Atlanta Ladies Shine in NY @ President's Cup

15  men and women from Atlanta competed in the 2012 President's Cup event and National Championships in Long Island, March 15-18. The women's Region VII (South) PC team, captained by Freddy Goldenberg, took 8 players from Atlanta (Sharon Leroux, Anne Gieryn, Dawn Mullican, Lisa Teer, Agata Cioroch, Carolyn Shiverick & Bailey Symington) and captured 5 points to finish tied for 5^th with Region II (Northeast).  Given the absence of Region VI (West), this is a marked improvement over last year, plus our team pulled off a direct win over Region III (MidAtlantic) head to head, 3-2.

In order to keep the long day on schedule, a 10 point super tie breaker was played in lieu of a 3^rd set, and most players faced this challenge for the first time.  The women lost 7 matches in “superbreakers” (it is a hard way to lose) - however, win or lose, we played paddle at the highest level, joined in the great hut camaraderie- beer in hand – with friends old and new, and enjoyed outstanding service and cuisine at the prestigious Nassau and Huntington Country Clubs. Region VII will be definitely be back next year – on to Franklin Lakes, NJ! 

Our men's team, with Andy Todd of Richmond as captain, included 7 from Atlanta (Rick & Graham McNerney, Rob Celona, Steve Gareleck, Rem Reynolds & (Bob Stratton & Peter Lauer – not pictured).  Unfortunately the men took no points but competed well and lost some close ones - we are improving!

Paddle Paradise - courtesy of Phil Curtis

Paddle Paradise

Paddle tennis game was birthed in 1898,
In Albion not far from Michigan State;
The founder was named Frank Peer Beal,
It’s a game for which he had a good feel.

Inspired by tennis but on a smaller court,
The game could be played if tall or short;
The rules were similar to its sister sport,
So racquet players could easily comport.

Paddle tennis soon became all the rage,
As eager combatants took to the cage;
Why courts grew up all over the place,
From Grosse Pointe to Chevy Chase.

Finally to the sunny south paddle came,
But took so long it was almost a shame;
Heretofore northern venues held sway,
From Lake Forest to Narragansett Bay.

Led by Ansley Golf Club and the PDC,
Soon a coed paddle league came to be;
The PPL with the help of Peter Lauer,
Spawned competition ready to flower.

The local paddle talent started to grow,
With the likes of Bailey and Morneau;
And yet Freddie Goldberg and Pat Tuff,
Said two courts were simply not enough.

So the Cherokee Town Club added more,
And Steve Gareleck had another in store;
Now we can hold a national tournament,
That will entice talent nearly heaven sent.

Moral of this story is to always be alert,
Inventing a game with history you flirt;
Yet with something as good as paddle,
You’re sure to be firmly in the saddle!

• Philip K. Curtis
PPL Member since Inception

The PPL is Everywhere - BVIs

Courtesy of Allen Nelson, the PPL logo spotted in the BVIs over spring break

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