CLUB TRADITIONS

The Prentice and Seabright Cups

The Prentice Cup is an international intercollegiate tennis competition between the universities of Harvard and Yale versus Oxford and Cambridge.The first match was played in 1921 and play came to SLT&CC in 1952. Matches are held every two years and alternating between the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon, and SLT&CC. For much of the tournament’s history, only men participated. This changed in 2004 when competition between women was introduced for The Sea Bright Cup. The 100th anniversary of the Cup was celebrated at SLT&CC in the summer of 2022. The Cambridge-Oxford teams took home both trophies, the first time this has happened in the tournaments history.

Prentice Cup and Seabright Information
 

Rockaway Hunt Club Challenge Cup

The SLT&CC and Rockaway Hunt Club Challenge Cup is the longest continuously played interclub tennis competition in the country. It began in 1916 and has been played on and off since then, with 2022 marking the 106th meeting of the two clubs, and SLT&CC winning the Cups in both the Men's and Women's competitions. The Men’s singles and doubles grass tennis tournament features the best players from both teams competing for honor of displaying the beautiful Challenge Cup in their clubhouse for the year.  The year 2021 marked the first year the women joined in the Challenge Cup. A new trophy was purchased for the Women's competition and the women of SLT&CC were proud to bring it home after this first exchange.

Challenge Cup Results



 

Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club-Merion Cricket Club Tennis Exchange

The SLT&CC-MCC Exchange was founded in 1950 by Charlotte Van Vechten and Winnie Ylvisaker. These great friends wanted to keep their spirited tennis matches going after the Ylvisakers moved to the suburbs of Philadelphia and joined the Merion Cricket Club. They decided to start an exchange between the two clubs which began as a mother/daughter tournament. They would alternate each year and have three categories of players: Seniors, Juniors and Junior-Juniors.  The matches were taken very seriously but the following lunch and day at the beach (Sea Bright) or pool (Merion) was always great fun. 

 
 

The Shore Challenge Cup Tournament

The Shore Challenge Cup Tournament is a Mixed Doubles competition between SLTCC, Spring Lake Bath & Tennis, Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club, and Bayhead Yacht Club. Played annually in mid-September, and alternating locations yearly, this event marks the end of competitive play for the tennis season.
 
 

USTA’s National Men’s 65 and over Grass Tournament

SLTCC hosts the USTA’s National Men’s 65 and over Grass Tournament each September. For over 20 years, members and the public alike have watched players from around the world compete for a coveted Gold Ball at our special club. Last year there were 84 singles players and 29 doubles teams. While sadly, no club member has won the tournament (yet), our very own Bob Abbot won the singles consolation in 2018. 

The 2022 Tournament got off to a tough start as all play on the first day was cancelled due to rain. The weather remained tricky though out the tournament and some matches were switched to clay. That did not dampen the enthusiasm of any of the opt notch players who traveled to Seabright for the competition. Eight-five players competed in the doubles and singles tournament combined, playing over 114 matches to determine the final outcomes.

The 65 Singles Championship was won by Mark Vines, who defeated Ross Persons 6-0, 6-0.  Vines went through the tournament only losing four total games. The singles consolation was won by Leslie Curtis who defeated Bill Allen 6-2, 6-4. The 65 Grass Doubles Championship was won by the team of Harlan Stone and Jon Bates, who defeated Jeff Winkler and Tim Garcia 6-4, 6-3. The Doubles consolation was won by Leslie Curtis and Phil Dubsky.

2022 Men's 65+ Grass Championships Photo Gallery
 
 

SLT&CC Platform Tennis

The SLT&CC Platform Tennis season has several traditions as well. The NARUMSEAL is one of the highlights. This mixed doubles competition includes players from SLT&CC, Rumson County Club, Navesink Country Club and Deal Golf & Country Club. The social season kicks off with our Mixed Doubles Season Opener and the Master's Member Member Tournament. Other wonderful events include the Men’s Tri-Club tournament, the Men’s Member Guest, and the Filial Tournament. The Crissy Cup is a highlight of the women’s platform season. This member guest tournament is played with Rumson Country Club and honors a beloved member our of club who passed away too soon. The Women’s Member Guest has grown in scope each year and is a highly anticipated event. Most of our tournaments have A and B Flights so that a wide range of players can participate.