Century Doubles

Susan Dale and Kip Gould (above holding large trophies) defeated Karen Levine and Alladin Mitha in the Mixed Doubles.
Susan Dale and Kip Gould (above holding large trophies) defeated Karen Levine and Alladin Mitha in the Mixed Doubles.

Last year we made a bet, and boy did it pay off! Launching this tournament exactly a century after squash doubles was born was both a poetic and smashing success.” So read the welcome letter to the participants in the second Annual National Century Doubles Squash Championships and the organizers’ words couldn’t have been truer. Creating an event in which the combined ages of each team competing has to equal at least 100 has brought to the national tournament roster an event that brings several generations competing together on the same court. The format is a great equalizer—any number of venerable veterans taught their younger competitors a thing or two about court savvy and competitive steadfastness. Three of the four finals were five gamers—and for spectators, it may just be the most entertaining squash of all to watch.

The Men’s Open draw was a veritable “Who’s Who” of great hardball players and the finals showcased the talents of three generations of champions. Nine-time national champion Morris Clothier was the youngster on court, teaming with current Floridian and former Philadelphian Mike Pierce, also a national champion and acknowledged as one of the all time great doubles players. Pierce’s opponent in this match was his long-time age group partner, Gordon Anderson, who partnered with Ned Edwards, one of the stars of the men’s professional hardball tour in the 70s and 80s.

Ned Edwards and Gordon Anderson (below with small trophies) fell 3-2 to Men’s Open winners Morris Clothier and Mike Pierce.
Ned Edwards and Gordon Anderson (below with small trophies) fell 3-2 to Men’s Open winners Morris Clothier and Mike Pierce.

The match was a seesaw battle that went the distance. In the end, it was Pierce’s ability to handle Edwards’ power that made the difference. Possessed of perhaps the best reverse corner in the game, Pierce’s shotmaking blunted the Edwards/Anderson offensive. With Clothier holding up his end when the ball eventually came his way, Clothier and Pierce claimed the title with a 3-2 win. And, as referee Larry Sconzo pointed out at the match’s conclusion, “In five hard-fought games, there was only one let called!”

Harmonie Club teaching professional Roland Lafontante and fellow New Yorker Rob Gibraltar won the men’s A trophy, defeating Jay Uman and Cooper Abbott 3-1 in the finals. But it was the consolation draw that highlighted one of the most inspiring competitors in the tournament—78-year-old JD Hill. Partnering with Will Osnato, it came as no surprise that JD saw the vast majority of balls in his matches and he handled them all with precise and intelligent shot-making. The duo finally succumbed in the consolation final to the McGuire brothers – Pierce and Peter – after two hard fought victories, including a 3-2 semifinal win over US Squash chief executive Kevin Klipstein and Michael Wilson.

The Mixed Doubles title was claimed by a US-Canadian duo—New Yorker Kip Gould teamed with Canadian Susan Dale to defeat Karen Levine, a transplanted Canadian living in New York, and Atlanta’s Alladin Mitha in a five game battle. The Legends draw final also went the distance—with the McClains, Jim and Jamie—defeating Rob Warden and Douglas Bannan.