Scott Kahler and Filip Rams Win Battle at the Mudhole

July 20, 2020
Plain City, OH

Brian Heil

The 7th annual Battle at the Mudhole Covid-19 version went off without a hitch. Spread out benches, tents, limited hut use, no showers, sanitizing spray bottles, and hand sanitizers were all new to this year’s tourney but it was accepted as the new norm and all still had a blast. The weather was beautiful (low 80s as opposed to high 90’s last year), the competition was great, and, as always, so was the camaraderie. Players from New York, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Columbus filled the 18-team draw and battled from 9:30 AM until the last match ended at 7:45 PM.

There were no surprises throuth to the semis as the top seeds and two-time defending champions Ryan Baxter and Tommy Murphy had little problem taking down Mitch Granger and Brian Heil, 6-2, 6-3, and the number two seeds Scott Kahler and Filip Rams squeaked by Mark Barry and Danny Hersh in a third-set tiebreak. In the final, it was all Kahler/Rams as they systematically dismantled Baxter/Murphy, 6-2, 6-1.

In lieu of favors, the Mudhole paid out modest amounts to the winners of each draw with the winning team taking home $500 and the finalists $300....which I am told is better than a kick in the head. Thanks to all who made this event possible in these uncertain times; sponsors Xenon, Crest Retirement, Shadetree, Nourse, Mike Lindell for the wine, and, as always, Rich Ihlendorf for supplying the beer. Thanks to Elysium Tennis for hosting and to Paul Jones who did all the grilling. Lastly, thank you to all who participated in this year’s event. The support from Region IV is much appreciated every year and this year even more so with over half the draw from out of town or out of state.

RESULTS
Main Draw: Scott Kahler/Filip Rams def. Ryan Baxter/Tom Murphy
Quarter Reprieve: Winners Klint McEnery/Dan Morneau
Consolation: Winners Davis/Wigaru
Last Chance: Winners Baab/Boyce