Tennis Panorama News

La Jolla, Calif. – (May 19, 2013) – Third-seeded Vicki Buholz of Dallas ended the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Championships on a winning note as she won the Women’s 50 Consolation singles title for the second consecutive year.

Playing on the historic Court No. 1 at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Buholz defeated her best friend and doubles partner Kathy Vick of Lubbock, Texas, who was forced to retire at 5-0 in the first set due to a shoulder injury.

Vick, who was the tournament’s fifth seed, suffered the injury during a doubles match on Friday.

“It’s kind of disappointing that I didn’t get to play a good match with Kathy because Kathy is a good competitor and we love to compete. I feel sorry for her,” said Buholz, who defeated Toronto’s Erin Boynton in last year’s Women’s 50s Consolation title match.

In other tournament action on Sunday, Susan Bramlette of Houston, edged Victoria McEvoy of Cambridge, Mass., 7-5, 7-6 (0), to win the Women’s 60s Consolation singles title and Lurline Fujii of La Habra, Calif., won the Women’s 70s Consolation singles final with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Lyn Tietz of Hinsdale, Ill.

“It was spectacular week of entertaining tennis during these senior championships at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club,” said Tournament Director and LJB&TC President Bill Kellogg. “The fans who attended and the players who participated had a great time. We are already looking forward to next year’s event.”

The 2014 USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Championships are scheduled for May 12-18 at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Championships

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

La Jolla, Calif.

Surface: Hard Court

Sunday’s Results

 

Women’s 50 Singles

Consolation – Championship

Vicki Buholz (3), Dallas, def. Kathy Vick (5), Lubbock, Texas, 5-0, ret. (right shoulder injury)

 

Women’s 60 Singles

Consolation – Championship

Susan Bramlette (5), Houston, def. Victoria McEvoy (5), Cambridge, Mass., 7-5, 7-6 (0)

 

Women’s 70 Singles

Consolation – Championship

Lurline Fujii (4), La Habra, def. Lyn Tietz, Hinsdale, Ill., 6-1, 6-2

 

Women’s 80 Singles

Consolation – Championship

Janet Hubbard, Huntington Beach, def. Irene Bretzel, Fircrest, Wash., W/O

La Jolla, Calif. – (May 18, 2013) – With main draw singles matches already completed, consolation matches took center stage at the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Championships at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

On a bright and sunny Saturday morning, third-seeded Vicki Buholz of Dallas advanced to the Women’s 50s Consolation singles final with an entertaining come-from-behind, 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-1,semifinal victory over fifth-seeded Erin Boynton of Toronto.

Earlier in the week, Buholz was eliminated in the main draw quarterfinals after losing to fifth-seeded Judy Newman of Scotts Valley, Calif. 6-3, 7-6 (5).

“(Judy and I) go back and forth. She can play really tough and she played solid that day. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her play better,” said Buholz as she spoke about her quarterfinal loss to Newman.

“She was coming in on everything and of course I was hitting the ball short. I tried to get it deep and I just had a hard time,” Buholz added. “I don’t feel bad losing to Judy, she played great.”

Following her main draw quarterfinal loss, Buholz is enjoying playing in the tournament’s consolation rounds. “I love tennis. I have a passion for tennis. I play every match I can play. I’m excited to play in the final,” she said. “I love this tournament and every win is a win.”

In Sunday’s Women’s 50s Consolation singles final, which is scheduled for 8 a.m. (PDT), Buholz will face her best friend and doubles partner, Kathy Vick of Lubbock, Texas.

All women’s consolation events will conclude on Sunday, May 19. Matches will begin at 8 a.m.

The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s 41st Annual Spring Senior Championships for men is also taking place this week in conjunction with the women’s events. Although the men’s events are not national championships, they feature many senior players who regularly compete in national tournaments. The men’s events include singles and doubles for 60 and over, 65 and over, 70 and over, 75 and over, 80 and over age groups.

