KOtC5--Summer 2015
Saturday, July 11 2015 8am-2pm. Eagles Landing Tennis Courts Allen, TX.
Results
 |
| Official Results |
 |
| King Stone |
Prince Chris Fess
 |
| Prince Fess |
Duke Victor Coronado
 |
| Duke Coronado |
 |
| Registration |
Earl Paul Gorman
 |
| Earl Gorman |
 |
| Pre-Mahut Nerves |
 |
| Vito Nguyen |
The Earl Of Nantucket
those days are remembered well.
praying the rain would stop.
school was out of the question.
paper plate super server award.
brown collegiate brick walls.
then the magic rug was pulled out.
inside the loop with wild characters.
dust storm finals and windburned lips.
continued throughout time in the west.
the good life of club sandwiches and lights.
backboard on the back court, no one around.
any degree was fine, with the pool cool down.
the days of lions and letters.
temper tantrums and destroyed equipment.
triumphant and humbled every week.
the latest and the greatest things of now.
whatever it took to play to midnight.
junebugs and mosquitos continue the fight.
the ladies arrived with eyes and legs.
respectable newspaper clippings and notes.
glory limited by limitations and priorities.
decorated to a reasonable degree.
understood a future on the links.
intermittent matches with aging bores.
the babies and the jobs and the dead flowers.
no time for rallies and volleys.
the classics, Hemingway and Kerouac.
the evening nights by the Goodyear.
fence clanks and commitments.
terminology and pong.
literary documentation and kaizen.
superior methods of thought and execution.
macho burger, the prison workout, and lights out.
the epic war lasted for days.
at 70 it finally ended, both wrecked.
inspiration of the ages.
baseline dirt and cleanly mowed grass.
dignitaries all around and fidgeting.
the traditional white of the men and women.
this place is full of green grace.
jackets and hats of the highest quality.
the Earl of Nantucket is arriving.
praying the rain would stop.
school was out of the question.
paper plate super server award.
brown collegiate brick walls.
then the magic rug was pulled out.
inside the loop with wild characters.
dust storm finals and windburned lips.
continued throughout time in the west.
the good life of club sandwiches and lights.
 |
| Brent James |
any degree was fine, with the pool cool down.
the days of lions and letters.
temper tantrums and destroyed equipment.
triumphant and humbled every week.
the latest and the greatest things of now.
whatever it took to play to midnight.
junebugs and mosquitos continue the fight.
the ladies arrived with eyes and legs.
respectable newspaper clippings and notes.
glory limited by limitations and priorities.
decorated to a reasonable degree.
understood a future on the links.
intermittent matches with aging bores.
the babies and the jobs and the dead flowers.
no time for rallies and volleys.
the classics, Hemingway and Kerouac.
the evening nights by the Goodyear.
 |
| Nick Pena |
terminology and pong.
literary documentation and kaizen.
superior methods of thought and execution.
macho burger, the prison workout, and lights out.
the epic war lasted for days.
at 70 it finally ended, both wrecked.
inspiration of the ages.
baseline dirt and cleanly mowed grass.
dignitaries all around and fidgeting.
the traditional white of the men and women.
this place is full of green grace.
jackets and hats of the highest quality.
the Earl of Nantucket is arriving.
 |
| Bill Vita |
Initial Groupings
 |
| Berco Neiman |
Frank Friday
Earl Vito Nguyen
Group 2
Brent James
Berco Neiman
Joe Vita
Jonathan Wraith
Group 3
Justin Huffman
Prince Victor Coronado
Dayton Hancock
Paul Gorman
Group 4
Nick Pena
Chris Fess
Duke Jason Keck
Bill Vita
Thirsty For The Throne
Considering the KOtC5 draw, I immediately plotted my path to royalty. The Earl, the common royal, seemed my only potential place. Only 2 years ago, during the first KOtC, I was firmly in the thick of things for the Prince title. Then the famous Leo Escario, the marathon runner, proud son of The Philippines, and owner of a permanent smile, outlasted me for the first KOtC Prince title in what I thought was going to be my last mahut on earth. It was hot. Death was at my doorstep. My family was watching and the air was dizzy. Heat exhaustion, hell, heat stroke, seemed inevitable. Really, it would’ve been a good way to go, but our good God kept me around. That was my chance and Leo slammed the gate, pulled up the bridge from the mote, and lifted the Prince prize. Since then, its’ been a series of defeats, disappointments, a Frank Friday destruction of the KOtC establishment, and a back spasm roddick in KOtC3. Only an 8-2 mahut win over Keck in KOtC4 serves as a highlight. King James has gone royal, King The Todd of course, Keck and Joe have tasted the Duke title. With Huffman, a tireless tennis warrior, Prince Coronado, a trendy pick for King, and Dayton Hancock, an Eagle returning to his tennis nest after college tuning, my morning draw is loaded and clearly the Earl is my most likely path to royal.
