The STRATFORD TENNIS CLUB held its annual Super Set tournament this past weekend. This event was for Club members only and required a lot of tennis play throughout the weekend.  The beautiful, but hot weather brought out a record number of participants. Saturday was the day for the men’s and ladies’ singles events, while Sunday saw mens and ladies doubles play.

The men’s singles had 28 competitors, by far the most in the history of this event. The men’s singles A final was a rematch of last season’s Club Championship final, as #1 seed Bob Tamblyn faced #2 seed Richard Bast. Once again, the smart and steady play of Tamblyn was too much for Bast as Tamblyn won the championship with an 8-2 victory. The men’s A consolation final was a battle between youth and experience as 13 year old Luke Fischer took on crafty veteran Todd Chisholm. In a match that went back and forth with some great rallies, it was appropriate that it came down to a tie-breaker to decide the title. In the end youth prevailed as Fischer took the match 8-7 (7 points to 5 in the tie-breaker). The men’s B championship also went to a teenager. 15 year old Collin Rose shut out Steve Gryba winning the title 8-0. The veterans got back on the winning side in the men’s B consolation category as Greg Misener edged Scott Landreth 8-7 (7 points to 5 in the tie-breaker).

The ladies singles A champion was Marta Andrekovic who scored an 8-5 victory over Johanna Billings in the championship final. The ladies B title went to Sandie Ennett as she downed Erma Weernick 8-5.

Sunday was doubles day with 14 mens and ladies teams entered, meaning 56 club competitors spent the day playing lots of tennis. The ladies doubles A final had the mother – daughter team of Marta and Sonja Andrekovic facing Johanna Billings and Debbie Murphy. The Andrekovics raced off to a big lead and couldn’t be caught scoring an 8-3 win to take the championship, giving Marta a sweep of the weekend’s ladies events.

The ladies A consolation title went to Carmen Miron and Jadzia Jenkens with an 8-5 victory over Annette Garneau and Liz Yundt. The ladies B final was won by Michele Thomson and Erma Weernick who defeated Lise Couture and Bev Paterson 8-3. The 84 year old Paterson was one of the most impressive players on the weekend, holding her own against the heat and younger competitors. Allison Hiller and Barb Thibeault took the ladies B consolation championship with an 8-4 victory over Michele Speak and Laura Martin.

The A final for men’s doubles  was another rematch of last season’s club championship final. Bob Tamblyn and Kurt Eickmeier won the Club’s men’s double title last year, but in this event they could not hold off teenagers Grant McPherson and Travis Hiller. McPherson and Hiller fought out of a 7-4 deficit breaking the veterans serve two times to get to a tie-breaker where the youths won the championship. The 8-7 (7 points to 5 in the tie-breaker) win for McPherson and Hiller was the match of the weekend and a real crowd pleaser.

The men’s A consolation title went to Bill White and Zdenko Andrekovic who scored an 8-6 victory over Brent Hiller and Murray Schiedel. Another tie-breaker was needed to determine the men’s B champions. Jim Wilson and Steve Scott took down Bill Steele and Stuart Arkett 7 points to 1 in the tie-breaker to win the B championship. Steven R. Schwartzentruber and Mike Schiedel took the men’s B title when their opponents could not continue.

The full weekend of tennis drew a good crowd of spectators who were entertained all weekend with the great play and close matches. The players now prepare for the Club Championship tournaments that take place in August.

Bill White

Luke FIscher and Todd Chisolm

Carmen Miron and Jadzia Jenkens

Joanna Billings and Deb Murphy

Travis Hiller

Bob Tamblyn

Kurt Eickmeier

The STRATFORD TENNIS LEAGUE completed week 6 of its schedule on Tuesday evening. The early game was a match up of Snap and Donkers Agri, with the late game seeing La Debonaire Hair Design take on Sunrise Health Services.

