ATTENTION S.A. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRANTS 2009: DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT PLAY WILL NOT START UNTIL AT LEAST 6.00PM TONIGHT WED 11TH NOV.

 

                                                         
                                                        Tournament Director: Marie Stevens - Ph.(08) 8351 3606

Tournament Director

The SA Seniors Tennis Championships was held at the headquarters of SA Tennis Seniors at Greenhill Road , South Park. This was the first opportunity to play the Tournament on our 6 new synthetic grass courts and our newly replaced 12 courts.

One hundred and seventeen players entered the Tournament with 18 players from interstate including Tas, Vic, NSW and Queensland.

The weather conditions were perfect everyday with play commencing each day at 3 pm and continuing into the evening concluding each night at approx 10.30 pm.

This was the first year we were able to offer Men’s Singles Events in each 5 year age group including the Mens 80s. Most events were Round Robins which gave players more tennis with most people playing on the final evening. Unfortunately we ran out of time and did not play some of the last rounds of the Round Robins but only one event  relied on the results-thanks to Dennis Haupt, Mark Swanbury, Bill Lewis and John McDonald who did not get a result in the Men’s Combined 90 Doubles and agreed to split the winnings.

There were many excellent matches played over the duration and we were very fortunate to have current Australian Senior Players who had recently returned from Turkey play in the Tournament.

Rino Traforti (Aust) defeated Andrew Brewster in the Men’s 35s, Mark Swanbury defeated Andrew Schuelke (Aust) in the Men’s 40’s with Andrew retiring due to injury, Bill Lewis (winner of the recent Mildura Men’s 45 Singles) defeated local player Vlad Ejov, Greg Parker (Tranmere) defeated Trevor Reeves in the 50’s, Gerald Prideaux  defeated Kevin Furst in the 55 Singles, Roger Davey (Seacliff) defeated Rob Bichmore in the 60’s, Brian Dew defeated Maurice Broom (Vic) in the 65’s, John Mitchell (Vic) won the 70’s Mens defeating local Norm Coventry, Claude Wenzel (Qld) won the 75’s defeating local Colin Parker and Ward Hillier (Aust 80’s) from Victoria won the 80’s Men’s Singles defeating Henry Young.

Ward is a sprightly 83 year old who plays an excellent game of tennis and has represented Australia in Seniors Tennis for many years.

The Ladies Singles were all Round Robin events with Chris Luhrs winning the 40’s, Elaine Burchell the 45’s, Bev Eddington (NSW) the 60’s and Pauline Ward the 65 Singles.

Players played in Championship Doubles Events as well as Mixed Doubles and Combined age Doubles as well

A full list of the Event Winners and Runner-ups is attached –

It was a very successful Tournament concluding on Wednesday night with a crowd of 104 players and friends at the Presentation of medals and prize money to the winners and runner-ups by our major sponsor West Beach Community Bank, represented by Peter Hodgkison and Terry McClean. The West Beach Community Bank have generously supported the Tournament for the last four years and we thank them sincerely for their most generous support. 

The $150 lucky draw prize for all Singles entrants was won by Claude Wenzel from Queensland and the first prize in the lucky door prize of a head Tennis Bag was won by Maxine Morley.

Thanks also to Serve Furst, Next Generation Memorial Drive and Head our other sponsors who have also generously supported the Tournament for several years.

Special thanks to all the volunteers who gave up their time for the four days –

The Tournament Committee –Dennis Haupt, Vada Osborn, Barb Mathews, Janet  Wang and Ian Delbridge.

Special thanks to Sue Hand and all the ladies who did a magnificent job catering for lunches and meals each day and providing a fantastic spread for supper on Wednesday night at the Presentation.

Thanks also to referees Brian Arnold and Elaine Caldana, Louis Kemenyvary and his Grounds Committee for making sure everything was set up ready each day and Ian and Carol Delbridge and their helpers for manning the bar every day and Ian for organising the BBQ on Monday & Tuesday nights

The success of the Tournament is totally dependent on the cooperation and assistance of everyone from the players to the volunteers and I sincerely thank everyone for their total support.

Marie Stevens

Tournament Director

Click here to see 2007 results
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