THE VICTORS (L-R): RON MORRISON AND BOB GERLICHER.
A LEGENDARY SHOWDOWN OF 90-YEAR-OLD CHAMPIONS
Billed as “The Doubles Tennis Match of the Century,” an extraordinary tennis event took place on St. Patrick’s Day at Heritage Palms, drawing several dozen spectators who packed the bleachers despite the cold and blustery weather. The match featured two teams of seasoned athletes, all aged 90 and above, representing Heritage Palms and Heritage Cove in a regular match of the Men’s 50 Plus Tennis League of Lee County.
The event was heavily publicized within HP. Coverage by a reporter from Gulf Coast News ensured the match reached even wider audiences, when an excerpt aired on the 11 p.m. newscast. The match’s highlight reel was later posted on YouTube, where it quickly went viral, showcasing the remarkable skills and spirit of the players.
Competing for HP were Bob “Stick” Gerlicher, 91, and Ron “Bullet” Morrison, 90. Their challengers from Heritage Cove were Don “Spaghetti” Picard, 90, and Mort “Lightning” Levy, 92. Despite their age, these still very skilled players demonstrated agility, precision, and determination in a fiercely competitive match that lasted almost an hour and a half.
The home crowd was treated to an entertaining and close contest. Gerlicher and Morrison ultimately defeated Picard and Levy with scores of 4-6, 6-4, and 10-8 in a super tiebreaker. The match was not only a testament to their talent, but also to their enduring passion for the sport.
After the match, the winners received a Trophy Cup and “gold” medals, while the runners-up received a Flying Fish award, symbolizing “sleeping with the fishes” until next year. In a lighthearted gesture, Bob Gerlicher also presented Mort and Don with a broken racquet, all in good fun and sportsmanship.
Beyond the competition, the event highlighted tennis as a lifelong sport. Ron Morrison reflected, “It doesn’t matter what age you are; you can still play tennis.” His partner, Bob Gerlicher, added, “It was fun to play in front of the home crowd. It really helped a lot.” Their remarks captured the inspiring message of the day: with good health and determination, tennis can be enjoyed well into one’s later years.
Ted Corcoran, HP resident and co-captain of the HP 50’s team, organized the event and plans to make it an annual tradition for any Men’s Team player who reaches the age of 90. He introduced the players as “versions of the Bryan Brothers, just a little older.” The day ended on a high note, as Corcoran’s team won all four matches to finish in first place in their division.
