VOLLEYING
WEB SITE VISITOR RESPONSES

Re: "Another Tournament Destroyed"
(February 2004 Issue)

The following is a letter I received from Richard B. Lombard, Jr., He is a Director of the American Platform Tennis Association and represents the Men's Senior program on the Board. It is published with his permission in response to my column titled "Another Tournament Destroyed" in the February issue of this web site.

Dear Chuck:

Thanks for your thoughts on the 145's Tournament and its new format for 2004.

I can agree with a number of your points, in particular:

- it does mirror the 70's championships, but it did so previously

- the older men (over75) may not want to compete with a late sixties player, but they have the option to go for youth as a partner

- the bar has potentially been lowered a bit

However, the bottom line is that for the past two years we've had three teams entered and worked hard to get a fourth - while two or three teams asked to play, but age categories prevented them from entering (72 & 73, etc.)

If we were to continue that way, the tournament wouldn't be included as the four team minimum will soon be eight and then it would have no chance.

I'm not sure what will happen in 2004 but I hope you'll find an appropriate partner and play. The number of entries is a goal (at least to eight) and this may be a way to achieve it.

If not we'll revert back.

Regards,

Richard B. Lombard

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