McGuinness, Morris Defend at U.S. Doubles

M55+ runners-up Stan Dorney & John Lau with winners Sean McDonough & Sandy Tierney
M55+ runners-up Stan Dorney & John Lau with winners Sean McDonough & Sandy Tierney

Teams from all areas of the U.S. and Canada descended on Denver for the 2009 National Doubles Championship from March 27th-29th. Play commenced on Friday morning despite a massive snowstorm that hit the area on Thursday, delaying numerous flights and causing hassles for players coming from both coasts.

M50+ winners John & Tom Boldt with runners-up Clive Caldwell & John Nimick
M50+ winners John & Tom Boldt with runners-up Clive Caldwell & John Nimick

The beautiful Denver Athletic Club acted as the primary venue for the event, supported by the Denver Club and the University Club. The DAC previously hosted the 2003 National Doubles Championship, and once again put on a great event, drumming up local support and hosting enjoyable social events throughout the weekend.

In the Men’s Open Division, the defending champions, Whitten Morris and Trevor McGuinness, imposed their relentless pace and clutch shot-making upon finalists Michael Ferreira and Morris Clothier, winning the final 15-12, 16-15, 15-13 after falling behind 8-0 in the opening game. Morris proved to be the steadiest player on the court, using his quick feet and powerful forehand to create openings for the always-aggressive McGuinness, who heated up halfway through the first game and never cooled off. Ferreira and Clothier stayed close in every game, but found themselves handcuffed by the pace of the game and unable to get over the hump of the last few points in the end of each hard-fought game.

In the Women’s Open, Natalie Grainger and Jessica DiMauro dominated the field, dropping only one game as they cruised on the way to defending their 2008 title. Both Grainger and DiMauro proved to have both superior shot-making ability and better pace than all of their opponents. Lynn Leong and Lee Belknap won out in the closely-contested race for second.

Women’s Open: Natalie Grainger/Jessica DiMauro d Lynn Leon/Lee Belknap
Women’s 40+: Sara Luther/Alicia McConnell d. Cathy Convernton/Cairn Meek
Women’s 50+: Susan Bell/ Judy Martin d. Catherine Coucoules/Christine DeRose
Men’s Open: Trevor McGuinness/Whitten Morris d. Michael Ferreira/Morris Clothier
Men’s 40+: Thomas Clayton/John McAtee d. Jamie Crombie/Mike Puertas
Men’s 45+: Russell Welty/Michael Martin d. David Friedman/John Lesko
Men’s 50+: John Boldt/Thomas Boldt d. John Nimick/Clive Caldwell
Men’s 55+: Tierney/McDonough D. John Lau/Stanley Dorney
Men’s 60+: Clark Amos/Gul Khan d. John Brazilian/Frank Schmidt
Men’s 65+: Tom Poor/Leonard Bernheimer d. Taylor Quick/Michael Tramutt
Men’s 70+: Don Mills/J. Ritchie Bell d. Lucky Young/ Glen Smiley
Men’s 80+: Charles Butt/Scott Fraser d. Edward Helfeld/ Michael McBean

W40+ winners Sara Luther & Alicia McConnell with runners-up Cathy Covernton & Cairn Meek.
W40+ winners Sara Luther & Alicia McConnell with runners-up Cathy Covernton & Cairn Meek.
Men's 65 Tom Poor and Leonard Bernheimer winners.
M65+ winners Lenny Bernheimer & Tom Poor with runners-up Mike Tramutt & Taylor Quick.
Men's Open winners Trevor McGuinness & Whitten Morris.
Men’s Open winners Trevor McGuinness & Whitten Morris.