The San Francisco call., 1906-05-26
TENNIS CHAMPIONS
ARE EAGER FOR THE
SINGLES TOURNAMENT
Cleverest Players Enter the
Lists for TomOrrows
Competition.
Park Enthusiasts Grateful to
Major McIvor for Saw
ing Courts.

The first tennis tournament since tne
recent disaster will be played tomorrow
on the California Club courts. 1t is the
sixth annual scratch singles event for
the championship of San Francisco and
bids fair to eclipse all former events OF
the kind. Already twenty-four OF the
best players in the city have aftixed their
signatures to the entry list.
The first tournament Of the kind was
won by ex-Coast Champion George r.
Whitney. proably the eleverest player
ever produced in the West. Whitney
won the title in 1901. In 1902 Grant Smith
won the tournament and was succeeded
by Drummond MacGavin.
In 1903 Joseph d. Grant donated a CUP
for the event to be won three times.
MacGavin's name is first on the trophy.
In 1904 Percy Murdoch won the tOurna-
ment and defeated MaeGavin in the chal-
lenge match. Carl Gardner carried OF
the hOnors in 1905 and wrested the title
from Murdock. The trophy is in the
possession of Gardner and the question
is, will he retain IL?
In the approaching competition will be
such cracks as Charles Foley. Bay Coun-
ties champion; George Vanes. Coast
champion; Drummond MacGavin. ex-
Coast champion: Herbert Schmidt. Ciar-
ence Griffin, George Bush. Northwestern
champion; Harry Rolfe. Ray Cornell,
Harold Gabriel and the Long brothers
With these players entered the tourna-
ment will possess more class than any
held in the past.
MacGavin, the 1904 champion, has been
practicing for the past two weeks. but
is not playing in the form he did two
years ago. He plays about the same
style of game, but is rather wild He
will probably round to in his early
matches and the present day champions
will find him a hard man to beat
James and Foley have been out on the
courts in the early mornings and are in
fine shape. Foley recently Joined the
California Club Either Of these players
would probably dispose of MacGavin at
present but it is doubtful if they could
beat MacGavin's best game.
1t is expected either James or Foley
will win the tournament and Gardner
VIII oppose one or the other in the chal-
lenge match But the unexpected hap
pens more often IN tennis than the ex-
pected and the event certainly has an
open look Clarence Griffin has twice
beaten James in the last few months. and
he cannot be denied an excellent
chance to carry OF the honors.
The Long brothers have been prac-
ticlng for the event. and Herbert Long
in particular is in excellent shape
Young Harold Gabriel is playing a clever
game. and while he is hardly expected
to- win. will prove a stumbling block for
some Of the cracks.
Aside from the experts already mem
toned many lesser lights viii participate.
They are Albert Kenyon. B. F. Nourse.
George Fuller. DIR. Bush. Moulten War
ner. Bradley Wallace. j. A. Code. C. q.
kuehn, Ray Splivalo. c. S Gayness. DR..
Lovegrove. Chester Smith and R. T.
Crawford.
The tournament will be started to-
morrow, and if possible the final match
will be played on the 30th. The challenge
match is set for the following Sunday.
champion Gardner returned To town
during the week and has been working
hard to get into shape He will be az
his best when called upon to plav.
me tennis players at the park feel
deeply grateful TO Major McIvor Of tho
army. The latter took a firm stand for
the retention Of the grounds when the
pubic courts were about to be covered
with cook houses. The tennis enthnsi-
asts viii always have a warm spot in
their hearts for the major. The courts AZ
the park accommodate hundreds of nlav-
ers' and TO deprive them at this time OF the
only means or recreation left at the park
would have been a hardship.
Fred Adams has returned from To.
Angeles and will possibly play in thu
tournament.