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New Courts Opened to host Spring Tournament Finals

Posted Apr 24th 2010, 10:44 by PaulGardner

I strongly believe that Boldon Lawn Tennis Club is a family friendly and social club situated in a peaceful setting ... and no other day examplified this more than this Saturday as members new and old, of all ages, came together to celebrate the opening of our newly resurfaced courts.

To view more photos see the full Flickr gallery

Those regularly at the club will know that these courts have been available since late last year, but we have been waiting for better weather and a special event to host their offical opening, and what better event than our Spring Tournament Finals?

Well the wait was certainly worth it, as the sun was shining over the entire club shortly after lunch when the celebrations commenced with an Exhibition Doubles Match including Alistair Peel and Niall Stewart (2 of the club's best young talents), John Thompson (ranked in the top 10 British under 16's) and the young at heart Carlos Caldeira (our very own Head Coach). 

Special thanks must go to John Thompson who took part in this match at very short notice.  We will be keenly tracking his development as a player and look forward to seeing him stepping out at Wimbledon in the not to distant future.

Those who came to watch the exhibition were throughly entertained by a great display of skill on court and off as some of the club's youngest members (Sarah, Paulo, Lucy, Ellie, Katy and Kirsty) did a superb job in supporting the players as ball girls and boy.

After the exhibition match finished in a nail-biting tie-breaker (who could have predicted that?) our Club President Brian Thubron, who opened the courts when they were first laid in 1994, took to the court to say a few words before officially opening the courts in the same way he did 26 years before, by firing some unreturnable serves down the court. 

After a short break for refreshments it was back out onto the new courts as the Spring Tournament was concluded with the Singles Final, Womens Doubles Final, Mens Doubles Final and Mixed Doubles Final which were as equally supported as the earlier Exhibition Match.

The Results of those matches were:

• Singles Final: Sarah Stansfield bt. Keith Wood
• Womens Doubles: Sarah Stansfield & Kay Suddick bt. Christine Peel & Sheila Jones
• Mens Doubles: Dave Lambert & George Parker bt. Ged Donnely & Andrew Donnely
• Mixed Doubles: Ged & Pam Donnely bt. Alan Jones & Sarah Stansfield

And to finish the day off in style the club also played host to a very well attended Quiz Night ... where a good time was had by all thanks to our Quiz Master and Soup Makers, and more importantly over £200 in much needed funds were raised for the club.

What a wonderful way to welcome in the new tennis season!

Paul Gardner.

Tags: spring tournament courts quiz night fundraising