Happy 2008!

Happy New Year from the Nathanael Greene Wooden Classic. This nice picture was sent in by reader and fan favorite Walker Barnes. Barnes mounted a impressive attack on the Pearl Trophy last year before pulling up lame due to a tweaked hammy. Barnes is now fully recovered and surveyed the Battle of Guilford Courthouse over the holiday. The battle is considered one of the most decisive of the Revolutionary War. We see one problem with this pic, and that is the lack of a gagging Cornwallis under hoof. We would like to thank Walker for sending in this pic. Unfortunately for Walker, his chances of winning the 2008 Nathanael Greene Wooden Classic is comparable to the chances of the British winning the Battle of Cowpens.

We would like to invite others to mail in "bits of Nathanael Greeene" that they see in their everyday lives, be it a pic, a poem, or simply a thought. Email them to nathanaelgreenewoodenclassic@gmail.com

The General Announces New Sponsor- ER Williams, Inc.

The General, standing in his Dress Blues, announced ER Williams as the Official Government Contractor of the 2008 Nathanael Greene Wooden Classic. The General went on to say "The help and commitment from ER Williams will help us push back the British and drown the enemy in the Dan." The Nathanael Greene Wooden Classic is thrilled to have ER Williams, Inc. on board.

www.erwilliams.com

Nathanael Greene Announces Official Drink Sponsor for 2008 Classic: HONEST TEA

The 2nd Annual Nathanael Greene All Wooden Classic has a new official drink. Players and volunteers at this years event will quench their thirst with the sweet nectar that is Honest Tea and Honest Aid. With all Honest Tea products being USDA Organic and Fair Trade certified, the General, his revolutionary friends and the Classic staff are happy to call Honest Tea the Official Drink of the 2008 Nathanael Greene Wooden Classic.

Check out their website http://www.honesttea.com/

Nathanael Greene Donates Large Sum to Save the Children

Nathanael Greene, with the help of many local tennis stars, has donated $400.44 dollars to Save the Children. Katie O'Conner accepted the check on behalf of Save the Children from General Greene. Startled at the check, Katie remarked "General....its so big" and then she promptly thanked everyone for participating in the 1st Annual Nathanael Greene Wooden Classic.

General Greene said a few words for the large crowd. "I would like to send a personal congratulations to all those that participated or donated money to the tournament. We were able to donate $400.44 dollars. Save the Children is a great charity that helps create a real and lasting chance for children in need in the United States and around the world. A round of applause for everyone is well deserved. Once again thank you so much for participating. I hope a wonderful time was had by all and I surely do hope to see everyone back for the 2nd Annual Nathanael Greene All Wooden Tennis Racquet Invitational Classic Cup Memorial." The normally reserved crowd then broke out into loud applause and cheers. Moments later a soft version of "America the Beautiful" could be heard in the back. Tears were not in short supply.

Greene who is afraid of flash photography did not appear in the picture. However he asked local philanthropist Sam Kirby to stand in his place. Kirby was more than happy to hand over the check. Applause broke the silence once again.

Carl Lonnberg, Beth Kirby Scoff at Greene All Wooden Club Dress Code--Some sponsors withdraw

"You can dress 'em up, but you can't take 'em out."

Badboy of tennis Carl Lonnberg and fan favorite Beth Kirby ignored the Greene All Wooden all white dress code last weekend in the Nathanael Greene Wooden Classic. "I am pretty sure that was a duck on her dress," Lauren Shapiro said after her and Kirby's match, "either way it was unnecessary." Lonnberg, who donned a Maryland basketball jersey, and Kirby who wore a brown skirt with a duck grazing on the front both were seen as distractions to an otherwise smooth tennis tournament. "I am still seeing red,"Lonnberg's semifinals opponent Anita Sharma said today.

In a turn for the worst, sponsors GQ and Jane magazine, under the auspices of Conde Nast Publications, withdrew sponsorship for the '08 Wooden Classic. In a press conference Monday Conde Nast President Sarah Chubb said, "We at Conde Nast do not condone the fashion choices of Carl Lonnberg or Beth Kirby, we cannot continue to sponsor such dress. I mean, was that a duck?"Despite Lonnberg's attire he managed to finish second to media-friendly trash talker Glenn Davis, a feat that assistant tournament director Max Bergmann attributed more to "poor decision-making by both the bracket committee and Lonnberg's opponents."Tournament director Sam Kirby released a statement yesterday assuring tennis purists that the two would be fined for their actions. "As of now" Kirby stated,"let's just be thankful no one was physically hurt."

Nadal is to Federer as Altizer is to Kirby

Altizer's play upsets many:

Glenn Davis is left thanking his lucky stars that Sam Kirby lost in the Quarter finals to arch-nemisis Whit Altizer. The tennis community is left shaking their head once again as Kirby came up short on Saturday again against Altizer. Many saw the Kirby/Davis Semi-Finals as a match to end all matches. Altizer had other ideas. Kirby has yet to find the answers to Altizer's game. While fans easily mocked Altizer and pleaded for Kirby to come back, his injured ankle and his in-ability to get his first serve in play was his undoing. Tennis fans it was not to be. Kirby was quoted as saying "You really have to give it to Altizer, he leaves it out on the court. Nice mustache by the way." I could of sworn I saw a tear majestically abseil down Kirby's cheek. A tennis fan can only hope and dream for next year.

Glenn Davis Wins Pearl Trophy; Outlasts Carl Lonnberg

Glenn Davis outlasted the late onslaughts of serves from Carl Lonnberg to win the 1st Annual Nathanael Greene Wooden Racquet Tennis Tournament Invitation Cup Memorial Classic. Davis, a veteran of the wooden circuit, has now added a major to his trophy case. Davis' route to the finals was not an easy one. Davis easily won over an outmatched Darren Durlach, then played two excellent matches with Lloyd Overdyke and Scott Davidson, only to come out on top. Davis was tested in the Semifinals by none other than play-boy and circuit misfit Whit Altizer. After a fight in the stands, two of Davis' fan supporters were thrown out for cheering "W-h-i-t, you ain't got no alibi, you ugly" during Altizer's serve. Davis was able to put down Altizer with scintillating ground strokes and managed a 8-6 victory.

After winning the prestigious Pearl Trophy, Davis managed a few words. "This is what its all about, the Pearl validates my whole career. I've won some tournaments, but none as big as the Nathanael Greene Wooden Classic." Well Mr. Davis, I think Nathanael Greene would be proud. You fought with a revolutionary style and served with distinction. Well done.

Champion Davis Cries As Trophy Is Handed Over!

Glenn Davis Wins 1st Annual Nathanael Greene Wooden Classic.

Who's Excited about the Nathanael Greene Wooden Classic

Sound off on the comments below....

BRACKETS RELEASE 4:00PM EST

The March to Savannah is starting to gear up, today registration closes and the Brackets are announced. If you haven't registered yet, you have until 4:00 PM EST today. Numerous questions will be answered at 4:00 today. For the west, a couple people sit on the bubble and we will be checking in with them through satellite. We may see faces of joy, but for some the March to Savannah was a quick one surrounded with tears of frustration and anguish. Did Mike Richards get the number 1 seed he rightfully thinks he deserves? Who did fan favorite, Lauren Shapiro, get paired with? Who is playing on the unlucky upset minded court number 5? The March to Savannah begins NOW.