Area Sports
Maloney, Richards take 'Ultimate' titles
Published on Wed, Jun 24, 2009 by Sequim GazetteRead More Sports
Six matches, six different partners in mixed doubles format.
It may look a little goofy on the surface, but players say the Sequim Ultimate Doubles tennis tourney is a blast.
Last weekend, Sequim's own Mallory Maloney won the tourney title while Branette Richards, also of Sequim, won her third 'Ultimate' championship in four years.
"Most times (when) you enter a tourney, it's based on age, ability or gender. In this one, everybody can win," said Julien Berg, tourney creator and organizer. "It's kind of cool where everybody can play together."
Maloney and Port Townsend's Bob Bruns advanced to the final match along with Richards and Karen Chrisman of Sequim. The foursome played mixed doubles in a Super Tiebreaker format (to 12, win by two) and then switched partners. Champions were crowned by total points accumulated.
A total of 24 players hit the courts for this, the fourth tournament. Berg said it took him 20 years to refine the play format - the only one of its kind in the country, he said.
And, despite some threatening skies and some blustery winds, players got their matches in without major delays.
It may look a little goofy on the surface, but players say the Sequim Ultimate Doubles tennis tourney is a blast.
Last weekend, Sequim's own Mallory Maloney won the tourney title while Branette Richards, also of Sequim, won her third 'Ultimate' championship in four years.
"Most times (when) you enter a tourney, it's based on age, ability or gender. In this one, everybody can win," said Julien Berg, tourney creator and organizer. "It's kind of cool where everybody can play together."
Maloney and Port Townsend's Bob Bruns advanced to the final match along with Richards and Karen Chrisman of Sequim. The foursome played mixed doubles in a Super Tiebreaker format (to 12, win by two) and then switched partners. Champions were crowned by total points accumulated.
A total of 24 players hit the courts for this, the fourth tournament. Berg said it took him 20 years to refine the play format - the only one of its kind in the country, he said.
And, despite some threatening skies and some blustery winds, players got their matches in without major delays.
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