History of Paddle Tennis
Paddle tennis is a game adapted from tennis and played for over a century. Compared to tennis, the court is smaller and has no doubles lines, and the net is lower. Paddle tennis is played with a solid paddle, instead of a strung racket. The tennis balls are depressurized and the players serve underhand. The same court is used for singles and doubles, and doubles is the most common form of play.
Paddle tennis traces it's roots back over 100 years to its development by an episcopal minister, Frank Peer Beal, in lower Manhattan. Wanting to create recreational activities for neighborhood children, he got the city's parks and recreation department to lay courts in Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village in 1915. The first tournament was held in 1922, and the United States Paddle Tennis Association was formed the following year. By 1941, paddle tennis was being played in almost 500 American cities!
St. Augustine Beach Nationals
During the 1920's, a group of young St. Augustine men began playing a game similar to paddle tennis on the beach. They drew off courts in the hard packed sand and hit a tennis ball back and forth with their hands. Later, a net and homemade paddles were added. Prominent among these early players was Leslie Stephens, a local attorney, who continued playing beach paddle tennis into his 70's and placed second in the Labor Day tournament in 1974.
The game continued to be played on St. Augustine Beach into the 1960's when it was taken up by W.S. "Buddy" Davis, principal of the Blind Department at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine. Davis began promoting and teaching the game to all who were interested, including a group of young teachers at his school. During the late 1960's, the D&B group began having a picnic on the beach on Labor Day weekend, and beach paddle tennis was always one of the main activities.
At the 1973 picnic one of the teachers, Tom Parragin, was ill and could not play. So it was decided that he would organize the picnic players and run a small tournament. Almost as a joke, Davis wrote the results of the tournament for the St. Augustine paper, calling it "World Championship Beach Paddle Tennis Tournament." Since one of the winners, Walt Slater, was a former football standout for the University of Tennessee and Pittsburgh Steelers, the wire services picked up the story and ran it nationwide.
The news of a "World Championship" paddle tennis tournament in Florida was read by an astounded Murray Geller in New York. He immediately contacted Davis, and came down to Florida for the next tournament. He was amazed to find the locals still playing the game by the pre-1959 rules. He promptly explained the modern version of the game to them and the rule changes were adopted.
During the 1970's, the sport of beach paddle tennis continued to grow and win converts in St. Augustine. Through the efforts of Davis, Jack Driskell, Chester Benet, and many others, two hard courts were constructed at Ron Parker Park in St. Augustine Beach. The two courts became four, then six and lights were added as popularity of the port continued to grow. Eight more lighted courts were built at Treaty Park when it opened in the early 1990's.
Paddle tennis is now played by every age group in St. Augustine. It has been introduced in the school system by physical education teachers. A league sponsored by the St. Johns County Recreation Department runs year round with women's, men's, idea doubles and juniors divisions. It is truly a sport for all ages and abilities.
