Brother/Sister events to become National tournaments. I coached my kid sister Vicki for 10 years on the WTA tour. She made the finals of the Italian Open among other highlights. However, she is better known for playing a 643-stroke rally that lasted 29 minutes. She could probably carry me to that elusive Gold Ball. I just want one Jimmy Parker! I made so many friends on the tour. My best friends are in this group. You are all unbelievable characters like Joe Rasgado. I can’t name all the nut cases like “let me tell you something” William, Kevin, Noble, Andy, Terry, Scott, and still searching for another gold ball Jimmy. You have become my best buddies.

 Lloyd Settle 

 BIO — I’m a retired educator. I taught night classes for the University of Kentucky (Biology), and my day job was as a high school Chemistry teacher. I started playing tennis in my 30s and tournaments in my late 30s. After I had a devastating right-hand injury at 45, I realized when I was away from tournaments that I missed how I felt to be in tournament shape. I also missed the people who played tournaments. Jackie Cooper, an old friend from Kentucky, told me he was going to coach me to play left-handed. He tried to teach me the game from the ground up on basics along with the mental aspects of the game. I am not naturally ambidextrous and still do few things left-handed other than tennis. He asked me to start playing the National 55 Hardcourts at Indian Wells, and he coached me while I was there. I continued to play the National Hardcourts in the 60s at Mission Hills. By then, Jackie had retired from Indian Wells and opened his club in Palm Desert. I went there for him to coach me to the end of the 60s. I don’t have the words to explain how much he changed the way I approach tennis and how much his words run through my mind when I play. Everything he ever told me has panned out to be true. I was very lucky that he chose me!

 WHY I PLAY — Health, both physical and mental, is the main reason I play Sectional and National tournaments. Tournament tennis players are always thinking forward, next match, next tourney, next age division. It is about the only genre of Seniors always looking forward, which adds quality to our daily lives. For the price of a USTA card and an entry fee, we can tap into the fountain of youth. Tennis adds years to our lives and life to our years.

 Larry Loeb 

 BIO — Larry Loeb, originally from Denver, lives in Riverside, Calif., and is a longtime USPTA Elite Professional. He won the USPTA National Championships Men’s Open Singles for four straight years. In national senior tournaments, he won three gold balls, three silver, and two bronze and has earned top ten national rankings numerous times, including No. 1 in Men’s 40 Singles and Doubles. In 2017, he was inducted into the University of Pennsylvania Tennis Hall of Fame.

 WHY I PLAY — I always ask my students what they think is fun about playing tennis.  Their answers vary, but when they ask me that question, I always reply, “The competition.” I don’t know if I’ve met anyone who is more competitive than I am. I’ve been playing tournaments since I was seven years old, and I still thrive on the competition, even at age 70. I have the same fire inside me playing national senior tournaments as I did when I was playing juniors, college, or on the pro tour.

 Les Buck 

 BIO — I played varsity tennis on the Princeton University team in the late 1960s, and I also competed three times at the U.S. Nationals on grass at Forest Hills in 1965, 1966, and 1967. No check or compensation for the first- and second-round losers back then before the Open Era arrived in 1968. Also, I got to be a practice partner for two days for Billy Jean King in 1973 when she was practicing to play against Bobby Riggs in the Houston Astrodome in the “Battle of the Sexes.” Apparently, I was a Bobby Riggs look-alike back then. Billy Jean practiced very hard and deserved to win that match, in my opinion.

 WHY I PLAY — I have been playing senior tennis for 13 years. I started when I retired at 65. I play because I can and primarily because of the people. I have been fortunate to have made many new friends who I enjoy very much. One such friendship lead to a small book about a former Vietnamese Viet Cong enemy who had become a friend of sorts just before he died. It was a very ironic and compelling story. Additionally, I have been fortunate to play for several international teams in Europe, Mexico, Canada, Turkey, and England. These have all been great travel experiences for both me and my wife. I also play for the obvious health benefits.  We all have to train and take care of ourselves to remain competitive. No time to get fat and lazy. As a side note, I have played matches recently against friends that I first competed against in the 13-and-under division—usually with the same strengths and weaknesses. Fond memories. As others have said before, a great band of brothers.

 David Linebarger 

 BIO — Recently retired as a Professor of Humanities, Dr. David Linebarger has published poetry, creative nonfiction, and literary criticism in over 40 journals. He currently writes a weekly blog entitled Tennis Players as Works of Art, which features innovative writing on tennis and original art from around the world.

 WHY I PLAY — “Obviously the friends, the camaraderie, the community. The prolonged and healthier life, too. But what I love most is that the competition helps focus me even more on improving my game--fitness, stroke production, variety, strategy, etc.--as I reflect on each match and how I might improve further. A never-ending process of learning. That’s what I seek out of life in everything I do.”

 Rick Ferman 

 BIO —With sixty-six years of playing tennis and fifty years in the tennis industry I have worn many hats in tennis. That includes first and foremost as a player. Also, I’ve served tennis proudly as a Head Professional, Director of Tennis, Club Manager, Club Owner, Association Executive, and Volunteer.

 WHY I PLAY — My son, R.D., and I played our first Father-Son event when he was about 10 years old. We enjoy playing and preparing for sure. But the real prize is working together to meet the challenges we encounter. We also enjoy the many friends we have made over the years and look forward to seeing them regularly.

 Tommy Connell 

 BIO — Started playing tennis when I was 13. Trusted in Jesus Christ when I was 16 and planned on being a pastor. A walk-on at Texas A&M, I was No. 11 on the team. I improved and graduated, and God convinced me that I should not go to seminary. Started teaching tennis and loved every moment. I served on USPTA/Texas board, became President, and was inducted into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame. I’ve earned seven gold balls plus many silver and bronze. Still teaching tennis in Bellville, Texas.

 WHY I PLAY — “I have always loved sports and competition, but I was very small growing up.  I never had much success until midway through college. I had limited success in the Open division, but starting in the 35s, I became more successful, and after winning several local and statewide tournaments I decided to try national tournaments. I thoroughly enjoyed the travel and meeting new players. The camaraderie, honesty, and tough competition have made my tournament experience outstanding. Once I won my first gold ball in 45 doubles, I was truly sold, and although I don’t play a lot of nationals, I get excited every time I go and play.”

 Dick Landenberger 

 BIO — I was born in Olney, Ill., where I learned to play tennis at 14 and played with my friends at the public park courts. In 1968, I moved to Texas where I began my computer systems sales career, and stayed very active in age-division play from the 35s on. I’m a USPTA Certified Pro (P-1), and I’ve ranked in the top 10 in the nation 19 times and represented the U.S. in the World Championships in England, South Africa, and Turkey. As a volunteer, I’ve served as Sectional Ranking Chairman and Dallas Jr. Davis Cup Captain and as a member of the DFW Umpires/Linesmen Association, Sectional Senior Tennis Council, National Ranking Committees, and Texas Tennis Museum/Hall of Fame Board of Directors.    

 WHY I PLAY — The most important reason I play is to see how my game compares to the many other players that are also continuing to compete. A side benefit is to enjoy the many friendships that have been established.