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Saturday was a warm, breezy day in Fort Lauderdale and the courts were quick green clay (with some suspect bounces…and very dry and slippery).

In the 75s, Gwenda Ward warded off a comeback by Toni Novack and won 62 75. Toni said Gwenda played great. Anne Hill was 3rd and Canadian Jeannette McGlone won the consolation.

I played Terri Thyssen of Texas in the 65s, and won 63 62…but it felt closer than that and was a good match. Canada’s Lyne Guerer placed third and Margy Petit won the consolation.

The best singles match of the tournament was unfortunately played on Court 2 (not a show court), because it looked as if Toni and Gwenda were going to split sets. Tisha Kilburn (another Canadian) beat Vicki Buholz 76 63 in a great match…lots of variety with Vicki mixing in short chips, forays to the net and drives and Tisha (all 5’3” and probably 105 pounds of her) pounded the ball from both sides and ran as if her life depended on it. Fantastic rallies despite the challenging conditions of the court and breeze. Catherine Morgan placed third and Daniela Esswein (Germany) won the consolation.

In doubles, Buholz/Susan Wright beat Susan Boyer/Thyssen 62 63 in the final (but led 5-0 in the second set before Susan and Terri forged a comeback); Esswein/Sharon Runk placed third.

Caroline Verhelle (Belgium)/Windy Dees beat Kilburn/Eva Koksalova to win the 45 doubles (a 5 team round robin) 76 63; Nadine Currier/Edithe Trepanier were third.

Congratulations to Joan Oelschlager who won the Sportswoman award.