The 50th anniversary Manhattan Beach Open went off without a hitch last weekend despite the 11th-hour exit by sponsor AVP.
With the AVP's pull-out, much of the spectacle was removed as well. Gone were the grandstands, the giant inflatable marketing devices and brash event sponsors.
What remained was the difficult parking, the hardcore volleyball enthusiasts, and the honor of winning one of beach volleyball's storied tournaments. Aaron Wachtfogel and Sean Rosenthal, who grew up together in Redondo Beach, won the men's crown in their first pairing; Tealle Hunkus and Heather Lowe won the women draw.
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And the verdict for the scaled-down tournament? Some actually preferred it this way.
