The WLTC Summer Open Tournament saw some great tennis during the week with success for some club members. Dan Thrale was runner up in the Mens Open Singles, new members George and Freddy Ward came up against each other in the final of the 12 & Under Singles with George coming out on top, and then together they finished runners up in the Boys 14 & Under Doubles, and lastly Aaron Hilsum won the Mens Open Doubles. Many thanks to our tournament referees Lesley & Ian Pitt and Graham Boosey for organising another successful tournament. Thanks also to the other tournament committee members Bill Dixon, Mark Taylor and Wendy Thrale for their hard work, and to members who helped umpire matches for the younger age groups. Finally a very big thank you to Wendy Thrale and Sandra Taylor for their sterling work in the kitchen providing refreshments throughout the tournament. They were very grateful for the help given by Heather, Sheena, Sally, Debbie P, Christine, Claire and Celia during the week plus donations of delicious homemade cakes!
Author: Gillian Sanderson
70th Penzance Open Tournament
Another trip to Penzance for club members this summer to take part in this annual open tournament, the 24th consecutive year that Steve has acted as referee. A good time was had by all with finals day appearances for Sarah Ball, Dan Sanderson, Anthony Weingarten, Dave Lambe, John Colman, Mike Fahie-Wilson, Gill Sanderson, Marg Rimmer and Jaki Moffat. Wins for Sarah & Marg in the Ladies 55 & Over Doubles, Sarah in the Mixed Senior Doubles, Dan Sanderson in the Mens Handicap Singles, and Dave & John in the Mens Handicap Doubles. Runners up for Anthony in the Mens Open Singles and Doubles, Sarah in the Ladies Senior Doubles, Gill in the Ladies 55 & Over Doubles, Dan & Mike in the Mens Handicap Doubles, Dan & Jaki in the Mixed Handicap Doubles, Dave in the Mens Senior Doubles.
A special mention for Dan who played the most matches of all tournament competitors, no less than 20! And Gill played the second highest number of matches, at 14. Steve did a fantastic job once again as tournament referee and plans to make it 25 years in charge in 2020! Expected dates are Sunday 26th July to Saturday 1st August 2020 so save the week if you’re interested in coming along! Lastly well done to Andy Barker for being official photographer on finals day once again, receiving a trophy in recognition of his contribution to the tournament. Photos can be viewed here (no Facebook account required – click on a photo to see them all full size).
Southend & District Summer Tournament Finals Day 2019
WLTC hosted S&D Tournament Finals day this summer. Congratulations to club member Dan Thrale who won the Mens Open Singles final in straight sets. And another title went to Marg Rimmer who won the Mixed Senior Doubles final with her partner Stuart Eley (Westcliff Hard). Commiserations to Sarah Ball who was unable to play on the day due to injury. Thanks to Steve who always organises the tournaments and finals days so efficiently, and also to Wendy, Sandra and Heather for providing refreshments for players and spectators.
Tennis for Kids at WLTC
Many thanks to Martin Powell who did a fantastic job running our June/July Tennis for Kids courses. Over 30 children aged from 4 to 11 had the chance to enjoy these introductory courses backed by the LTA. Hopefully Martin’s enthusiasm will encourage them to continue playing at the club. See the Coaching page for details of future Tennis for Kids courses plus our Coaching Newsletter, Coaching Programme, Holiday Camps etc.
Cider & Sausages Friday Night Social/Wimbledon sweepstake
Another successful Friday night social at the club. Not much tennis was played as everyone wanted to watch the Federer v Nadal semi-final but this was followed by a delicious supper thanks to Sheila who cooked sausages with double onion marmalade and jacket potatoes, followed by apple tart, for 27 people! All washed down by Polgoon cider from Penzance! Thanks to Mark who manned the bar and all those who supported the event which raised a good sum for club funds. Another fundraising effort during Wimbledon fortnight was our sweepstake. Thanks to everyone who “bought” players and after two weeks of exciting tennis, the winners’ prizes went to Glynis (Simona Halep) and Tash (Novak Djokovic), and runners up Taifur (Serena Williams) and Sheenah (Roger Federer).
School Holiday Tennis at WLTC
Something for everyone during the school summer holidays. Our Open Tournament 4th to 10th August has events for all age groups – see our Open Tournaments page. More Tennis for Kids courses available week commencing 12th August and Kids Tennis Camps week commencing 19th August – see our Coaching page. Or arrange some individual coaching with our Head Coach Graham Boosey. Please contact Graham directly on 07745 943403 or email: [email protected] for more information on any events or to discuss your coaching requirements.
Captain’s Day 2019
What amazing weather yesterday for this year’s Captain’s Day at the club hosted by Steve. A very large turnout for tennis in the afternoon when it was almost too hot to play! Steve generously supplied a fantastic array of prizes for everyone who won a set plus free tea and cakes. Martin and Glynis’s colourful outfits certainly met Steve’s criteria for tennis wear! The balmy evening was perfect for the barbecue enjoyed by about 30 people. Many thanks to Andy who was chef and the social committee ladies for their hard work.
WLTC Golf Day 2019
After very mixed weather all week, the sun was shining for WLTC’s Golf Day at Garon Park today. Members and guests played 18 holes in teams of three, with various prizes up for grabs. The winning team were Bill, Caroline and Tony. Thanks to Caroline for organising both golf and lunch afterwards.
Essex Team Tennis Summer 2019
An excellent season for our Mens 1 team in the Essex Team Tennis (singles) league. Our players won their last match 6 rubbers to nil to secure top place in Division 2 and gain promotion to Division 1 next year. The statistics for the season were 46 sets won and only 2 lost! The successful doubles pairings in the final match are pictured here but congratulations to all the squad this season – Anthony Weingarten, Adam Groves, Dan Thrale, Mark Gregory, Dan Sanderson and Graham Boosey.
Big Tennis Weekend 2019
A very successful weekend at the club offering free tennis to local school children. In total about 80 children aged 4 to 11 years attended the three action-packed taster sessions at the club after which almost half this number signed up to attend Tennis for Kids courses at the club over the following six weeks. See what the courses have to offer here and look out for details of future courses online. Thanks to Graham and members who helped make the weekend a success and Phil Leighton who attended on behalf of the LTA.