The St. Albert Tennis Club had beautiful weather last weekend when they played host for the Annual Seniors Provincial Tournament.
“It was a really great time,” said Gord Olsson, tournament director at the club. “We had about 20 club players and 20 players from the surrounding area. The club serves refreshments and everyone just has a great time.”
The tournament ran from Thursday to Sunday and matched tennis players 35 and older against each other in friendly competition.
“We split the players up by age rather than skill level,” said Olsson. “It’s nice to play with people your age. Tennis is a social game.”
About 10 of the players visiting from outside the club had played in the tournament before, said Olsson.
“Our club has a reputation for putting on really good tournaments,” said Olsson. “We are in a beautiful location and players who visit us want to come back.”
The 20-year-old tournament featured several players over 50 and one that was over 80. Some of the members have been playing there for more than a decade.
Club member Thuy Cao cleaned up over the weekend with wins in both the Men’s Doubles Over 50 and the Mixed Doubles Over 35 events.
“Tennis is really growing in popularity,” said Olsson. “I think it probably has a bit to do with Milos Raonic and Eugenie Bouchard being in big tournaments.”
Raonic and Bouchard are two successful Canadian tournament players on the international circuit.
“Our junior club membership is through the roof,” said Olsson. “We went from having maybe three or four junior players two years ago to over 100 now.”
The club is considering building four more courts to deal with the increased demand.
“It’s something we’re talking about but it takes time,” said Olsson. “I’m happy with how everything has been going.”
Tournament Results
Men's Singles 35+ <br />Winner: Neil Balos<br />Runner Up: Edgar Reyes<br /><br />Women's Singles 35+<br />Winner: Joanne Vetsch<br />Runner Up: Carmen Sych<br /><br />Men's Doubles 35+<br />Winners: Alvin Inojales and Eric Ramirez<br />Runners Up: Kent Acosta and Neil Balos<br /><br />Women’s Doubles 35+<br />Winners: Glenda House and Carmen Sych <br />Runnera Up: Mayumi Hagiwara and Margo Jerace<br /><br />Mixed Doubles 35+<br />Winners: Mayumi Hagiwara and Thuy Cao<br />Runners Up: Lisette Turcotte and Ernesto Navalta<br /><br />Men's Singles 40+<br />Winner: Dan Townsend<br />Runner Up: Normand Dupont<br /><br />Women's Singles 50+<br />Winner: Kathleen Turnock<br />Runner Up: Colleen Kent<br /><br />Men's Doubles 50+<br />Winners: Thuy Cao and Dan Townsend<br />Runners Up: John Clark and Ron Riley<br /><br />Men's Singles 60+<br />Winner: Adrian Met <br />Runner Up: Wayne Wai
