The Story of The Knotts Stephens Tour 1989 - 2019

The Story of the Knott Stephens Tour 1989 - 2019

By Bill Stephens

Ifirst met Jimmy Knott in the mid 1980s when I was Secretary of the T&RA and “The Times” Correspondent on Rackets and Real Tennis (1983 - 1989).

Jimmy was part of an American Universities Court Tennis team visiting the UK on the Van Alen Tour, playing many of our clubs and competing against a joint team from Oxford and Cambridge for the Van Alen Cup, contested every 2 years either side of the Atlantic. We became close friends and he hosted me in the States many times.

Jimmy had served in the US Marine Corps, following his family’s tradition. He had joined up to train as a fighter pilot in Pensacola, Florida, but was denied further service with them because the medics found that his eyeball had been scratched by a Tennis ball at the NYR&TC. He had to transfer to tanks and served with them for 7 years. He told me a lot of it was in mud upto his waist. His induction had been with the Rocky Mountain Rangers who took him up there and dropped him off at a remote spot with no possessions, telling him that they would come back for him after a week, during which he had to survive. He was later a Captain in the USMC Reserves instructing Winter Warfare and Arctic Survival in Greenland, also teaching skiing in Vail, Colorado. He died in 1995 in an agricultural accident on his farm in the Amish Country of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Jimmy and I admired the opportunities young Tennis players had on the Van Alen Tour and regretted that there was not an equivalent for young Rackets players. We decided to remedy this and consulted the then NARA President, Kevin Broderick (Detroit). He gave his approval in principle. Fortunately I then spent several months in New York, much of it in the Racquet and Tennis Club where the Hon Sec, Clarry Pell, pointed out difficulties–particularly that North Americans did not learn the sport aged 13 at school, so the NA team would be whitewashed. Luckily, I had taken part in the Queen’s Club Centenary Quintathlon in 1986 (partnering the late Murray Sale of Detroit–a fun, if not successful pairing, in the 5 sports!). The playing format was devised and organised by Garth Milne, known as “The Quintathlon Formula” and I proposed this to Clarry as the solution, based on club - level players with 1 Brit and 1 North American taking on a similar pairing. That broke the deadlock and Clarry and I became firm friends.

Jimmy and I decided on 8 per team, which would visit all NARA Clubs for 2 nights each: Boston, NewYork, Tuxedo Park, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit and Montreal. It would take place every 2 years each way, dovetailed with the Van Alen Tours, so that hosts who often played both

sports did not have to entertain 2 “Blue Riband” tours in the same year.The first Knott Stephens Tour took place in 1989, captained by Simon Davies of Tonbridge (the history of all participants from the UK, the US and Canada, is attached). I confess to having been very “hands on”. I was so anxious that our first KS Tour would get off to a flying start that I rang our captain from my hotel half way down the River Nile at Luxor. He picked up with a groan and I was all hail and hearty, reminding him to get up to catch his plane. His reply was most uncomplimentary and he summarily slammed the phone down. Our team had several star players (which was not in the agreement): Guy Barker and Ali Robinson,Public Schools Champions from Marlborough, who later became World Doubles Champions, and Richard Jimmy and I admired the Montgomerie of Rugby, who had won the opportunities young Tennis Foster Cup (he is now Master-in-Charge players had on the Van Alen at Eton). Our team did split up, as agreed, Tour and regretted that there until they arrived at the last destination, was not an equivalent for Montreal, who boasted the remarkable young Rackets players. pairing of David McLernon and Chris Pickwoad, multiple championship winners. Hearing that Barker and Robinson were arriving, they wanted a “Head to Head”. After 5 games, in the set to 5, the Canadian Amateur Champions just edged home. Some later Tours contained dramas. In 2001 our team (led by Peter Kemp, son of the Deputy Headmaster of Tonbridge and Master-in-charge, David) arrived in New York a few weeks after the shocking 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center (both NARA and the T&RA decided that the Tour should go ahead). Peter took our team straight down to Ground Zero to pay their respects, after which emotional and gruelling experience they looked for something to eat around Little Italy in Greenwich Village, and heard a lively group creating atmosphere: they were members of the New York Fire Department saying “Thank you” to Fire Officers who had rushed to help from Out-of-State. One of our team, Lt Richard Palmer from Haileybury, was subsequently killed in Army Service in Iraq. (Richard’s Father, Brigadier Palmer, was Bursar of Haileybury).

