2019 Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship Commemorative Program

Blet’As haLveLa

C E L E B R A T I N G 85

2 19

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 1

For the love of life.
For the love of home.
For the love of the game.

We Proudly Support the 2019 River Oaks
U.S. Mens Clay Court Championship

sothebyshomes.com | 713.520.1981

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 3

4 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

TOURNASpMonsEoNrsT

TITLE SPONSOR MAJOR SPONSORS
H-E-B
COMERICA BANK
WESTERN AIRWAYS
THE MOSING FAMILY
MEMORIAL HERMANN
EMIRATES
TENENBAUM JEWELERS
HARVEY BUILDERS
OPPORTUNE
UBS
URBAN LIVING

PRESENTING SPONSOR

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
Avalon Advisors • Platform Partners • Becky & Ralph O’Connor • Calpine • Collina’s Italian Café
The Oehmig Family • Concho • The John Eads Family • The Ralph Eads Family • Enterprise Products
Fidelity Investments • The Flores Family • The Summers – Gonzalez Families • The Mithoff Family

The Hackett Family • The Cleary Family • The Hildebrand Family • The Falgout Family
Jefferies • John & Traci Young • Central Bank • JP Morgan • Mach Industrial Group, LP

The Burk Family • Griffin Partners • Kanos Capital • Hightower Texas
Spark Energy • McNair Interests • Wolfcreek Energy Group • Vega Energy

FRIENDS OF THE TOURNAMENT
BBVA Compass • Bobbie Nau • Houston Trust Company • Rosanette and Harry Cullen

EIG Global Energy Partners • Ernst & Young • The Bell and Fairbanks Families
Gilbane Building Company • Higginbotham • Hogan Ventures/Milton Street Capital • McHeadly Society
Morgan Stanley • David & Nancy Pustka • Read King • John Nau • The Smith/VanLoh/Tanner Families

US Capital Advisors • Linda & Steve Webster • The Weiner Family • Brice Barclay
Alexandra & Brady Knight • The Santos-Pugh Family • The Taub Family • The Neuhaus Family
Texican Natural Gas • DefensiveDriving.com • John Daugherty • Cal-A-Vie Health Spa & Resort

Marriott West Loop • Emmaline • Quality Court Surfaces • Compass • Moët Hennessy

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 5

6 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

TABofLCEontents

15 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Club President - Randy Hale

19 CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
Tournament Chairman - Mike McSpadden

23 DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
Tournament Director - Bronwyn Greer

25 SITE MAP
Map of River Oaks Country Club Grounds

29 SCHEDULE 119 2018
Don't Miss any of the FUN! DOUBLES DRAW

49 SPONSORSHIP 120 ATP TOP 50
COMMITTEE SINGLES RANKINGS

64 THE "SUNNYSIDE" 123 2019
AFTER THE STORM PLAYER PROFILES
Written by Taylor Crosby

96 130MOTIVATING PASSION THAT STEVE JOHNSON EXPLAINS
DRIVES WAYNE BRYAN HIS MUSTACHE AND MORE...
Written by Pete Holtermann
Written by Ken Hoffman

117 2018 187 INDEX
SINGLES DRAW

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 7

PROGRACoMntributors

TODD CAMPBELL TAYLOR CROSBY BRONWYN GREER KEN HOFFMAN

Todd Campbell, a staff teaching Taylor joined HolterMedia after Bronwyn is Tournament Director for Ken Hoffman is a daily columnist for
professional at the River Oaks graduating from the University the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s the Houston Chronicle, in the Star
Country Club for ten years now, of Florida in 2013. She serves as
has served as a photographer for the Digital Marketing Manager and has Clay Court Championship; this is her section, as well as writing Drive-Thru
U.S. Clay Court Tournament during coordinated social media efforts fourth year, previously Greer was the Gourmet reviews and the Pethouse
the past three years. Campbell is for ESPN Tennis, as well as the U.S. Tournament Manager for nine years.
a member of the U.S. Professional Men’s Clay Court Championship, the A graduate from Ohio University with Pet of the Week feature. Ken has
Tennis Association who came to the a Masters in Sports Administration, she written more than 800 fast food
River Oaks Country Club from the Western & Southern Open, has been working in event operations reviews. His cholesterol is higher
Westwood Club in Winston-Salem, and World Tennis Day.
N.C. where he served as director. for over ten years. In addition to than yours.
He and the other tennis professionals working at River Oaks, Greer also works
at the River Oaks Country Club teach on special events such as the Vancouver
numerous students of all ages
2010 Winter Olympic Games, and the
year round. National Memorial Day and 4th of July

concerts at the Capital in D.C.

