The 2015 ITF Regional Closed in Florida is being played at the BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens. It is being held at the same club which hosted the ITF Seniors World Championships in 2014. Trish Faulkner is the tournament director.
This is a tournament primarily for USA and Canadian players, but is open to anyone who has not played another ITF Regional Championship in 2015. This is the first time this event has been held in the USA. It alternates between the USA and Canada. In 2016 this event will take place for the second time in Mt. Tremblant, Canada June 8-12. The Regional Closed events are the second highest point tournaments on the ITF Seniors Calendar (winners receive 210 points).
The draws were fairly small though larger than last year when this event was held in Mt. Tremblant. However there are a number of current and former ITF #1 ranked players and ITF former and current world champions in singles and/or doubles.
I am playing 60 singles and 55 doubles (with Pam Cooke, USA). The draw is small in the 60s but there are some strong players. Unfortunately I received a default in singles today and advanced to the semis as a result. However Pam and I play doubles at 3:30 so it will be good to get a competitive match under my belt tomorrow.
It’s been very hot and humid, rather unseasonably so for this time of year. It even rained a bit this afternoon, but at the time it was raining there was also a beautiful sunset going on.
I caught up with some friends from the USA and Canada; here are a few photos of players. The draws can be found here: http://www.itftennis.com/seniors/tournaments/tournament/info.aspx?tournamentid=1100033873
Above: Pam Cooke/Abbi Neuthaler; Margie Cooper/Toni Novack; Lola O’Sullivan, Cooper, Dorothy Wasser