Southern Pro Championships

The Southern Pro Championships also known as the Southern Professional Championships was a men's international professional tennis tournament founded in 1928. It was first played at the Palm Beach Tennis Club, West Palm Beach, Florida, United States. It ran semi-annually until 1967 when it was discontinued.

History In March 1927 a Palm Beach Professional Tournament was first held at the Palm Beach Tennis Club, that event was won by Paul Heston, this was the first pro event held in the United States. In 1928 that tournament was replaced by first Southern Professional Championships tournament. In 1936 a Palm Beach Professional Championship men's tennis tournament was re-established, and was played on outdoor clay courts at Breakers Tennis Club, West Palm Beach, Florida, United States, this tournament replaced the Southern Pro Championships,The Palm Beach Post which had been held in West Palm Beach from 1928 to 1935. In 1940 the Southern Pro tournament was revived. The event ran semi-annually in different locations until 1967 when it was discontinued.

Finals Singles (Incomplete roll) YearLocationChampionsRunners-upScore1928West Palm Beach Vincent Richards Paul Heston6–2, 5–7, 6–1, 6–1.1929West Palm Beach Brian Norton Vincent Richards8–6, 7–5, 6–1.1930West Palm Beach Vincent Richards Paul Heston6–0, 7–5, 6–3.1931West Palm Beach Paul Heston James Kenney6–1, 6–2, 6–3.1932West Palm Beach Paul Heston James Kenney6–1, 6–1, 6–3.1933West Palm Beach Robert K Murray Paul Heston8–6, 5–7, 6–3, 7–5.1934West Palm Beach Karel Koželuh Hans Nüsslein6–2, 6–8, 6–1, 4–6, 6–4.1935West Palm Beach Karel Koželuh Herman Peterson6–0, 6–1, 6–1.1942Coral Gables Wayne Sabin Dick Skeen6–3, 4–6, 6–1 6–4.1946Memphis Don Budge Bobby Riggs6–2, 1–6, 4–6, 6–3 6–4.1958Tuscaloosa Armando Vieira Jack Rodgers3–6, 6–4, 6–1.1959Tuscaloosa Sam Giammalva Bobby Riggs6–4, 6–2.1961Jacksonville Jack Arkinstall Don Budge6–3, 6–0.1963Birmingham Jason Morton Jerry Evert6–4, 7–5.1966Sewanee Dell Sylvia Earl Baumgardner3–6, 6–3, 7–5.1967Sewanee Earl Baumgardner Dell Sylvia1–6, 6–4, 6–3.

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