PETE HOLTERMANN HALEY LEFFLER DALE ROBERSTON AARON SPRECHER

Pete has served as the Media Haley joined the U.S. Men’s Clay Dale Robertson was the Sprecher is a Houston-based
Director for the Fayez Sarofim & Co. Court Championship in August longest-tenured sports writer at photographer specializing in editorial,
U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship of 2015. She is a graduate of High a major Texas newspaper until he
Point University and is originally retired in February after 28 years with corporate and sports photography.
since 2009. A former employee of from Indianapolis, IN. She previously the Houston Chronicle, following He graduated from Colorado State
the ATP World Tour, he started worked on the Winston-Salem Open, an 18-year run at the Houston Post. University in 2003. Aaron has shot for
another 250 ATP event in North He covered the men’s pro tournament the New York Times, UCLA, Microsoft,
HolterMedia in 2008. In addition to Carolina, Citi Open in Washington, at River Oaks Country Club for the first Bloomberg News and NFL.com covering
his work at River Oaks, he is part of D.C., a 500 ATP and WTA event and time in 1977 and has been a fixture a wide range of events from the Enron
the ESPN production team at each of a variety of different professional at the event every spring since. Trial to the Super Bowl. From the sidelines
the four Grand Slam tournaments. golf tournaments. This is her fourth to corporate events to breaking news,
tournament here at River Oaks
and she is very excited for another Aaron has photographed it all.

successful year. For more information about Aaron or to
see some of his work please visit his web
site at aaronsprecher.com or follow him

on Instagram @amsprecher.

Getty Images, Inc. is an American stock photo agency, based in Seattle, Washington, United States.
It is a supplier of stock images for business and consumers with an archive of 80 million still images
and illustrations and more than 50,000 hours of stock film footage. It targets three markets–creative

professionals (advertising and graphic design), the media (print and online publishing),
-and corporate (in-house design, marketing and communication departments.)

8 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

HERE

WHEN THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENS

We all take great comfort in knowing that Memorial Hermann
is here for us, always, with extraordinary care on the ground

and in our skies for miles around, all thanks to the
philanthropic gifts of our generous donors.
memorialhermannfoundation.org

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 9

ADVANTAGE:YOU

OFFICIAL VEHICLE OF THE U.S. MEN’S
CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP

LX

Options shown. ©2019 Lexus

STERLING McCALL LEXUS CLEAR LAKE 18160 Gulf Freeway (281) 853-1400
NORTHSIDE LEXUS 17925 North Freeway (281) 569-3300
STERLING McCALL LEXUS 10025 Southwest Freeway (713) 995-2600
WESTSIDE LEXUS 12000 Katy Freeway (281) 558-3030
10 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 11



Strategy

As important on the court
as it is in your life.

Best wishes to the players in the River Oaks US Men’s Clay Court Championship.
It takes time to develop a winning strategy. Having the right partner on your side to advise
you can help. Confidence in your future starts with a relationship and advice you can trust.

Young Lockwood Sauer Wealth Management

Barry Young, CIMA® Elizabeth G. Lockwood
Managing Director– Managing Director–
Wealth Management, USA Wealth Management, USA
Private Wealth Advisor Private Wealth Advisor
713-940-2872 713-940-2821
[email protected] [email protected]

Brian C. Sauer, CFP® Charles Litton, CFA
Senior Vice President– Vice President–
Wealth Management, USA Wealth Management, USA
Senior Portfolio Manager 713-940-2892
713-940-2867 [email protected]
[email protected]

UBS Financial Services Inc.
4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 1700
Houston, TX 77027

ubs.com/team/yls

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and Certified finanCial PlannerTM in the US. CIMA® is a registered
certification mark of the Investments & Wealth Institute™ in the United States of America and worldwide. For designation disclosures, visit
ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures. © UBS 2019. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/
SIPC. CJ-UBS-569912174
2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 13

14 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

RandyHALE

Welcome to River Oaks Country Club for the 2019 Fayez
Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship. We hope
you, your family, and your friends enjoy every minute.
This 85th anniversary of our River Oaks Tennis Tournament
continues a very long tradition that our Club is delighted to
host in this unique setting. With the exception of the War
years the pros have returned here each spring since 1931 to
see who will beat all other challengers to raise the first place
trophy high above their head.

Most all of the finest players who have ever played the game of
tennis have competed here at River Oaks at some point in their
careers. Our field this year is certainly no exception as many of the
top clay court players from around the world once again join us out
on our Stadium Court. We are so pleased to be welcoming back the
familiar faces of John Isner, Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, Bob & Mike Bryan,
and Taylor Fritz. In addition, we welcome many of the future stars of tennis
Cameron Norrie, Mackenzie McDonald, Reilly Opelka, and Yoshihito Nishioka; a group of
players that are certain to exceed your expectations and provide some outstanding tennis.

River Oaks Tournament Week has become the social scene of spring. This year we are so
pleased to welcome you to our new Courtyard on the first tee - a space to eat, drink and be
merry - all while watching tennis and even doing a little shopping. We are excited to welcome
Goode Co. Restaurants as our new concessions partner in the Courtyard, along with pop up
shops by Tenenbaum Jewelers, Tootsies, L’Etoile and our very own Clay Court Shop.

