Broward Craig Trophy

Le Broward Craig Trophy a eu lieu du 27 au 28 août au Old Westbury Country Club sur Long Island juste après l'IC Week à Washington.

Il s'agissait de la rencontre bisannuelle entre notre IC et l'USIC, qui a été reportée 2 fois suite à la crise sanitaire.

Rapport du coordinateur RILTCB Pierre Mignot

Le Broward Craig Trophy a été un succès total grâce à l'extraordinaire accueil de Jeff Snow, le capitaine de l'USIC: pour s'en convaincre il suffit de lire son rapport ci-dessous qui reprend toutes les activités de ce week-end fabuleux et que je ne vais pas répéter ici..

Tout ce que l'on peut ajouter, c'est que tous les participants belges et les accompagnants ont apprécié, en plus de l'hospitalité de Jeff Snow et de son épouse, le choix de l'hôtel sur Long Island et la qualité des installations du Old Westbury Country Club où les terrains en terre battue américaine étaient excellents. Sans oublier la journée du 29 août à l'US Open (premier jour du tournoi) qui constituait une première expérience pour la plupart d'entre nous. Tout cela organisé par Jeff, bien sûr !!!

Et, pour couronner le tout, nous avons remporté le trophée par 12 victoires à 11 ce qui prouve combien les parties ont été équilibrées et les 2 équipes de niveau comparable.

Bravo donc à nos joueurs et en particulier au capitaine Robert Van Malder qui a établi le programme des matchs avec Jeff Snow.

Voir les résultats détaillés ci-dessous.

Rapport du capitaine USIC Jeff Snow

We had a great weekend with our friends from the Belgium IC. It started with five USIC members meeting the Belgium team at Penn Station in NYC and providing transportation for 31 and all their baggage out to Long Island for the event. I had rented a huge passenger van that seated 15 to help ferry all the Belgium players and significant others around with. The train was delayed and there was rush hour traffic to deal with, but snacks were provided and everyone made it safely to the hotel. That evening the out-of-town USIC team members met up for dinner and to reminisce about prior events, while the Belgium team unpacked and ate a casual dinner at the hotel.

Saturday began with brunch provided in my backyard (Bagels with all the fixings) for both teams followed by tennis matches at the Old Westbury Country Club. We got through two complete rounds of tennis – singles and doubles. We were provided an afternoon snack at the club (wine, cheese, fruit and veggies). Then back to my house for a casual barbeque dinner in my backyard. Transportation to and from the hotel for all of these events was once again provided.

Sunday started off the same with brunch in my backyard and then tennis at the Old Westbury Country Club. We played only one round of doubles that counted towards the event. The matches were all very competitive and the Belgium IC team won some very close fought battles. Robert Van Malder was presented with the actual Broward Craig trophy to keep until our next meeting after some heart felt words. We were once again provided a very nice snack at the courts. The second round of tennis was a friendly doubles match made up of one USIC and one Belgium IC player per team.

We had the formal dinner with IC ties on at a local restaurant overlooking the water that evening. Speeches were given by Michel de Marneffe, Gordon Aydelott who was kind enough to fill us all in on who Broward Craig the man was and myself (partially in French). The Belgium team made Margaret Lumia and Ronnie Kahn honorary members of the Belgium IC. We made Pierre Mignot an honorary member of the USIC. Once again transportation to and from the hotel was provided for all these events.

On Monday US Open tickets were provided for all the players and guests to enjoy a day exploring Flushing Meadows and watching some real tennis players in action. Most of the Belgium IC team and out-of-town USIC team flew home on Tuesday.

We were very fortunate with the weather all weekend which was warm and sunny. All in all, it was an incredibly successful event. Everyone had a great time. Old friendships were renewed and new ones made. My ordinary life of saving lives has felt drab in comparison and I am only now coming back down from the post USIC match depression that I have become used to experiencing. Robert Van Malder is already actively planning our return trip to Belgium in 2024 to include a visit to the Battle of the Bulge. I am sure we will have no trouble rounding up players to go from the USIC team who was at this event.

Résultats

Photos Lunches, Dinner

Photos Westbury Country Club

Photos US Open

Montage Photos