The San Francisco call., 1898-04-16
NORTH FITTED
 AGAINST SOUTH Tournament of Tennis Opens at Nordhoff, in
 Ojai Valley.
Racket Wielders From Above Tehachapi Match Skill
 With Southrons.
Champion George Whitney Defeats Picher in the Best Match of
 the Day.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

VENTURA, April 15.-At the little town of Nordhoff, in beautiful Ojai Valley, fifteen miles north of here, this was opening day of the greatest tennis tournament ever held in Southern Cal ifornia. There has for a long time been a question as to whether the re- zion north of Tehachapi had better tennis players than south of the mountain could boast of. Some years ago Miss Marion Jones of Santa Mon ica brought the championship in ladies' singles by defeating Miss Bee Hooper. and there are some gentlemen here who are expert wielders of the racket.
 That the matter might no longer re- main in doubt W. l.. Thatcher of the Ojai Valley Tennis Club proceeded to organize a tournament. He was Suc- cessful in matching George and Rob- ert Whitney and Samuel and Sumner Hardy, the champions Of the north, against A. w. Bumiller and Robert A. Rowan of Los Angeles, O. I. Picher of Pasadena and w. L. Thacher of Ojai, who promised to uphold the banner of the south. The tournament aroused great interest in tennis circles.
 The tournament was what is called Round Robin.'' that is, each player from the South in singles and doubles making sixteen singles and four dou- day was all that could be desired, the weather being cool and cloudy, with just enough breeze to fan the brows of the players. The arrangements were very complete and convenient; the courts were in fine condition and the grand stand was handsomely decorated.
 At 9:30 time was called by H. Waldo fr-st fct was between Sumner Hardy and Picher. Picher took the first set and on the second had a score of 3-2 be- fore Hardy woke up and won the last two sets by strong volleying and driv- ing which proved too much for Pich- CTS back hand strokes and smashing. Score: 4-6, GA, 6-2.
 Sam Hardy and Bumiller then went against each other with disastrous re- suits to the Southern man, although he made some beautiful plays in loev volleying. Bumfller was not strong at the back of court. Score: 6-1, 6-2, in favor of Hardy.
 In the next match Thacher downed Robert Whitney with ease in two straights, 10-S, 6-3. Whitney did not seem to have his nerve with him, while Thatcher played in form which distinguished him when one of the champions at Yale.
 The next match was between George F. Whitney and Robert A. Rowan. The former won by score of 6-1, 7--5, and could have left Rowan with nothing but love" if he had awakened sooner. Rowan did tolerably well in the second set. At one time the score stood 5-1 in his favor, but it was apparent that Whitney was only toying with him.
 At 2:30 o'clock time was called for the of wit Ho rdx nd Thacher at the net The latter played a strong game for time, but it was evident that he carried too much avoir- dupois to stand against the Northern man and Hardy won in two straights, 6-3, 6-2.
 By far the best tennis of the day was played between Champion George Whitney and Picher- The former was the victor by GA, GA, but he had no walk-over and for a time it looked as if the Southern man would win. The fast work of Whitney proved successful and he defeated Picher.
 Sumner Hardy and Bumiller were the next players. Both these boys are slight and active and graceful as lawns and it was hard to tell which was the greater favorite with the grand stand. There was much more beauty than sci ence in their play and the Northern man won by score of 6-4. 6-3.
 III the QOuDleS I1dTQy brothers were matched against Bumiller and Picher. It was evident from the start that the Southerners were outclassed, but they fought hard and the game was bril- liant one. The score in favor of Hardy brothers was 6-4, 6-2.
 Whitney brothers then went against Thacher and Rowan in the most excit- ing game of the day. The Northern CTS had to play great deal harder than they ever did before. The first set went to the brothers by score of to 3, but in the next the Southern champions reversed the score. Just at dusk Whit ney brothers won the third set and game; score, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
 Tomorrow it is expected that large crowd will be present, gathering from all parts of Southern California, and the most brilliant tennis playing ever seen in the South is likely to be wit messed.
 The fac-simile ~