A 50-year tennis tradition continues at UNA estate Soyuzivka (10/09/05)

A 50-year tennis tradition continues at UNA estate Soyuzivka

by Petrusia Sawchak

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - Once again Erik Matkiwsky and Maryanna Milchutske won the men's and women's division, respectively, at the annual Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada (USCAK) Labor Day Tennis Tournament held at Soyuzivka. The tournament, held on September 3-5, celebrated 50 years of consecutive play this year.

In the men's final, Mr. Matkiwsky of New Jersey overcame George Charuk of Illinois, 6-2, 6-3, in the most outstanding match in the entire tournament. Both finalists are former champions, having competed in many tournaments at Soyuzivka over the years. It must be said that the score does not reflect the intensity of the game.

Ultimately Mr. Matkiwsky emerged victorious - in part, due to what seemed like his 100-mile-per-hour fantastic serve, which left everyone in awe. The spectators were mesmerized by the level of play and many said that they felt like they were at one of the matches being held at the U.S. Open in Flushing, N.Y., that same weekend.

Fifteen-year-old Miss Milchutske beat Ann Marie Shumsky, a former champion, of Connecticut, 6-1, 6-2 two years in a row. For the third year in a row Miss Milchutske also became a double USCAK champion in both the women's and junior girls' groups.

The opening ceremonies, held on the tennis courts of Soyuzivka, were dedicated to the 50th tournament held at the UNA Estate and the 50th anniversary of USCAK. Greetings and a short history of the tournament were given by Yurij Kupchynsky, one of the organizers of the first tennis tournament held here. There were 19 men and 12 women in that tournament. He recalled how Mary Dushnyck, initiator of the Sportsmanship Award given every year, was a participant in the first tennis tournament held in 1956 and continued to compete until she could not anymore. Mrs. Dushnyck was a long-term supreme vice-presidentess of the Ukrainian National Association.

Other speakers included Roman Rakoczy Sr., also one of the original organizers, and Myron Stebelsky, president of USCAK, who spoke about USCAK's golden anniversary to be celebrated at the Ramada Inn in East Hanover, N.J., on October 8.

UNA Treasurer Roma Lisovich congratulated the organizations for their contributions to Ukrainian sports and encouraged them to continue their tournaments at Soyuzivka in the future.

The tourney was conducted by a committee comprising George Popel, who also represented the host club, the Carpathian Ski Club, or KLK, George Hrabec and George Sawchak, tournament director. In addition, Mr. Hrabec prepared a photo display of KLK events held at Soyuzivka since 1956.

On behalf of KLK Ukrainian American Sport Club, Mr. Hrabec presented Mr. Sawchak with a life-achievement honorary plaque for "a job well done."

Mr. Hrabec said of Mr. Sawchuk "Over the last 40-50 years this man has dedicated his time and effort to the sport of tennis. His commitment is unparalleled in the Ukrainian community. Player, organizer, director, instructor - these are just some of his accomplishments."

The sponsors of the event were the Ukrainian National Association which funded trophy awards and provided community support, and John Hynansky, entrepreneur, philanthropist and owner of the Winner Group Inc. from Wilmington, Del. As in the past Mr. Hynansky provided financial stipends to the winners in the men's, women's and junior groups in the amount of approximately $4,000 annually. The stipends help attract some top-notch players to the tournament. The Winner Group Inc. represents 24 companies - 12 of which are automobile dealerships in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, as well as Ukraine.

On the way to winning the men's finals, Mr. Matkiwsky eliminated Mark Krasij 6-4, 6-3, and Mr. Charuk beat Dennis Chorny 6-4, 6-3. Both matches were highly contested and among the best in the entire tournament.

In the semis of the women's division Miss Milchutske overcame Tania Kyfor, and Ms. Shumsky beat Katrusia Charchalis.

In the girls' group in the finals Miss Milchutske beat Miss Charchalis 6-1, 6-3, and in the semis Miss Milchutske beat Miss Kyfor, and Miss Charchalis overcame Lana Denysyk. Miss Denysyk took third place with a win over Miss Kyfor 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

In the men's senior group Mykola Nalywayko became a champion for the first time in two groups: in the men's 35 and over group he defeated Stefan Sosiak 7-6, 6-3; and in the men's 45 and over division he won over four-time champion (in this category) Ivan Durbak 6-1, 6-3. In the semis Mr. Durbak overcame Roman Shumsky 6-1, 6-2, and Mr. Nalywayko beat George Walchuk 6-2, 6-1.

Yaroslaw Sydorak of California beat Mr. Sawchak of Pennsylvania in the men's 55 and over division 6-1, 6-2. In the semis Mr. Sydorak eliminated Mr. Hrabec of Massachusetts 6-0, 6-1, and Mr. Sawchak won over his brother-in-law Bohdan Kutko of New Jersey with the same score.

In the older boys' group Mykola Stroynick regained his former title by winning over Damian Petrykevych 6-1, 6-4. In the younger boys' group Oles Charchalis beat Markian Dziuk 6-0, 6-2. In the semis Mr. Charchalis eliminated Mykola Popov 2-6, 6-1, 6-1, and Mr. Dziuk beat Alexander Hryhorowych 6-3, 6-2.

In the men's consolation draw the winner was George Walchuk over Walter Dziwak 6-3, 1-6, 6-1.

The tennis committee awarded the coveted Mary Dushnyck Good Sportsmanship Trophy to Miss Kyfor for her excellent participation in the tournament.

The closing ceremonies took place after the finals on Sunday, September 5.

Presenting the UNA and memorial trophies, and the Winner Group, Inc. stipends were Messrs. Sawchak, Popel, Hrabec, Rakoczy and Charuk, Ms. Lisovich, Vira Popel and Petrusia Sawchak. The memorial trophies were awarded as follows: men's - Bohdan Rak Trophy, men's 35 - Jaroslaw Rubel Trophy, men's 45 - Dr. Wolodymyr Huk Trophy, men's 55 - Dr. Petro Charuk Trophy, and women's - Konstantyn Ben Trophy.

On behalf of the committee, tournament director Mr. Sawchak thanked everyone for their participation. "Without you, the players, there would be no tournament. Come back again next year," he said.

Mr. Popel invited everyone to attend KLK's weekend at Soyuzivka on the weekend of October 1-2. The UNA treasurer, Ms. Lisovich, officially closed the 50th USCAK tennis tournament.

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