DATES: March 27-April 2, 2023
LOCATION: Houston, TX
DIVISIONS: Level 1, 35-85

It was another wonderful week at the 52nd National Senior Women’s Clay Court Championships! Houston Racquet Club rolled out the welcome mat with delicious daily lunches and breakfasts, banquets and happy hours, beautiful locker rooms and facilities, and well-kept clay courts. NWTO held its annual business meeting and presented its accomplishments for the past year and its goals for the future. The new leadership transitioned over, with Julie Thu and Joan Oelschlager taking the reins from Elizabeth Barnhill and Lois Harris as co-presidents. USTA National Board Member, Emily Schaefer, and Senior Manager of Adult Competition for the USTA, Adam Hutchinson, both spoke about the status of senior tennis. A huge thank you goes out to Sue Bramlette, tournament director extraordinaire, and her team! It was Sue’s last year at the helm and she has done an amazing job of making this a very special event. Enjoy retirement Sue!

35s by Alina Mihailescu

The level of the tennis players in the 35s division was extremely high, with a handful of girls playing their first Houston Clay National Tourney. On her way to the singles title, newcomer Kristen Bleakley (NC State and Mizzou tennis alum), who just aged into the 35s, defeated Monica Hoz de Vila (seed 4), Amy McCampbell, Karolina Wall and Kaysie Smashey (seed 1), all strong prior D1 college tennis players. Kristen brought in the momentum from having just won the 30s division at Les Grandes Dames Palm Beach Gardens in January. While many sets were close, the only match that went to three sets was the thrilling semi-final between Mylene Martin (seed 3) and Kaysie Smashey, where Kaysie prevailed in the tie-breaker (2-6, 6-2, 7-6).

In 35s doubles, it was great to see a large draw with 20 teams entered and hoping this trend continues in the coming years. The doubles title was won by the #1 seeds and reigning champions Julie Thu and Kaysie Smashey, who prevailed over Kristen Bleakley and Vikki Dudley in two sets (6-1, 6-3). As for me, despite not being able to compete at the highest level due to an injury, I really enjoyed getting to visit with old and new friends. I greatly appreciate all the camaraderie and support and am looking forward to seeing everyone at next year’s championship.

45s by Erin Portman

I had heard great things about the National Senior Women’s Clay Court Championship in Houston for years, so I was excited to finally experience it firsthand. I can honestly say I was blown away and it exceeded all my expectations.

From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the tournament staff. Their hospitality was second to none, and it made the tournament all the more enjoyable.

But it wasn't just the people who made this tournament so special. The tennis on display was top-notch, with players from all over the country competing at a high level. And the food... WOW! I've never been to a tournament where I've put on weight before, but the meals at the Houston Racquet Club were simply too good to resist.

The 45s division was particularly impressive, with a doubles draw featuring a whopping 30 players. The final was a nail-biter, with Marissa Chapin and Tabitha Butler eventually prevailing over Shannon Devall and Tayna O’Neil in three sets (6-2, 1-6, 6-2).

The singles draw was no less exciting, with NWTO President Julie Thu taking on Marissa Chapin in a match that ended with Julie winning the coveted Gold Ball (6-1, 6-3).

As for me, I had an amazing time at my first national tournament and was thrilled to win the consolation finals. I'm already counting down the days until next year's championship, as this tournament truly is a standout event on the tennis calendar.

55s by Gayle Prejean

The 55 women had large draws for the 52nd year of the Women’s National Clay Courts in Houston. The USA was well represented with the 33 singles entries from all over the country. Players came from Texas, Florida, Maryland, South Carolina, California, New Mexico and Washington state. The field was deep with much talent and experience this year. 3 set matches were played in the 1st round and throughout the tournament. The weather was beautiful all week, and the players were treated to breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

Vicki Buholz took first in singles. Charlotte Hartsock was runner up. Manola Colter took 3rd. Heather Herman took 4th place, Shelly Works took 5th place and Gayle Prejean took 6th in the playoff for 5/6. The 55 doubles was the largest doubles draw in the 2023 Houston clay courts with 39 teams, almost 80 players. Terry Thyssen and Laurie Capra took the doubles title this year and the gold ball. The silver went to Kristen Guszak and Wendy Cogan. The bronze went to Anna Zimmerman and Rainy Miller.

The 55’s want to thank Sue and Bob Bramlette for their work and kindness in making the Houston Clay courts one of the best and most popular tournaments to play amongst all of the US senior women. Thank you Sue and Bob!

