Alissa Finerman has won many gold balls and even world titles in doubles, but never one with her dad, Ralph. That changed today when the “youngsters” in the 80+  Father/Daughter division (Ralph is 80 this year) won their first national title as a team after several years of trying. They beat the top ranked team in the country and the top seeds, Susan Wright and Enver Mehmedbasich 64 61 a day after they beat the #2 seeds, the Nichols 76 60.  Alissa was thrilled for her father. Nichols/Nichols won the bronze with a comprehensive 62 61 win over Fenasci/Bienvenue, who were tired out by their long match yesterday. My dad, who is NOT one of the youngsters except when  playing in the 90s awed people all week with his fabulous hands and volleys, he’s not only great to play with, he’s a legend in the Palm Springs area. 

Dad and Mom and I are shown below. Happy Mother’s Day Mom. 

Below: Enver Mehmedbasich, Susan Wright, Alissa and Ralph Finerman

  In the senior (father has to be 60), the Holladays, Hannah and John, repeated as champions, again  having to go three sets to beat Jerry and Becky Morse-Karzan. The final of the 70+ division, the super seniors, was also a three setter with the “youngsters, Stephanie Tolusa and Bill White taking out Herm Ahlers and Krista OConnor…but the latter team will be in the 80s next year so watch out..the 80s is a tough tough division. The Disbergens from Florida beat the Man Son Hings from SoCal in the Open division, a very hard hitting affair that featured some great points. 

In the mother/son, Seeman/Namu repeated as champions, beating the McBrides 61 75. Dina McBride’s son is young…in a few years no doubt they will win this event. 

Many thanks to Sheryl Hirschman for running this event, along with Steve Solomon, and the many volunteers including Lisa Yukawa and Sheryl’s spouse Hirsch and the Springs Country Club. This is a great venue for this event and hopefully with more notice and a date change will grow a lot for next year. 

Draws and results: http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=168951