We greatly appreciate the enthusiastic support of the Board of Directors and the many
members and volunteers. Our tournament would not be as exceptional as it is without the
attention to detail paid by our General Manager, Joe Bendy and the entire staff at River Oaks.
This year’s tournament team is most ably led by Tournament Chairman Mike McSpadden,
Tournament Director Bronwyn Greer and Tournament Manager Haley Leffler. Our tournament
special events are sure to go off without a hitch due to the hard work and planning thanks to
Tootsies Fashion Show Chairwoman Terri Havens, and Program Chairwomen Jo Lynn Falgout
and Christine Falgout-Gutknecht.

To our sponsors, we thank you. Without your continued generosity, this week of exciting tennis
would not be possible. Special thanks are also extended to the members of the Sponsorship
Committee who work year round with our sponsors to ensure the success of our tournament
each year.

We encourage each and every one of you to experience all that tournament week has to offer,
and to make this a family tradition as we have. Tracy & I hope to see you around the Club as
we too will be there as usual enjoying our week of great tennis and fun times.

Enjoy the week,

RANDY HALE
Club President • River Oaks Country Club

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 15

16 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

ROBoCarCd of Directors

2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Left to Right - Front Row: Jay Kelley, Clark Thompson, Cynthia George, Randy Hale,
Michelle Foutch, David Dunwoody and Jim Loucks
Back Row: Benjamin Peck, Steve Lindley, Cameron Greenwood, K.C. Weiner,
Tom Amonett, Steve Gibson, Casey Newman and Joe Bendy
Not Pictured: Stacey Gillman

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 17

18 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

Mike

McSPADDEN

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2019 Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay
Court Tournament on our 85th anniversary of hosting a tournament at this
picturesque site.

As many of you know, our tournament, starting in 1931, remains the longest
running clay court competition in North America to be continuously held at the
same location. (The tournament was not held in 1942– 1945 due to World War II.)

To put our longevity in perspective: In 1931, Herbert Hoover was President, the
Star-Spangled Banner officially became our national anthem, and the cost of
gasoline was 17 cents per gallon.

My first contact with the tournament was in 1965 when I received an invitation to
play from head professional Andrew Jitkoff. My invitation may not have been based
solely on ability, but instead due to my father’s close friendship with Allen Key, a former
tournament chairman.

As a 20-year-old college junior, of course, I was impressed by everything from the beautiful
club setting, the venerable stadium court, the world-class tennis, but above all, the sincere
warmth and hospitality exhibited by everyone involved with the tournament.

It was this experience at River Oaks which led me after law school to pick Houston as my home in the
early 70’s. River Oaks tennis week quickly became my favorite of the year, forgetting about my problems,
renewing old friendships and making new ones while watching great tennis.

Some of my favorite memories of this week were entertaining my parents as they would love to come to town for the
tournament. They enjoyed the tennis and activities as much as anyone, being here two hours early and dressed as if they
were going to church.

During their first visit, after I finally found tickets for the week and gave the tickets to my mother, she said, “Michael, you keep
them for yourself. Fella gave us much better ones.” Of course, she was referring to Fella Knight, chairman at the time. I vividly
remember my sweet mother waving to me from her courtside seat. Soon after, I fortunately hitched my wagon to my good
friends, the Bentons and Daltons, and we slowly worked our way to the courtside seats we enjoy today.

This continuation of the tournament would not be possible without all our generous sponsors listed in this program.
Our Sponsorship Committee works with our business community and our members to make sure we have the funds available
to underwrite and try to improve the tournament each year. One such change we hope you will enjoy is The Courtyard, located
just north of the stadium. Goode Company joins us this year with their fine food and beverage service, along with several pop
up shops in a comfortable setting. We have also added a new Wall of Champions, a pictorial display of our rich tennis history
on the stadium’s north tunnel wall.

We have the finest group of members and volunteers who make the tournament special in countless ways. Our appreciation to
Terri Havens, Fashion Show Chair; Bill Hurt, Sponsors’ Golf Outing Chair; and Jo Lynn Falgout and Christine Falgout-Gutknecht,
Program Co-Chairs and their army of ad workers. (None other than Wimbledon requested a copy of our 75th edition for their
archives.)

Special recognition goes to our incomparable General Manager Joe Bendy, Executive Chef Charles Carroll, and their wonderful
staffs for providing the best of everything for the various events during the week.

I also want to thank the Tournament Director, Bronwyn Greer and Tournament Manager, Haley Leffler who work year-round in
coordinating everyone mentioned above and working with the players in producing such a unique and successful tournament.

Although each year I hear comments from friends that the tournament can’t be any better, I can assure you Bronwyn and Haley
are constantly trying to improve all aspects of the week. I can’t imagine any tournament having the staff and ground crews
equal to ours. Also, often overlooked but very much appreciated is our law enforcement team providing security for us all.

