On Friday, August 13, 16 seasoned players from the Vineyard, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Boston made up a field of eight doubles teams in the first Compass Tennis Tournament on Martha’s Vineyard at the Island Inn Country Club in Oak Bluffs.
With a presidential golf party sometimes serving as a backdrop on the nearby links, the players enjoyed a relaxed and flexible game schedule, which proved comfortable for all participants. Why a “compass”tournament rather than a traditional, one-game elimination tournament?
“I wanted to provide the players with as much game time as possible and thought this would provide the perfect opportunity,” tournament director Tom Rabbit said. “During a compass format all players are in the tournament to the very end. The top prizes go to the east winner (who is undefeated) and to the east runner-up (who has lost only to the east winner). Next in order are the winners and runners-up from: north, west, and south. Everyone wins and comes away with a cash prize.”
The tournament was played over the course of 11 days. Teams continued to change brackets as they accumulated wins and losses. Each team was guaranteed three matches, which gave them a chance to play in a final in their section. All participants received cash awards with the champions receiving stylish compasses and engraved glassware as well.
With the success of the tournament, Mr. Rabbit and co-director Elaine Pinckney are already discussing plans to make the tournament an annual event, and expanding the field to include a women’s section.
Results: East Champions: Todd Hollister and Shaun Schofield; East runnerup: Chuck Scott and Gene Erez. West winners: Lance Pope and Russ Hawkins; West finalist: Roger Spinney and Ray Lincoln. North winners: Pat Cashin and Ray Perez; North finalist, Stephen Harr and Samm Walton. South winners: Russell Jackson and Tom Montero. South finalist: Sandy Ray and Tom Soldini.