Hi John,
I have managed to resurrect a few short snippets from my failing memory....
Covey
A Portland Memory
Back in the 1982, playing in the Pacific Coast Doubles Championship Open final in Portland, my partner Larry Armstrong and I were playing the defending champs from the Bay Area, Kris Surano and Andre Naniche. We were up against it as they were up 2 games to 1 and leading 10-4 in the fourth game. During the break, Larry turned to me and pumped his fist and voiced encouragement to dig in! We dug in and made an improbable comeback in the 4th game propelling us with momentum into the penultimate game. How did we do? As you may have guessed, Larry had ample incentive because after the game, Larry took me aside and told me that he heard Kris and Andre say to each other, “Let’s win this now so that maybe we can catch an earlier flight back to San Francisco.” So with that as incentive, Larry and I just wanted to extend the last game long enough so they couldn't catch an earlier flight! Hah! How did we do? We beat ‘em! To be clear, regardless of the outcome, it was a great match.
The following year in San Francisco, we played Kris and Andre again in the final and with the previous year’s outcome undoubtedly still fresh on their minds, they beat us by the desultory score of 3-0, winning their 2nd “Coast” title as a team.
Another Airport Saga
It’s the year 1989. The Pacific Coast Championship was host city San Francisco which at that time, had the only doubles court in the City. My partner from Portland, Gary Johnson and I were to play the local favorite sons, Rick Smith and Ed Dold in the Open final. Matches were running behind schedule.
We finally went on court and I was in serious jeopardy of missing my flight because of the late starting time. To begin the journey, my wife, Linda, and I travelled with other Vancouver players. We lost that final match by the score of 3-0 and hurriedly scrambled to get a ride to the airport. Once we arrived, we were dismayed to quickly learn that our return flight was delayed due to snow in Vancouver! As we we were waiting and sulking for several hours, I had the nagging feeling that Gary and I would have had a better showing if we started our match at the scheduled start time. It was a crazy Sunday afternoon.
American Ingenuity
1990 Lapham Cup/Grant Trophy matches in San Francisco - Peter Gaynor was the US Captain and I was the Canadian captain. At the time, this was the largest contingent of players playing in the traditional matches - 13 doubles and 21 singles (15 hardball and 6 softball). So, on the Friday night before play, my good friend Peter Gaynor employed his young son Bruce to take my "young guns" out-on-the-town to sample some of San Francisco's night life. As it turned out, it was clever strategy by the Americans, as my top players were hungover after their night of debauchery and had to face early Saturday start times (I suspect by design). Peter could not get the grin off his face as his US team built up an apparent insurmountable lead. The US eventually won BOTH the Lapham Cup and Grant Trophy that year in a close contest with many outstanding matches going 5 games. San Francisco was a great host city and Peter was a great friend. This event was just months after the October 1989 earthquake. After settling down, the final presentation and reception at St. Francis Yacht Club was a fantastic affair. I remember looking out through the impressive panoramic window, seeing the Golden Gate Bridge and the ground outside the window separated a foot due to the earthquake. Scary vision but great memories.
Unisexual Locker Rooms….NOT!
Back in the ‘80’s, the University Club of SF had the only doubles court in town. In order to play, one had to enter through the men's locker room. So, here we were in 1989, I recall that my mixed partner, Connie Lebrun (and the other women players) had to go through the men’s locker room to get to the court with men in various stages of undress. As warning shouts of "women coming through!” filled the hallway, I imagined that women had to cover their eyes at the harrowing sight of unclad middle-aged men! I know Connie did! Crazy times...
I was ready to for that glass of champagne!
It was the 2011 Pacific Coast Doubles Championships hosted in Vancouver - John, you may recall the match we played in the semi-finals of the 50+. I was playing with Glen (Pretty Boy) McNeil and you were teamed up with Peter Sidgwick. It was a competitive match for 4 games; being tied at 2 games each. But in the 5th game, a switch was either turned on by your team or was turned off by ours and you guys went on a 14-0 tear and it was probably the most nervous I have ever been on court as the fear of being bageled and owing champagne, as was the custom, to the two of you was nearly unbearable. Fortunately for me and Pretty Boy, I managed to hit a death lob into the back corner that Peter could not retrieve. So relieved! You guys won the next point and went on to the final. But it was still a great match...
The Ringer
Oregon State Doubles 1986 Multnomah Athletic Club - My partner Bruce MacFarlane and I played in the final against the late Al McKeown and his partner Mike Davis. Bruce was fairly new to the doubles game, but because he was a fine badminton player, he possessed the requisite racquet skills needed. Having only one hand did not affect his performance in any way. It was the first tournament we played together and no one in Portland knew of him. People were coming up to me and were asking, “Who is this guy? Brian really wants to win; so he brought in a ringer!” We're in the final. Al hit an array of incredible shots that looked to be winners, but Bruce would run up and hit his winner after winner instead. After yet another winning shot by Bruce and in a moment of incredulous frustration, Al went up to Bruce's face and shouted,"who are you?” I calmly said, “he is my partner.” Bruce just smiled. A fond memory....
If I think of a few more stories I will them send to you.
Cheers, John.
Covey
Covey - keep the stories comin’!
John
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