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The Midwasterns 2004 have come and gone, but this online press kit at the time was used to provide media with photos, information and the specifics of the exhibition match between the Jensen Brothers vs Ohlmuller and Gambino on January 15, 2004.

This is a press kit for the the exhibition match between Luke and Murphy Jensen (Jensen Brothers) vs David Ohlmuller and Chris Gambino at the Midwesterns 2004. Seen below are all articles, press releases, topics, information, pictures and bios about the participants, event, venue and all parties responsible for making this exhibition match possible.

Former French Open Champions Luke and Murphy Jensen have accepted top-ranked champions David Ohlmuller and Chris Gambino's challenge to an exhibition match preceding the Midwestern Tournament in Cincinnati on Thursday, January 15th at the Beckett Ridge Country Club. The "Battle at Beckett" is made possible by industry sponsors Viking Athletics, Paddlepro.com and BulletWorks Platform Tennis. Expected to draw hundreds of spectators, the match will be aired on the Tennis Channel and is sure to cast new light on the lesser known racquet sport.

Beckett Ridge Racquet Sports Director Jason Gray suggested the match after seeing the Jensen brothers in action on the club courts this past summer. "With their fire power and finesse, they are amazing to watch on the tennis court. They are equally as impressive on the platform tennis court. It's going to be one hell of a match," said Gray.

Luke and Murphy Jensen, both in their mid-thirties, grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1993, they shocked the tennis establishment by winning the French Open Doubles title at Roland Garros just six months after turning pro. At one point, they were ranked number four in the world. Well-received by fans for their colorful personalities and on-court excitability, the Jensens have a loyal following and continue to play on the ATP tour as Wild Cards.

David Ohlmuller and Chris Gambino, also in their mid-thirties, are the 2003 Men's APTA Champions and are currently ranked number one in men's platform tennis. Their position was solidified after their Halloween weekend win over Scott Mansager and Flip Goodspeed (6-2, 6-4 in the finals.) " We are thrilled to be able to compete on the same court with the Jensen Brothers. We think their involvement in this event will do wonders for our game and are looking forward to doing battle with them," said Ohlmuller.

The exhibition match is scheduled for Thursday, January 15 (rain date Friday, January 16,) preceding the Cincinnati National Ranking Tournament. Both the Jensens and Ohlmuller/Gambino will also be competing in the weekend draw along with other top male and female platform tennis players from around the country. A portion of the proceeds of the weekend's events will benefit the Inner City Youth Opportunities of Greater Cincinnati.

Bob Considine will be the announcer for the exhibition match.

There will be a VIP autograph session with the Jensens and possibly Ohlmuller and Gambino, that will take place shortly after their exhibition match ends sometime around 8:15-8:30 PM on Thursday, January 15 (rain date Friday, January 16). Cost will be $10 for adults $5 for anyone under 18.

Cash bar and appetizers will be provided at the club.

The Event Coordinator is Jason Gray he can be reached at 513-874-9909.

And with the support of other sponsors such as PaddlePro.com and BulletWorks Platform Tennis, this is your chance to watch a one of a kind event and be apart of history! We are proud to announce that The Tennis Channel has agreed to broadcast this event on their network at a later date. So, if your a fan, this gala event is a "can't miss" that will launch Platform Tennis to the next level. We encourage everyone to help make this the biggest weekend ever by becoming a sponsor and/or participating in the tournament. And as a bonus, both teams are entered into the open draw for "The Midwestern's" Platform Tournament, making this a must for all players to participate in!

All proceeds will benefit the Inner City Youth Opportunities of Greater Cincinnati. For more information about the event and it's sponsors please contact the following:

Jason Gray (Dir.of Racquet Sports) 513-874-9909/ Becketttennis@hotmail.com (Event Coordinator)

VikingAthletics.com (Official Event Sponsor)

PaddlePro.com (Official Web Site)

BWPlatformTennis.com (Official Event Manufacturer)

CincyPaddle.org (Official Tournament web-site & Entry Registration)

Beckett Ridge Racquet Sports Director Jason Gray suggested the match after seeing the Jensen brothers in action on the club courts this past summer. "With their fire power and finesse, they are amazing to watch on the tennis court. They are equally as impressive on the platform tennis court. It's going to be one hell of a match," said Gray.

Luke and Murphy Jensen, both in their mid-thirties, grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1993, they shocked the tennis establishment by winning the French Open Doubles title at Roland Garros just six months after turning pro. At one point, they were ranked number four in the world. Well-received by fans for their colorful personalities and on-court excitability, the Jensens have a loyal following and continue to play on the ATP tour as Wild Cards.

David Ohlmuller and Chris Gambino, also in their mid-thirties, are the 2003 Men's APTA Champions and are currently ranked number one in men's platform tennis. Their position was solidified after their Halloween weekend win over Scott Mansager and Flip Goodspeed (6-2, 6-4 in the finals.) " We are thrilled to be able to compete on the same court with the Jensen Brothers. We think their involvement in this event will do wonders for our game and are looking forward to doing battle with them," said Ohlmuller.

The exhibition match is scheduled for Thursday, January 15 (rain date Friday, January 16,) preceding the Cincinnati National Ranking Tournament. Both the Jensens and Ohlmuller/Gambino will also be competing in the weekend draw along with other top male and female platform tennis players from around the country. A portion of the proceeds of the weekend's events will benefit the Inner City Youth Opportunities of Greater Cincinnati.