Our good friends, Wayne Bryan and Brad Gilbert, will both be back. Wayne provides wonderful on-court entertainment and
interviews with the players. Brad, a former top player, coach and leading commentator, lends his expertise on the players and
our sport of tennis. We welcome back the Tennis Channel for providing coverage of our tournament to a world-wide audience.

Roy Emerson, winner of 28 grand slam events (singles and doubles), will once again join us as the Honorary Chairman.
Not only is Roy one of the greatest athletes of all time, he is also one of the finest people I have ever known.

I look forward to seeing you at the tournament.

Sincerely,

MIKE MCSPADDEN Photo by alexandersportraits.com

Tournament Chairman • Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 19

20 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 21

22 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

BronwynThis year marks the 85th

GREERtennis tournament River Oaks

has hosted. It is easier for many of you to count the number of
decades you have been attending this event instead of the actual
years! The traditions associated with this historic event have
been passed down through the generations of River Oaks
families, which is one of the many unique features of our
Springtime get-together.

For me, 2019 is my 12th River Oaks tournament. That’s a little
crazy for me to type considering my working in tennis was pretty
unexpected (or was really a happy accident). Those 12 years have
flown by, and this tournament is now part of my tradition. It’s an
event that’s obviously central to my work calendar, but also my social
calendar as an opportunity to see so many friends and familiar faces.

I do consider myself lucky to have been able to put down roots with this tennis
tournament. While sports has always been a passion, as a Canadian, I always
thought my future would have involved hockey.

When I moved to Houston after grad school, I walked into an office at Westside Tennis Club to
answer an ad for a job as their restaurant manager. I interviewed that day with someone who is
now my best friend, and she forever altered my career path into tennis.

The restaurant was not where she envisioned me working. She immediately knew there was a better
role for me at Westside, working for a tennis tournament that I had no idea even existed! She took
me to interview with Linda McIngvale, who hired me to be Tournament Manager for the US Men’s
Clay Court Championship - and I've never looked back.

Within a couple years, the tournament moved over to River Oaks, bringing an ATP event to this
Club’s rich tournament history. I was very fortunate that Van Barry agreed to bring me to River Oaks
along with the tournament.

As I learned about the important place this event holds in the lore and tradition of the Club, it has
grown to be a very important tradition for me personally. Tradition, not a job. It is fun for me, and
has truly become a labor of love each year to make the next tournament bigger and better than the
previous one.

Just as our tournament at River Oaks has come a long way in 85 years, I feel like I’ve seen a good
deal in my time in tennis. Truth is, when I started in the sport I went to the US Open to see what
a tournament was like. As Linda was showing me around, she stopped to talk to someone.
When they were done, I asked who that was. “Andy Roddick,” she replied. I had no clue!

More than a decade later, you’ll find me waking up in the morning to check scores from events in
Europe and Asia as I actively follow the sport year-round. It's knowing that tournament week is
so important to each and every one of you that drives me to ensure we provide the best possible
experience every April. 

I hope each of you enjoy this week as much as I do. From my team to your family -
Welcome and Enjoy! 

Cheers,

BRONWYN GREER 23
Tournament Director • Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP

WHILE YOUare here
The Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship is celebrating its
85th year here at River Oaks Country Club and we are glad you have chosen to join
us for what is sure to be a fantastic week of tennis. The information below is to help

you take advantage of all we have to offer, so kick back, relax, and enjoy!

WILL CALL & TICKET BOX OFFICE:

Located at the front of the grounds as you enter off of River Oaks Blvd.

PLEASE NOTE THE BOX OFFICE HOURS:

Monday, April 1 – Friday, April 5 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday, April 6 – Sunday, April 14 9:00 AM – End of Matches

CONCESSIONS:

The concessions are located just behind the stadium on the first tee of the golf course.

Home to Goode Co. Restaurants, you are sure to find just what you are looking for to satisfy your hunger.

PLEASE NOTE THE CONCESSIONS HOURS:

Saturday, April 6 9:00 AM – End of Matches

Sunday, April 7 10:00 AM – End of Matches

Monday, April 8 2:00 PM – End of Matches

Tuesday, April 9 – Friday, April 12 11:00 AM – End of Matches

Saturday, April 13 12:00 PM – End of Matches

Sunday, April 14 1:00 PM – End of Matches

LOST & FOUND/MISSING PERSONS:

Lost & found items will be located at the tournament ticket office, situated at the front of the grounds.
If you need assistance finding a missing person please contact the nearest tournament volunteer, staff,

or tournament official with a radio.

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

The following items MAY NOT be brought onto the grounds:

Hard coolers or similar containers, Backpacks, Sealed packages of any kind, Bottles or cans (including glass, aluminum, or other metal), Aerosol cans or other noisemaking

devices, Alcohol, Video Cameras or recording devices (with the exception of properly credentialed media), Computers or laptops, Food (with the exception of limited

quantities for medical, dietary, or infant purposes), Weapons, Animals (with the exception of service animals), Flags, banners, or signs, Any materials constituting

unauthorized advertising or promotion, Laser pointing devices, Tennis rackets, Drones (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) or other model aircraft, Selfie-sticks or other

telescopic devices) and any other items deemed inappropriate or dangerous by tournament personnel, in their sole discretion.