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club welcomes tennis enthusiasts to view the tournament with free admission. On-site parking is available for a nominal fee. Tournament draws are online at: http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=125267

Designated as one of the Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the world by Tennis Resorts Online, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s reputation as a top tennis destination started in 1942 when it attracted its first major tournament, the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship.

About the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc. – The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company dedicated to the operation of a 14-acre beachside resort. The resort includes three properties, including the exclusive La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, the 128-room La Jolla Shores Hotel and the award-winning Marine Room restaurant. Resort amenities include 14 championship tennis courts, a nine-hole Par-3 golf course, two swimming pools, two additional oceanfront restaurants and cocktail lounges, and one of Southern California’s only private beaches. For more information visit LJBTC.com.

USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Championships

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

La Jolla, Calif.

Surface: Hard Court

Saturday’s Results

 

Women’s 50 Singles

Consolation – Semifinals

Kathy Vick (5), Lubbock, Texas, def. Marianne Caplan (5), Harrisburg, Pa., 6-2, 6-4

Vicki Buholz (3), Dallas, def. Erin Boynton (5), Toronto, 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-1

 

Women’s 60 Singles

Consolation – Semifinals

Victoria McEvoy (5), Cambridge, Mass., def. Kathy Barnes, San Jose, 6-3, 6-2

Susan Bramlette (5), Houston, def. Carolee Hammel Wellsville, Utah, 6-4, 6-3

 

Women’s 70 Singles

Consolation – Semifinals

Lurline Fujii (4), La Habra, def. Teri Eggers (5), Orange, 6-4, 6-2

 

Women’s 80 Singles

Consolation – Semifinals

Janet Hubbard, Huntington Beach, def. Sally Fuller, La Jolla, 6-0, 6-0

Irene Bretzel, Fircrest, Wash., def. Nancy Kibbey, La Mesa, 6-2, 6-4

 

Women’s 80 Doubles

Championship

Jane Buffington, Lincoln, Calif., and Beverly Winans (1), Newport Beach, def. Margaret Canby, San Antonio, and Doris Lutz (2), Sarasota, Fla., 6-3, 6-3

La Jolla, Calif. – (May 17, 2013) – The third time was the charm for top-seeded Tracy Houk of Montara, Calif., as she overwhelmed second-seeded Frances Chandler of Jackson, Tenn., 6-1, 6-0, to win the Women’s 50s singles title of the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Championships at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

The 51-year-old Houk had been a tournament singles finalist the past two years, but fell short each time. This year however, there was no doubt as she broke Chandler’s serve at love to open match and won 12 of the first 14 points and would go on to build a 5-0 first set lead.

After closing out the first set with her fourth service break, a determined Houk stayed focused in the second set and continued to pressure Chandler from the baseline in dominating fashion as she won 12 of the first 15 points.

Houk proceeded to wrap up the second set in 25 minutes to win her first USTA National Women’s 50s singles title. “I just went in there determined. I knew I could do it. I wanted to put 110 percent into it and I did,” said an overjoyed Houk.

“I’m in shock. There was more emotion the last two years when I lost. This year, it hasn’t hit me yet because I worked so hard to get here, but I am truly happy. It’s incredible.”

Houk, who thanked her coach Mike Zarraonandia for helping her win the tournament, said the key to her victory was her intensity and the ability to keep the ball deep in the court during the match to prevent Chandler from attacking.

In other title matches played on Friday, defending champion and top seed Tina Karwasky of Glendale, Calif., won the Women’s 60s singles crown as she got past third-seeded Mary Ginnard of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 6-4, 6-4. It was the second straight year Karwasky defeated Ginnard in the final.

“It’s always tough play Mary because we’re both so competitive,” Karwasky said after her match. “She raises the level of her game every time she plays me, so I never know what to expect. I just made a few less unforced errors.”

