Clem Easton Senior Tournament 2017

LONGMEADOW, MA- The 34th Annual Clem Easton Senior Tournament was held from June 22 to 25 at The Field Club of Longmeadow, MA.. This annual event is for players over the age of 60 and began in 1983 in honor of Clem Easton, who according to a statement from the Field Club, was “a highly ranked New England tennis advocate who devoted his life to the sport of tennis on the public courts of Forest Park in Springfield."  Coveted 

Easton was inducted into the New England Tennis Hall of Fame in 1997, after his passing in 1990. The tournament was first directed by Bob Allen and later by Rudy Altobelli, both friends of Easton. In 1999, Easton’s sons, Chuck and George,, served as co-directors of the tournament. The current co-directors are Michael Myers and Karen Fawthrop, who have run the tournament since 2011. 

George Easton, of Essex,CT, played both the men’s 80 and over singles division as well as the men’s 80 and over doubles with longtime doubles partner Bob Biltz, Madison, CT. Chuck was also in attendance to support the event and his brother!

Sixty-six players from throughout New England and beyond traveled to Longmeadow compete in this year’s four-day tournament, where they earned points towards both their New England and national rankings.

The Clem Easton Senior Tournament serves as the sectional event for many age divisions, however is open to recreational players as well.  

“It’s great to see players in the senior age groups compete at such a high level, providing further proof that tennis truly is the sport of a lifetime,” said Karen Fawthrop, Tournament Co-Director. “The combination of great competition and camaraderie amongst the participants is what I love most about this tournament. I always leave this event inspired by the participants and grateful to be a member of the New England tennis community.”

The tournament featured men’s singles and doubles division ranging from 65 and over to 85 and over, while the women competed in 60 and over as well as 65 and over divisions. Some notable resu;ts are as follows: 

Top seeded Gary Jenkins,of Roslindale, MA, defeated Jon Wilson, of Stratham, NH, 7-5, 6-2 in the 65 and over men’s final. Unseeded Wint Filipek, of Southington, CT. took home the men’s 70 and over title by defeating No. 1 seed Rick Klaffky, of Glastonbury, CT in the finals 6-4, 6-2. The men's 70 and over doubles champions were No. 1 seeds Ted Underwood, of Naples FL and Bill Litwin, of Hingham, MA. and The duo defeated the No 2 seeds Richard Tarantino, of Naples, FL and Paul Fein, of Agawam, MA,  6-4, 6-0. In the 75 and over men's singles final, George Lynch, of, Woodstock, VT, defeated Roy Anderson, of New Canaan, CT, 6-4, 6-1, while George Boyce beat Marvin Sears, 6-0, 6-1, in the 85 and over finals. 

See full tournament results here.