New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-23
CLAY COURT TOURNEY Up
Eastern Players Taking More
Kindly to the Fixture.
BEALS C. WRIGHT TO PLAY
Other Ranking Players from the
East Going to Omaha
Next Week.

change has taken place among basteii il
lawn tennis players in their attitude to"a' u
the clay court championship tournsrhen''
which again will be decided al Omaha Al
the beginning II was antagonisuc Iho
few men who went to Omaha last season.
however. came back with such glowing
accounts of the tournament and all con-
nected with il that the Eastern support Is
10 be considerably stronger this year. The
Omaha Field Club is doing nothing by
halves. The Western spirit of hustle ana
enthusiasm has resulted in most eiaOo-
rate programme. and a number OF the East
ern stars have yielded 10 the influence eA-
erted, so that there,is no doubt that the
meeting beginning on August VIII be ma
tional In its scope.
Melville H. Long, the Californian, VIII
defend his title in the singles. 1t VIII ne
remembered that he met and defeated wal
ter Merrill Hall of the Hamilton Grange
Tennis CLUB. OF this city. in the final round
last year. Hall will make an effort 10 re-
peat Beals c. Wright former national
champion. also has promised the Omaha
officials that he will be a competitor. Rich
ard II. Palmer, the New Jersey State cham
pion: Nathaniel w Niles, whom Hall dis
posed of in the Middle States challenge
match and whom Long defeated for the
Achelis cup al Seabright, and Frederick q.
Anderson. now of Reading. Penn are
among others who have entered from the
East. Leading competitors from other dis
tricts will be Walter Hayes, OF Chicago, a
former holder of the Middle Western title;
Maurice T.. Mclaughlin and Thomas g.
Bundy. of California and Paul T.. McQuis-
ton. Of New Orleans. Altogether Conrad II.
Young. Of the Omaha Field club commit
tee. reports that l2j entries ar" assured IN
the singles.
The doubles also will he stronger than a
year ago. Beals {. Wright and Nathaniel
w. Niles are TO pair up for this hXture.
Then Maurice T.. Mclaughlin and Thomas
&. Bunny, winners of the Pacific Coast title,
and regarded as the coming national cham
pions, are to try for the honors. The two
pairs named appear likely TO reach tho
finals. and one or the other should meet
Frederick q. Anderson and Walter Hayes
in the challenge match
For some time the omaha committee has
been Dusily engaged I'm experimenting with
an oiled surface for the courts. They have
met with some success. so that they report
that the playing surfaces are fast and true.
Extensive grandstands which Will accom-
modate seven thousand spectators are be-
ing erected and special waterproof canvas
coverings made to protect the courts in
case OF rain. so that the tournament may
not be delayed
The value OF the prize list vics with that
Of any tournament in this country. So far
sl.325 has been expended in the purchase Of
the three challenge trophies and the first
and second prizes IN the singles and the
doubles The silver challenge bowl Tor the
singles represents Al outlay OF So" Two
silver vases Of classic design have been put
UP as the challenge trophies in the doubles.
The first prize iu singles is a massive
silver pitcher and tray while the runner-up
prize IS a me Geneva watch, with gold
case. The first prizes iu doubles are Che-
sea ship bell clocks. while tho second prizes
are silver service trays.
The entertainment feature. which has
caused so much satisfaction ~ Newport.
is being planned at Omaha on an extensive
scale. Some form OF amusement will ne
arranged for every evening Of the tourna-
ment week. such great interest is being
taken in the tournament because Of the
national recognition II has received that
have assured the committee that they are
ready and willing 10 entertain as their
guests such out-of-town players as do not
care 10 stay at the hotels.