AROUND the grounds

PRACTICE COURTS USTA MEMBERSHIP THE COURTYARD

A total of 54 matches are scheduled Guests can stop by the USTA Concessions provided by local Goode
to be played at the 2019 Fayez membership tent to sign-up for a Co. Restaurants, are stationed on
membership and share their love of the golf course to put an end to
Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court the game. Member Appreciation is on
Championship. The practice courts All Week–make sure to stop by and those rumbling tummies! If you need
located just past the first tee of the something to wash the delicious bbq,
beautiful River Oaks Country Club receive your gift!
are a great place to see some of your campechana and much more
down, stay in the lounge to grab
favorite players before a match.
a beer or two.

THE CLAY COURT SHOP PEDICABS POOL JUMP

Located in the Courtyard, The Clay Because of the crowds that come The annual winner’s jump into
Court Shop offers an array of great to the tennis tournament, it’s not the pool is a crowd favorite and
products. Come and buy your child always easy to find a parking spot. something you won’t want to miss.
one of those big tennis balls they’ve Let someone else do the task of Gather around the pool immediately
moving you from Point A to Point B, following the finals to celebrate with
been dying to have. While you’re
there, get a great new outfit to show and hop in a pedicab to get the victor as he makes his plunge.
off to your friends the next time you yourself to the tournament without

get together and play. breaking a sweat.

24 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

MAPU.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship CthOe URTYARD COURT COURT
CthOe URTYARD 8
8
COURT C

5COURT COURT 6

7 7COURT COURT 8
8
COMUATRCHT COURT
COURT
1
2COURT COURT
9 3
4
3 4

1 53

4 5
6

6
2

7

2019 SITE MAP KEY G UEST AMENITIES

1 ROCC Clubhouse Restrooms
2 Stadium - Center Court First Aid

3 Fitness Center Concessions/Bar
4 Pool
5 LEXUS Pavilion Check-in THE COURTYARD
6 LEXUS Pavilion
7 Box Office / Lost and Found Quality Courts - Mini Court
8 The Clay Court Shop
9 OPPORTUNE Players Desk USTA Texas
Clay Courts
Hard Courts L'Etoile

Urban Living

Tenenbaum Jewelers • Tootsies

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 25

George H. W. BushA TRIBUTE FOR FORMER PRESIDENT

The memory of an Ace hit "Down ze middle..."

By Dale Robertson

When George H. W. Bush came to Bush, who passed away in November “(Hit the ball) down ze middle,” Kozeluh
Houston in the late 1950s, he was already at the age of 94, arguably loved sports insisted. “Down ze middle!”
a passionate tennis player, having been more than any other American president,
introduced to the game by his mother, both as a gung-ho participant and a keen A special sporting memory for Bush
Dorothy, a U.S. national juniors runner-up spectator. After he left office and moved would have been the U.S.-Spain Davis Cup
as a teenager. But he didn’t have a partner. back to Houston, the city’s teams had quarterfinal tie here in 2002. He didn’t
As luck would have it, neither did James no exuberant a fan. He and wife Barbara miss a match at Westside Tennis Club in
Baker, who had only recently returned to regularly attended games and other large part because of his six-degrees-of-
town as well, so they found themselves events, including the Houston Open golf separation connection with that storied
paired together for a Houston Country tournament. His grandfather, after all, international team competition. A great
Club members’ tournament. had founded the Walker Cup while his uncle, Joseph Wear, who won a bronze
father served as the president of the medal in doubles at the 1904 St. Louis
The Bush-Baker team didn’t win that U.S. Golf Association. Olympics, also helped hone Bush’s game
year, but it wasn’t for a lack of grit or at Dorothy’s behest. Wear happened to be
effort, and they would eventually claim But the intimate, charming River Oaks a close friend and contemporary of Dwight
the club championship. In a first-person Country Club stadium court became Filley Davis, who founded the Davis Cup
story Bush wrote many years later for his favorite venue when the ATP pros shortly after he graduated from Harvard
Tennis Magazine, he recalled, “We’re both arrived for their annual spring visit. Tennis in 1900.
aggressive and competitive, especially always held the most special of places in
Bush’s heart and he played it passionately A young man of means, Davis personally
when volleying. until 2000, when the first of two hip commissioned the sterling silver cup still
And I can still lob with replacements forced him into a very presented to the winning country's team.
reasonable accuracy, grudging retirement. Wear would twice be named the non-
but Baker has to be the playing captain of the U.S. squad, once with
world’s best lobber.” The courts at the family home in Bill Tilden as his star in 1928 and again with
Kennebunkport were the sites of countless a young Don Budge, the future winner of
That long-lasting heated battles through the decades. tennis’ Grand Slam, leading the American
friendship, built Whether he was playing doubles with his team in 1935.
between the baselines, friends, participating in good-cause events
followed them to or using tennis as a backdrop for political Although Wear’s Americans lost to the
the highest corridors fund-raising – a couple of those took place Fred Perry-led English team that year,
of power. When Bush at the then-new Summit back in the mid- Allison Danzig, the esteemed New York
became the 41st 1970s, featuring pros like John Newcombe Times tennis writer, applauded Wear’s
president, he made and Tony Roche – every match mattered. return as captain, writing: "No one is held
Baker his Chief in higher esteem than the Philadelphian,
of State. If you played with or against him, you took No one was ever a more welcome or
every point seriously or you weren’t going respected figure in an American Davis
to be invited back. He inherited his fiery Cup camp."
spirit from Dorothy, whom he called
“a real scrapper, a real tough competitor.” But Bush later admitted that, as Wear was
patiently hitting all those balls to him,
"I hated to lose," Bush once said. But he he had little knowledge of any of this. The
also insisted, "I’ve always been a good still-spry, impeccably mannered gent on
sport. I never broke my racket or anything the other side of the net was just “Uncle
like that." Joe," whose best advice, Bush recalled,
was to “keep the ball deep.”
He first picked up a racket growing up in
Greenwich, Conn., hitting with his mom Through the years Bush partnered with
tennis giants ranging from Maureen “Little
and then taking group Mo” Connolly and Chris Evert to Bjorn Borg
lessons from a legendary and Ivan Lendl. More important, however,
local pro, Karel Kozeluh, would be the geopolitical diplomacy that
who gave him the best got accomplished when he hit the court
advice he ever received for with the likes of the Crown Prince of
playing doubles, which he Jordan, Sweden’s ambassador to the U.S.,
much preferred to singles. Wilhelm Wachtmeister, and China’s vice

