Tournament Recap: Level 1 USTA National Hard Courts

DATES: May 13-19, 2024
LOCATION: La Jolla, CA
DIVISIONS: Level 1, 50-80

80s Brookes Byrd

June gloom didn’t arrive early in La Jolla this year, and we were able to play our matches as scheduled in mostly mild May.

The doubles draw had eight teams, which were divided into two flights. We played a round robin format with playoffs for everyone—a lot of tennis! Playing for gold and silver, Roz King and Suella Steel prevailed over Heather Fiscalini and Carolann Castell in three sets. Andi Polisky and Cathie Anderson took home the bronze, winning in three over Sue McCandless and Brookes Byrd.

Eleven women competed in the singles, with Carolann Castell winning the gold, Cathie Anderson the silver, and Brookes Byrd the bronze. Most of the singles players competed in the doubles as well.

The Beach and Tennis Club treated us to a barbecue on the beach where the tide failed to dislodge us this year (the seagulls were another story). The banquet was lavish, with a new chef and a new menu. We gathered by the pool every afternoon for Happy Hour(s) to see old friends and meet new ones.

How can you lose when you are in La Jolla…by the beach…playing tennis? And we are in our 80’s!

70s Ginny Beneke

Another fun year for the 70s at the La Jolla National Hard Courts Tournament and lots of great competition. 1954 must have been a good year for birthing tennis players because the singles draw doubled from last year and the doubles added two additional teams. So nice to see the larger draws in our division.

You may not believe this, but the sun really does visit La Jolla, CA. And, if you were lucky enough to “make” the consolation round, you saw it for the semis and finals. That said, the cloud coverage is always appreciated for those mid-day matches.

As usual, the Beach and Tennis Club did a great job of running the tournament and we are always so grateful for how organized the event runs, the wonderful and friendly volunteers, and all of the delicious food. We always look forward to the beach BBQ, Thursday night dinner (Picture 1), tasty lunch buffet, and the happy hour goodies when those of us finished for the day, (or for the tournament), can sip a glass of wine, have some nibbles, and enjoy some great tennis (picture 2).

In the singles competition: While there were some tough matches along the way, the four seeds ended up in the semis - and what great matches! The final was a thrilling match between Tina and Andrea. Andrea looked like she might push the match to a third set coming back from 2-5 to a tiebreak, but Tina buckled down and won her (too many to count) gold ball at the tournament. The consolation was also packed with high level tennis and close matches. The semis saw two hard-fought matches. Helga triumphed over Carolee in a close two-set match, and Ginny and Kathy went to a long third set tiebreak. According to Bill Kellog, they set a tournament record for the longest 10-point tiebreaker (17-15).

In the doubles: The doubles also saw fierce competition with several close matches in the main and consolation rounds. The three-set final of the main draw, (Andrea and Betsy [1] vs. Tina and Jan [2]), was incredible to watch and even had a seagull taking a seat on the court for better viewing. Andrea and Betsy looked like they were going to win the match in two sets, but Tina and Jan played some incredible games to force the match to a third set. In the third set, the momentum changed again, and Andrea and Betsy went home with the gold. The semis of the consolation saw two nail-biting tiebreak sets. Joan and Camilla beat Janice and Bonnie in a second set tiebreak (5), and Karen and Helga got the win over Pam and Kathy with a third set tiebreak (7).

We are also very grateful for all of the support that NWTO provides for women’s tennis, and it is always nice to see their table at our events. We have all heard the saying, “there is no such thing as a free lunch” … but if you are a member of the NWTO, there was a free lunch at the tournament – awesome! A big thank you to NWTO for all that you do for us!

There was only one injury in the 70s during the entire tournament which gives credit to the conditioning and dedication of the players in our age group. So, it looks like the 70s have become the new 50s…. OK, that may be stretching it a bit – but impressive play by all!

60s Catherine Morgan

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club put on another spectacular USTA National Women’s Hard Courts tournament May 13-19 and though some mornings were cool and overcast, typical “May Grays,” the sun broke through for gorgeous afternoons with spectacular weather all day on both Mother’s Day Sunday, May 12, and Saturday, May 18.

