Published: June 29, 2008 10:00 pm            

Fun for all ages: At 46, Farmer proves it’s not just a kids game

Most athletes would not be satisfied with a third place finish.

Eddie Farmer, of Mildred, is not most athletes.

At the age of 46, Farmer is one of the older players that played in the 11th Annual CiCi’s Pizza/Corsicana Summer Open this weekend at the Corsicana Tennis Complex.

Farmer took third place Sunday, defeating Patrick Larson in the consolation finals of the men’s open draw.

Sunday’s third place finish is Farmer’s best at the CiCi’s Pizza/ Corsicana Summer Open. He has only peen playing tennis for four years.

“I just love to play,” Farmer said after his match. “I always played ping pong and a guy I worked with talked me into picking up tennis.”

And so Farmer’s quest began.

Tigers tennis coach and tournament coordinator Jason White said he can remember Farmer when he first started playing the game.

“When we were busing our kids over to Mertz for practice, he would be there hitting the ball up against the wall,” White said. “He would be there every day like clockwork.”

In the past he has played in a draw a little more appropriate for his experience level. This year, however, Farmer decided to play in the men’s open division.

“I love to compete and this division gives you a little more competition,” Farmer said. “I am going to play in this tournament as long as I can stay in shape.”

White said he would like to thank CiCi’s Pizza for sponsoring this year’s event.



FINAL RESULTS FOR THE 11th ANNUAL CiCi’s PIZZA/ CORSICANA SUMMER OPEN



Men's Open Singles:

1st: Andrew Pretty, Dallas

2nd: Nick Tafacory, Corsicana

3rd: Eddie Farmer, Mildred



Men's Open Doubles:

1st: Andrew Pretty/ Bronson Vaugn, Dallas

2nd: Ira Jamshidi/Phillip Dahlen, Corsicana

1st Consolation: Richard Abel/Haden Davis, Corsicana



Men's 3.5 Singles:

1st: Marcus Whittington, Dallas

2nd: Bryson Morrison, Corsicana

3rd: Lewis Lovegren, Kaufman



Men's 3.5 Doubles:

1st: Matt Craig/Neal Ewing, Corsicana

2nd: Phillip Keltner, Corsicana / Michael Motley, Denton

3rd: Eric Smith/Paul Abrahamson, Corsicana



Boy's 18 & Under Singles:

1st: T'Rayus Johnson, Corsicana

2nd: Alex Beggs, Ennis

3rd: Morgan Graham, Ennis

1st Consolation: Joshua Walters, Kaufman



Boy's 18 Doubles:

1st: Alex Beggs/Morgan Graham, Ennis

2nd: Mark Painter/ Zak Painter, Corsicana



Boy's 16 & Under Singles:

1st: Drew Phinney, Corsicana

2nd: Hunter Thedford, Rice

3rd: Dylan Stough, Rice

1st Consolation: Corey Reynolds, Corsicana



Boy's 14 & Under Singles:

1st: Daniel Kendall, Centerville

2nd: Brazos Holligan, Groesbeck

3rd: Matthew Burns, Corsicana

1st Consolation: Robert Van Meter, Groesbeck



Boy's 12 & Under Singles:

1st: Logan Gwin, Woodway

2nd: Nima Jamshidi, Corsicana

3rd: Ben Crocker, Corsicana

1st Consolation: Clay Waller, Mildred

———

Women's Open Singles:

1st: Natalie Holmes, Corsicana

2nd Lisa Olian, Lakeway



Women's Open Doubles:

1st: Bethany Slone, Ennis / Laura Atkins, Pearland

2nd: Celina Burris, Birdville / Lisa Olian, Lakeway

3rd: Tessa McCain/Tiffany Vernon, Corsicana



Girl's 16 & Under Singles:

1st: Gillian Lowe, Allen

2nd: Danielle Calhoun, Waxahachie

3rd: Kayla Parker, Corsicana

1st Consolation: Sara Griffen, Ennis



Girl's 14 & Under:

1st: Belle Nelson, Ennis

2nd: Lauren Tesmer, Corsicana

3rd: Lauren Layfield, Kerens

1st Consolation: Madeline Jacobson, Corsicana



Girl's 12 & Under Singles:

1st: Sarah Dickens, Frost

2nd: Laura Flores, Corsicana



Girl's 16 & Under Doubles:

1st: Nicole Crowe/Ester Lee, Corsicana

2nd: Kayla Parker/Casey Harrison, Corsicana



Girl's 14 & Under Doubles:

1st: Edna Sanchez/Nancy Zuniga, Corsicana

2nd: Autumn Grounds/Madeline Jacobson, Corsicana

3rd: Lauren Tesmer/Alex Melton, Corsicana

———

Mixed Open Doubles:

1st: Natalie Holmes/Phillip Dahlen, Corsicana

2nd: Curt Burris/Celina Burris, Birdville

3rd: Heather Doslich/Nick French, Ennis



Women's 3.5 Doubles:

1st: Julie Waller, Mildred/Nancy Haden, Corsicana

2nd: Vickie White, San Antonio /Anna Sanders, Purdon



Mixed 3.5 Doubles:

1st: Steve Dunn, Corsicana /Julie Waller, Mildred

2nd: Rick White /Vickie White, San Antonio

        

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