Norwich bulletin., 1916-08-15


 matches made it interesting for those spectators who took advantage of the opportunity to see the 1916 toUrna- ment we'll started on it's way. The courts are in excellent condition and Mondays players were enthusiastic over the prospects of the week.
 The famous Clarkes, Harold and Ed die, Cf Springfield, and Harold Bos- worth. champion, of New London, were on the grounds yesterday and rumor nas it that they will step into the limelight before the tournament is many hours old.
 Among those who are entered are the following: [. c. Williamson and c. c. Williamson, Washington, D. C.; Horace Webb, West Chester, Pa.; liar old and Eddie Clarke, Springfield; Everett Robinson and w. L. Robinson Of Mansfield, Mass; J. D. Miner, East Greenwich; E. G. Adams, Kingston, R. T.; Gerald BrassilI and Loue Stock well, Norwich, all first division play CTS; George EIuOt, ChicOpee Falls; Will liam Willard, Norwich, and $. B. Pren- tiCe, Providence; Clinton Jones, Nor wich. second division players and Dr. W. k. 1Taatz, WillimantjC, and Richard PeaIe, Norwich, third division players.
 The Formal Opening.
 s. Browning Prentice of Providence was on the grounds when the players began to arrive. At 10 o'clock he call ed them together and welcomed them to the 1916 tournament. He said it was q pleasure to meet his old time friends once more, that it was also more than a pleasure to have the Op- poTtunity of introducing one whose face was familiar to practically all of the players and who was player himself. He said that really no in tTOductiOn was necessary, but that he wished to have the tournament off cially opened and begin play and had as had been stated in the advance notice sent to the nleplloers announced that the games would commence promptly at 10 o'clock Monday Tnorn- ing instead of Tuesday as has been the custom in past years.
 President Prentice then introduced who welcomed all the visiting players to Norwich. In part Mayor Brown spoke as follows:
 Ladies and gentlemen members of the National RoQue Association of America. 1t is with more than pleas ure that ! welcome you here at your 35th annual tournament and I do so not only in my official capacity but also with personal feelings as have spent, like yourselves. many hours on these courts playing the game that you have come to the Rose of New England to play. I feel that I am not welcoming strangers but friends and those who are strangers are the kind of strangers that the city of Norwich looks forward to seeing each year. President Prentice spoke of my win ming coveted hOnOTS on the courts but say that really the only medal I ever won at rOque was that of the third division and I have always cherished that as it reminds me of the pleasant days I have spent on the courts. I am sorry to say that the grounds where the national game has been played for so long have changed hands and at present there is some doubt as to just what can be done to keep the tournaments in this city, but a com nittee will make a report later which I hope will prove to be one extending you members of this association an other invitation can be extended and that this years tournament will be the best ever. thank you for your attention.
 Mayor Starts First Ball. Mayor Brown then sent the first ball through Q wicket and the tournament started. The first game of this years tournament was captured by George I Huot, the Chicopee Falls player. who won the second Van WickIe medal last year. He defeated William Willard, | 32 to g. Willard got the balls on the l roll off and made nine arches before l Huot captured the balls. Then Huot 1 took the balls and finished the game without allowing Willard another arch. Both are second division players but made as good a showing as some of the first division players.
 1 But few games were played Mon | day. No schedule had been announced up till late Monday night but it is ex- | pected that it will be ready today. The games Monday were as follows: First Division.
 l W. L. Robinson beat L. c. William | son.
 Second Division.
 s. B. Prentice beat Clinton Jones. | George Huot beat William Willard. George Huot beat Clinton Jones. The standing:
 First Division.
 W. L. l W. L. Robinson ...., i o L. c. Williamson ........ 0 Second Division.
 s. B. Prentice .... o George HuOt ............s... 0 | William Willard ............ : Clinton ,EOneS 0