The quality of the overall KOtC field has continued to improve tournament after tournament. Even now, even with the absence of King The Todd and the internationally famous J.D. Miles, we begin with the finest KOtC field ever. There is King James, the dignified 2-time King who is always thirsty for the throne. The possible return of JET to the Mavericks has him especially motivated. His acceptance of Dirk’s new role as 6th man ushers in a new hope. Hope for things to come. The hopeful King. He’ll have to play well early and avoid his notorious loose starts to put himself in position for the afternoon. His morning draw is loaded with dangerous players. Joe Vita is no joke. He is back from Hawaii. He is tan and rested. He is the face of KOtC and always a threat. This Jonathan Wraith person is a huge South African. Tall and lanky, uncoiled rockets for serves. Like fellow South African Kevin Anderson almost, who just took Novak to the 5 set brink at Wimbledon. Nice fellow, that Anderson. Along with King The Todd, Keck and I hung out with him a bit in Houston at the U.S. Clay Court Championships, eventually won by American Jack Sock. He’s almost too nice to break into the world top 5, or Top 10 even, but he is talented. Talks with a lisp. Wraith kinda looks like him. Rounding out King James’ early draw is Berco Neiman, a first time unknown to Isner tennis culture. A true X factor. Despite these obstacles, King James is likely to advance to the King division in the afternoon. He will have plenty of nutrients and water, his KOtC experience will give him the edge over the newcomers and he just has too much game for Joe.
Despite King James’ accomplishments and preparations, first timer Jeremy Stone comes into the tournament as the favorite. His reputation precedes him. Machine-like and smart, tireless and deadly, unforgiving and quick, experienced and indestructible. He should cruise into the afternoon King division. Word has it that Eli Yaremenko is highly competitive, but probably a better bet for Prince this time around, like Prince Coronado this past Fall. Frank Friday could derail Stone if some physical altercation breaks out over disputed line calls. This is unlikely. Frank’s intimidation tactics are deliberate and he is in control at all times, but perhaps he can bait Stone and pull off a miracle. We haven’t discussed a fighting policy, but we are big advocates for peace—just for the record. Flash flooding, tropical storms, and hurricanes will not keep Frank away after over-reacting to weather conditions in KOtC4. He heard the whispers regarding his roddick and carries a chip. Too much Delkus, too much USTA. He’s never attended a KOtC where he did not go royal, claiming Prince in KOtC2 and Earl in KOtC3. I want no part of Frank Friday. Current Earl Vito could make a run for Duke or meet me in the afternoon. He will be tough, but perhaps 6 months of living royal has made him vulnerable. Maybe there is an opportunity. Maybe he has rested on his royal butt a little more than normal. Vito has what I want. This could get ugly.
The most intrigue and mystery is reserved for the final morning group. Nick Pena, another collegiate player and returning Eagle, on his most familiar courts. If it’s the dude I remember, he was slightly better than Dayton. But that was years ago. I remember the Saturday morning doubles match, where Keck and I took them to the edge before eventually losing our mahut 4-6 to the Allen Eagles #1 doubles team. Coach Quest had sent them down to play Keck and I after their normal workout. If memory serves, which it doesn’t always these days, Keck had some late serving issues and performed weakly at the net. It was all his fault. I believe that’s how it went down. He smashed an electrical box with his racquet and screamed the loudest F-bomb ever heard. A few parents of young children came by and voiced their displeasure with his profanity, but he cussed them off the court too, fire in his German eyes. Like Boris Becker or Stephie Graf or something. I’ve been leery of him since, but still maintain good relations off the court. He took it tough, but Dayton and Nick are now college players, almost validating our loss and making it seem more acceptable. Joining Nick is Chris Fess, of which nothing is known, Duke Keck, and Bill Vita. Keck’s story is well documented and his royal credentials established in KOtC4. Billy Vita, bonafide and certified by the Philadelphia School of Italian Tennis Professionals, is the wildcard. Just recently, he tied his brother, and lifelong superior player, Joe 10-10 in a 20 game mahut. His game is on the rise, enhanced by Karate-like maneuvers, a new stringer, and his tremendous knowledge of the game. In all honesty, I hope he makes it into the Duke division. If he claimed the Earl, my depression would be complete and prolonged.