Connections between the KS Tour and the Military, having started with Jimmy Knott leading the first reciprocal KS Tour in 1991, were strengthened when Brigadier Andrew Myrtle told me that the Army Rackets Association’s tour of the US had been cancelled and asking if I could fit in his keenest Officer, Major James Illingworth of the Army Air Corps (at the time flying helicopters over Bosnia). James (Wellington) was our Vice Captain in 1997 and was

Knotts Stephens Tour 2005 Back Row: John Beale (Clifton) , Mark Penna (Wellington), Tom Hamblin (Charterhouse), James Coyne (Wellington) Front Row: Pete Dunbar (Harrow), Mark Agate (Tonbridge), Bill Stephens (Founder), Tom Hughes (Captain) (Cheltenham), George Tysoe (Wellington).

so excited by the experience that he later returned as Military Attaché at our Embassy in Washington and is now a Major General after 36 years in the Army. Even later on, Olly Snell of Cheltenham (also of the AAC and now a Major) was Vice Captain of our team in 2013. There is no requirement for a Military background to get on the Tour! It all depends on recommendations and due diligence from those who are now taking over running the Tour, which will go on!! The NARA Board and the T&RA Rackets Committee are fully committed to this joint project which does so much to deepen our relationships across the pond.

American and Canadian hospitality of our teams has always been legendary–they really do roll out the red carpet and push the boat out. On a typical KS Tour, our lead host at port of entry, Boston, was always E. Denis Walsh, later NARA President. Our first evening was spent at the Longwood Cricket Club in Chestnut Hill, where Lawn Tennis doubles was played on the grass. Next day, Racquets and Court Tennis matches were played at the Tennis and Racquet Club, followed by a trip on a DUKW around the city and up the River Charles to explore Harvard University at Cambridge. The evening was invariably spent at the “Cheers Bar” on Beacon Hill.

After a second night at Denis Walsh’s Club “The Union”, the team caught the fast Metroliner to Penn Central Station in New York and headed to the Racquet and Tennis Club. Members like Peter Pell, Zack Sachs and Sam Abernethy devoted much time to looking after them. P.J. Clarke’s on Third Avenue was much frequented until the early hours. The next afternoon (always a Friday) the team headed UpState towards the Catskills for the weekend at The Tuxedo Club, which boasts Racquets, Court Tennis, Squash, and Padel Tennis. The Tennis House is on the edge of the lake (“The Big Wheewha”) which is the estate’s water supply, on which boating is permitted. A regular lead host was Greg Gross, Chairman of Racquets (previously Greg van Schaak, Eddie Matthews, and the late Kurt Graetzer).

Tuxedo hosts at weekends because many members work Downtown in the City around Wall Street, so our team headed back there on Sunday evening, for more matches at the R&TC on the Monday.

That evening it was back to Penn Central for the Metroliner to Philadelphia to be received by Tom Elliott (Racquets), Jamie Dodderidge (Court Tennis) and Jeff Yager. The particularly attractive Racquets and Court Tennis courts saw a lot of play and the swimming pool was extremely popular.

Wednesday morning it was an early flight to Chicago, where the eminences grises were Davis Anderson, Keene Addington, Peter Dunne and Jeff Durkes. Friday, back to the airport for Detroit where Kevin Broderick, Thomas Howe, Bobby Thibodeaux and Mike Goodell often hosted.

On the Sunday morning, the best flight to Montreal left from Windsor, Ontario, extremely early and the noble DRC Members scrambled up to drive the team under the tunnel into Canada.

lunch at the court after their Rackets match against “Clifton Nepotism”.

NARA then travelled to Cheltenham to be welcomed by Karl Cook and Mark Briers, followed by matches against the boys and girls, then a curry at Karl’s favourite Indian restaurant. “Lights out” was always late, nevertheless NARA was up and running to the Queen’s Hotel for a grand breakfast before moving on.

Other Schools which could most often be fitted in were Charterhouse on a Thursday (when The Monks foregather in their refectory under Martin Crosby’s watchful eye); Harrow (where John Eaton invites Charles Swallow to meet the NARA team) and Eton (where Peter Brake now has a 4 Beak’s Team strengthened by Richard Montgomerie, Master in Charge, who went on the inaugural Knott Stephens Tour in 1989).

Since Wellington opened their Tennis Court, NARA has played boys and girls at both sports, thanks to Ryan Tulley and Danny Jones, and received outstanding hospitality from William and Sarah Maltby and Tim and Charlotte Cockroft. Most recently, the Wykeham Monday and Wednesday Clubs combined to host NARA in memorable fashion, orchestrated by Neale Turner and Tim Cawston.

NARA has always wanted to conclude their KS Tour with the Queen’s Weekend, arriving on the Friday evening to be hosted by James Coyne at his birthday party. Since they arrived in the UK on the previous Friday, it explains why so few locations could be squeezed into their vacation before wives and jobs recalled them.

