ACT Championships

The ACT Open Seniors Tennis Championship has again been successfully held over Easter at the Weston Creek Tennis Club, with matches also played at Forrest and Kambah.  This year’s tournament was the 40^th to be held and the ninth year it has been centred at Weston Creek.  The tournament is an ITF Category 3 tournament and so attracts international and interstate players.

The weather over the weekend was probably the best we have ever had, nice and sunny and warm and no wind.

The tournament attracted 150 entries, two down on last year which was the most received since the tournament moved to Weston Creek.  As normal there were a few last minute withdrawals and a number of late entries which provided a few problems.  Our Japanese competitor Takimichi Hirooka who has played the last four years didn't make it this year due to his selection into Japan's team for the World Championships also being played in April.  Entries comprised players from NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia as well as our own ACT players.  The field also comprised 13 past and present Australian team representatives.

Over the last two years a new event and a changed format in the round robin events was introduced to encourage greater participation.  The new event the non-championship singles comprising a short set is proving to be a success and will be continued.  The combined age and mixed round robin played to completion on separate afternoons has provided some problems and will be reviewed.

Our local players performed well again this year to win championship events.  John Bennett won the Men's 35 singles as he has done the previous two years (must be his favourite tournament).  Mark Jorgensen won the 50 singles and Colin Holgate went one better this year in winning the 55 singles; he was runner up last year.  In the ladies Mary Gormly won the 70 singles.  Doubles winners were Mark Jorgensen and Adrian Blackeby in the 35/45's; Ros Balodis in the 40/55's and Heather McKay in the 60/70's. Mixed doubles winners were Ros Balodis and Colin Holgate in the 45's and Phil Higgs and Heather McKay in the 65's.

Three of the finals were all ACT affairs with the runner-ups being Adrian Blackeby in the 50 singles, Rick Genge in the 55 singles and Russell Tickner and Narelle Raftery in the 45 mixed.

Other runner-ups in the championship events were Phil Higgs in the 65/75 singles; John Bennett in the 35/45 doubles; Rick Genge and Colin Holgate in the 50/55 doubles; Phil Higgs and Pat Moloney in the 60/75 doubles and Greg and Helen Holcombe in the 55 mixed. 

Overall it was a good performance by our ACT players in the Championship events.

ACT players also did well in the Non-Championship events.  Winners in the men’s events were Simon Graham in the 70 combined doubles (playing with his father David from NSW), John Stark in the 100 combined and the two Davids (David Coutts and David Sprott) in the 130 combined.  Winners in the women events were Leonie Ainsworth and Heather McKay in the 70/100 combined doubles.

The Non-Championship round robin womens singles attracted good interest this year.  Eight players entered requiring two divisions with the winners playing off.  Both finalists were from the Jerrabomberra club with Gloria Carr defeating her doubles partner Lynette Sebbens.  Gloria and Lynette then went on to win the B Doubles.  As all their matches were easy wins they will be encouraged to play a higher standard next year.

The consolation events were won by Greg Hunt and Annette Cochrane.

Barry Lymbury a regular competitor from Narooma was the best performed player this year in winning the three events he entered: 60 singles, 60/75 doubles and the 60/65 mixed.  A fine performance as he had some tough three set battles in his matches.

The tournament again this year had to combine womens singles age groups due to the lack of entries.  The field was reduced further by the last minute withdrawal of last year’s winner.  However the 35/60 singles still had some top players competing.  Helen Worland repeated last year's win, this time defeating Narelle Follington from Tamworth.  Helen will again represent Australia in the world championships later this year in Turkey.

All ITF tournaments require a Referee to oversee the tournament.  Our referee was Mark Crawley who delegated some of his duties to other officials.  Overall the officials had a relatively easy time.  For some of the finals Mark and Jacqui Marsden organised umpires and linespersons to officiate.  This is appreciated by the players as it allows them to concentrate on their tennis.  This officiating also has the added benefit of providing training for the umpires and linespeople.

As the case has been for the last few years first prize (tennis racquet) in the raffle went to the ACT.  This time it was to Betty Smith.  Last year it went to Graham Smith (that's keeping it in the family).  The following winners selected their own prize: Enid Besant-Ryan (2 bottles of wine), Anne Pratt (racquet cover), Christian Eberhardt (garden utensils), M.Goodrick (easter egg basket), Robyn Castle (water bottle) and Val Gavin (t shirt, tennis balls, racquet overgrip).

Players and spectators once again enjoyed the cuisine delights from ‘Betty Anne Banquet’. This continues to be a big hit with all the freshly home made slices and cakes and made to order sandwiches with continuous tea and coffee. The selection of some nice proteas also added to the décor of the area. Special thanks must go to Betty Smith and Anne Doyle for the time and effort they put into the catering.

This years dinner dance had a last minute change when it was found out the Weston Club now did not cater for such events.  Julie Howe did some fast footwork and arranged for the evening to held at the Southern Cross Wests club at Macquarie.  This was a great success with 51 people attending.  Good food, good entertainment and a good time was had by all with our entertainer being kept into the night through the encouragement of the revellers.  A short speech was made by Pat who outlined the beginnings of the tournament 40 years ago,  He also thanked David Hollaway for the work he was putting into the tournament. 

Our thanks and gratitude are extended to all those people who assisted us prior to and during the Tournament.  In particular David Hollaway did a great job as Tournament Secretary in accepting entries, producing the draws, times, organising the matches and recording the results.  Also thanks go to Peter Breugelmans for obtaining money from players and Graham Smith our barman.  Our regular candid camera man, Hayden Rees, returned this year and again recorded some tournament history.  

