Patterson explodes with joy after Manhattan Beach victory - Articles

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – Casey Patterson couldn’t wait. His shot hit the sand, suddenly he was a champion of the AVP Manhattan Beach Open, and he ran from the moment. He ran to the past, sprinting across the scorching sand to the baseline box seats where he jumped in and gave hugs to Randy Stoklos, Jim Menges, Steve Obradovich and Tim Hovland. For those keeping score, that’s a foursome who accounted for 17 Manhattan titles in the 57 years of the tournament. After Patterson and Jake Gibb captured Sunday’s Manhattan crown with a 17-21, 21-18, 16-14 win over Tri Bourne and John Hyden, Patterson let loose. “The entire match, I was looking to them for just the aura and magic they had from when they were playing to fuel me,” Patterson said. “I felt like that was the key for me. It was just taking one point at a time to try to be on the pier with those guys because they’re all gods, and you want to go down and be remembered as one of the players on the pier.” The Manhattan Beach Pier is the home of plaques commemorating every Manhattan Open champion since the tournament began in 1960. Brittany Hochevar could wait. She had nothing but patience, which she has had to learn many times the hard way in a long career. About two hours after Patterson’s right arm ended the men’s portion, Hochevar’s swing not only made her a Manhattan champ, but a first-time winner on the AVP Tour in any event....

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