Feb 26-Mar 1, 2009...
Hi Y'all,

Even though it was freezing cold and blowing 35mph at 8:30 in the morning last Sunday, some really hot tennis was played at Hidden Dunes Beach and Tennis Resort in the Clarence Chaffee Memorial Senior Men's Tournament in Destin.

The hottest of the hot was the Men's 55 final between former Breezer Buddy Miles, the #1 seed, and Pensacola's Doug Patton, who came into the tournament unseeded but playing very, very well. Patton beat #2 seed Richard Randall from St. Louis 6-1,6-4 in one semifinal while Miles topped Tommy McCulloch from Wichita Falls, Texas 7-5,6-4 setting up the Sunday final. Miles won the opening set 6-4 but dropped the second 4-6. Miles served at 3-5 in the third and saved two match points while Patton saved several game points before Miles persevered for 4-5. Three games and many, many well played points viewed by 25 or 30 cold Snowbirds later Miles pulled out the third set 7-5. It was a terrific match to watch.

Miles and Patton clashed again 30 minutes later in the Men's 55 doubles finals. Miles teamed with Randall while Patton paired with Dwayne McCamish of Chattanooga. In another great match, Miles and Randall prevailed 7-6(5), 6-4.

Another Pensacolian came up a double winner in the Men's 60 division. Top seeded Craig Broome came from a 4-6 first set deficit to top Enterprise, Alabama's John Pittman (#2) 6-2,6-2. Broome then teamed with the aforementioned McCamish,the second seeds, to whip top seeds Mike Fagin (Birmingham) and Jay Schwalm (Farmington Hills, MI) 6-3,6-3.

Other area players among the 70 fellows that participated included Lloyd Johnson, Dick Sloan, Lou Ladnier, Art Adkins and Ed Dotson.

Among the amenities at the Hidden Dunes tournament which was run by Director of Tennis Myke Loomis, included lunch on Friday and Saturday, fruit and snacks all weekend and never ending Gatorade, soft drinks and adult beverages. More amazing amenities at Hidden Dunes included the "Drag Queens"! Volunteer Snowbirds in pink t-shirts with DRAG QUEENS emblazoned on the back are johnny on the spot to drag and line the courts after every match for the whole weekend. These Snowbirds, who fill the courts all day every day while they stay two or so months at Hidden Dunes give up the courts for the weekend and come out to watch and cheer their own players and all the guys. It's really amazing.

Scott Harrison, Tournament Referee