Results 

35            John Bennett (ACT) def Lynton Joseph (VIC)              6/4 6/4

40            Christian Eberhardt (NSW) def Andrew Kew (NSW)      7/5 6/1

45             Craig Edwards (NSW) def Vladimir Ejov (SA)              6/1 6/4

50             Mark Jorgensen (ACT) def Adrian Blackeby (ACT)       6/1 6/2

55             Colin Holgate (ACT) def Rick Genge (ACT)                 6/2 2/6 4/3 Ret

60             Barry Lymbery (NSW) def Wayne Hassett (VIC)           4/6 6/4 6/2

65/70/75   Ian Davis (NSW) def Phil Higgs (ACT)                        6/3 7/6

Women’s Singles

35/60        Helen Worland (NSW) def Narelle Follington (NSW)      6/4 6/1

70             Mary Gormly (ACT) def Judy Logan (NSW)                   6/3 6/2

Men’s Doubles

35/45         Adrian Blackeby (ACT) & Mark Jorgensen (ACT)

                  def John Bennett (ACT) & Lynton Joseph (VIC)            w/o 

50/55         Russell Rumery (NSW) & Roger Spraggon (NSW)

                 def Rick Genge (ACT) & Colin Holgate (ACT)               6/1 6/3

60/75        John Cameron (NSW) & Barry Lymbury (NSW)

                 def Phil Higgs (ACT) & Pat Moloney (ACT)                   6/0 6/2

40/55         Ros Balodis (ACT) & Sara Goddard (NSW)

                  def Narelle Follington (NSW) & Christine Luhrs (SA)      6/3 6/1

60/70         Kim Blackburn (NSW) & Heather McKay (ACT)

                  def Denise Martin (NSW) & Julien Pratt (NSW)              6/2 6/2

45                Ros Balodis (ACT) & Colin Holgate (ACT)

                   def Russell Tickner (ACT) & Narelle Raftery (ACT)         6/1 6/2

55                Barry Lymbury (NSW) & Robyn Castle (NSW)

                   def Greg Holcombe (ACT) & Helen Holcombe (ACT)           6/4 6/4

65               Winner: Phil Higgs (ACT) & Heather McKay (ACT)           R/R     

70 Mens               Winner: Simon Graham (ACT) & David Graham (NSW)

                           r/u Nick Cole (NSW) & Neale McDonald (NSW)

100 Mens             Winner: John Stark (ACT) & Ray West (QLD)

                            r/u John Funston (ACT) & Colin Lyons (ACT)                   

130 Mens              Winner: David Coutts (ACT) & David Sprott (ACT)

                            r/u John Gering (NSW) & Arthur Olsen (NSW)                    

70/100 Womens    Winner: Leonie Ainsworth (ACT) & Heather McKay (ACT)

                             r/u Enid Besant Ryan (NSW) & Julien Pratt (NSW)

130 Womens          Winner: Diana Buchanan (NSW) & Susan Johnson (NSW)

                             r/u Pauline Honeyman (ACT) & Denise Martin (NSW)

90/110 Mixed         Maureen Bartels (NSW) & Nick Cole (NSW) 

                             def Graeme Sticka (NSW) & Gloria Carr (ACT)        6/5

Women’s ‘B’ Doubles    Winner: Gloria Carr (ACT) & Lynette Sebbens (ACT)

                                    r/u Jenny Hart (VIC) & Helen McDuff (NSW)                    

Womens Singles:         Annette Cochrane (NSW) def Jocelyn Thompson (ACT)        9/2

Following the cancellation of the ACT Resident Seniors Championships in 2008 and 2009 due to lack of entries it was decided to combine the events with the ACT Resident Championships.  This proved successful with 7 Seniors events getting of the ground in the 2010 Rolfe Motor Group ACT Resident and Seniors Championships held at the National Sports Club, Lyneham from 29-31 January. 

The results of the Seniors events were

35+ Mens Singles - Rob Pott, r/u Zoltan Lukacs

35+ Mens Doubles - Terry Grainger and Tony Winston, r/u Joe Bersinic and Roy Blinston

35+ Mixed Doubles - Jacqui Marsden and Tony Winston, r/u Kay Giffen and Zoltan Lukacs

50+ Mens Singles - Pat Moloney, r/u Wayne Kelly

50+ Mens Doubles - Gary Buchanan and Chris Wainwright, r/u Don Lennox and Stan Marks

50+ Womens Doubles - Jean Penny and Dianne Prime, r/u Helen and Jocelyn Thompson

50+ Mixed Doubles - Connie and Don Lennox, r/u Margaret Hulme and Ian De Platter

Some of the Tennis ACT Seniors members did well in the other events with Neville Rodwell making the semi-finals of the Resident Mens Singles; Jacqui Marsden winning the Resident Womens Doubles with a young Jenny Popovic from Joanne Adams and Anne Pratt; and May Howard and Neville Rodwell along with Joanne Adams partnered by  Adrian  Blackeby reaching the semi-finals of the Resident Mixed Doubles.  Penny Moss was a winner in the B Grade Womens Doubles and a runner up in the A Grade Mixed Doubles, Dianne Prime was runner up in the B Grade Women Doubles and Connie Johnson was runner up in the B Grade Mixed Doubles.