In the Women’s 70s singles final, second-seeded Catherine Anderson of Del Mar, Calif. scored a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory over top-seeded Charleen Hillebrand of San Pedro, Calif. to win the title.

Number one-seeded Margaret Canby of San Antonio defeated second-seeded Doris Lutz of Sarasota, Fla., 6-3, 6-4, to capture the Women’s 80s singles championship.

The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s 41st Annual Spring Senior Championships for men is also taking place this week in conjunction with the women’s events. Although the men’s events are not national championships, they feature many senior players who regularly compete in national tournaments. The men’s events include singles and doubles for 60 and over, 65 and over, 70 and over, 75 and over, 80 and over age groups.

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club welcomes tennis enthusiasts to view the tournament with free admission. On-site parking is available for a nominal fee. Tournament draws are online at: http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=125267

All women’s consolation events will conclude on Sunday, May 19. Matches will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Designated as one of the Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the world by Tennis Resorts Online, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s reputation as a top tennis destination started in 1942 when it attracted its first major tournament, the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship.

La Jolla, Calif. – (May 15, 2013) – Second-seeded Frances Chandler of Jackson, Tenn., defeated Canada’s Erin Boynton, 6-2, 6-3, to advance to the Women’s 50s singles semifinals at the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Tennis Championships.

Playing on Court No. 8 on a cool, breezy day at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Chandler needed one-hour and 25 minutes to get past the fifth-seeded Boynton, who hails from Toronto.

Using her strong baseline game, Chandler built a 4-1 lead and would go on to win the first set in 33 minutes. In the second set, Boynton served at 2-3 and fought off six break points to win a 16-point game and tie the set at 3-3.

In the next game, Chandler saved a break point and held serve to take a 4-3 lead and went on to win the next 10 out of 12 points to close out the match.

“It was a lot tougher than 2 and 3. She had me on the ropes a lot. She helped me out a couple of times on short forehands when she missed,” Chandler said. “If she had hit them, they would have been winners and it (the match) could have gone the other way.”

The 51-year-old Chandler is looking to regain the Women’s 50s title she won at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in 2011, when she defeated Tracy Houk of Montara, Calif., in the final. In last year’s tournament, Houk turned the tables as she defeated Chandler in the semifinals.

“Tracy beat me last year and there are a lot of tough players, so there is not an easy match anywhere,” said Chandler, who admitted that in would mean a lot to her to win the USTA gold ball.

In Thursday’s Women’s 50s singles semifinals, Chandler will face fifth-seeded Judy Newman of Scotts Valley, Calif, who ousted third-seeded Vicki Buholz of Dallas, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Houk will play fourth-seeded Carolyn Nichols of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

If Chandler and Houk win their semifinal matches, they will meet yet again in the Women’s 50s. This time, it would be in Friday’s singles championship final.

Elizabeth Cookson of San Mateo, Calif., and Lucille Trefzger of Lake Oswego, Ore. wrapped up the
Women’s 90s doubles title as they combined to defeat San Diego’s Jane Howard and Helene Salvetat of Hossegor, France, 6-4, 6-2, in the championship.

The national senior women’s tennis tournament, which concludes on Sunday, May 19, features singles and doubles events in the 50 and over, 60 and over, 70 and over, 80 and over age groups, as well as a doubles event in the 90 and over age division.

The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s 41st Annual Spring Senior Championships for men is also taking place this week in conjunction with the women’s events. Although the men’s events are not national championships, they feature many senior players who regularly compete in national tournaments. The men’s events include singles and doubles for 60 and over, 65 and over, 70 and over, 75 and over, 80 and over age groups.

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club welcomes tennis enthusiasts to view the tournament with free admission. On-site parking is available for a nominal fee. Tournament draws are online at: http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=125267

The starting times for each day of the tournament are as follows: Thursday, May 16 through Friday, May 17 – 8 a.m.; Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 – 9 a.m.

All women’s main draw singles finals and women’s 50, 60, 70 and 80 main draw doubles finals will be played on Friday, May 17. All women’s consolation events will conclude on Sunday, May 19.

