The Men’s 55/60 Grass had a new venue, the Agawam Hunt Club in Rumford, RI. Despite some rain and big draws in the 60s, the tournament finished on schedule.
The two winners took vastly different paths to the gold.
In the 55s, Alfredo Rivera, seeded 4th, upset #2 Andy Stoner 63 64 in the semis and then took out John Saviano (who was trailing by a set and up 4/3 in the second when Dan Goldie (1) had to retire with an injury in the semis). Saviano won the first set 76(6) but Rivera dominated the final sets 62 62. Stoner took bronze by default.
In contrast, Mike Tammen, the #1 seed in the 60s, sailed into the final without trouble, beating Richard Jordan(8) 62 61 in the semis. There he faced Tim Klitch. Klitch, seeded 4, also reached the final without trouble, beating unseeded Ralph Saviano (who earlier took out the #2 seed) 63, 62 in the semis. It was Klitch’s first national final. Tammen won in straight sets, but the second set was the closest Tammen had in the tournament…he had to come back from a break down to win it 64. Jordan won the bronze 76 54 ret. inj. over Saviano.
David Box/Andy Stoner beat Tammen/Ken White 64 63 for the 55 doubles title. Sanjiv Pillai/Brad Jefferies won bronze.
Richard Jordan/Tim Keegand beat Carl Norbeck/Scott Snow 62 61 to winthe 60 doubles. Stuart Chase/Alex Pier won the bronze.