Pictured L to R: Nicole Levin, Susan Lichy, Grace G, Jun Tsuchiya

Champions: Grace G & Jun Tsuchiya

Finalists: Nicole Levin & Susan Lichy

The 2021 RCTA Tournament Season launched the weekend of June 12-13, with the Women's Open Doubles. In what has now evolved into a trend, we saw a lot of familiar and new faces gather for two flights of round-robin play as 10 teams squared off.

The newcomer team of Grace G and Jun Tsuchiya proved too strong in the end as they topped the RCTA veteran team of Nicole Levin and Susan Lichy in the final.

All the players enjoyed a full slate of tennis and the final four were awarded the new RCTA Trophy Glasses that were provided by 2021 Tournament Sponsor, Lauren Kende Real Estate.

The RCTA Tournament Glasses are now a treasured keepsake and there are plenty more up for grabs. Rumor has it they are trending on e-bay and Amazon.

Pictured L to R: Sofie Chen, Thomas Weiss, Susan Lichy, Henry Sandberg

Champions: Sofie Shen &Thomas Weiss

Finalists: Susan Lichy & Henry Sandberg

The weekend of June 19 - 20 brought on a traditional favorite on the RCTA Tournament calendar, the Mixed Open Doubles. 20 teams matched up in four equally balanced flights.

There were many great matches, and once again some patterns emerged, as we had an influx of longtime RCTA racketeers, more newcomers and an RCTA Camp instructor. Throw it all in the pot, and it added up to a full day for all.

Hats off to the semi-finalists, Susan Curtis and Roger Cox, and Grace G and Jeff Cohen. Roger had to step away from his Saturday morning post as a volunteer gate attendant to team with Susan and battle though to the Sunday morning semis.

On the other side, we had newcomer, and 2021 RCTA Women's Open Doubles Champions, Grace G and Savvy vet, Jeff Cohen make their way through to the semis.

In the end, it was RCTA Camp Instructor, and 2021 Liberty League Rookie of the Year from Vassar, Sofie Shen, and Thomas Weiss, prevailing over the Mother and Son team of Susan Lichy and Henry Sandberg in the final.

Pictured L to R: Thomas Weiss, Nicolas Young, Sameer Mithal, Jim Fallon

Champions: Sameer Mithal & Jim Fallon

Finalists: Thomas Weiss & Nicolas Young

As word of the new RCTA Tournament Glasses being up for grabs spread around the park, the big guns circled their wagons in search of the coveted prizes as the weekend of June 26-27, welcomed the Men's Open Doubles event.

Once again, there was a return visitor to the Lauren Kende Real Estate Banner Money Shot, as Thomas Weiss returned to the podium.

However, there was a lot of tennis played prior to Weiss collecting his second trophy glass of the 2021; and this time, the tables were turned as Mr. Weiss's glass was etched with Finalist versus Champion, as Sameer Mithal and Jim Fallon ousted Weiss and Nicolas Young in a thrilling three set final.

The intimate gallery assembled in Tournament Alley on Sunday morning applauded the doubles artistry on display as the talented duo of Fallon & Mithal staved off a first set loss to the big hitting youngsters and adroitly navigated their way to the finish line to walk off with their new glasses in hand.

Hats off to all the players, and a special shoutout to the semi-finalists, Bill Bruder & Jason Vivani, and to the RCTA's own, Jacob Liebowitz and Greg Choa, who gave the champs a good test in the Sunday morning semi.

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Pictured L to R: Anita Venkiteswaran and Laurie Elvove

Champion: Anita Venkiteswaran

Finalist: Laurie Elove

Twelve women shrugged off the threat of rain and endured the heat and humidity on Saturday to determine who would make it to the Lauren Kende Real Estate Awards Podium on Sunday.

Saturday offered an array of matches as four players worked their way through their respective flights to emerge as the semi-finalists. In addition to our Champion and Finalist noted above, Sophia Galatas and Christina Mott won their respective flights to make it to the final four.

A good time was had by all and Tournament Alley was alive as the players made new friends and talked real estate with Lauren Kende who played in the tournament.

By the end of Saturday, we all knew who was going home on Sunday with a coveted RCTA Tournament Glass, the question was: Who would go home with what glass?

In the end it was Anita Venkiteswaran as she topped Laurie Elove in a match tiebreak to decide the outcome. Thank you to all the participants and hats off to Anita for capturing the top prize.

Pictured L to R: Fred Boucher and Salvador Bolanos

Champion: Salvador Bolanos

Finalist: Fred Boucher

The 2021 Men's Open had a broad field of 39 players. It was played over three weekends and it was highlighted by some memorable matches.

Hats off to Salvador Bolanos for repeating as the Champion. He topped Fred Boucher in a well played final that was taken in by a nice crowd in Tournament Alley.

It should be noted that Fred Boucher won three, three set matches to advance to the final. His first round match lasted over three hours, and he staved off seven match points. Fred earned his Finalist Glass.

Also congrats to Jake Levine and Thomas Weiss for advancing to the semi-finals.