26 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

premier, Wan Li. Bush also once
joined forces with the ambassador
from Ghana to win a tournament
in Canada. While based in Beijing
with the U.S. Liaison Office in the
mid-1970s, he won a trophy with Canada’s
ambassador to China for a partner.
A “bad” memory, however, was a tough loss to his son Marvin
and the Australian pro Roche when Bush had Lendl on his side.
Bush apparently failed to hold his serve even once over the three
sets, and it ate at him for a while.
And then there was the day Ronald Reagan underwent surgery to
remove cancerous polyps from his colon, leaving Bush as the interim
president for about eight hours. Hoping to burn off nervous energy,
Bush headed off to play doubles and wound up falling hard enough
to knock himself unconscious. Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil
wouldn’t find out until much later – Bush came to quickly – that he
had briefly become the leader of the free world.
Bush closed his Tennis Magazine story by writing, “I’ve had so
many wonderful experiences in this great game . . . Knowing that
whenever I’m in China, Australia, Pakistan, Jordan or Sweden,
I always have something that transcends all language barriers,
all cultural or political barriers. I have my tennis.”

FINOROEUVRESRTAANFADNS!

GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH

JUNE 12, 1924 - NOVEMBER 30, 2018

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 27

T here was a single shot during last year’s The ball caromed off the back wall, and, after one hop,
tournament that probably did not register any Johnson caught the ball on his racket. Having no idea
special attention from most in attendance history had just been made, Johnson simply flipped the
that evening. Yet one swing of John Isner’s racket on ball off his racket toward the other end of the court.
a Friday night at River Oaks during set in motion a
series of events that resulted in a match-used tennis Paul Vaughan, one of the ballkids who had just
ball making an 1,800-mile journey. come on the court, picked up the ball near the net on
the westside of the court, and passed it to another
Isner entered his quarterfinal against Steve Johnson ballkid, Kimberly Paniagua, who handed it to Cannavan
having hit 9,981 aces in his career. Only three ATP in the chair.
players – Ivo Karlovic, Goran Ivanisevic and Roger
Federer – have reached the 10,000 ace milestone. Cannavan slid the ball into a Ziploc bag, and handed
Kimberly a fresh ball to put into play.
While viewers at home were kept informed of Isner’s
impending historical moment through coverage on Isner, meanwhile, had come to the line to serve
Tennis Channel, fans in the stadium were simply for the next point. He paused, noticing some extra
enjoying these two American friends locked in battle commotion at the chair, then carried on with his next
that went to a third set. serve. Most likely Isner had no idea that was his 19th
ace of the night, and the 10,000th of his career.
As the match entered the final set, ATP supervisor
Tom Barnes left his seat in the stands and took up a With the ace having occurred in just the second game
post standing in the west tunnel. Barnes relocated so with new balls, it was still very clean. Isner’s booming
he could be easily in the eye line of chair umpire Simon ace left a very clear mark on the ball.
Cannavan. With a flash of his fingers, Barnes was able
to keep Cannavan informed as to how many more On the subsequent changeover, HPD officer Alexandra
aces Isner needed. Harrell walked across the court and Cannavan came
down from his chair to hand her the ball.
Two games into the third set, it was time for a ball
change. With six brand new balls from two freshly Harrell returned to the west tunnel, handed the ball
opened cans, Johnson held for a 2-1 lead, and the to Barnes. The ball was held until after the match,
players went to the benches. when Isner was made aware of the milestone. He
autographed the ball, writing “10K” above his name.
During that changeover, the ballkids rotated
their assignments, and a new crew came onto the The ball was gifted to the International Tennis Hall of
court. There was a slight pause in the handover of Fame in Newport, R.I., where it was put on display by
assignments as the outgoing crew shared the special Curator of Collections Nicole Markham. It is displayed
instructions with the new crew. in the recent acquisitions case at the entrance to
the museum, a spot visited by many tennis fans from
The players got up, and Isner headed to the north end around the world, particularly during the ATP 250
of the stadium to serve. The 6-foot-10 Isner took a hosted at the Hall of Fame in July.
ball in his left hand, and as is his custom, bounced the
ball between his legs to the racket in his right hand. The tennis ball represents John’s second history-
making moment that has become part of the Hall of
On the first point of that fourth game, Isner rocked Fame’s archive of great moments in tennis history, as
back and fired a 138 mile per hour ace down the “T.” the racquet from his 2010 Wimbledon match is also
Johnson lunged toward the center of the court, but among the collection.
the ball bounced past him.
ISNER RETURNS to River Oaks this

