A California, from Victor Niederhoffer
One often played Arthur Ashe in the eastern Championships 15 and under at Forest Hills. After a tough match in the sweltering August sun, I would head to the bar for a mix of ginger ale and orange juice. As I recall it cost 1.75 in 1956 and this was way beyond one's ability to buy more than 1 which was completely insufficient to allay one's thirst. I believe they called it a California [or perhaps a California Punch].
To soothe the woes today from missed opportunities, while waiting for a strong close I went to the fridge and took out a bruce costi gingerale made with real ginger, tasting almost as good as the Vernons from Detroit that Irving Redel, the hobo, the little woman and I often had after a racketball lesson. I added some squeezed orange to the ginger ale and thought back to the Eastern Championships, the hot sun and Arthur Ashe for the first time in 62 years. A beautiful memory, and highly recommended.
Comments
James Schroeder on December 8, 2015 2:29 pm
Thanks Vic, that’s a great little vignette.
Arthur Barbato on December 8, 2015 5:36 pm
Thank you for sharing this wonderfilled memory, Victor. I shared the link with my buds that still play a good deal of doubles and singles tennis.
They are my table tennis buds. 
We try to play a few times a week.
I had the privilege to hang with Marty Reisman back in 85-86 in the bars that were all within a few blocks of the Merc. Quite a few had Table Tennis (TT) tables. Despite his avowed preference for hard bat TT he played withh a deep sponge paddle and a highly defensive style. That same MR style is now my post 60+ style.
Orange juice, lime juice, maybe some pineapple juice, ginger ale, fresh ginger, a bit of rum and sugar to taste is how we still make it in the summer.
Good Holidays!
Jude Leo on December 10, 2015 9:00 am
Wonderful memory, Vic.
Stan Rowen on December 20, 2015 7:41 pm
A beautiful memory for me was going to the U.S. Open with my dad at the Forest Hills location several times in the 1960’s. Arthur Ashe was sensational and a magnificent player. One strove to emulate his exemplary sportsmanship.