The Hardcourt Senior Slam Kicks off the 2025 New England Outdoor Tourney Season

From May 29-June 1, nearly 100 players descended on the Guilford Racquet and Swim Club in Guilford, CT for the 2025 Level 3 Hardcourt Senior Slams. As is the norm for New England these days, most players had to negotiate wet, cool weather and play eight-game pro sets. Big thanks to all who played, with a special shoutout to Matt Fraenza, the tournament director, and the Guilford Racquet Club for hosting the event for the seventh successive year.

Here is a run-down of the highlights.

Singles Competitions

In the women’s 50s singles division, Michelle Wright and Sarah Boone had one of the few full matches. And it was a marathon, multi-hour, three-setter with Wright going the distance 6-7, 7-5, 6-4.

The women’s 60s singles division also had two players. Susan Dixon Thompson beat Marie-Josee Pachl in a tight race 6-3, 7-6.

The men’ 50s draw was small but packed a punch as both seeds were knocked out by the eventual finalists, Michael Halisky and Aaron Petruski. Eight-game pro sets became the norm in the men’s draws. Halisky edged out Petruski 8-6 in the finals.

Carlos Lopez cruised through the men’s 55s draw meeting Steve Gulla in the final round. Gulla took out the second seed John Flaherty in a tight battle 9-7 in the semis the same morning. Lopez then won the gold 8-1. Gary Bohner beat Bob Park in the consi finals 8-5.

The men’s 60s singles division had eight players. Matt Gelotte defeated Peter Appleton in the semis while James Burda took out John Wilcox in the other semis. Gelotte won 8 – 4 over Burda for the gold. Eric Kendall beat Edward Miller 8-4 in the consi draw.

The men’s 65s singles division also saw upsets, with Jeffrey Gerhart edging out the first seed Thomas Chase and Scott Hadley knocking out Chris Stevens. Hadley then defeated Gerhart 8-3 in the finals.

Eight players competed in the men’s 70s singles division. Top seed Robert Farley met third seed Andrew Arnold in the finals. Arnold beat second seed Jeffrey Prudden to get there. Farley proved too strong and took the blue ribbon with a score of 8-1. In the consi draw, Kari Juusela beat Elliot Shapiro 8-1.

In the men’s 75s singles division with four players, Jon Wilson beat Kenneth McGrath 8-3. In the backdraw, Bruce Crumley and Keith Hayes had a battle with Crumley eking out the win 9-8.

The men’s 80s division saw four competitors. Paul Fein beat Curt Anderson 8-3 in the final.

There were eight competitors in the men’s 85s draw this year. Once again, Charles Niemeth and Nicholas Ourusoff battled in the finals before Niemeth prevailed 8-3.

Doubles Competitions

The women’s 50s doubles event saw one of the longest matches of the tournament; Lee Fitzgibbons and Andrea Goetz were neck and neck against Sarah Boone and Melissa Page. At 8-8 they played a tiebreaker and continued the fight and won 15-13.

The women’s 60s doubles finals played one of the few two out of three set matches with sisters Abigail Burke and Cynthia Dardis defeating Marie-Josee Pachl and Elizabeth Bosco 6-1, 6-2.

Three teams participated in the men’s 55s doubles round robin. Wayne Jang and Caleb Klepper went 2-0, and Ryland Hanstad and Steve Courtwright split 1-1. 

In the men’s 60s doubles draw of seven teams, Steven Kapiloff and James Burda edged out Matt Gelotte and Eric Kendall 9 – 8. Gelotte and Kendall had upset the second seeds in the semis. In the backdraw, Ryland Hanstad and John Wilcox beat Andrew Weiss and Scott Bellcourt 8-0.

Two teams comprised the men’s 65s doubles field. Stewart Hudson and Philip Goetz beat Thomas Mullaney and Grey Spann 8-0.

In the men’s 70s doubles division, Kari Juuseta and Andrew Arnold took the gold over Keith Hayes and William Deluce by a score of 8-3.

The men’s 75s doubles draw also had only two teams. Jon Wilson added another trophy to his collection as he teamed up with Peter MacPartland to defeat Keith Hayes and William Deluce 8-3.

Two teams duked it out in the men’s 80s doubles event with Peter Allen and John Fournier beating Edward Underwood and Walter Beatty 8-1.

And it is always wonderful and remarkable to report on results from our super senior age division. The men’s 85s doubles draw had three teams. Charles Niemeth was also a two-event winner. He and Raymond Brodeur went 2 -0, while Nicholas Ourusoff and Malcolm Swanson went 1-1.