During the Labor Day weekend, the All Island Tennis Championships to benefit Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard were a huge success for players, spectators, and Hospice, according to tournament organizers. With nearly 85 players participating, the event raised more than $15,000 for Hospice.
On the tenth anniversary of the tournament, organizers took a chance and changed the tournament format to a “Compass Draw.” There were plenty of questions and some confusion about this little-known tournament format, which allows participants to play on all three days of the tournament.
“What happens when I lose my second match?” was the most prevalent question. Players were delighted to hear they would be playing twice more. By Saturday, players caught on and were enjoying the new format, and by tournament’s end on Sunday, there were many rave reviews.
“I loved the format,” Lynn Blake of Vineyard Haven said. “I got to meet players I never get a chance to play against.”
Maya Moran of Oak Bluffs was thrilled to find out she would be playing on the final day. “This is first time I am still in the tournament and playing on Sunday,” she said. “It’s great!”
Nearly perfect tennis weather made for a wonderful Friday evening for the pro doubles exhibition, cocktail party, and start of the silent auction. Tournament directors and organizers, Mas Kimball and Mike Johns, thanked all the sponsors, volunteers, and players for making this another terrific event.
Final Results:
Men’s Singles (East): Josh Caplan def. Jim Zappacosta (6-0, 6-1). Men’s Singles (West): Janis Krums def. David Kelliher (5-5, Ret (inj)). Men’s Singles (North) Conner Downing def. Geoffrey Rose (6-1, 6-0). Men’s Doubles (East): Bob Fitzgerald/Brian Fitzgerald def. Conner Downing/Kiric Hallahan (6-3, 6-3). Men’s Doubles (West) Josh Caplan/Michael Caplan def. Gene Erez/Chuck Scott (6-3, 6-3). Men’s Doubles (North): Tyson Tyler/Patrick Tzanis def. Doug Cooper/Sandy Nadelstein (4-6, 6-4, 10-5). Men’s Doubles (South): Todd Hollister/Shawn Schofield def. Stephen Harr/Roger Spinney (6-1, 6-2).
Women’s Singles Winner: Megan Cerullo with 4 match wins (Round Robin). Finalist: Carol Guthrie with 3 match wins. Women’s Doubles (East): Susan Kimball/Liz Roberts def. Diane Burwen/Carla Cooper (6-3, 1-6, 10-5). Women’s Doubles (West): Jennifer Combra/Maya Moran def. Irina Gerhard-Kim Materese (6-2, 6-3). Women’s Doubles (North): Michelle Bettencourt/Jeannie Holenko def. Natalie Krauthamer/Anne Williamson (6-3, 6-4). Women’s Doubles (South): Doreen Rezendes/Susan Stevens def. Rebecca Haag/Susan Herr (6-2, 6-1).
Mixed Doubles (East): Amy Rice/Riss Sandblom def. Susan Kimball/Arthur Stafford (3-6, 7-6, 10-5). Mixed Doubles (West): David Kenney/Liz Peirce def. Gene Erez/Maggie Mae (6-1, 6-2). Mixed Doubles (North): Darren Belisle/Lucia Hayman def. Jilana Abrams/Alan Abrams (6-1, 6-2). Mixed Doubles (South): Megan Farrell/Jeff Young def. Russell Hawkins/Susan Peltier (6-4, 6-1).