Thank you to all the participants for adhering to the scheduling demands and getting the tournament completed on time. A special salute to Salvador Bolanos for capturing his second RCTA Men's Open Singles title.

Pictured L to R: Dennis Geronimus and Rance Cooper

Champion: Dennis Geronimus

Finalist: Rance Cooper

Twenty enthusiasts entered the Men's 45 & Over Singles Tournament. As much as they had to deal with each other in the rigorous round-robin format that required each player to play four, one set matches on Saturday, they also had to deal with the stifling heat that enveloped the Park.

In the end, it was Greg Harrington, Jim Gaffney, Rance Cooper and Dennis Geronimus who preserved and made it through to Sunday morning's semi-finals. Geronimus and Cooper were successful in their semi-final encounters and then Geronimus took the crown with an assertive win over Cooper in the final.

It should be noted that Rance Cooper was the player that stretched Fred Boucher for over three hours in the first round of the Men's Open tournament. As much as Rance did not advance in the Open, he was happy heading home on Sunday with his new Finalist Glass in his clutches.

From a Champion's perspective, Dennis Geronimus is as solid as they come. He was just too strong for the field and we applaud him for his high level of tennis prowess.

Pictured L to R: Lauren Kende and Pam Widener

Champion: Lauren Kende

Finalist: Pam Widener

The Women's 45 & Over Singles Tournament featured a balanced field of eight players. In the end, Lauren Kende, our RCTA Tournament Sponsor, topped Pam Widener in a tight final match.

In addition to Lauren and Pam, the other players were: Susan Illman, Carin Fox, Alice Green, Cynthia Wachter, Liz Weiner, and Christina Mott. For many, it was their first tournament, and all had a good time.

The RCTA round-robin tournaments are a great way to meet new playing partners and friends. That was clearly evident as all enjoyed a full day of tennis and fun.

Congrats again to Lauren Kende for taking home the RCTA Champion Glass. Of course we are thankful to Lauren for her sponsorship as well. It was fitting that she got to take home a prize with her name etched into it.

Pictured L to R: Josh Sandbulte, Ramon Verastegui, Jim Fallon, Tim Heath

Champions: Jim Fallon & Tim Heath

Finalists: Josh Sandbulte & Ramon Verastegui

This was a fun day of tennis as a lot of familiar 45 & over faces (and some new ones) gathered to square off for the coveted RCTA Tournament Glasses provided by sponsor Lauren Kende Real Estate.

Ten teams went at it for a good portion of the day and they were blessed with some gorgeous September weather. There was heightened curiosity about the new and big hitting team of Sandbulte & Verastegui as they muscled their way through their flight to the afternoon final

On the other side, Jim Fallon, and RCTA, Executive Director, Tim Heath, adroitly navigated their way to the Championship Match.

In the end, Fallon & Heath prevailed. It was good fun for all as the many of the 20 players and friends stuck around to watch the final. The last words heard were Sandbulte & Verastegui attempting to confirm a rematch with the Champs. To be continued.

Pictured L to R: Carolien Van Eeghen, Liz Weiner, Eryka Teisch, Susan Curtis

Champions: Eryka Teisch & Susan Curtis

Finalists: Carolien Van Eeghen & Liz Weiner

The Women's 45+ Doubles featured some savvy veterans and some enthusiastic newcomers. A few players reflected how they had met during the Organized Play Sessions that are hosted at Stadium Tennis during the winter months. It is always enriching to watch new tennis partnerships/friendships evolve.

There was a lot of sprinted play by all and one match between Susan Illman & Claire Mansfield versus Liz Weiner & Carolien Van Eeghen, featured the most excruciating tie-break of the tournament season to date. Weiner & Van Eeghen prevailed and it advanced them to the final.

Waiting in the final were RCTA Board President, Eryka Teisch and her partner, the talented, Susan Curtis. Curtis & Teisch were too strong and they took the title and walked away with their new RCTA Champions Glasses. It was Liz Weiner's birthday and she and Carolien enjoyed their Finalists Glasses as well. Special thanks to Lauren Kende Real Estate for the sponsorship support.

Pictured L to R: Andy Rubien and Jack Petrie

Champion: Andy Rubien

Finalist: Jack Petrie

After a long rain delay, the 60+ singles event was completed, and Andy Rubien topped Jack Petrie in the final to capture the RCTA Champion Glass.

Andy Rubien is a long time supporter of the RCTA. If unearthed, the record books would most likely reflect that Andy Rubien has won more RCTA singles titles than any other player. Andy plays in a lot of events and is a good fan as well. He has been eyeing the winners all year as they have been receiving their glasses and getting their photos taken in front of the Lauren Kende Real Estate banner. Now Andy has his own glass and a nice photo to verify it.

Jack Petrie is a newcomer to the RCTA. He was intrigued by the number of tournaments the RCTA hosts, and the convenient formats, so he commutes down from Westchester to enjoy the action. We welcome Jack to the RCTA, and now he has a little keepsake to take home with him.

The tournament had a strong field of 16 players. Special shout outs to Howard Helen and Russell La Mont for winning their flights and advancing to the semi-finals. Good fun for all.