year having hit 392 aces in his 25 U.S. Clay matches.

28 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 29

30 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

TOURNAScMhedEuNle T
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & MATCHES

APRIL 2019
EVENT TIME LOCATION
SUN. SAT. FRI. THUR. WED. TUE. MON. SUN. SAT. 6
7 USTA & HEB Kids Play Day 8:00 AM Hard Courts 5-8
8 10:00 AM Courts 3 • 4 • 7
Powered by Net Generation
9:30 AM Hard Courts 5-8
Qualifying Matches - Round 1 11:00 AM Courts 3 • 4 • 7

USTA & HEB Kids Play Day 3:00 PM Stadium Court
6:00 PM Stadium Court
Powered by Net Generation

Qualifying Matches - Round 2

Main Draw Matches
H-E-B Juniors Night

9 Ladies Day 10:30 AM Stadium Court
Main Draw Matches - Day Session 12:00 PM Stadium Court
Main Draw Matches - Night Session 6:00 PM Stadium Court

10 Tootsies Fashion Show 10:45 AM Poolside Terrace
Main Draw Matches - Day Session 12:00 PM Stadium Court
Main Draw Matches - Night Session 6:00 PM Stadium Court

11 Tootsies Fashion Show 10:45 AM Poolside Terrace
12
Main Draw Matches - Day Session 12:00 PM Stadium Court

Main Draw Matches - Night Session 6:00 PM Stadium Court

Bryan Brothers Band - Live Performance follows Last Match Pool

Main Draw Matches - Day Session 12:00 PM Stadium Court
Main Draw Matches - Night Session 6:00 PM Stadium Court

13 Singles Semi-Finals 1:00 PM Stadium Court
Doubles Finals - Following Singles Stadium Court
Langston Trophy Presentation TBD Stadium Court

14 Singles Finals 2:00 PM Stadium Court

DAILY REPEATING EVENTS:

Autographed Ball Toss - After each match in the Stadium
Autograph Sessions - Check our Social Media feed for the up to date times
TV Coverage - Monday - Sunday on Tennis Channel

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 31

Get more out of
your home search.

Map Search New Developments Transaction Dashboard

Customizable map search View detailed information of Manage your entire home
designed to fit your needs. all our new communities. buying process.

A FULL-SERVICE REAL ESTATE COMPANY

713-868-7226 5023 WASHINGTON AVENUE URBANLIVING.COM

WWW.URBAN INC, TREC BROKER #476135

32 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

ADDRESS DISABLED PARKING AZlitsot
SEATING ACCESS
River Oaks Country Club All general parking is located
1600 River Oaks Blvd. Wheelchair seating is available on the side streets surrounding
Houston, TX 77019 in lower boxes. Please contact River Oaks Country Club.
the box office at 713-527-0345 Bike cabs will be available,
ALCOHOL to purchase seats. complimentary for our guests,
for an easy ride to the front
Alcoholic beverages may ETIQUETTE gate. River Oaks Country Club
not be brought onto members and others with a
tournament grounds. Spectator movements is valid parking pass will be the
restricted to breaks in play only guests allowed to park on
ANIMALS only (i.e. change over, set break, property.
and between matches)
Only service animals are
allowed on tournament grounds. EXIT & RE-ENTRY SOCIAL MEDIA