To register for the tournament, contact the Greater Cincinnati Platform Tennis Association. For more information, contact Event Coordinator Jason Gray at 513-874-9909.

David was born November 1969 in Montclair, NJ and is currently married, residing with his wife in Dix Hills, NY. David currently resides in Dix Hills, NY with his wife Marina. He is the National Sales Manager for Viking Athletics based in Lindenhurst, NY

David started playing platform tennis in 1985. David's mom Ginna was the Executive Director for the APTA from 1987 until 1995. David has won 3 Men's National Championships 2003 and 2001 with partner Chris Gambino. He won the 1995 Nationals with partner Bruce Kelsey. He is also a 3 time Mixed National Champion with Patty Hogan. They won the title in 1990, 1991 and 1995. He is also the current Husband/Wife National Mixed Champion with wife Marina.

David is the winner of over 40 National Ranking events. David has been ranked # 1 in the country for six years.

David played # 1 singles and # 1 doubles for the Loyola College Men's Tennis team from 1988 to 1992. He has taught at the Jackson Hole platform tennis camp for the past five years with the esteemed Pro Hank Irvine.

As a child, David grew up as a junior tennis tournament player. In college, he continued his tennis as the #1 player for Loyola college. David was introduced to paddle in 1989 by his mother, then acting APTA secretary, Ginny Ohimuller. From 1990 to 1995, David earned his first three National Titles. All were Mixed Opens with Patty Hogan. In 1995, David (and his partner, Bruce Kelsey) also won his first Men's Open National Championship. This year, David and Chris showed why they were the #I -ranked team in the country, dropping only 26 games in six rounds, including a 6-2, 6-4 final win over the 5-time defending champs, Scott Mansager and Flip Goodspeed

Chris was born in October 1969 in Matawan, NJ. Current he is married and resides in Chicago, IL where he is Equity Arbitrage Trader for Sherwood Securities.

Chris Gambino might have been the best junior tennis player to come out of New Jersey He was #1 in the USTA Eastern U.S. Boys 12's, 14,'s, 16's, and 18's. By his senior year, Chris was recognized by Arizona State after winning the New Jersey State Singles title.

In his college years, Chris had wins over Todd Martin, John Stark, Alex Obrien, and Brian McPhie. Five years later, in 1996, John Milbank introduced Chris to platform tennis at the Navesink Country Club in New Jersey. Since then, Chris has dramatically improved each season, culminating with the Men's Open National Championship in 2001 and 2003

Chris Gambino might have been the best junior tennis player to come out of New Jersey He was #1 in the USTA Eastern U.S. Boys 12's, 14,'s, 16's, and 18's. Chris was recognized by Arizona State after winning the New Jersey State Singles title. At ASU, In his college years, Chris had wins over Todd Martin, John Stark, Alex Obrien, and Brian McPhie.

He also won the 2000 Mixed National Championship.

Luke and Murphy play doubles tennis on the pro circuit. They both lived in East Grand Rapids when they were growing up. Luke is the older one of the two. He was born on October 30,1968 in Grayling, Michigan, but he now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. He is 6'3" and weighs about 190 pounds. This is his third season playing tennis on the pro circuit. Luke is an extraordinary tennis player because he serves with both hands, and that is very hard.

Murphy Jensen was born on June 28, 1975 in Ludington, Michigan, and he also resides in Atlanta, Georgia. He is 6'2" and weighs about 180 pounds. He is left handed and this is also his third year on the pro circuit.

Luke went to the University of Southern California (USC) and was an All-American in 1985 and in 1987. Murphy went to Georgia University and he was an All-American in 1991.

Luke and Murphy both have wild attitudes. They also wear wild clothes to play tennis in. They are sponsored by Oakley, and are called the Beavis and Butthead of the pro circuit.

In 1993, Luke and Murphy Jensen won the doubles French Open. That was the only major they won, but hopefully there will be more.

Despite reaching a career ranking of 4th in the world, the tennis establishment wasn't quite ready for the brothers' arrival in 1993 when, just six months into their professional careers, they pulled off a staggering coup: a French Open doubles win that catapulted them onto the global stage. And, among the raised eyebrows and disapproving looks at the chest butts, high fives and self- expression of this new breed of rock 'n' roll tennis, the brothers built themselves a loyal following that persists to this day; if the brothers are playing, the center
court's full.

These days you're as likely to find a Jensen brother in a TV studio, or working with inner-city kids, as you are to find them on court, showcasing their trademark brand of crowd-pleasing, no-holds-barred tennis. But, as their careers develop and diversify, the same force drives Luke and Murphy now as it did back in '93: it's all about firepower.

The Beckett Ridge Country Club is a middle to upper class country club.

Players and spectators will be staying at the Cincinnati, Marriot North and can make reservations online via www.mariott.com/reservations for the special Midwesterns rate of $89 per night January 13-18th. Once a person is at that web address they will select the dates they would like to stay and then enter the letters PTMPTMA for the special $89 rate or players and visitors wanting to stay can call 513-874-7335. This rate is good for any type of bed (Queen, King, etc.).