Survival is only temporary. One day we will all succumb. For now, we play tennis. Mahut!!!
Relevant Tennis
Positives are hard to find with a tie. A 10-10 Saturday morning mahut result against Joe Vita was no different. Up 8-5 after 13 games, he roared back to take 5 of the final 7 games, including the final two, and we walked off 10-10. Tied 29-29 going in, we finish the day 39-39, on our way to 70. The Isner Scoring Method produces long term competetive tennis conditions. There are numerous battles in the eventually war. The next 3 or 4 mahuts with The Lion Duke will be interesting. Our previous, and first, Isner match went to Joe, 59-70, and, of course, I've never beaten him in a match using vintage scoring either. The stakes are high. This is relevant tennis. Some positive developments, beyond the tied score, included the introduction of an elbow wrap. Damn tennis elbow had afflicted me for the first time and the wrap helped tremendously. Minimal progress on the development of a two handed backhand, but it still has never been used in official play. Turning over the one hander is tough, I'm just slicing them back. Still, I had Joe down. My forehands were smooth and crisp, my serve kept him off balance. Until game 19, when I faulted 4 straight times to begin the game finding myself at love-30. I battled back a bit, but blew up a backhand and fell victim to a huge winner from Joe to lose that game. From there, he served it out to earn the tie. Damn! Even as I write, a day later, it infuriates. Had some really nice volleys and my back and feet seem like they are 10 years younger. KOtC5 is only two months away and after seeing the tentative field, clearly my realistic focus has to be on the Earl. The line up is strong.
There are current and former Kings, King The Todd and former King James, the only winners of the event, each winning the crown twice. Other royals look to be returning as well--Frank Friday, The Lion Duke Joe Vita, current Prince Victor Coronado, and current Earl Vito Nguyen. Current Duke and Tournament Administrator Keck, is playing despit mending torn ligaments in his left middle finger. After some internet diagnosis and research, he purchased a splint and is taking a few weeks away from the game. He will be ready. Also, returning from a full year of college tennis, former Prince Dayton Hancock is back with his own royal succession plan. Other former players include Justin Huffman, myself, and the rejuvenated Billy Vita. Rejuvenated but still prone to suspect preparation. He cancelled on Joe and I, which allowed our mahut, to drink with his Irish brother in laws. Reports of an altercation at an Oklahoma border casino are still being investigated, but he should be available for KOtC. His Kung Fu work has him looking good, but he shouldn't neglect the court time, Irish brother in laws or not. The likely entries of newcomers Jeremy Stone, Erick Delafuente, Eli Yaremenko, the 6'8" a South African Jonathan Wraith, Nick Pena, and Chris Fess make this the finest collection of players ever for King Of the Court. The work of the Tournament Administrator and the support of Allen civic leader Justin Quest continues to enhance the event and propel tennis culture forward. July 11 could be hot. The soles of our shoes could be melting. Jugs of water will be arranged. New royals, or perhaps old. After tournament activities set to go at Jorgs Cafe Vienna in downtown Plano. Vito has what I want. To be the common royal. The Earl. It can be won, but will be battled for. There are no ties in KOtC.
