OPRC Summer Tournament Crowns Its Champions

UPDATE: OPRC Summer Tournament Crowns Its Champions

** In a previous recap of the tournament, an unfortunate error was made in the Men’s Doubles 9.0 Final. My apologies to all involved. Here is a corrected version:

By Mike Holder:

After a summer full of matches, the Olde Providence Racquet Club Summer Tournament came to its conclusion last month with Championship Saturday. 

The tournament began in June with nine different competitions playing a group stage round. The top players from the group stage advanced into the playoffs which began in late August. Secondary draws were also created for those who wished to continue in the competition. The Men’s Singles and Doubles Finals have been rescheduled and a recap will be coming upon its conclusion.

Here is a recap of each division:


Men’s 4.0 Singles

David Griffin was impressive during the group stage round winning five of his six matches. Buddy Forward won four matches including a 6-3 7-5 win over Griffin. The two would face off again in the tournament final and it was Forward taking a hard-fought 7-6 6-3 win to take the Championship.

Champion: Buddy Forward


Men’s 4.5 Singles

It was a very competitive group stage to the end in the Men’s 4.5 Singles. Bryant Bowens, Mehmet Karakus, Frank Martin, and Steve Kennen would emerge into the playoffs with Bowens earning top-seed due to a head-to-head win against Karakus. The two would meet again in the final with Bowens taking the championship after a 6-4 6-1 win.

Champion: Bryant Bowens


Women’s 3.5 Singles

In another exciting and competitive division, Jenny Havens, Sandra To, and Heidi Weilbach each finished with three wins in the group stage, and playoff seeding had to be determined by a tiebreaker. The playoffs did not disappoint as Havens and To advanced to the final with impressive wins. In an exciting finish, Havens would win the championship after a quality performance, 6-3 7-6.

Champion: Jenny Havens


Men’s Doubles 7.0

In a compelling final that went back-and-forth, Henry Ko and Will Smith battled Brian Zapata and Rick McRae. The match turned out to be one of the most exciting of the summer. Ko and Smith took the first set behind some exceptional volleys, but Zapata and McRae fought back in the second to even things up. It took a third set tiebreak to determine a winner and in a match that came down to a couple of points, Zapata and McRae took the championship with a 4-6 6-4 10-8 win.

Champions: Zapata/McRae


Men’s Doubles 9.0

The doubles teams of Mehmet Karakus/Frank Martin and Justin Beverley/Rick Sherwood were dominant in the group stage of the Men’s Doubles 9.0. Beverley and Sherwood won all five of their matches including a 6-1 6-3 win against Karakus/Martin. They continued their strong play in the tournament final defeating Karakus and Martin 6-2 6-4. 

Champions: Beverley/Sherwood


Women’s Singles 2.5

It was an impressive tournament by Katie Haywood, who won all four of her matches in the group stage. She would advance to face Annabet Smith in the final. Haywood would continue her stellar play and cap off the championship with a 6-0 6-3 tournament final win.

Champion: Katie Haywood


Women’s Doubles 7.0

It was a very balanced group stage in the Women’s Doubles 7.0 with several teams nearly equal in results. This was reflected in the semifinals as Jenny Havens/Sara Miller and Kathleen Dean/Marise Kumar advanced to the final after highly contested wins. When the dust settled in this competitive tournament, Havens/Miller took the championship with a 6-2 6-3 final victory.

Champions: Havens/Miller








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