GAYLORD– The fifth annual men’s doubles tennis tournament, “The Roper”, was held on June 28 at the Otsego County Sportsplex Tennis Center. Twelve men, including 3 father/son teams, battled it out on the courts for the all day event. Despite some high winds, and increasingly hot temperatures, the final matches concluded with team Dave Johnson and Jon Thompson against team Dan Hawkins and his son Kyte. After long rallies, amid cheering fans, the teams fought through two final 10 point tie breaks, with team Hawkins emerging as champions for the second year in a row.
The Roper is hosted by Alpine Regional Tennis Association (ARTA) and named after former ARTA board member and tennis friend, Mike Roper, who died after a courageous battle with brain cancer. His son, Christopher, plays in the event, cheered on by his wife Jen and little daughter Hazel, as well as his sister Jamie and her family who visit Gaylord from California each summer. They generously provide ice cream gift cards each year to all the players, in honor of their dad who never passed up a chance for an ice cream treat.
For more information about The Roper, the upcoming July 26 ladies doubles tournament, The Moxie, and other tennis fun visit www.gaylordtennis.com or the ARTA Facebook page.
