Southern retains the Keith Donoff Challenge Cup

The 2026 Men’s Intersectional Team Championship for the Keith Donoff Challenge Cup was played at Cooper Creek Tennis Center, Columbus, GA, from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1. 

USTA Southern was dominant in defending the Donoff Challenge Cup championship by winning 107 matches over the course of the tournament. Southern won the 35s, 45s and 75s divisions and came in second in the 55s, 60s, 70s and 80s divisions.

Florida finished a distant second with 62 matches while Texas finished a close third with 60 matches won.

Nine USTA sections brought their top senior players to compete in this team event involving multiple age divisions ranging from 35 & Over to 80 & Over. Each dual match between sections consisted of three singles and two doubles matches.

Much of the credit for the victory goes to Southern’s captains, Chris Bussert and Shaun Bussert, the former Gold Ball father-and-son duo from Georgia. They expertly recruited, coached and managed their players from almost every state in the Southern section. Team Southern exhibited superb sportsmanship throughout and competed for every point.

The 2027 Men’s Intersectionals will be held in Arlington, TX, where Southern hopes to “three-peat” its Donoff Cup championship.