The 2012 Grounds Crew Classic was held on grass courts 1-4. Team Larry vs Team Magnus. Some superb tennis was played by the lads with special guests John Gallagher, Tom Babson, Kevin Dodge, Steve Dean and Tom Ford.
The festivities began with Magnus singing the Sweedish national anthem followed by our own Neil Johnson belting out the Star Spangled Banner.
After some hard fought matches and a six point penalty on Tom Ford for having an illegal raquet, the tournament ended in a tie.
Larry Wolf won the prestigious Charlie Bartlett Sportsmanship Award and Neil Johnson won the Magnus Nicklasson Most Improved Player Trophy. Thanks to all for a fun afternoon!
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Many thanks to the hardworking tournament organizers whom I know have been working year 'round to put together such a complex event. Sadly, the wrong date was sent out to our invited guests so none arrived. Luminaries such as Rod Laver, Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova were scheduled to grace our courts, as well as the dance team from the Celtics. Oh well, we made do with Magnus and Neil.
The level of play was much improved, except when Jeff hit a serve backwards but the grace and skill of the entire grounds crew brought tears to the eyes of the admiring onlookers.
Tom Ford will not be allowed to play again due to his usage of an illegal string damper which caused the rightful winners (Larry's team) to howl in protest as a tie was declared. All to no avail, however as the dictatorial Tournament director (who also happened to be Captain of the losing team) came up with a flimsy excuse for a massive penalty.
Fortunately, after 684 pitchers of beer and countless wings all was forgotten - at least until next year!
The tournament social committee made a few errors - unlike our usual bucolic spot at Rogies next to pristine Chestnut Hill Ave (dining al fresco, of course) we were relegated to an inside set of tables which allowed us to watch Little League World Series replays and wait endlessly for warm and flat draft beer. Wilson smiled contentedly as he sipped on a vintage Cabernet as did Andrew who gulped a few cokes - the rest of us sat parched whilst the waiters and waitresses talked to each other. Fortunately I was sitting next to Magnus who regaled me with stories of his great successes at junior tennis in Sweden - "I took apart Bjorn, Mats, Stefan - you name them - I beat them all". He did share with me that his primary downfall was his addiction to the finest Swedish foods such as Räkor,Princesstårta and especially Kanebullar.
With a wink, he continued - “What you have seen on the beer commercials is true; Sweden really does have some of the world’s most beautiful women,” he said.
“The streets of Stockholm are literally packed with these gorgeous women, who are as tall as they are luscious.
“Even better, is that Scandinavians are world renowned for their friendliness, so there’s a good chance that the girl you’re eyeing is actually a sweet and down to earth person,” he said.
No wonder he got tired and had to come to the US to rest up.
The best thing about being a reporter is that people often believe your stories
At least Laver and Federer received invitations, albeit with the incorrect date, my invite must have been swept up during one of Lovey's cleaning blitzes.
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