Past TOURNAMENT winners:
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YEAR DIVISION WINNERS RUNNERS UP
2022 Mens Open Brian Wan & Kent Seton Russ Garber & Ernesto Russo
2022 Mens A Jacob Carr & Luke Taylor Mike Cohen & Steve Hosohama
2022 Mens B Kenny Ray & Brendan Morley Ron Fudala & Josh Fudala
2022 Ladies Open Vivi Heil & Kate Lukomskaya Katrina Glusac & Nelly Pardo
2022 Ladies B Megan Alfano & Alexa Fritz Sherri Ouchi & Jen Bates
2022 Mixed Open Brian Wan & Katrina Glusac Maks Levanovich & Kate Lukomskaya
YEAR DIVISION WINNERS RUNNERS UP
2021 Mens Open Brian Wan Kent Seton Ernesto Russo Daniel Wulff
2021 Mens A Calvin Page Chris Walker Justin Craig Luke Taylor
2021 Mens B Billy Angyalfy Tim Davis Ron Fudala Josh Fudala
2021 Mens Senior Michael Lege Kenny Woods Paul Friedman Rene Lamar
2021 Ladies Open Kathleen Elkins Julie Rodriguez Katrina Glusac Cristina Kaiser
2021 Ladies B Megan Alfano Alexa Fritz Caroline Baron Melissa Miller
2021 Mixed Open Cristina Kaiser Ernesto Russo Katrina Glusac Brian Wan
2021 Mixed A Sherri Nowatzki Chris Walker Lynn Merulla Anthony Merulla
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YEAR DIVISION WINNERS RUNNERS UP
2019 Mens Pro Brian Wan Kent Seton Ernesto Russo Daniel Wulff
2019 Mens Open Clay Schwartz Vinny Green Bill Brothers Mike Cohen
2019 Mens A Tom Bryant Roger Carlton Zach Albright Adam Alright
2019 Mens Masters Gene Juziak John Day Lew Stephens Pupolo
2019 Ladies Pro Sherri Nowatzki Stacey McLemore Lynn Merulla Katrina Glusac
2019 Ladies A Cynthia Searle Kendall Jennings Ashley Berg Terri Sackmater
2018 Mens Pro Austin Doerner Scott Doerner Brian Wan Russ Garber
2018 Mens Open Bobby Stewart David Povia
2018 Mens A Jason Anderson Aaron Rimel
2018 Mens Masters John Day Gene Juzwiak
2018 Ladies Pro Jesse Irvine Jelena Durisic Michaela Kratochvilova Ana Maria Meier
2018 Ladies Open Esme Gregson Caroline Baron
2018 Ladies A Ashley Berg Brenda Shambach
2017 Mens Pro Austin Doerner Scott Doerner Brian Wan Russ Garber
Mens A Frank Galindo D. Orlando J. Craig W. Chesire
2017 Ladies Pro
2016 Mens Pro Austin Doerner Scott Doerner
2016 Mens Open Jacob Carr Brian Durr
2016 Mens A Rusty Akers Mitchell Shave
2016 Mens Masters Doug McClintock Mike Kenyon
2016 Ladies Pro Viviana Rojas Galina Boles
2016 Ladies Open Gina Blevins Krystle Kelly
2015 Mens Pro Austin Doerner Scott Doerner Scott Freedman Kent Seton
2015 Mens Open Justin Craig Luke Taylor Stevew Johnson Marcus Canillas
2015 Mens A John Day Johnny Day Jacob Carr Anthony Merulla
2015 Mens B Mike Tran Bob Vickers Zach Albright Adam Logan
2015 Mens Masters Bill Brothers Doug McLintock Bert Braddock Steve Moahan
2015 Ladies Pro Nelly Pardo Viviana Rojas-Heil Jenn Morrison Jean Schalk
2015 Ladies Open Krystle Hudgins Maria Williams Gina Blevins Sally Romick
2015 Ladies A Ashley Berg Brenda Shambach Arlene Muehl Kathy Pinho
2014 Mens Pro Scott Freedman Kent Seton Russ Garber Aldo Burga
2014 Ladies Pro Michelle Greco Patricia Mas Kelly Duchin Nelly Pardo
2013 Mens Pro Scott Freedman Kent Seton Russ Garber Aldo Burga
2013 Mens Open Steven Johnson Marcus Carillas Chuck Durr Brian Durr
2013 Mens A Ron Sass Ryan Edwards Matt Yanick Jeff Yanick
2013 Mens Masters Bill Brothers Mike Cohen Mark Kempler Jody Hunter
2013 Ladies Pro Karen Duchin Nelly Pardo Sandrine Lima Sonia Ode Lucci
2013 Ladies Open Lynn Piagno Sherri Nowatzki Stacey McLemore Toni Brooks
2013 Ladies A Amy Strahan Trisha Cox Sydney Bolin Molly Buford