With 29 entries in this year’s Women’s 60s Singles, including seeds #1 Vicki Buholz, #2 Frances Chandler, #3 Shelly Works and #4 Gayle Prejean, as well as Christina Kaus, Jenny Keller, Judy Newman and Wanda Howes, match play was fierce and exciting to watch. Jenny Keller won the overall 60s Women’s Singles title when injured Wanda Howes had to retire in the finals with Christina Kaus placing 3rd over Judy Newman, who also retired injured. Shelly Works won the 60 Singles Consolation in a nail-biter tiebreak 10-5 over Lindsay Montero.

In Women’s 60 Doubles, 24 teams entered with seeds #1 Hammargren & Paulsen, #2 Buholz & Keller, #3 Prejean & Howes and #4 Newman & Smith as well as Robertson & Kaus, Muesing & Meoli, Malhame & Buchholz, and Works & Miller. Buholz & Keller claimed the 60s Women’s Doubles Title in two sets over Robertson & Kaus, with Prejean & Howe finishing 3rd over Newman & Smith via WO [inj]. Works & Miller won the 60 Doubles Consolation in a two-set battle over Muesing & Meoli.

Competing in this tournament is a special experience, with the gorgeous hacienda-styled buildings of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club directly on the Pacific Ocean at La Jolla Cove with beach access for miles of walking, a spectacular rose garden, a large pond and beautifully manicured grounds, free onsite parking, a newly renovated main clubhouse, restaurant, bar and player’s lounge. Other highlights of this top USTA National Hard Courts included the players’ BBQ Tuesday evening dinner with tables on the beach as well as the wonderful players’ cocktail and dinner Thursday evening in the large, protected courtyard area with tables set around the outdoor pool. Also very much appreciated were the NWTO’s generous voucher for snack/lunch selection under small tents, daily morning coffee service in the back pool/restaurant area, abundant towels and water, evening cocktails and live coverage of The Italian Open in the large player’s lounge/presentation room. Most of all, tennis players, friends and family from across the country as well as the world congregated at La Jolla for a great week of match play, friendship, comradery and simple enjoyment of the amazing sport of tennis.

Lastly, huge thanks to tournament Director Bill Kellogg, Referee Marilynn Baker, Desk Manager Conan Lorenzo as well as all the friendly and welcoming La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club members for yet another wonderful, highest-level USTA National Women’s Tournament. BRAVO!!!

50s Leora Grimshaw

Whether it is sunny, May Gray or a little bit of both, La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club is often the destination for some of the finest senior women tennis players. This year the draws of the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s did not disappoint. With a loaded draw of 24 ladies in the 50s age group, play began on a cool Monday morning. With a gentle ocean breeze lingering throughout, the sound of tennis balls being struck cleanly with precision could be heard over laughter and camaraderie, despite fierce competition.

By the end of the tournament many matches were completed with several upsets along the way. We were all left feeling satisfied with many high quality points, tired muscles, new friendships and old ones rekindled. Together, we left that very special place, LJBTC, with our cups full of feelings of happiness and anticipation articulated by the phrase, “See ya next year!”

A special thank you to the entire staff and LJBTC family for always making this tournament one of the favorites of Senior Women’s tennis.

QUICK RESULTS→

🏆 W50

SINGLES: 1st Amanda Parson Siegel, 2nd Dina McBride, 3rd Kathy Archibald
DOUBLES: 1st Amanda Parson Siegel / Dina McBride, 2nd Valerie Tan / Darice Carnaje, 3rd Christen Bartelt / Page Bartelt

🏆 W60

SINGLES: 1st Jenny Keller, 2nd Wanda Howes, 3rd Christina Kaus
DOUBLES: 1st Vicki Buholz / Jenny Keller, 2nd Lori Robertson / Christina Kaus, 3rd Gayle Prejean / Wanda Howes

🏆 W70

SINGLES: 1st Tina Karwasky, 2nd Andrea Barnes, 3rd Elizabeth Kuhle
DOUBLES: 1st Elizabeth Kuhle / Andrea Barnes, 2nd Tina Karwasky / Jan Kirkland, 3rd Narelle Pettee / Masako Beppu

🏆 W80

SINGLES: 1st Carolann Castell, 2nd Catherine Anderson, 3rd Brookes Byrd
DOUBLES: 1st Roz King / Suella Steel, 2nd Heather Fiscalini / Carolann Castell, 3rd Andi Polisky / Catherine Anderson