2008 ACT Seniors Championships

11-Apr-2008

Grey skies, but fine, cool weather greeted the 125+ contingent who came to play in the 38th ACT Annual Championships, at the popular venue at Weston Creek. Mick Doyle’s swansong (and Anne’s) went well, and the players were tired but happy by Monday afternoon. The tennis had been well contested, in all categories, including the players who usually do not get a chance to play amongst their own standard. (One young 45 year-old was heard to comment when watching the 60+ Final, “hey mate, we’re lucky we’re in OUR age group, these guys are too good!”) (There was a battle between ACT’s Phil Higgs and QLD’s Lee Taylor in progress!)


70 events catered for more competitors than were entered, but ‘what can we do?’ The organisers try to cater for everybody regardless of standard. Perhaps the most successful event in this regard was the Women’s Singles where the four losing first round players all agreed to play in a Consolation Round robin event, which kept them busy every morning. Efforts are being made to attract more female Singles entrants, but it is proving to be a tough assignment. Some ladies conceded that they don’t play Singles because their friends don’t play. Aha! Here is a clue! What if we co-opt a few players to use some “peer pressure” to bring in 2 or 3 friends? The prospects are promising. Did someone say “populate or perish”? Hmmmm. Maybe that’s close to the mark.


Pat Moloney is still scratching his head to figure out the answer to this dilemma.
Saturday night saw between 40 and 50 people enjoying the facilities at the local Club, where the musician had many dancers on the floor, and even a bit of Karaoke with Mick Doyle! An enjoyable night was had by all, with good food, good company and plenty of up-tempo songs to get everyone ‘rocking’.


A farewell to Mick and Anne Doyle was made by Graham Smith, who praised the many hours of hard work that they have both spent over the years, and especially by Anne in the kitchen, with Betty Smith to provide us all with delicious meals and tasty morning and afternoon teas – (slices and cakes to die for!). They will make their new life in the NSW town of Grenfell. Everyone wished them well in their retirement.

 

President Denis: "Now where is that dog?"	Mother and Daughter: Lucy and Mary Gormly (l to r)	Men's 60 Doubles Winners! Lee and Haydon (l to r)
"Aha! Here's Louie now!"	Adrienne and Helen - after their Singles Final	Haydon surrounds himself with beauty

Now to the tennis...


Rick Genge played some superb tennis to upset the Japanese visitor and No. 1 seed Takamichi Hirooka in the Men’s 50+ Final, and Steve Harris (Emu Heights) had defeated Mark Welsby (Moruya) in their 45+ final earlier. Phil Higgs came back from a first set deficit to defeat No 1 seed Lee Taylor in the 60s. The 65s had been a dour struggle between Alan Walsh and Dennis Bindon, with a disappointed Dennis wondering how not to surrender the early lead he had in the 2nd set. Ron de Costa prevailed over the Queenslanders Wenzel and Halligan to take out the 75s. (After many hours on-court. We are left wondering “how do they do it?” – They play a 3-hour Singles and then back up for Doubles!)


Heather McKay featured again in a fantastic match with a player 10 years her junior, in the Semi-final with Helen Worland. The former World #1 went down in 3 sets. Helen, #1 seed went down to her friend and doubles partner, Adrienne Avis #2 seed, in the Final, in an excellent display of accuracy and style, 6-3 6-4.


The “Men’s Handicap” event, (according to Victorian Hayden Rees) was a sensational Mixed Doubles final. The match was between Heather McKay & Phil Higgs and Hayden himself, with Denise Martin (NSW), which went to three sets, in favour of Heather and Phil, much to the enjoyment of the assembled crowd.

In the Men’s 35/40 singles John Bennett (ACT) defeated Quinten Fitzsimmons(Vic) 6/4 6/2. More will be heard of the 36 yr old Fitzsimmons as he was a satellite player in his younger days and now wants to succeed in the Seniors. This was his second tournament.


The best Doubles match was the Men’s 60s where Lee Taylor and Hayden Rees defeated Alan Walsh and Dennis Bindon 6/2 6/3. A high standard and a convincing win to the #2 seeds.


In the Men’s 45 Doubles Steve Harris and Takamichi Hirooka won the R/R event,
which included them winning 2 three-set matches in their rounds. A solid and
purposeful performance.


Adrienne Avis and Helen Worland were far too strong as a doubles team in the
55/65 Doubles, dropping only 5 games in their four matches.


It was a wonderful weekend of tennis, with thanks to Mick and Pat for their time and expertise in making it all happen!

R Castle