The 2008 Toyota Pro Beach East Tour opened the season in Dewey Beach, Del. This was the tour’s first visit to the “First State”. After a rocky start, literally, the event had to be moved a half of a mile up the beach to find a spot wide enough for the courts. One of the worst Noreasters in 30 years took more than half of the beach width and left a tidal pool and rocks & shells after each high tide, just where the courts were planned to be built. After 14 hours of bulldozer work, the beach was made “acceptable” for play.

The less than ideal conditions did not slow up the players. The tour added an invitational Women’s Pro Division this year and they came ready to play. In the ten years of the Toyota Tour, there has never been a more closely contested tournament. 15 of the 17 matches went to three games and 13 of those matches were decided by just two points in game three. Players from six states were invited and treated the fans to a great show. Kristen Batt (FL) and Megan Wallin (FL) defeated the top three seeds to earn a first place finish. They defeated Cindy Phillips (FL) & Iwona Lodzik (IL) in a one game to 21 final. Of course it went to 29-27, following the pattern of hotly battled games. Tara Kuk (FL) & Morgan Flarity (FL) finished third, with Dana Fiume (NY) & Jill Pikus (NY) taking fourth.

On the Men’s side, the sixteen team invitational showcased a very strong field with familiar faces cruising to the finals. Matt Heath (SC) & Mike DiPierro (FL), the two winningest players in the history of the Toyota Pro Beach East Tour went undefeated into the finals, facing Matt Henderson (FL) & Billy Chenoweth (FL). Chenoweth & Henderson lost to Heath & DiPierro in the winners finals (21-9, 21-11). Matt and Billy then dropped Jim Walls (NJ) & Gaston Macau (FL) to a third place, setting up a rematch with Matt & Mike in the Finals.

Strong serving by Chenoweth & Henderson tested Heath & DiPierro in the first game (21-19). But, with temperatures in the mid-nineties and having to play extra matches, it look like it took its toll on Billy & Matt and they fell 21-15 in game two. Steve & Mark Van Zwieten finished in fourth place.

The invitational field is already set for the next Toyota Pro Beach East Tour stop, to be held in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on July 12 & 13. For full results and more information, click here.