Evening star., 1938-07-04
BEST NET TANDEM
HERE DEBATABLE
Welsh, Mitchell, McEIvenny
Make Three Combines.
Watson Pro Champ.
BY BILL DISMER Jr.

Barney Welsh, Dooly Mitchell and
Dan Watson ruled the District tennis
world as amateur and professional
champions today, but despite Welshs
and Mitchells retention of their dou-
bles title yesterday. the composition
OF the best team which can be formed
locally Is still pretty much of a ques-
ton.
There is no doubt as to who currently
is the best player among the pros IN
town, however. As Chevy Chase's
Watson yesterday demonstrated his
superiority over Columbia's Buddy
Goeltz In straight sets. Although
Goeltz showed far better form than he
did as an amateur. Watson overcome
early leads in each set to win, Ga,
So. The match was played as an
exhibition after Mitchell and Welsh
had repelled the challenge of Its.
Jimmy Farrin and Bill Howard for the
doubles crown in four sets. The scores
were As, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Because Ralph McElvenny has won
tournaments with both Welsh and
Mitchell, he must be brought into the
picture as an important third party
before the best doubles combination
is determined. Two years ago, the
Welsh-McElvenny combination reigned
supreme. Last year. Mitchell began
playing with Welsh when McElvennv
was abroad. but the latter returned in
time to win the seasons last tourney
with Barney.
Scores Are Compared.
This year, McElvenny and Mitchell
played-and won-the doubles cham
pionship of The Star tournament, but
Welsh and Mitchell joined hands for
the District. It's a toss-up, then.
among three combinations-Welsh and
McElvenny, Welsh and Mitchell or
Mitchell and McElvenny.
A direct comparison of the MITCHELL
McElvenny and Mitchell-Welsh teams
Is afforded through yesterdays clos
ing match of the District tournament
as Farrin and Howard also were los
ing finalists to Mitchell and Nc
Elvenny in The Star event. But
whereas it took Welsh and Mitchell
four sets to down the Navy stars
yesterday, McElvenny and Mitchell
won in straight sets by scores Of
So. Is, 6t.
Although it was typical doubles
match of first one team and then
the other taking the offensive to
blast back lobs at their retreating
foes, yesterdays match was unique
because Of the frequent breaks in
service. Indeed. service was lost
more times than 1t was won, by
count of 23-15. Welsh was the only
one able to show even as good as a
500 average all day. winning half
of his 10. Mitchell dropped of his
9, Howard 6 OF his 10 and Farrin
! 7 Of his 8.
| Victims Start Well.
Howard and Farrin gave signs Of
being able to force the champs bv
winning the first set. but Welsh started
catching them flat-footed with we'll
placed lobs early in the second. and
not until the first two games of the
last set did the Navy team ever take
the upper hand again. Then Mitchell
and Howard dropped the first two
games after a 10-minute rest, but
quickly recovering won six of the next
eight for the match.
The Tournament Committee Is to
be commended for its selection of Dick
Stamp. a newcomer here from the
Midwest, as the umpire for both the
doubles and professional exhibition
match. Stamp. who once was runner
up for the Michigan State champion
ship and who later went to Alabama.
distinguished his work by first an
nouncing the winner of each point
and then following with the game
score. His announcements were made
in clear, crisp tone and should earn
him an immediate card to the D. c.
! Umpires' Association.