The first tournament was not held last century but the century before ” in 1890, to be exact. Dwight D. Davis, for whom the Davis Cup tennis competition is named, was one of the original competitors.
It is under this historical umbrella that the 119th annual Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Tennis Championship returns for the 66th time to the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club from Friday, Feb. 29 through Sunday, March 2.
“Some of the best college tennis teams will be represented in the tournament,” explained Bill McGrath, tennis director at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. “At this point we have UCLA, USC, Pepperdine, Stanford and the Cal all entered.”
Those expecting to see players from the pro tour will not find them. However, McGrath is quick to note a list of past winners that includes some of the greatest names in the history of men’s tennis.
“Don Budge won the event along with Jack Kramer, Stan Smith, Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe, among many others,” McGrath stated. “The Bryan brothers, who currently play on the pro tour and for the USA Davis Cup team, have also been champions.”
Therefore, the players seen at this event may be some of the same people showcased in a few years on the professional tour.
The tournament, which began in 1943 at the club, is an “open” event, which means anyone can enter providing the player has credentials good enough to match the entrants and he can keep pace with the younger generation, so to speak.
“We do get some local players who enter and are not affiliated with any college team,” McGrath said. “But the tournament is geared towards college-age players, give or take a few years. Anyone over 30 years old is going to find it very difficult to compete because the ball is hit so hard.”
Interestingly, the defending champions are not from one of the traditional Pac-10 powerhouse schools, but right here in San Diego. Achim Ceban and Benny Stronk from San Diego State University won the event last year. Ceban is from Russia and Stronk from Germany.
What makes the tournament popular for many viewing fans and tennis purists is the lack of all the “trappings” one normally sees at a professional event. Most noticeably, there is no prize money since all the competitors are amateurs.
“We have the ‘Perpetual Trophy’, which is kept here at the club and has the names of the winning team inscribed on it with the past champions,” McGrath noted. “The winners each receive a silver plate. That is it.”
In addition to great tennis from players who are just a few levels away from the professional tour, the tournament also offers the opportunity for the general public who are not members of the club to experience the venue for free.
“There is no admission fee and only a nominal parking charge,” McGrath explained. “Food and beverages are also sold on the grounds. It is a fun tournament to come watch.”
The tournament runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 1. On Sunday, March 2, the semifinals will be in the mid to late morning with the finals slated to begin at 1:30 p.m.
The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is located at 2000 Spindrift Drive. For more information, visit www.ljbtc.com.