NARA’s inaugural incoming Knott Stephens Tour of the UK took place in 1991 with a team of 10, captained by Jimmy Knott. It included E Denis Walsh, Kevin Broderick, Tim Price, Scott Pritchard, Peter Dunne, Tyler Mongerson, Ron Birgbauer, John Mazden and“Fast” Eddie Matthews.

Our Montreal lead host was Bart Sambrook who entertained our team to dinner on arrival, with Tim Price and Scott Pritchard, and took them up-country for golf or fishing. For our teams since 1989, these Knott Stephens Tours have been remembered as life-enhancing events–for which we can only thank our ever generous, welcoming and charismatic friends in the US and Canada. These are reciprocal Tours so our hosts have been vital to keep them going, and have been wonderfully generous. The NARA teams have always only been able to spare 10 days –and necessarily within reach of Heathrow. After organising their itineraries for decades, I knew that they needed a “soft landing” after their overnight flights and that they didn’t want to play sport that day. Over all those years, the soft landings they enjoyed were always provided by Sam Beale (who tragically died in February 2021), his wife Eleanor, their son Jonny (who did the KS

Jimmy Knott and Bill Stephens in Colorado One favourite watering- hole for our visitors was my nightclub, Raffles, on the King’s Road, Chelsea.

Jimmy Knott, E Dennis Walsh and Bill Stephens

Tour in 2005), Reggie Williams and the Clifton Boasters. Clifton was therefore always NARA’s first port of call for 2 nights – appropriate because the team was often taken on their first evening to the Boasters’ favourite pub on Clifton Downs, “The Port of Call”. The NARA team did not yet feel ready for Rackets, so Saturdays featured Golf in the morning and Tennis at the Bristol RTC in the afternoon, followed by a formal Dinner. Eleanor made the Sunday 72

One favourite watering-hole for our visitors was my nightclub, Raffles, on the King’s Road, Chelsea. There my wife, Pauline, presented the Knott Stephens Salver for the Outstanding Touring Player to Jeff Yager in 1999.

Tonbridge School, featuring Jimmy Knott as Captain (front Centre), to his right the most important Old Tonbridgian Player, Richard Gracey and to his left Simon Davies, who Captained the inaugural KS Tour to North America in 1989. To Davies’s right at the end of the front row is Tony Monteuuis. At the back is David Makey, The Head Pro, next to him is E Denis Walsh.

The most atmospheric location for the presentation was undoubtedly The Garden House in Windsor Castle, residence of HM The Queen’s Librarian, Oliver Everett, in 1995 – the recipient being Bart Sambrook of Montreal. This was followed by a private tour of the Castle. A memorable Tour was captained by Lucas Walsh in 2011, which visited my home town of Oxford and I booked 2 Tennis courts for the team at Merton College and gave a drinks part in the oldest pub in Oxford, the Bear, founded in 1242, before any College. We organised a Dinner for them at the Vincent’s Club (that is for outstanding sportsmen at the University – only a very few get elected without having won a Blue). The team did not go to bed that night. I was too old for what was planned and went to bed in the College where they were booked into, but I was the only one at breakfast. When I caught up with them at Radley later that morning the stories of their derring - do were hysterical!

Another marvellous group came 6 years ago, captained by Zach Sacks; Pauline and I welcomed them to their arrival luncheon at a Stately Home in Hampshire where we were joined by Jimmy Knott’s widow and their 2 children. We later met the team again at Harrow with Charles Swallow. McCabe Walsh was terrifically entertaining over lunch at The Castle and was duly awarded the Salver by his Captain!

I was particularly happy to complete my 30th, welcoming the delightful Philip Stockton and his team to Eton in 2019 and that Parker Brickley, son of old friend of mine, Dick, in my Boston days, won the Salver. Re selection of our teams to tour North America, the qualities Jimmy Knott and I decided upon at the beginning were that our players should be fine ambassadors of the UK and Rackets, be mature to hold interesting conversations with their American and Canadian hosts, be able to hold their alcohol and be up early on parade to catch planes and trains. I have been totally reliant for the advice received from our School Professionals on the most appropriate choices. The moment I received a recommendation, I got straight on the Also vital to this endeavour was phone to the James Coyne (Chairman of the relevant School T&RA Rackets Committee); I ran Pro and was every name past him and was given given the most wonderful support masses of most helpful advice. – honest, discreet, sometimes brutally frank and always totally trustworthy, because they know the characters, behaviour and potential of their Old Boys inside out. I very deeply appreciate their generous help – particularly, of course, David Makey and Martin Crosby (Chairman of the Rackets Professionals Association and his Deputy). Also vital to this endeavour was James Coyne (The Chairman of the T&RA Rackets Committee); I ran every name past him and was given masses of most helpful advice.

