Southern California
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Title
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Southern California
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Date
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April 1940
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volume
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5
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issue
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2
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page start
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13
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page end
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13
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content
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en
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Spring has brought a new and lively interest in fencing in Southern California, thanks to concentrated efforts on the part of the division’s leading fencers, directors, and coaches. Several short radio talks by Duris de Jong, coach of the Hollywood Athletic Club, also did much to stimulate public enthusiasm.
Because of this new interest, the annual Assaut de Gala, held at the Hollywood Athletic Club on March 9th, drew a record crowd with more than a sprinkling of stage and screen luminaries. Guest of honor was Mr. Harry Davenport, veteran character actor and father of Ned Davenport. Mr. Albert Dekker acted as Master of Ceremonies, assisted by Mr. Jeffry Lynn. Exhibition bouts by Ed Carfagno, America’s #2 Ranking Foilsman, Arthur Kaye, Open Foil Champion, and many others were highlights of the evening. The audience was especially delighted with three-weapon exhibitions by Southern California’s leading coaches, notably Mr. Ralph Faulkner, Professor Harry Uyttenhove, and Mr. Duris de Jong. Bouts by Mr. Paul Lukas and Mr. Fredric March of the screen were also programmed.
The ladies contributed their share with some beautiful foil work by Miss Edith Jane, former Pacific Coast Champion, Miss Louise Reordan, current Intermediate titleholder, and Miss Maxine McMasters, present Open Champion.
All in all, the combination of outstanding swordsmanship, plus a touch of comedy, some laughter, and a great deal of obvious enjoyment on the part of both fencers and audience served to make the 1940 Assaut de Gala a “four star” evening.
This month marked the end of the Epee season and the beginning of the Sabre. The Novice Epee at the L.A.A.C. on January 19th was won by Wilbur Coggins of the Cavaliers with Ned Davenport of Faulkner’s second and Hale Handlin of the L.A.A.C. third.
Three of the Faulkner School’s young fencers divided the Junior Epee honors among them, the title going to Sid Getzovitz with Leonard Bellman and Bob Irwin second and third respectively. The event was held at the Faulkner School of Fencing on January 26th.
The Los Angeles Athletic Club’s No. 1 team (Si Carfagno, Vallet, Handlin) came off with first honors in the Junior Epee Team at the Hollywood Athletic Club on February 3rd. Second place went to Faulkner’s No. 1 team (Irwin, Davenport, Irby) and third to the Cavaliers’ first team (Coggins, Parks, Joyner).
Tom Tarbet of the L.A.A.C. won the Intermediate Epee title at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on February 9th. Bob Irwin (Faulkner’s) finished second, and Vallet (L.A.A.C.) third.
The Los Angeles Athletic Club teams No. 1 and 2 captured first and third places respectively in the Epee Team held at the Faulkner School on February 16th. Second place went to Hollywood Athletic Club’s No. 1 team.
At the Los Angeles Athletic Club on February 23rd, Tom Tarbet won the Open Epee title, with Ed Carfagno second and Pete Craig (H.A.C.) third.
A special item of interest has been provided in the inauguration of an invitational foil meet for women to be held for the first time at the Faulkner School of Fencing on Sunday, March 10th. Mrs. Grace L. Kendal of Hollywood is the donor of a very fine bronze and gold trophy which will be retired by any three-time consecutive winner. Individual permanent trophies will be awarded to the first three places. The meet is designed to give the women fencers of Southern California extra opportunity for competition since they have all too few contests. Some twenty of the Division's leading swordswomen will compete.
Plans for the Pacific Coast meets are not yet completed, but the events will be held this year at Los Angeles during the weekend of April 12th. The Los Angeles Athletic Club will be the scene of the contests.
