Tournament Recap: Eastern Takes Third Consecutive Annual Addie Cup in Philly
There is an extremely active and competitive tennis circuit for seniors happening, and it’s only getting stronger. One example of this is the Pauline Betz Addie Cup. In its 45th year, Eastern took home the Cup.
This Cup event began in 1981 through the major efforts of several “cast off” Sears Cup players (the young guns mainly in their 20s and 30s). When they turned 40, they realized they were not finished competing, and thus the Addie Cup was born. Starting as a 40 and over four-section team event (New England, Eastern, Middle States and Mid-Atlantic), it has evolved into one that now includes an 80 and over division. And who better to name this Cup after than Pauline Betz Addie, a Californian who spent most of her adult life in Bethesda, MD, raising a family and teaching tennis to hundreds of people. She won professional titles at the US Championship and Wimbledon, and she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1965. From 1981 - 1985, Pauline played doubles on the Mid-Atlantic team for the Cup that bears her name. She passed away in 2011, at the age of 91.
The four sections rotate hosting the Cup. The Cup winner is determined by total matches won out of a possible 19 in the five age groups. The team that takes at least 10 lines among all age groups wins the match. This year, the event was held on May 31 – June 1 at two sites in Philadelphia, the Waynesborough Country Club and the Aronimink Golf Club.
In the first rounds, New England faced Mid-Atlantic, and Eastern took on Middle States. Not only was there a threat of rain all morning but also winds that forced players to adjust and readjust their games. Players were fortunate to get the day’s rounds in with a little help from some indoor courts at Aronimink. Eastern and New England ended strong in their first rounds leading to the final the next day.
On Saturday night everyone looked lovely as the players enjoyed a fun cocktail hour and delicious meal at the Waynesborough Country Club sponsored by the National Women’s Tennis Organization.
After a night of rain, we lucked out on the weather, and the outdoor clay was ready. Eastern was racking up the points in the 40s and was leading before the doubles began. Both teams were on the sidelines with eyes glued to the remaining doubles matches. It was neck and neck and came down to a 60s doubles match which went into a third set tiebreaker. But Eastern proved a little stronger and clinched the breaker and the Cup 10-9.
The battle between Middle Atlantic and Middle States also came to an exciting finish for third and fourth place with Mid-Atlantic prevailing 10-9.
The beauty and special nature of the Addie Cup is its multi-generational approach and that every point counts- up and down the age groups. And we are fortunate to be playing and competing and experiencing the camaraderie that goes with this kind of tournament. Everyone poured their heart and soul into every point of every match.
Pauline Betz Addie should be pleased and proud of the legacy she has left. New England will host next year’s Addie Cup at Longwood Country Club in Brookline, MA.