While most of the Pacific Northwest floundered in the ice and snow, the 32nd annual M.A.C.H. tennis tournament once again reared its prestigious and festive head at the Mercer Island Country Club on Dec. 26.
What’s a M.A.C.H., you ask? It happens to be the annual showcase for 30 of Mercer Island’s highest ranked players, from young post-teen ball slappers to over-the-hill relics who play with passion and “feel” (translation: no power). In short, it is a celebration of MIHS tennis’ storied past.
The first M.A.C.H. event took place in 1976 in order to bring tennis players together who had played or were playing on Mercer Island. There were four founding visionaries, as follows. Larry Mounger, a feisty all-courter known for his tenacity and winning ways, starred at the University of Washington and later became the president and CEO of Pacific Trail. Brian “Soft Hands” Adams taught for years at MICC and later went into commercial real estate. Jumpin’ Joe Cannon taught tennis for years at Seattle’s best clubs before going into commercial real estate and moonlighting at break-dance clubs. Steve “Mighty Mouse” Hopps partnered with Davis Cupper Tom Gorman at Seattle University and later became a partner at Melang, Hopps & Co. These four men have more titles to their names than any other Pacific Northwest foursome and most small country kings. How fitting that these four tennis legends were on hand to kick off M.A.C.H. 32.
As part of tournament rules, each player plays four rounds with a different partner, with the four-point leaders playing off in the finals. The field was exceptional: Jamie “Capello” Dieveney was blasting Soprano serves; Kerry Bucklin was slicing and dicing; Dave “Mad Dog” Maeser was performing tennis acrobatics to the screaming delight of the crowd of seven; Milt Reimers was Mr. Solid; Mike Walter was running down drop shots; Greg Skaggs was blasting; Steve Gwinn was Hell on Wheels and the Ed La Cava father and son household was on fire; and so on.
Fueled by small quantities of Bud Light and the “Right On” yelps of tourney mascot Greg Roberts, several players found themselves playing for the coveted title, which meant bragging rights. The finals pitted Jeff “Thunderstick” Richards and Dave “Fasta” Basta against Dave “I can say whatever I want cause I’m writing this article” Larson and Dave “Return this, Sucka” Herrman. Rumor has it that former MIHS tennis standout Dave Rumpf tried to replace Jeff, as he wasn’t named “Dave,” but it was quickly quelled by the tournament committee.
In the end, Dave and Dave prevailed 5-3 (sounds like a messed-up football score) to earn co-winner accolades, which goes to show you that it is all about drawing the best partners, not about talent. It was an event to remember, however: Russ Bucklin didn’t swear much and didn’t break any racquets; Andrew “best in class” Elling didn’t win; Trent Morton didn’t maim anyone with his hammerhead forehand; Bruce Robertson didn’t shed his nice guy image, and no animals were hurt.
Many thanks to Tim “Lefty Junk” Larson, who organized the thing and didn’t cheat to get the best partners.
It is all about generations coming together, and what a lovefest it was.
The gang will continue to work on its games, as we’ve been told that Mounger and Hopps are planning a comeback.
