January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Bermuda holds it own at U.S. championship
Bermuda holds it own at U.S. championship
Brannon, who is co-organizing this weekend's Second Annual Red Bull Beach Tennis Tournament with partner Mark Cordeiro, was playing at the New York tournament as a way to help promote the Bermuda event.
Bermuda resident Andy Bray teamed up with Jochem Ross from Aruba to play in the pro division, and the pair reached the quarterfinals before losing 8 to 6 to the Bula Boys from Aruba.
While the success of the Bermuda players was terrific, Brannon said there was even better news coming out of the tournament.
"Beach Tennis USA has just announced that they are joining the rest of the world with switching from tennis rackets to beach tennis rackets (paddles). This move, urged on by Bermuda, Aruba, Italy and others means that beach tennis will now be played worldwide with the paddle racket.
He added that the president of Beach Tennis USA, Jim Lorenzo, will be in Bermuda to play this weekend.
The Second Annual Red Bull Beach Tennis Tournament is this weekend at Horseshoe Bay on Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 9am - 6pm. The Men's Pro event will be competing for over $ 4,000 in prize money.
Bermuda Beach Tennis organizers Cordeiro and Brannon expect a "fabulous" tournament this weekend at Horseshoe Bay.
Brannon said: "The International tournament will see even more foreign players visit Bermuda with some of the world's finest teams.
Reigning World Champs Alex Mingozzi and Matteo Marighella will return to defend their title. Former world champs Emanuele Bianchedi and Maurizio Di Cori, also from Italy will be here as well as returning players Gianluca Chirico and Massimo Mattei. Italian player Paky Lucarelli will join top U.S. player Marty Solokas as a team and Bertrand Coulet and Stephane Retali will be a force to deal with from the French Reunion islands.
Bray's partner
He added: "Andy Bray of Bermuda is playing with Chris Henderson from the U.S. Sjoerd de Vries, Cado Lannoy and Dennis Schoenveld will be here from Aruba. Local pros competing are Mark Cordeiro and Philip Vandoninck, David Jenkins and Stuart Smith, Ronald Gleicher and myself.
"The tournament will see the pro event all day Saturday starting at 10am and on Sunday, we will start the day at 9 am with a free kids clinic from 9 - 10am. All kids are welcome.
Then from 10am on Sunday we will have the Men's and Ladies amateur event starting at 10am followed by the mixed doubles.
Brannon stressed it isn't too late to register.
"There will be lots of prizes to play for."
Refreshments will be available and there will be seating for spectators and music and live commentary."
"This year will be a first in the world for beach tennis with the Bermuda Sports Network streaming the event live on the Internet," Brannon said. "Go to www.bermudabeachtennis.com for the live link.
He added: Mark and I are grateful to the sponsors for assisting to make the second annual tournament a success. BGA Group of Companies, Fairmont Southampton (Host Hotel), IRG restaurant group, The Bermuda Sun, Belco, Ace Insurance, Sousa's Landscaping, QRS Trucking, Undercover Tent, Butterfield & Vallis, Bermuda.com, and Mailboxes.
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