Lower Cedar (1997)

Newly opened for the 1997 Championship, Cedar Court is a challenging layout that features small but very partisan crowds. With late day play under the Marquis of Queensbury Rules, the adjacent tree wells make Cedar both picturesque and potentially dangerous. The variable terrain adds to the challenge. While the grass on Cedar Court can be a bit thin, depending on recent weather conditions, the variety of plant life it contains has earned praise from knowledgeable botanists around the world.

In addition to the features of the court proper, the numerous adjacent cedar trees for which the course is named provide both a pleasant aroma and, with their signature dark green color, an incentive focal point for the Tournament contestants in search of the similarly-colored Champion's jacket.

An underrated gem, Cedar has been and is expected to remain the site of many great Tournament upsets. Numerous theories abound as to why this is the case. Some point to the nearby tree wells, and claim that their girth, juxtaposed against the washers box, seems to make the target shrink for a favorite in a tight match. Bolstering this argument, one contestant in the 1998 Masters actually threw a "box" - into the tree well! Others speculate that Cedar's location - near enough that player's can see the coolers of beer present at Stadium, but far enough away that they don't have immediate access to those frosty suds -- can cause even the most veteran players to lose their focus.

The influence Cedar Court will have on an individual player makes the action on Cedar a "must see" for all spectators.

Upper Cedar

When the accumulation of water from heavy rain rendered Cedar Court unplayable for the 2001 Masters, O.N. Chairman Dave O. made an executive decision regarding court location. One of the resulting offspring was Upper Cedar. Located just across Magnolia Lane from Cedar Court, UC features the same woodland terrain as its arboreal neighbors, Upper Dogwood and Arbor. UC was also the site of some great matches, including one of the day's biggest upsets, as Jenny OP knocked # 3 seed Dave O. into the Losers bracket in the second round. Utilized early in the day as a vehicle turn-around, and later as one of the most popular courts in the rotation, Upper Cedar seems destined to be a crowd and player favorite for years to come.

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