Alice Francis Wolf
Alice (Francis) Constant Wolf (1907–1990) was a squash player and tennis player who competed in singles and doubles during the 1920s through 1940s. During her career, Wolf won five singles titles, three doubles titles, and four mixed double titles. She reached her highest rank of 10th in women's tennis in the U.S. in 1927.[1] Competing with her husband, Henry, Wolf won the New Jersey State Mixed Doubles Championship at the Westfield Tennis Club in Westfield, New Jersey, four times.[2]
Early life and education[edit]
Wolf was born on January 6, 1907, in Orange, New Jersey. She graduated from the Beard School (now Morristown-Beard School) in Orange, NJ in 1924.[3] Morristown-Beard School inducted her into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.
Tennis achievements in singles[edit]
Wolf won the 1927 Ardsley Invitational played in Ardsley-on-Hudson, New York, and she finished second in the tournament in 1928 and 1932. She captured the 1928 Bermuda Championship in Hamilton, Bermuda, and the 1928 Mason & Dixon Championships in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Wolf also won the 1928 North and South Tournament in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and the 1931 New Jersey state championship. In 1926, Wolf finished second in the Maryland state championships played in Baltimore. During her teenage years, Wolf finished second in the 1925 Women's National Indoor Tennis Championship.[4]
Tennis achievements in doubles[edit]
Wolf won the 1936 Women's Easter Clay Court Doubles Championship [5] and the 1933 Middle States Tennis Doubles Championship.[6] She also won the 1926 Women's Metropolitan Clay Court Doubles Championship.[7]
Junior tennis achievements[edit]
Wolf won the 1925 Girls National Indoor Tennis Championships,[8] and she finished second in the 1924 tournament.[9] She also won the 1924 Atlantic Coast Girls Championship played at the Ocean City Club in Ocean City, NJ[10] and the 1925 New Jersey State Women's Tennis Doubles Championship played in Englewood, NJ.[11] In 1925, Wolf captured the Metropolitan Junior Mixed Doubles Championship at the Briarcliff Lodge Tennis and Sports Club in Briarcliff Manor, NY.[12]
Service to tennis[edit]
While competing in tennis, Wolf also served the sport. She chaired the tournament committee of the Women's Eastern Clay Court Championship played in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1934.[13]
Family[edit]
Alice Wolf married Henry Florian Wolf, a champion of the National Squash Tennis Tournament, at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club on April 17, 1934.[14] They had eight children together: Harry Jr., John, Paul II, Amy, Diana, Alice, Patricia, and Pamela. Henry Florian Wolf won the National Squash Tennis Tournament in 11 successive years (1929–1940). He had an undefeated record in team matches and squash tennis tournaments.[15]
References[edit]
- ^ "JOHN S. FRANCIS DIES; A RETIRED ATTORNEY; Former Member of University of Pennsylvania Track Team". The New York Times. 15 May 1938.
- ^ "Wolfs Win Tennis Crown". The New York Times. 1 July 1935.
- ^ American Lawn Tennis, Volume 26. American Lawn Tennis Publishing Company. 1932.
- ^ "Miss Roener Retains Met Tennis Honors; Defeats Miss Francis by Score of 6-2, 6-2 in Final of Women's Tourney". The New York Times. 1 March 1925.
- ^ "Mrs. BcBridge Gains Final". The New York Times. 28 May 1934.
- ^ "Miss Ridley of England and Miss Francis Win Middle States Tennis Doubles Title". The New York Times. 9 September 1933.
- ^ "MRS. ROESER TAKES MET. DOUBLES TITLE; She and Miss Francis Beat Miss Newton and Mrs. Mitten by 6-3, 6-1". The New York Times. 19 June 1926.
- ^ "Miss Francis Wins in Indoor Tennis; National Girls' Champion Beats Miss Winn In Third Round of Met. Title Play". The New York Times. 27 February 1925.
- ^ "Title Miss Hilleary refused Given to Her by Tennis Body". The New York Times. 11 March 1924.
- ^ "Miss Francis Captures Title in Atlantic Girls' Net Play". The New York Times. 4 September 1924.
- ^ "Miss Pritchard Wins Jersey Tennis Title; New York Woman with Miss Francis as Partner, Takes Doubles Championship". The New York Times.
- ^ "Miss Francis Wins Title". The New York Times. 31 August 1925.
- ^ "Miss Taubele Wins in Eastern Tennis". The New York Times. 22 May 1934.
- ^ "Miss Alice Francis Married in Orange". The New York Times. 18 April 1934.
- ^ "Harry F Wolf, 59, of Squash Tennis". The New York Times. 24 September 1966.