Olga Palafox

Olga Palafox, holder of 23 gold balls (22 awarded for national doubles championships and one for a national singles title) was born in Havana, Cuba.

Olga married Gustavo Palafox in 1953 when she was the reigning Cuban tennis champion and Gus was the Mexican champion. She became an American citizen in 1969.

She reigned in Cuba as National Junior Champion and then won the National Cuba singles championships, and both Ladies and Mixed Doubles championships for the years before she moved to the United States where she resumed her championship ways.

She and Gustavo have two children, one son living in Fort Lauderdale and a daughter who resides in Little Rock, Ark. Olga also became a head umpire in Arkansas, being named Umpire of the Year in Arkansas in l976 and Family of the Year in the following year. Olga is still actively playing tennis at The Tennis Club, providing her expertise to many league matches.

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Lillian Peltz Petow

Lilian Peltz Petow has progressed from a local and state competitor in the early 70’s to her emergence as a national star in 1998, winning her first singles and doubles national championships. She has been ranked #1 doubles and #2 singles player in the world, and is currently ranked #3 in the United States in Woman’s 50 singles.

Lil played on the international Woman’s 45 Margaret Court Cup team in 1999 and 2000, and on the Maria Esther Buena Cup team in 2001,2002 and 2004. In 1999 she was inducted into the New England Hall of Fame.

She has won numerous national senior woman’s singles and doubles tournaments. Her most impressive win was the 2000 World Championship in Woman’s 45 doubles in Amsterdam with Mary Ginnard.

Lil is a fixture both in Florida and in international play.

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Bill Tully

Bill was captain of the Notre Dame Union tennis team, when they won the National Collegiate title (with the help from the two Everts.) On the Notre Dame track team, he was an All-American in the mile run and an All-American in the cross-country.

In his last year in college, he won the Canadian Nationals Singles Championship in 1948. He was a member of the 1968 Olympic team in Mexico City, and was a member on eight United States International teams in the 55’s, 65’s, 70’s and 75’s.

In 2004, Bill Tully won two Gold Balls and 1 Silver. The Gold Nationals Championships were in the 75 yr. clay court doubles, and the Grandfather/Grandson Grass Championships. He won the silver as a finalist in the 65’s Indoor Singles Championships, giving him a total of 12 Gold Balls. His national ranking is #6 in the 75’s in 2004.

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Kasey Gladding Hamaway

Kasey began playing tennis at 8 years old and started at the National level at 11. She played #1 for Pine Crest School for 6 years, played the Junior State and National level, and continued on to Auburn University where she played another 4 years. While at Auburn she earned her degree in International Business. Since graduation in 1995, she has represented the United States on 3 Cup teams, playing at Wimbledon, the Monte Carlo Club in Monaco and beautiful Moor Park outside of London. She has also won 18 National titles (gold balls) and has been ranked #1 in the United States in her respective age group for the past 6 years with the exception of the year she was injured.

Kasey lists teaveling and real estate investing as her favorite outside interests. She is currently a USPTA teaching pro at Pine Crest School where she enjoys working with the children. Kasey married Michael Hamaway in January of 2004.

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