The main draw singles and doubles finals in the men’s divisions will be played on Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19, with the exception of the Men’s 70 doubles, which is slated for Thursday, May 16.

Designated as one of the Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the world by Tennis Resorts Online, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s reputation as a top tennis destination started in 1942 when it attracted its first major tournament, the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship.

About the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc. – The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company dedicated to the operation of a 14-acre beachside resort. The resort includes three properties, including the exclusive La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, the 128-room La Jolla Shores Hotel and the award-winning Marine Room restaurant. Resort amenities include 14 championship tennis courts, a nine-hole Par-3 golf course, two swimming pools, two additional oceanfront restaurants and cocktail lounges, and one of Southern California’s only private beaches. For more information visit
LJBTC.com.

 

La Jolla, Calif. – (May 14, 2013) – Top-seeded Tracy Houk of Montara, Calif., is playing in her third Women’s 50s tournament at the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Tennis Championships this week at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

After losing in the Women’s 50s singles final the past two years, the 51-year-old hopes the third time is the charm and this will be the year she breaks through and wins the national title and the USTA gold ball.

On a cool, mostly cloudy morning, Houk, who received a first-round bye, began her quest for the championship as she scored a hard-fought 6-2, 6-0, second-round victory over Tai Sisson of San Dimas, Calif.

“I had to step it up a little bit. These girls get the ball back, they run down a lot of balls and they’re in really good shape,” Houk said after the match. “I’m taking it one match at a time. Every match is going to get tougher.”

With the second-round victory, Houk advances to the quarterfinals, where she will face fifth-seeded Marianne Caplan of Harrisburg, Pa., at 10:30 a.m. (PDT) on Wednesday.

A veteran tournament player, Houk holds 18 gold balls for winning USTA national singles and doubles titles in various age divisions, including the doubles championship at last year’s Women’s 50s at the LJB&TC. However, she is still looking for her for first hard court singles title in the Women’s 50s.

When asked about her chances of winning this year’s singles title, Houk responded, “I never look too far ahead with each match, but if I make it to the finals, it’s got to be this year. I love this tournament. It’s my favorite tournament and I look forward to coming here every year.”

In other Women’s 50s singles action, third-seeded Vicki Buholz of Dallas eliminated Shelley Susman of San Diego, 6-1, 6-2 and second-seeded Frances Chandler of Jackson, Tenn. got past Jenny Keller of La Jolla, Calif., 6-2, 7-5.

The Women’s 90s doubles final will be played on Wednesday at 1 p.m. (PDT). San Diego’s Jane Howard and Helene Salvetat of Hossegor, France, will face Elizabeth Cookson of San Mateo, Calif., and Lucille Trefzger of Lake Oswego, Ore.

The national senior women’s tennis tournament, which concludes on Sunday, May 19, features singles and doubles events in the 50 and over, 60 and over, 70 and over, 80 and over age groups, as well as a doubles event in the 90 and over age division.

The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s 41st Annual Spring Senior Championships for men is also taking place this week in conjunction with the women’s events. Although the men’s events are not national championships, they feature many senior players who regularly compete in national tournaments. The men’s events include singles and doubles for 60 and over, 65 and over, 70 and over, 75 and over, 80 and over age groups.

 

The starting times for each day of the tournament are as follows: Wednesday, May 15 through Friday, May 17 – 8 a.m.; Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 – 9 a.m.

All women’s main draw singles finals and women’s 50, 60, 70 and 80 main draw doubles finals will be played on Friday, May 17. All women’s consolation events will conclude on Sunday, May 19.

The main draw singles and doubles finals in the men’s divisions will be played on Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19, with the exception of the Men’s 70 doubles, which is slated for Thursday, May 16.

