The women’s 6.0 division was the largest, with a total of 13 teams entered.  Many of the teams seemed very evenly matched, as it seemed that some of the longest and hardest fought matches were in this division.  The winners were Jessica Ma and Kyoko Tokunaga, who earned a 6-3, 6-3 victory over finalists Dawn Kahng, and Suzie Kim.  Consolation draw winners were Sophie Fegan and Barbara Halk, who defeated Alison Tong and Rosie Go 6-4, 6-0 in the final.

The women’s 7.0 division was almost as popular as the 6.0, with 10 teams entered.  In addition to winning the 6.0 crown, Jessica Ma was also a winner in the 7.0 division, teaming up with Karthi Gopalan to take the final 6-3, 6-2 over Kounghee Kang and Takako Ware.  The consolation draw winners were Cai Caabay and Rose Caabay, a mother-in-law/daughter-in-law team who defeated Kathy Manchuk and Naomi Vargas 6-3, 6-3 in the consolation final.

In the women’s 8.0 division, Phuong Nguyen and Giang Pham were the winners, defeating Carrie Bell and Sally McElravey 6-1, 6-1 for the title.  In the consolation draw, Amanda Kao and Pam Schmidt emerged victorious with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Leticia McCaig, one of the teaching pros at Las Palmas, who played with her student, Katy Maltby.

On the men’s side, there were only two divisions, 6.0 and 8.0.  Rohit Behl and Prashant Soral were the 6.0 champions, defeating finalists Albert Law and Ed Tam, 6-4, 6-3.  In the consolation draw, Henry Buffalow and Jean Hassoun won a very hard-fought final, 7-5, 7-6(6) against Raylin Choy and Jack Stanley.

On the men’s 8.0 side, the winners were Craig Denamur and Robert Ehle, who defeated Myoungsu Jeoung and Bill Kahng in the final 6-0, 7-6 (5).  The consolation draw winners were David Nguyen and Ron Wong, who pulled out a very close 7-6(6), 5-7, 7-5 win over Gary Caabay and Yean-Jyz Lu.

Several hardy players competed in more than one division, and because of the guarantee of at least two matches per division with the conosolation draw, they had lots of tennis to play during the week-end.  Hats off to Natalya Bach, Jessica Ma, Angelina Phung, Divina Christopher, and Jean Hassoun for their love of tennis and willingness, not to mention stamina, to play so much!

All who played in the tournament received a Sunnyvale Tennis Club shirt, and this year there were two women’s styles offered in addition to the standard t-shirt for the men, which proved to be very popular with the ladies.  The winners and finalists in the main draw received a club sweatshirt as a prize, and the consolation winners received a folding canvas chair.

One of the highlights of the event was the presence of club member, Dr. Colle Hunt, a chiropractor with a local practice in Sunnyvale.  He set up a table where he offered advice and short stretching sessions to all players who sought him out.  He was seldom idle, as many of the tournament participants made use of his services, and appreciated a little relief from their sore muscles and bones.  Thanks, Dr. Hunt, for your participation.

Many thanks also go to all who played in the tournament, and to all who pitched in to help make it a success.  Tournament Director Roger Okamoto, Co-Director Carrie Bell, and Referee Philip Stromer were assisted by a number of club members who volunteered their time—Emi Kawamoto, Tamara Lo, Nizwer Hussain, Analiza Dolor, Daisy Poon, Bonnie Ehle, Liz Kung, Cosie Sasaki and Basem Alsheleh.  The club really appreciates all your efforts!

The next tournament is coming up soon, July 29-30, and will be a mixed doubles tournament.  Flyers and entry forms are available in the shop at Las Palmas.  Please join us for another fun week-end of tournament tennis!