2012 Mens Pro Scott Freedman Kent Seton Russ Garber Aldo Burga
2012 Mens Open Jeff Albright Steve Monahan Frank Galindo Chuck Garcia
2012 Mens A Ben Howerton Mike Buzogany Rusty Akers Kenton Akers
2012 Ladies Pro Roxanne Alt Viviana Rojas Denise Yogi Sonia Lucci
2012 Ladies Open Sherri Nowatzky Amy Kaelin Julie Taylor Lynn Piagno
2012 Ladies A Kelsey Kempler Amy Strahan Pam Jett Lesa Jezek
2011 Mens Pro Daryl Lemon Marcus Kramer Scott Freedman Russ Garber
2011 Mens Open Luke Taylor David Povia Bill Brothers Mike Cohen
2011 Mens A Tom Bryant Peyton Burchell Billy Angyalfy John Day
2011 Ladies Pro Denise Yogi Sonia Lucci Teke Capalbo Jenny Morrison
2011 Ladies Open Debbie Vaughn Pamela Jett Karen Hudgins Krystle Hudgins
2011 Ladies A Jille Shelhart Donna Davis Lesa Jezek Ashley Berg
2010 Mens Pro Russ Garber Ado Burga Daryl Lemon Kent Seton
2010 Ladies Pro Leslie Howard Bridget Huarte Denise Yogi Sonia Lucci
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YEAR DIVISION WINNERS RUNNERS UP
2009 Mens Pro Daryl Lemon Kent Seton Jeff Fleitman Don Schwanke
2009 Ladies Pro Leslie Howard Bridget Huarte Jenny Morrison Jean Schalk
2008 Mens Pro Russ Garber Ado Burga Daryl Lemon Jeff Fleitman
2008 Ladies Pro Denise Yogi Sonia Lucci Becky Burney Shelly Painter
2007 Mens Pro Russ Garber Scott Freedman Josh Oswald Steve Oliver
2007 Ladies Pro Denise Yogi Sonia Lucci Jenny Morrison Jean Schalk
2006 Mens Pro Russ Garber Aldo Burga Scott Freedman Don Dixon
2006 Ladies Pro Denise Yogi Sonia Lucci Jenny Morrison Jean Schalk
2005 Mens Pro Russ Garber Aldo Burga Scott Freedman Doug Kolker
2005 Ladies Pro Maria France-Tallon Sonja Panajotovic Becky Burney Debbie Vaughn
2004 Mens Pro John Honnen John Wood Jody Hunter Paul Thiele
2004 Ladies Pro Becky Harper Debbie Vaughn Shelly Painter Toni Brooks
2003 Mens Pro Russ Garber Sol Hauptman Mitch Kutner Robert Sostre
2003 Ladies Pro Sonia Lucci Dora Corral Denise Yogi Marni Lovrich
2002 Mens Pro Aldo Burga Scott Espinship Marcus Kramer Russ Garber
2002 Ladies Pro Jenny Morrison Teke Capalbo
2001 Mens Pro Russ Garber Marcus Kramer Scott Freedman Don Dixon
2001 Ladies Pro Marie France-Tallon Sonia Lucci Denise Yogi Marni Lovrich
2000 Mens Pro Scott Freedman Sol Hauptman Russ Garber Marcus Kramer
2000 Ladies Pro Marie France-Tallon Sonia Lucci Dora Corral Rochelle Morrison
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YEAR DIVISION WINNERS RUNNERS UP
1999 Mens Pro Russ Garber Marcus Kramer Mitch Kutner Robert Sostre
1999 Ladies Pro Jenny Morrison Teke Capalbo Marie France-Tallon Sonia Lucci
1998 Mens Pro Scott Freedman Sol Hauptman Russ Garber Marcus Kramer
1998 Ladies Pro Marie France-Tallon Sonia Lucci Denise Yogi Marni Lovrich
1997 Mens Pro Scott Freedman Sol Hauptman Russ Garber Marcus Kramer
1997 Ladies Pro Marie France-Tallon Sonia Lucci Marsha Poole Chris Power
1996 Mens Pro Scott Freedman Sol Hauptman Russ Garber Marcus Kramer
1996 Ladies Pro Denise Yogi Marni Lovrich Shelly Painter Sheryl Craig
1995 Mens Pro Sol Hauptman Scott Freedman Craig Collee Mark Rifenback
1995 Ladies Pro Denise Yogi Marni Lovrich Jenny Morrison Teke Capalbo
1994 Mens Pro Scott Freedman Mark Rifenback Jeff Fleitman Sol Hauptman
1994 Ladies Pro Jamie Murphy Morgan Bowman Jenny Morrison Teke Caplabo
1993 Mens Pro Sol Hauptman Jeff Fleiman Mark Rifenback Fernando Sartorius
1993 Ladies Pro Denise Yogi Marni Lovrich Jenny Morrison Teke Capalbo
1992 Mens Pro Scott Freedman Sol Hauptman Jeff Fleitman Mark Rifenback