After our tied mahut, when we were at our cars and about to continue our busy days, Joe presented me with a bottle of red wine. A Texas red wine called Paul O. 2011 limited edition, only 2688 bottles produced. A real cork and good year. Joe, a trained and experienced wine expert who detest most texas wines, was very enthusiastic about this one. Suggested getting a good pizza or some rich fish dish to go with it. The thoughtfulness of a Duke. In return, I sent Joe a tune from Men From Nantucket, my current musical collaboration, called Bull. A modern GenX anthem. Because tennis ain't no bullshit. KOtC ain't no bullshit. Isner Scoring Method ain't no bullshit. Torn ligaments ain't no bullshit, This Paul O wine ain't no bullshit. The Earl ain't no bullshit. And tennis elbow ain't no bullshit either.
Relevant Tennis
Positives are hard to find with a tie. A 10-10 Saturday morning mahut result against Joe Vita was no different. Up 8-5 after 13 games, he roared back to take 5 of the final 7 games, including the final two, and we walked off 10-10. Tied 29-29 going in, we finish the day 39-39, on our way to 70. The Isner Scoring Method produces long term competetive tennis conditions. There are numerous battles in the eventually war. The next 3 or 4 mahuts with The Lion Duke will be interesting. Our previous, and first, Isner match went to Joe, 59-70, and, of course, I've never beaten him in a match using vintage scoring either. The stakes are high. This is relevant tennis. Some positive developments, beyond the tied score, included the introduction of an elbow wrap. Damn tennis elbow had afflicted me for the first time and the wrap helped tremendously. Minimal progress on the development of a two handed backhand, but it still has never been used in official play. Turning over the one hander is tough, I'm just slicing them back. Still, I had Joe down. My forehands were smooth and crisp, my serve kept him off balance. Until game 19, when I faulted 4 straight times to begin the game finding myself at love-30. I battled back a bit, but blew up a backhand and fell victim to a huge winner from Joe to lose that game. From there, he served it out to earn the tie. Damn! Even as I write, a day later, it infuriates. Had some really nice volleys and my back and feet seem like they are 10 years younger. KOtC5 is only two months away and after seeing the tentative field, clearly my realistic focus has to be on the Earl. The line up is strong.
There are current and former Kings, King The Todd and former King James, the only winners of the event, each winning the crown twice. Other royals look to be returning as well--Frank Friday, The Lion Duke Joe Vita, current Prince Victor Coronado, and current Earl Vito Nguyen. Current Duke and Tournament Administrator Keck, is playing despit mending torn ligaments in his left middle finger. After some internet diagnosis and research, he purchased a splint and is taking a few weeks away from the game. He will be ready. Also, returning from a full year of college tennis, former Prince Dayton Hancock is back with his own royal succession plan. Other former players include Justin Huffman, myself, and the rejuvenated Billy Vita. Rejuvenated but still prone to suspect preparation. He cancelled on Joe and I, which allowed our mahut, to drink with his Irish brother in laws. Reports of an altercation at an Oklahoma border casino are still being investigated, but he should be available for KOtC. His Kung Fu work has him looking good, but he shouldn't neglect the court time, Irish brother in laws or not. The likely entries of newcomers Jeremy Stone, Erick Delafuente, Eli Yaremenko, the 6'8" a South African Jonathan Wraith, Nick Pena, and Chris Fess make this the finest collection of players ever for King Of the Court. The work of the Tournament Administrator and the support of Allen civic leader Justin Quest continues to enhance the event and propel tennis culture forward. July 11 could be hot. The soles of our shoes could be melting. Jugs of water will be arranged. New royals, or perhaps old. After tournament activities set to go at Jorgs Cafe Vienna in downtown Plano. Vito has what I want. To be the common royal. The Earl. It can be won, but will be battled for. There are no ties in KOtC.
After our tied mahut, when we were at our cars and about to continue our busy days, Joe presented me with a bottle of red wine. A Texas red wine called Paul O. 2011 limited edition, only 2688 bottles produced. A real cork and good year. Joe, a trained and experienced wine expert who detest most texas wines, was very enthusiastic about this one. Suggested getting a good pizza or some rich fish dish to go with it. The thoughtfulness of a Duke. In return, I sent Joe a tune from Men From Nantucket, my current musical collaboration, called Bull. A modern GenX anthem. Because tennis ain't no bullshit. KOtC ain't no bullshit. Isner Scoring Method ain't no bullshit. Torn ligaments ain't no bullshit, This Paul O wine ain't no bullshit. The Earl ain't no bullshit. And tennis elbow ain't no bullshit either.
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