USTA Southern successfully completed its 2018 USTA League Adult 55 & Over Southern Sectional Championships last weekend, avoiding Hurricane Florence by moving the tournament location to Columbus, Ga. Matches were played Sept. 14-16.
The tournament was initially scheduled for Asheville, N.C. However, due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Florence, USTA Southern had to determine the best plan of action for the championship few days before the event. Based on forecasts, conversations with other cities and tennis facilities, and a poll of captains on alternate plans, USTA Southern made the decision to move the event to Columbus. The championships were played at Cooper Creek Tennis Center.
Alabama was the standout state with three championship wins and one finalist. Georgia finished closely behind with two champions and a finalist. Seven states had at least one champion or finalist team. This year’s event drew the top 58 teams consisting of about 500 players. Players must be 55 years of age or older at any time in 2018.
Here is a Facebook gallery of the champions and finalists.
Champions and finalists were:
| Level | Champion Hometown - Captain/s | Finalist Hometown – Captain/s | Score in final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 3.0 | Pelham, Ala. Mike English | Lake Charles, La. Mike Solari | Round-robin |
| Men's 3.5 | Marietta, Ga. Pat Kirkpatrick/Jim Meidl | Knoxville, Tenn. Scott Thompson | 2-1 |
| Men's 4.0 | Hoover, Ala. Austin Snow | Lafayette, La. James Vining | 3-0 |
| Men's 9.0 combined | Hilton Head Island, S.C. Daniel Lieberman | Columbus, Ga. Danny Carlson | 2-1 |
| Women's 3.0 | Nashville, Tenn. Deborah Armour/Victoria Ryan | Daniel Island, S.C. Nancy Brodsky/ Ann Harrah | 3-0 |
| Women's 3.5 | Little Rock, Ark. Debbie Worthington | Pelham, Ala. Sandy Setser | 2-1 |
| Women's 4.0 | Birmingham, Ala. Linda Metrock/Mindy Long | Brentwood, Tenn. Pat Yung-Okamoto | 2-1 |
| Women's 9.0 combined | Newnan, Ga. Jan Kirkland-Cochran | Charlotte, N.C. Debbie Carmazzi | Round-robin |