AUTOGRAPHS Exit and re-entry of both Connect with mensclaycourt on
stadium and tournament Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Be sure to check our social grounds is permitted; spectators for all the latest news and
media for the most up to date will be required to re-enter the information.
autograph sessions times and grounds through security.
locations. REFUNDS/EXCHANGES
FIRST AID
BAG POLICY There are no refunds or
The First Aid Station is exchanges on tickets. All sales
Bags are subject to search. All located on the main floor are final.
fans will go through a screening of the Fitness Center.
process before passing through RESTROOMS
the gates. GATE OPENING
Restrooms are located in The
BOX OFFICE Day Session ticket holders Courtyard, just north of the
are permitted through the stadium, as well as under the
The box office is located inside main entrance 1 hour prior west side of the stadium.
the main entrance to the right. to play starting. Evening
Please call 713-527-0345 for any session ticket holders are TICKET TURNBACK
ticketing questions or inquiries. permitted through the gates PROGRAM
once grounds open during
BROADCAST the day, but will not be able to If you have tickets that you will
occupy their stadium seats until not be able to use, please turn
Tennis Channel, live broadcast the Day Session is complete. them into our Ticket Turnback
Monday through Sunday. program to be resold at face
GROUP DISCOUNT value. The proceeds from this
CAMERAS & VIDEO program will be donated to
RECORDING DEVICES A group discount is available the Pediatric Trauma Center at
for any groups of 10 or more. Children’s Memorial Hermann
All photo and video recording You will receive $5 off a ticket Hospital at the end of the
devices are prohibited for any for groups. tournament. Stop by the Box
purpose other than the recording Office for more information,
of video or photographs for INCLEMENT WEATHER call them at 713-527-0345
personal use only. or email 
Play can continue in a very light [email protected]
CELL PHONES rain. At the discretion of the
umpire and tour supervisor, WEBSITE
As a courtesy to the players play can be suspended if the
and fans, please silence your conditions are unsafe. In that www.mensclaycourt.com
electronic devices when instance, play will resume when
watching matches on any court. possible after the weather clears
and the court is prepared once
CHILDREN again for play. The best way to
stay current with any delays is
All children over the age of by following the tournament’s
4 years are required to have twitter feed and website.
a ticket.
LOST & FOUND
CONCESSIONS
Lost and Found is located in the
Located on the first tee of the golf
course, Goode Co. offers a wide Box Office.
variety featuring Campechana,
BBQ, Burgers and more alongside MERCHANDISE
a full bar. Beer and wine
purchased in this area may not Official Tournament
be removed from the area. it may Merchandise may be purchased
be enjoyed in The Courtyard. No at The Clay Court Shop.
alcohol is allowed beyond these
bounds.

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 33

34 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 35

36 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

LET THE

LoveAllMATCHES BEGIN!
C L EfAamRilYy

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 37

[email protected]

38 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

MWFIDAEENALLAITTGHYEMENT

With Fidelity Wealth Management, you’ll have
a dedicated advisor who provides:
Straightforward advice
Tailored recommendations
Tax-e cient investing strategies
Guidance designed to grow

and protect your wealth

Schedule an appointment
with a Fidelity advisor today.

FIDELITY.COM/WEALTH 800.FIDELITY

Houston-Baybrook Houston Champion Forest Houston Highland Village Houston Memorial
Investor Center Investor Center Investor Center Investor Center
5322 FM 1960 Road West
18710 Gulf Freeway 800.790.9963 4410 Westheimer Road 12532 Memorial Drive
800.544.6497 800.367.7516 800.572.7011
Sugar Land Investor Center
Katy Investor Center 15600 Southwest Freeway Texas Medical Center The Woodlands
800.227.0626 Investor Center Investor Center
23233 Cinco Ranch Boulevard
Suite 125 6560 Fannin Street 1701 Lake Robbins Drive
800.544.3063 Suite 200 800.822.4816
800.418.6821

Investing involves risk, including risk of loss. Investment minimums may apply.

Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC. © 2019 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 837004.4.0

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 39

JENNIFER VANN PETE HOLTERMANN

MERCHANDISING MEDIA DIRECTOR

DIEGO SYNDER ZUASNABAR
OPERATIONS

HALEY LEFFLER KINSEY SCHULTZ

TOURNAMENT MANAGER PLAYER TRANSPORTATION

CHRIS MOORE BRONWYN GREER

BALL KID SUPERVISOR TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR

GILLY AGOSTO LORI MCNEIL

PLAYER SERVICES BALL KID SUPERVISOR

DEBBIE ARCY

TICKET OFFICE

ToSurTnaAmeFntF MARIAAN DESWARDT PAT LOCKIN

BALL KID SUPERVISOR CREDENTIALS

KRISTIN DIEDRICH

MERCHANDISING

TINA RONEL MANDY DANIELS

MERCHANDISING TICKET OFFICE

BOBBY AGOSTO

PLAYER SERVICES

TODD CAMPBELL BECKY CHOICE

BALL KID SUPERVISOR TICKET OFFICE

PATTI KLASING

TICKET OFFICE

40 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 41

42 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 43

44 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 45

46 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 47

48 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

2019 FAYEZ SAROFIM & CO. U.S. MEN’S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP 49

50 RIVER OAKS COUNTRY CLUB