It has given me great fulfilment to have completed the organisation of the Knott Stephens Tours in Jimmy’s memory. I have met so many marvellous people and treasure my memories. It has been a most worthwhile and productive venture.

The History of Knott Stephens Tour Participants 1989 - 2019

1989 UK TO NA Simon Davies (Captain) (Tonbridge), Guy Barker (Marlborough), Alister Robinson (Marlborough), Richard Montgomerie (Rugby), Jolyon Symonds (Haileybury), Andrew Searle (Malvern).

1991 NA TO UK Jimmy Knott (Captain) (NY, Phil, Bos, etc), Denis Walsh (Bos), Kevin Broderick (Det), Peter Dunne (Chic), Scott Pritchard (Mon), John Mazden (Phil), Tim Price (Mon), Tyler Mongerson (Chic), Ron Birgbauer (Det), Eddie Matthews (Tux etc)

1993 UK TO NA David Mallinson (Captain) (Wellington), David Dick (Harrow), James Acheson - Gray (Charterhouse), Charles Mason (Malvern), John Boddington (Rugby), Orlando Bridgeman (Harrow), Luke Danby (Radley), Kevin Walker (Tonbridge). 2005 UK TO NA Tom Hughes (Captain) (Cheltenham), Mark Agate (Tonbridge), James Coyne (Wellington), Pete Dunbar (Harrow), Tom Hamblin (Charterhouse), Mark Penna (Wellington), John Beale (Clifton), George Tysoe (Wellington).

2007 NA TO UK Todd Meringoff (Captain) (Bos), Jeff Durkes (Chic), Greg Gross (Tux), Mike Keiser (Chic), Tom Shumaker (Det, now Chic), Wes Thornburgh (Chic), Peter Pell (NY), Manny Tanser (Det).

PLAY!1995 NA TO UK Tim Price (Captain) (Mon), Bart Sambrook (Mon), Thomas Howe (Det), Bobby Thibodeau (Det), Jeff Yager (Tux, NY, Phil).

2009 UK TO NA Spencer Crawley (Captain) (Harrow), Roddy Hamblin (Charterhouse). Will Fortune (Harrow), Horatio Cary (Eton), Alex Hoare (Marlborough), Alexander Faber (Eton), Alex Holbourn (Tonbridge), Rod Shephard (Wellington). 2011 NA TO UK Lucas Walsh (Captain) (Bos), Matt Breuer (Bos), Gary Swantner (Phil), Taylor Henry Dixon (Mon), Marty Kinsella (Chic), Jon Crowell (Phil), Christian Allen (Det), Grant Lockhardt (Det), Will Thompson (NY). 2013 UK TO NA Mike Bailey (Captain) (Winchester), Olly Snell (Cheltenham), Charles Cooper (Cheltenham), Alex Judd (Tonbridge), Sam Northeast (Harrow), Will Nicholls (Radley), Chris Stefanowicz (Eton), Alex Portz (Winchester). 2015 NA TO UK Zach Sacks (Captain) (NY); Charlie Madon (Mon), Nick Eugenio (Chic), Chas Woodward (Chic), McCabe Walsh (Bos, now NY), Jamie Shea (Det). 2017 UK TO NA Alex Rozier-Pamplin (Captain) (Charterhouse), George Maltby (Eton), Bruce Mason (Cheltenham), Henry Faber (Eton), Rory Sutton (Radley), Tommy Faber (Harrow), Ben Stevens (Winchester), Tom Buckley (Radley). 2019 NA TO UK Philip Stockton (Captain) (NY); Joseph Maiorana (Det), John Beam (Tux), Parker Brickley (Bos, now NY), Chapin Lee (Chic), Stephen Merwin (Bos), Scotty Paskerian (Bos), Devin Vrabel (Chic).

1997 UK TO NA Richard Henman (Captain) (Malvern), Major James Illingworth (Wellington), Charlie Danby (Harrow), Charlie Liverton (Cheltenham), Rob Walker (Haileybury), Caspar Hill (Harrow), Will Hale (Cheltenham), Thorold Barker (Marlborough).

1999 NA TO UK Mike Goodell (Captain) (Det), Jeff Yager (Tux, NY, Phil), Richard Bernstein (Bos).

2001 UK TO NA Peter Kemp (Captain) (Tonbridge), Ben Pilbrow (Winchester), Tim Liverton (Cheltenham), James Pyemont (Tonbridge), Hal Stockley (Charterhouse), James Hamblin (Charterhouse), (the late) Richard Palmer (Haileybury) –killed in Army service in Iraq).

2003 NA TO UK Mike Goodell (Captain) (Det), David Robb (Det), Todd Meringoff (Bos), Nelson Russell (Bos), Lou Habina (Phil).