La Jolla, Calif. – (May 13, 2013) – San Diego’s Shelley Susman made a winning return to competitive tennis on the singles court as she defeated Susan Lammers of Seattle, 6-2, 6-1, to advance to the second round of the Women’s 50s Division at the USTA National Senior Women’s Hard Court Tennis Championships.

On a warm, sunny day at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, the 49-year-old Susman won her first tournament singles match in almost 30 years after she stopped playing competitive tennis in the mid-1980s due to injuries.

It was back in 1981 when Susman captured the individual singles title at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) San Diego Section Girls’ Tennis Championship while playing tennis for La Jolla High School. She later played collegiate tennis at San Diego State University.

A resident of the San Diego community of Carmel Valley, Susman began playing tennis again two years ago and has played in several women’s doubles leagues. She is currently a tennis teaching professional at the Surf & Turf Tennis Club in Del Mar, Calif.

“It felt fantastic. It felt great to be out here and getting back into the (singles) game,” said Susman following her first-round victory. “I had a good warm-up before I played the match. My opponent was tough and it wasn’t pretty sometimes, but I got through it.”

Susman, who will face third-seeded Vicki Buholz of Dallas on Tuesday at 9 a.m. (PDT), said, “It’s really nice to be able to get back into the game. It’s nice to see some of my peers and it’s good to get back to my roots in tennis. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

Susman is the daughter of Karen Hantze Susman, who won the Wimbledon singles title in 1962 and Wimbledon doubles title with Billie Jean King in 1961 and 1962.

After her singles match on Monday morning, Susman acknowledged that she received some inspiration earlier in the day from her mother, who packed a bag of snacks for her that included a hand-written note of encouragement.

In the Women’s 50 Division, top-seeded Tracy Houk of Montara, Calif., and second-seeded Frances Chandler of Jackson, Tenn., received first-round byes. In Tuesday’s second round action, Houk will face Tai Sisson of San Dimas, Calif., while Chandler will face Jenny Keller of La Jolla, Calif.

The national senior women’s tennis tournament, which concludes on Sunday, May 19, features singles and doubles events in the 50 and over, 60 and over, 70 and over, 80 and over age groups, as well as a doubles event in the 90 and over age division.

The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s 41st Annual Spring Senior Championships for men is also taking place this week in conjunction with the women’s events. Although the men’s events are not national championships, they feature many senior players who regularly compete in national tournaments. The men’s events include singles and doubles for 60 and over, 65 and over, 70 and over, 75 and over, 80 and over age groups.

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club welcomes tennis enthusiasts to view the tournament with free admission. On-site parking is available for a nominal fee. Tournament draws are online at: http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=125267

Scheduled start of play:
Women Men
Tues.: 80 Singles and 80 Doubles Tues.: 65, 70 Singles
Wed.: 90 Doubles Wed.: 60, 80 Singles / 65, 75 Doubles
Thurs.: 75 Singles / 60 Doubles
Fri.: 80 Doubles

The starting times for each day of the tournament are as follows: Tuesday, May 14 through Friday, May 17 – 8 a.m.; Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 – 9 a.m.

All women’s main draw singles finals and women’s 50, 60, 70 and 80 main draw doubles finals will be played on Friday, May 17. The women’s 90 main draw doubles final is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15. All women’s consolation events will conclude on Sunday, May 19.

The main draw singles and doubles finals in the men’s divisions will be played on Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19, with the exception of the Men’s 70 doubles, which is slated for Thursday, May 16.

Designated as one of the Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the world by Tennis Resorts Online, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s reputation as a top tennis destination started in 1942 when it attracted its first major tournament, the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship.

About the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc. – The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company dedicated to the operation of a 14-acre beachside resort. The resort includes three properties, including the exclusive La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, the 128-room La Jolla Shores Hotel and the award-winning Marine Room restaurant. Resort amenities include 14 championship tennis courts, a nine-hole Par-3 golf course, two swimming pools, two additional oceanfront restaurants and cocktail lounges, and one of Southern California’s only private beaches. For more information visit LJBTC.com.