Youth Trumps Experience at U.S. Doubles Championships Age Division Rivalries Rage On

Natalie Grainger (strking the ball) and Jessica DiMauro captured the Women’s Open title by stopping Demer Holleran (far left) and Narelle Krizek in four games.
Natalie Grainger (strking the ball) and Jessica DiMauro captured the Women’s Open title by stopping Demer Holleran (far left) and Narelle Krizek in four games.
Joyce Davenport and Sara Luther (left) won the Women’s 40+ by going undefeated in the five-team round robin.
Joyce Davenport and Sara Luther (left) won the Women’s 40+ by going undefeated in the five-team round robin.

By Bill Buckingham
Photos by Debbie Bowden

Trevor McGuinness, with the help of right-wall teammate Whitten Morris, became the youngest ever winner of the U.S. Men’s Doubles Championship, defeating the top seeded duo of Morris Clothier and Scott Stoneburgh in the finals, contested at the Fairmount Athletic Club in King of Prussia, PA. A Philadelphia native and former U.S. Junior Champion in singles and doubles, McGuinness joined Deihl Mateer as the only other player under the age of 21 to have won this title.

In the Women’s draw, World No. 4 and U.S. No. 1 Natalie Grainger and Canadian Jessica DiMauro defeated Demer Holleran and Field Club of Greenwich pro Narelle Krizek in a four game final to take home the crown. Holleran performed double duty over the weekend, welcoming the nearly 200 players as her sparkling new Fairmount Athletic Club hosted this prestigious tournament for the first time.

Age division draws saw many familiar foes battling for titles, among them Michael Pierce and Gordon Anderson. Pierce and Anderson, who squared off against each other in the open division finals of the U.S. Century doubles this past February in New York City, rejoined forces in the 55+ Division, improving on last year’s runner-up finish by emerging undefeated in the round robin format, including a redemptive four game victory over last year’s champs, Sean McDonough and Victor Harding.

Tom Clayton (below, dark shorts on left) and teammate John McAtee won the Men’s 40+ in three games over Bill Villari (blue shirt) and David Proctor. In the semis, Clayton and McAtee upset top seeds Andrew Slater and Ed Chilton in five tight games.
Tom Clayton (dark shorts on left) and teammate John McAtee won the Men’s 40+ in three games over Bill Villari (blue shirt) and David Proctor. In the semis, Clayton and McAtee upset top seeds Andrew Slater and Ed Chilton in five tight games.
Trevor McGuinness (striking the ball) and his partner Whitten Morris (second from left) stopped the top-seeded team of Morris Clothier (far left) and Scott Stoneburgh in three games to win the Men’s Open.
Trevor McGuinness (striking the ball) and his partner Whitten Morris (second from left) stopped the top-seeded team of Morris Clothier (far left) and Scott Stoneburgh in three games to win the Men’s Open.

Other division winners:
M B: Conor O’Malley/David Reh
M C: Anthony Cannuscio/Albert Jewitt
M 40+: Thomas Clayton/John McAtee
M 45+: Alan Hunt/Mike Costigan
M 50+: Douglas Rice/Andrew Nehrbas
M 60+: Joseph Fitzpatrick/Alexander Martin
M 65+: Maurice Heckscher/James Zug
M 70+: Fred Bracher/Barry Abelson
W 40+: Sara Luther/Joyce Davenport
W 50+: Sandra Shaw/Lolly Gillen
W 60+: Anne Smith/Sharon Schwarz
W B/C: Julie Kessler/Erika Lacerda

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