1992 Ladies Pro Denise Yogi Marni Lovrich Jenny Morrison Teke Capalbo
1991 Mens Pro Scott Freedman Sol Hauptman Steve Fleiman Russ Garber
1991 Ladies Pro Jenny Morrison Teke Capalbo Elizann Caroll Marni Lovrich
1990 Mens Pro Scott Freedman Sol Hauptman Daryl Lemon Fernando Sartorius
1990 Ladies Pro Denise Yogi Marni Lovrich Jenny Morrison Teke Capalbo
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YEAR DIVISION WINNERS RUNNERS UP
1989 Mens Pro Scott Freedman Sol Hauptman Jeff Fleitman Russ Garber
1989 Ladies Pro Denise Yogi Marni Lovrich Jenny Morrison Teke Capalbo
1988 Mens Pro Fernando Sartorius Martin Silver Richard Roth Dave Stahl
1988 Ladies Pro Kathy Paben Morgan Bowman Denise Yogi Marni Lovrich
1987 Mens Pro Jeff Fleitman Sol Hauptman Richard Roth Dave Stahl
1987 Ladies Pro Kathy Paben Morgan Bowman Densie Yogi Marni Lovrich
1986 Mens Pro Jeff Fleitman Sol Hauptman Richard Roth Dave Stahl
1986 Ladies Pro Denise Yogi Marni Lovrich Teke Capalbo Jenny Shepard
1985 Mens Pro Jeff Fleitman Sol Hauptman Steve Fleitman Russ Garber
1985 Ladies Pro Sheryl Craig Judy Moore Teke Capalbo Mary Ellen Foster
1984 Mens Pro Jeff Fleitman Steve Fleitman Kenny Robshaw Mike Lege
1984 Ladies Pro Sheryl Craig Judy Moore Teke Capalbo Mary Ellen Foster
1983 Mens Pro Jeff Fleitman Steve Fleitman Kenny Robshaw Mike Lege
1983 Ladies Pro Sheryl Craig Judy Moore Mary Ellen Foster Mary Ellen Stewart
1982 Mens Pro Joe Heim Mike Lege Barry Curley Wayne Davis
1982 Ladies Pro Kim McGrath Mary Ellen Stewart Sheryl Craig Judy Moore
1981 Mens Pro Jeff Fleitman Sol Hauptman Steve Fleiman Jeff Bail
1981 Ladies Pro Kim McGrath Mary Ellen Stewart
1980 Mens Pro Jeff Fleitman Sol Hauptman Frank Swope Chet Benson
1980 Ladies Pro Donna Sweeney Jeannie Hall Terri Hall Mary Ellen Stewart
1979 Mens Pro Jeff Fleitman Sol Hauptman Frank Swope Chet Benson
1979 Ladies Pro Debbie Samuels Debbie Green Terri Hall Mary Ellen Stewart
1978 Mens Pro Jeff Fleitman Steven Geller Sol Hauptman Mike Leitner
1978 Ladies Pro Dee Day Debbie Samuels Kim McGrath Donna Sweeney
1977 Mens Pro Jeff Fleitman Steven Geller Don Johs Tom Thorton
1977 Ladies Pro Kim McGrath Karen McGrath Donna Sweeney Jamie Friedman
1976 Mens Pro Steven Geller Phil Dukes Jack Driskell Francis Dunn
1976 Ladies Pro Kim McGrath Harriet Clark Phyllis Runsey Dorothy Nowlin
1975 Mens Pro Mark Sturgis Tom Thorton Don Johs Mike Slater
1975 Ladies Pro Kim Mcgrath Karen McGrath Harriet Clark Dorothy Nowlin
1974 Mens Pro Don Johs Mike Slater Tom Parringin Leslei Stevens
1974 Ladies Pro Harriet Clark Dorothy Nowlin
1973 Mens Pro Buddy Davis Walt Slater Steele Davis Mike Slater
1973 Ladies Pro Ann Tinsley Dianne Swanson
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2022 - Carl Reich
2021 - Stacy Gaines
2019 - Mitch Kutner
2018 - Anthony Merulla
2017 - Lynn Merulla
2016 - Karen Kempler
2015 - Larry Lynch
2014 - Daryl Lemon
2013 - Ryan Edwards
2012 - Walt Slater
2011 - Mark Kempler
2010 - Kathy Drake
2009 - Dale Williams
2008 - The Martin Family
2007 - Brookes Burkhardt
2006 - Gina Blevins
2005 - Larry & Debbie Vaughn
2004 - Steve Romick
2003 - Art Guerra
2002 - Paul Kiernan
2001- Sally Romick
2000 - Ron Sass
1999 - Shelton Kiernan
1998 - Tom Parrigan
1997 - Billy Angyalfy / Robert Hall
1996 - Pennie Daniel
1995 - Maria Williams
1994 - Mike Faulkner
1993 - Toni Lowe
1992 - Heather & Jody Hunter
1991 - Terri Hall
1990 - O. Grady Query, Sr.
1989 - Dennis Sparks
1988 - Guy Morrison
1987 - Dale Williams
1986 - Beth Bowen
1985 - Rick Schilling
1984 - Jack Driskell
1983 - Bill Brothers