Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-29
HODGE QUALITIES
FOR NET CLASSIC
Becomes Eligible for National
Junior Tourney by Winning
PhiIa. Center Competition
OTHER STARS ENTERED

Hanson Hodge has won the right to
play In the national Junior lawn tennis
championships at the Longwood Club.
BrookIine. Mass, next month. Hodge
had his name inscribed on the list Of
cligibles after winning the Philadelphia
center tourney at the Cynwyd Club
yesterday.
The center tournament was what
might be called n lone horse affair.
a flock Of youthful net stars were on
the entry list, but almost all dcfaultcd.
As n consequence only four players
were on hand for the tourney.
Despite the fact he played In only
two matches, Hodge wns forced to play
the best he knew how before he won
the right to enter the Junior classic.
In his first match Hodge was paired
with Al Mcguire. Jr. Mcguire played
q wonderful brand Of tennis and had
Hodge in danger at all times. The
score, Cd, 6-1. fails to show the close
ness OF the match. Hodge then was
pitted against William Is. Kraft, Jr.,
who previously had defeated J. n. Pur-
Vance. Jr.
Kraft played brilliantly throughout
and forced Hodge to go five sets be.
fore winning. The Lower Merton
youth did not weaken until after he had
won the first two out of three games
IN the fifth set and then Hodge ran out.
Kraft Also Eligible
Although he lost, Kraft also is eligi-
Bile to play in the tournament Mt Long
wood. He holds the Junior champion
ship of New Jersey State, which he
won recently at Beach Haven, so he
already has qualified.
Earl Bartlett, Neil Sullivan and
Jack Brammal are other star Philn.
delphia players who will compete at
Iongwood. All of these youths ouali.
fed by winning other tournaments.
This quintet will give Philadelphia a
wonderful chance to bring back the na
tional crown. All of the youths are
OF the highest caliber and each knows
the court game thoroughly.
There Is one southpaw in the group.
He Is none other than Earl Bartlett,
who won the Pennsylvania State junior
singles title. and who. paired with
Thomas McGlirn. also copied the dou.
hles crown. Earl, at the ton Of his
game, practically Is unbeatable with
his forehand smash. and is being de-
pended on heavily by this city.
Then there Is Neil Sullivan, the Ger.
mantcwn Academy star. Sullivan al.
ways puts up stiff battle. and IS A
hard player to beat. He has a varied
assortment Of strokes, and Is steady.
Brammal Is Star
Jack Brammal is not 30 steady nv
Sullivan. but can play the game. Hs
IL a crack at the net. and has a great
service. His play from the buseline
also is par excellence.
Kraft, the Jersey titeholdcr Ton is
brilliant. At the top of his game, like
Bartlett. Is almost unbeatable. Ic
plays Il steady game. and nuts nm n
battle for every point. His service Is
good, and he can either play n NET or
back court game.
Last, but not least. Is Hodge. Hodge
has been using n steel racquet lately,
and it has affected his play slightly IL,
has almost mastered his new weonon
now. however, and will be playinr nj
his best by the time the Longwood tour :
ney comes around.
Two boys have also announced tbot
they will enter the nationals. They ore
Milton liofkin. who won the Pcnnsyi =.
vania State boys singles title, and Niii.
ford Meyer, who. paired with IIofkin
coppcd the doubles crown. These kids
both are stars. and met In the finn
round OF the State singles tourney.
Sandy Weinrr. Bill Tilden's urotove
and Don Strachan, the national bows
clay courts champion, also will plnv ~,
LongwOOd. While they have not nm.
nOunced definitely that they will plnv
It is Il foregone conclusion that they will
be among those present when the tour.
namcnt StQrtS