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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, 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)

Year	Location	Champions	Runners-up	Score
1928	West Palm Beach	Vincent Richards	Paul Heston	6–2, 5–7, 6–1, 6–1.
1929	West Palm Beach	Brian Norton	Vincent Richards	8–6, 7–5, 6–1.
1930	West Palm Beach	Vincent Richards	Paul Heston	6–0, 7–5, 6–3.
1931	West Palm Beach	Paul Heston	James Kenney	6–1, 6–2, 6–3.
1932	West Palm Beach	Paul Heston	James Kenney	6–1, 6–1, 6–3.
1933	West Palm Beach	Robert K Murray	Paul Heston	8–6, 5–7, 6–3, 7–5.
1934	West Palm Beach	Karel Koželuh	Hans Nüsslein	6–2, 6–8, 6–1, 4–6, 6–4.
1935	West Palm Beach	Karel Koželuh	Herman Peterson	6–0, 6–1, 6–1.
1942	Coral Gables	Wayne Sabin	Dick Skeen	6–3, 4–6, 6–1 6–4.
1946	Memphis	Don Budge	Bobby Riggs	6–2, 1–6, 4–6, 6–3 6–4.
1958	Tuscaloosa	Armando Vieira	Jack Rodgers	3–6, 6–4, 6–1.
1959	Tuscaloosa	Sam Giammalva	Bobby Riggs	6–4, 6–2.
1961	Jacksonville	Jack Arkinstall	Don Budge	6–3, 6–0.
1963	Birmingham	Jason Morton	Jerry Evert	6–4, 7–5.
1966	Sewanee	Dell Sylvia	Earl Baumgardner	3–6, 6–3, 7–5.
1967	Sewanee	Earl Baumgardner	Dell Sylvia	1–6, 6–4, 6–3.

References

1. ^ McCauley, Joe (2003). The History of Professional Tennis. Windsor, Berkshire, England: Short Run Book Company. p. 245. ASIN B001EOVE56.
2. ^ "Tournaments: Southern Pro Championships". The Tennis Base. Madrid, Spain: Tennismem SL. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
3. "PRO BATTLE". Middletown Daily Herald and Times Press. Middletown, NY: Newspaper Archive. 22 March 1927. p. 5. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
4. "Richards in Finals of Pro Net Tourney". Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Newspaper Archive. 14 March 1930. p. 15. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
5. "PLAY STARTS IN THIRD PALM BEACH PRO MEET". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida: newspapers.com. 3 Mar 1938. p. 8. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
6. The Palm Beach Post
7. Cresbaugh Jr., John W. (31 May 1940). "Looking Them Over". The Montclair Times. Montclair, New Jersey: newspapers.com. p. 16. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
8. "Richards Beaten By Norton in Tilt On Florida Court". Cincinnati Commercial Tribune. Cincinnati, Ohio: Newspaper Archive. 17 March 1928. p. 8. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
9. "Sport: Who Won Mar. 24, 1930". Time. Time Magazine. 24 March 1930. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
10. "Paul Heston Wins Tennis Championship". Aiken Journal and Review. Aiken, South Carolina: Newspaper Archive. 23 March 1932. p. 5. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
11. "Slovakian is Now Holder Southern Tennis Laurels". Burlington Daily Times. Burlington, North Carolina: Newspaper Archive. 19 March 1934. p. 7. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
12. "Earl Baumgardner: Overview". ATP Tour. ATP. Retrieved 29 January 2024.

• Clay court tennis tournaments
• Defunct tennis tournaments in the United States
• Professional tennis tournaments before the Open Era