WRAP-UP OF 37TH WMTS MEETING, SAN DIEGO, USA, SEPTEMBER, 2007

» Minutes from the Presidents' Meeting.
» Results are posted here.

The 37th meeting was held in San Diego, California, USA, September 8-14, 2007. There were many highlights of tennis competition, scientific sessions, and special events that were enjoyed by many. 264 people, a somewhat lower number than in recent years, were in attendance.

The tennis and medical sessions took place at the Barnes Tennis Center near Mission Bay. This is a venue intended for junior tennis players in the San Diego area. Last year over 30,000 juniors played, drilled, and were instructed there. Children from all economic levels can play for free. One of our former AMTA and WMTS friends, Dr. Homer Peabody, now deceased, played a key role in the building of the facility which opened in 1995.

San Diego proved to be the perfect place for the event. The climate is very mild; each new day was nicer than the previous one. "Ho-hum, another day in paradise." USA hosted WMTS in 1985 in San Diego, and there was great interest to bring the event back.

Betty and Lon Olsen were the main organizers, and they did an excellent job. Though it is becoming increasingly difficult to find sponsors, not only in the USA, but in some other countries, Betty and Lon nevertheless managed to stage a fine event from start to finish.

Opening ceremonies on Saturday were held on Centre Court. A U.S. Navy band played as people gathered. Flags of the participating countries flew nearby. A tribute was paid to Dr. Peabody, and a plaque was presented to Betty Peabody's representative, Dr. Helsel. Craig Broome, AMTA's president, welcomed guests. Food and beverages were served, and people renewed their friendships from preceding years. This first event is always fun-nobody has lost even one set yet.

Tennis competition started Sunday morning. The tournament director has a computer program that is state-of-the-art. A key feature is that when a player arrives for his match, say at 1100, he is assigned to the first available court, in contrast to his being assigned to only one court that may have a long, long match on it, thus requiring the player to wait a long, long time. Results will be sent within the next month. I continue to be amazed at the skill, the energy, the fitness, and the desire of the players to be their best.

There are two formats of competition: individual competition and Nations' Cup competition, which resembles Davis Cup competition. USA, after a very long drought, reclaimed the Nations' Cup, thanks to the efforts of Hugh Burris, Craig Broome, Greg Kauffman, Jeff Williams, and...Rollie Odell. Germany had won the Cup last year in Malta, and this year USA played Germany in the Finals.

On Tuesday we boarded buses to the USS Midway, a U.S. naval aircraft carrier now serving as a museum in the San Diego Harbor. This is a huge ship almost beyond imagination. Many old and new war planes were on display. Docents conducted tours from top to bottom. The "sick bay" area was very cramped as was the surgical area; I'm sure many doctors noticed that. Dinner and drinks were served on the flight deck, and some dancing followed.

The scientific sessions, arranged well by Dr. Lon Olsen, featuring 25 hours of Continuing Medical Education, were held at the Barnes TC. This was convenient, so doctors could easily attend before and after their matches. The speakers were of "star quality," and we appreciated their efforts on our behalf.

There are a couple of items from the Presidents' meeting on Wednesday that I'll include here. Dr. Lon Olsen, USA, became the President; Dr. Miroslav Ondrej, Slovakia, became the President-Elect; Dr. Egils Valeinis, Latvia, became the Vice-President. The Executive Committee will study expanding the Nations' Cup competition so older male physicians and female physicians may become involved. Perhaps a 3/5 competition instead of a 2/3.

On Friday evening the Awards Banquet was held. We were treated to flamenco dancing by Marcia Williams' mother who brought some of her pupils to perform for us. They were dazzling! Marcia's mother, whom I guess to be in her mid-60s, can still do a "mean" flamenco. I watched our Argentinian contingent, the Planas, and they seemed to be enjoying the dancing a lot.

At the banquet the following members were recognized for long-time attendance. These people believe in WMTS and all it stands for, i.e., fitness through tennis, camaraderie, and scientific sessions. Those who have been to at least 20 of the 37 meetings were noted. These are:

Angelo & Marguerite Psaila, Malta
Gusse & Vivi-Anne Oxelius, Sweden
Bartolo & Luisella Bresciano, Italy
Colin & Barbara Crawford, United Kingdom
Toru & Kazuko Higashi, Japan
Eiko Inahara, Japan
Jindy and Dunja Dhillon, United Kingdom
Lars & Ann Hagberg, Sweden
Anders Stromberg, Sweden
Hoko & Haruko Kichikawa, Japan
Jim & Pat Manion, USA

WRAP-UP OF 37TH WMTS MEETING, SAN DIEGO, USA, SEPTEMBER, 2007

» Minutes from the Presidents' Meeting.
» Results are posted here.