65s by Leslie Airola-Murveit

273 players entered the Houston Clay Courts to create record participation this year, including 40 singles players and 24 doubles teams in the 65’s. Players in the 65’s traveled from 15 states and Canada. The field was strong but all the seeds prevailed. In the singles final the #1 seeded doubles team of Carolyn Nichols and Susan Wright had to battle against each other for the gold ball. It took 3 hours before #2 seed Susan defeated #1 seed Carolyn Nichols in an exciting 6-4 third set. The two won the gold ball in doubles over Leslie Airola and Andrea Barnes by default due to an injury suffered by Barnes. For the bronze ball, Betsy Kuhle/Pat Purcell defeated Colleen Clery Ferrell/ Una Davis in a three set battle with lots of fantastic net point play. Bunnie Jackson outlasted Leslie Airola 6-2, 6-4 to win the bronze ball in singles.

The players enjoyed a week of cool weather and little rain, allowing Sue Bramlette and Daryl Lerner to keep the tournament on schedule except for a three hour rain delay on Wednesday. A couple of doubles matches ended under the lights that night around 10pm. After Sue’s retirement as tournament director for 30+ years, we will miss her magic touches to make Houston the premier women’s level one tournament in the country. She’s now created a team of capable and dedicated club members to take over the reins so that future players can enjoy the tournament in years to come.

75s by Mary Alice Pisani

There were 30 players in the 75 singles. First round had some close matches with Leslie Pixley over Brenda Winstead in 3 sets; Barbara Hubbard over Carolann Castell, Brenda Carter over Ann Heim, and Heather Fiscalini over Janet Watanabe all in 2 close sets. In R16 Hubbard defeated Molly Hahn in 3 sets. In the quarters, Carter over Ann Eaton in 3 sets, Betty Wachob over Sue Kimball in 2 close sets, #2 Toni Novack over Mary Alice Pisani, and #1 Gwenda Ward over Hubbard due to an injury default. In the semis, Ward defeated Carter and Novack defeated Wachob to set up a #1 vs #2 final: Toni Novack defeated Gwenda Ward 6-4, 6-4 to win gold. In the 5-8 play-off, Eaton over Hubbard (inj def), Kimball over Pisani in 3 sets; in the final Eaton defeated Kimball 5,4; in the 3-4 playoff Carter defeated Wachob 5,6.

There were 18 teams in 75 doubles. In the quarters #3 Kimball - Pixley defeated Winstead-Fiscalini and #2 Carter-Wachob defeated Deborah Larkin-Lois Harris, both in 2 close sets. In the semis, #1 Liane Bryson-Kathy Bennett defeated #4 Ward-Castell in 2 sets and #3 Kimball-Pixley defeated #2 Carter-Wachob in 3 sets. In the final #1 Bryson-Bennett defeated #3 Kimball-Pixley 6-1, 6-4 to win gold. In the 5-8 play-off, Louie-Pisani over Hubbard-Watanabe (inj. def) and Winstead-Fiscalini over Larkin-Harris 6-0, 3-6, inj. def; in the final Winstead-Fiscalini defeated Louie-Pisani 3-6, 6-3, 6-2; in the 3-4 play-off #4 Ward-Castell defeated #2 Carter-Wachob 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

85s by Mary Ann Winden

I’m not sure, as I don’t have the past records, but it seemed like this was the largest draw for the 85’s in the history of the National Clay Court Championships at Houston. We had 18 in the singles and 8 teams in the doubles draws! Congratulations to all who participated - you are all winners and give inspiration to the younger tennis players: Carol Branson, Dori Devries, Mary Hayes, Burnette Herrick, Roz King, Caffey Litkenhous, Mary John Lynch, Maria Markwalther, Fay Martin, Kathie Meyering, Barbara Oldfield, Lola O’Sullivan, Sheila Palmer, Chris Smith, Janet Tietz, Jacqueline Van Haelst, Mary Ann Winden, and Carol Wood.

Congratulations to those who achieved the tennis balls awarded: The Gold Ball in singles went to Roz King who beat Chris Smith in the finals. Kudos to Chris Smith who won her first silver ball by beating the #1 Seed, Dori Devries in the semis. (I heard Dori hadn’t lost in 21 years! If that is true - what an amazing achievement!) Dori defeated Carol Wood for the bronze ball. The Singles Consolation Draw was won by Lola Sullivan by a score of 6-3, 6-4. over Mary Ann Winden.

In the Doubles, there were 8 teams: Dori Devries and Roz King combined to beat Carol Wood and Sheila Palmer in the final. Bronze balls went to Maria Markwalther and Caffey Litkenhous who won over Lola Sullivan and Barbara Oldfield. The Consolation was won by Janet Tietz and Kathie Meyering over Carol Branson and Mary Ann Winden.

90s by Margaret Canby

Where oh where are our 90 women tennis players? Only Lucille Kyvallos and I entered the National Clay Courts Championships in Houston. This is the first time in many years there has not been a 90s event at this wonderful tournament. You missed a really great time! The tennis was terrific, the food was outstanding, the party fun, the meeting and elections informative! Hope to see you back on the courts soon!