Milbank & Delaney Triumph Again in NJ State Mixed

BRAD OHLMULLER, TOURNAMENT CHAIR
JANUARY 13, 2010
WEST ORANGE, NJ

43rd Annual NJ State Mixed Platform Tennis Championship
Montclair Golf Club, West Orange, NJ
January 9-10, 2010

Complete Draw 

What a difference a year makes for the NJ State Mixed Platform Tennis Championship. Last year, we had snow. This year, we had clear and sunny skies. Last year, play was marred by injuries to members of two of our top seeded teams. This year, we had no injuries other than the occasional bruised ego. The more things change, though, the more they stay the same. There were the familiar faces, some great paddle, lots of laughs, and a another great party. And, of course, another tournament win for Bobo Delaney and John Milbank, who reestablished their dominance without giving up a set along the way.

Overall, the tournament had a much different feel this year, with 6 of the top 8 seeds from last year’s tournament not returning to play. The top 4 seeds in this year’s tournament played as expected, reaching the semifinals. There, a healthy John Milbank and, as always, a mistake-free Bobo Delaney played a flawless semi-final match against Bill Kloss and Maria Manley. In the other semi-final match, Andrea Noyes and Mike Atkinson, in shorts of course (it was a balmy 21 degrees!), disposed of Ray Crosta and Martha Loring in straight sets. Then, in a well-played and enthusiastically-watched final, John and Bobo won 6-3, 6-3 to take home yet another NJ State Mixed Platform Tennis Championship.

The Montclair Golf Club (MGC) hosted the event, and once again lived up to its great reputation. The food was great, the presentation tasteful, and the service attentive and cheerful. Don Boegler, Cheryl Veltman, and Manny Gugliuzza deserve special thanks for all of their help in planning and preparing for the event. The tournament committee appreciates MGC’s ongoing commitment to the NJ State Mixed.

A special thanks to all of the players; the tournament sponsors – Fox Asset Management, Garippa Lotz and Giannuario, Paddlegirl, Lucky Day Ink, and Prince/Viking Athletics; and the gracious volunteers; for making this event such an enormous success. We look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Tournament Results