Central California Championships

The Central California Championships also known as the Central California Open Championships (toward the end of its run) was a men's and women's international hard court tennis tournament was founded in 1911.[1] It was first played at Stockton Tennis Club Stockton, California, United States.[2] It was also hosted at other locations throughout its run until 1972 when it was discontinued.[1]

Central California Championships
Defunct tennis tournament
TourUSNLTA Circuit (1911–23)
ILTF World Circuit
(1924–70) men
(1924–72) women
ILTF Grand Prix Circuit
(1971–72) men
Founded1911; 113 years ago (1911)
Abolished1972; 52 years ago (1972)
Editions53
LocationSacramento
Stockton
SurfaceHard / outdoor

History

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The tournament was first established in May 1911 when it was held at Stockton Tennis Club, Stockton, California, the event inaugural event was played from 27 to 30 May that year.[3] The first winner of the men's singles was Maurice McLoughlin,[4] and the winner of women's event was Hazel Hotchkiss.[5]

The championships have been held in various locations including the City of Stockton, which was also the location for the second edition.[1] In 1913 the tournament was moved to Sacramento the state capital of California where it remained for the duration of its run.[1] The event was discontinued as an individual competition when it became a team competition.[1] Previous winners of the men's singles have included; Roland Roberts,[1] Bill Johnston,[1] Frank Kovacs,[1] Tom Brown,[1] Whitney Reed,[1] Alex Olmedo,[1] Rafael Osuna.[1] Clark Graebner, Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith.[6]

Former winners of the women's state singles championship has included; Hazel Hotchkiss, Helen Wills, Virginia Wolfenden Kovacs, Alice Marble, Margaret Osborne, Mimi Arnold, Jean Danilovich, Rosie Casals, Farel Footman, and Nancy Richey. In 1971 the men's event became part of the ILTF Grand Prix Circuit for two editions only when it was known as the Central California Open National Hardcourt Championships.[1] The tournament was discontinued in 1972 when it was switched from an individual competition to a team competition.[1]

Finals

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Men's singles

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(incomplete roll)

Year Champions Runners-up Score
1911[7]   Maurice McLoughlin   Melville Long 6–2, 6–3, 6–5.[1]
1968   Clark Graebner   Stan Smith 10–8, 6–4, 6–2.[1]
↓  Open era  ↓
1971   Robert Lutz   Alex Olmedo 3–6, 6–4, 6–3.[1]
1972[8]   Stan Smith   Colin Dibley 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4.[1]

Men's doubles

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(incomplete roll)

Year Champions Runners-up Score
1971   Jim McManus
  Jim Osborne
  Robert Maud
  Frew McMillan
7–6, 6–3
1972[8]   Nancy Richey
  Erik van Dillen
  Patrice Dominguez
  Patrick Proisy
4–6, 6–2, 6–4

Women's singles

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(incomplete roll)

Year Champions Runners-up Score
1911[7]   Hazel Hotchkiss   Mary Browne 6–2, 2–6, 6–4.[1]
1968   Denise Carter   Roylee Bailey 7–5, 6–3
↓  Open era  ↓
1970   Nancy Richey   Denise Carter 10–8, 2–6, 6–3
1972   Nancy Richey   Denise Carter 5–7, 6–4, 6–4

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Tournaments:Central California Championships". The Tennis Base. Madrid, Spain: Tennismem SL. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  2. ^ Hunt, Reuben G (27 May 1911). "TENNIS STARS GATHER FOR BIG TOURNEY IN STOCKTON". San Francisco Bulletin. San Francisco, California: newspapers.com. p. 11. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  3. ^ "FINE TENNIS PLAYERS TO COMPETE HERE". The Evening Mail. Stockton, California: newspapers.com. 23 May 1911. p. 4. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  4. ^ "MAURICE M'LOUGHLAN AND MISS HOTCHKISS WINNERS". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California: newspapers.com. 31 May 1911. p. 10. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  5. ^ The Sacramento Bee
  6. ^ "Stan Smith Wins at Sacramento". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California: newspapers.com. 18 Sep 1972. p. 42. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  7. ^ a b The Sacramento Bee (1911)
  8. ^ a b Oakland Tribune