The 37th meeting was held in San Diego, California, USA, September 8-14, 2007. There were many highlights of tennis competition, scientific sessions, and special events that were enjoyed by many. 264 people, a somewhat lower number than in recent years, were in attendance.

The tennis and medical sessions took place at the Barnes Tennis Center near Mission Bay. This is a venue intended for junior tennis players in the San Diego area. Last year over 30,000 juniors played, drilled, and were instructed there. Children from all economic levels can play for free. One of our former AMTA and WMTS friends, Dr. Homer Peabody, now deceased, played a key role in the building of the facility which opened in 1995.

San Diego proved to be the perfect place for the event. The climate is very mild; each new day was nicer than the previous one. "Ho-hum, another day in paradise." USA hosted WMTS in 1985 in San Diego, and there was great interest to bring the event back.

Betty and Lon Olsen were the main organizers, and they did an excellent job. Though it is becoming increasingly difficult to find sponsors, not only in the USA, but in some other countries, Betty and Lon nevertheless managed to stage a fine event from start to finish.

Opening ceremonies on Saturday were held on Centre Court. A U.S. Navy band played as people gathered. Flags of the participating countries flew nearby. A tribute was paid to Dr. Peabody, and a plaque was presented to Betty Peabody's representative, Dr. Helsel. Craig Broome, AMTA's president, welcomed guests. Food and beverages were served, and people renewed their friendships from preceding years. This first event is always fun-nobody has lost even one set yet.

Tennis competition started Sunday morning. The tournament director has a computer program that is state-of-the-art. A key feature is that when a player arrives for his match, say at 1100, he is assigned to the first available court, in contrast to his being assigned to only one court that may have a long, long match on it, thus requiring the player to wait a long, long time. Results will be sent within the next month. I continue to be amazed at the skill, the energy, the fitness, and the desire of the players to be their best.

There are two formats of competition: individual competition and Nations' Cup competition, which resembles Davis Cup competition. USA, after a very long drought, reclaimed the Nations' Cup, thanks to the efforts of Hugh Burris, Craig Broome, Greg Kauffman, Jeff Williams, and...Rollie Odell. Germany had won the Cup last year in Malta, and this year USA played Germany in the Finals.

On Tuesday we boarded buses to the USS Midway, a U.S. naval aircraft carrier now serving as a museum in the San Diego Harbor. This is a huge ship almost beyond imagination. Many old and new war planes were on display. Docents conducted tours from top to bottom. The "sick bay" area was very cramped as was the surgical area; I'm sure many doctors noticed that. Dinner and drinks were served on the flight deck, and some dancing followed.

The scientific sessions, arranged well by Dr. Lon Olsen, featuring 25 hours of Continuing Medical Education, were held at the Barnes TC. This was convenient, so doctors could easily attend before and after their matches. The speakers were of "star quality," and we appreciated their efforts on our behalf.

There are a couple of items from the Presidents' meeting on Wednesday that I'll include here. Dr. Lon Olsen, USA, became the President; Dr. Miroslav Ondrej, Slovakia, became the President-Elect; Dr. Egils Valeinis, Latvia, became the Vice-President. The Executive Committee will study expanding the Nations' Cup competition so older male physicians and female physicians may become involved. Perhaps a 3/5 competition instead of a 2/3.

On Friday evening the Awards Banquet was held. We were treated to flamenco dancing by Marcia Williams' mother who brought some of her pupils to perform for us. They were dazzling! Marcia's mother, whom I guess to be in her mid-60s, can still do a "mean" flamenco. I watched our Argentinian contingent, the Planas, and they seemed to be enjoying the dancing a lot.

At the banquet the following members were recognized for long-time attendance. These people believe in WMTS and all it stands for, i.e., fitness through tennis, camaraderie, and scientific sessions. Those who have been to at least 20 of the 37 meetings were noted. These are:

Angelo & Marguerite Psaila, Malta
Gusse & Vivi-Anne Oxelius, Sweden
Bartolo & Luisella Bresciano, Italy
Colin & Barbara Crawford, United Kingdom
Toru & Kazuko Higashi, Japan
Eiko Inahara, Japan
Jindy and Dunja Dhillon, United Kingdom
Lars & Ann Hagberg, Sweden
Anders Stromberg, Sweden
Hoko & Haruko Kichikawa, Japan
Jim & Pat Manion, USA

Excerpts from Dr. Stanley McCampbell's, "My Memoirs of The World Medical Tennis Society," written in 1991.

"To me it has been a great honor to know and enjoy the friendship of doctors from around the world. It has been the most exciting experience of my life. Doctors... can be assured that if they travel thousands of miles to meetings, they will be certain of a warm welcome, well-organized tournaments and scientific sessions, and a grand, good time. It is an opportunity, unequalled, as far as I know, of enjoying the friendship of interesting, fun loving, sportsman-like doctors who will be friends for life. I would certainly like to do it all over again."