Morristown Field Club Hosts Inaugural Tennis Tournanment

On Friday, Aug. 2, the Morristown Field Club hosted its inaugural Clay Court Classic for junior tennis players.

Players came from New York and New Jersey to test their skills on the red clay courts at one of New Jersey’s oldest and most prestigious tennis clubs. 

Davor Barisic, the Club’s Tennis Professional, was responsible for organizing the tournament, which attracted 13 players ages 13 to 16. The turnout was good despite the fact that many are vacationing at this time of year, according to Patsy Clew.

Since starting at the Field Club in 2012, Barisic has wanted to have a junior tournament at the Field Club.  

“We have a large number of courts here and a great location in Morristown,” said Barisic. “Sometimes young tennis players don’t have an opportunity to play on anything other than hard courts.  This tournament allows them to test their game on a slower surface where it takes more time and strategy to win matches." 

According to Club President, Jay Graham, the Field Club was very happy to host a clay tournament for juniors and is interested in attracting more junior members to the Club

This year’s winner in the Junior Boys category was Sam Farber from Livingston.  Farber defeated his opponent, Timothy Gavornik, in a tiebreak after the two split sets.  Farber plays tennis for Livingston High School during the school year and trains at the West Orange Tennis Club. Gavornik is going to be a sophomore at West Milford High School in Long Hill.  Timothy is coached by his father, a tennis professional.

The tournament winner for the Junior Girls category was Stephanie Li, from New York City.  Li is currently an eighth grader who trains at Courtsense in Bogota.  She defeated Sarah Hall, from West Orange in a tiebreak for the win. Hall is a freshman at Mount Saint Dominic’s in North Caldwell and trains at Center Court in Chatham.

Founded in 1881, the Morristown Field Club is the third oldest tennis club in the State of New Jersey.  The objectives of the Club are to encourage and provide facilities for the athletic, recreational and social activities of its members.  The Club has six har tru tennis courts, six red clay tennis courts and four platform tennis courts.  For more information about the club or membership, please contact Patsy Clew at patsyclew@aol.com.