The early game saw a split of sets in the #1 ladies doubles, as Marta Andrekovic and Maria Donkers of Donkers Agri took the first set 7-6 (7 points to 3 in the tie-breaker), while Johanna Billings and Naomi Lange of Snap won the second set 6-4. Snap dominated the #2 ladies doubles as Nancy Chung and Liz Yundt scored an easy 6-1  6-1 victory over Lise Couture and Michele Thomson. The #1 men’s doubles went to Snap with Shannon Dyke and Chris Parson downing Bob Tamblyn and Todd Chisholm 6-4  6-2. The #2 men’s doubles was won by Donkers’ Tom Warnock and Mike Furlong 6-1  7-6 (7 points to 5 in the tie-breaker) over Murray Schiedel and Gary Henry.

Donkers won the #1 mixed doubles as Andrekovic and Tamblyn handled Billings and Dyke 6-2. The #2 mixed match went to Snap as Lange and Parson took out Donkers and Chisholm 6-2. Donkers won the #3 mixed 6-1 as Couture and Warnock  defeated Chung and Schiedel. The #4 mixed saw Thomson and Furlong of Donkers down Yundt and Henry 6-1. This meant the early match ended in a 6 set to 6 set tie.

The late game was a match up of the leagues top two teams. Play opened with a split in the #1 ladies doubles as Claire Scott and Debbie Murphy of Sunrise Health Services scored a 7-5 victory over Sandie Ennett and Ginny Smith of La Debonaire Hair Design, before Ennett and Smith responded taking the second set 6-2. The #2 ladies doubles saw Sunrise’s Marilyn Leasa and Nancy Rheaume sweep Sandra Hofing and Jolanda Vandereijk 6-3  6-2. The #1 men’s doubles had La Debonaire’s Richard Bast and Grant McPherson win the first set 6-2, with Sunrise’s John Noble and Spencer Trachsel taking the second set 6-2. La Debonaire won the #2 men’s doubles with Jim Wilson and Cameron Kramer downing Pat McCarroll and Steve Fischer 6-1 6-4. 

The mixed doubles matches opened with Ennett and Bast of La Debonaire taking the #1 match up 6-4 over Scott and Noble. Sunrise took the #2 mixed set as Murphy and Trachsel doubled up Smith and McPherson 6-3. Leasa and McCarroll scored a 7-5 victory for Sunrise over Hofing and Wilson in the #3 mixed match. The #4 mixed went to Sunrise as Rheaume and Fischer defeated Vandereijk and Kramer 6-3. This gave Sunrise a 7 sets to 5 victory for the night.

After 6 weeks La Debonaire Hair Design remains in first place with Sunrise Health Services cutting into that lead with their win this week. Donkers Agri maintained their lead over Snap for third place in the standings. Week 7 sees La Debonaire take on Donkers in the early game while Sunrise faces Snap in the late game.

Bill White

Marta Andrekovic of Donkers Agri shows full extension while serving in the ladies doubles.      

ALL FORMER AND PRESENT MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND OUR FUNDRAISING EVENT OF THE YEAR!  TICKETS ARE $15 .

The ticket price is for tennis and supper, tennis only or supper only.  TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BY JULY 16TH. Only ticket holders will receive food that evening.

Tickets may be purchased at the club, or by mailing a cheque to the address below and having a ticket reserved in your name for pick up the day of the event.

Our silent auction is bigger and better this year! There is something for everyone! The silent auction will close at 4pm. A raffle draw for some lovely bottles of wine will also be held that day and this will close at 4:30. Tennis will be played from 1- 5:00 pm and you may play as much or as little as you like. Supper will be served at 5pm. Come enjoy the day and reminisce with old and new members!

Stratford Tennis Club
371 Water Street
P.O. Box 21066
Stratford, ON, Canada   N5A 7V4

The third leg of the Royal LePage Hiller Realty junior grand slam, “Wimbledon”, was played this past weekend. Once again, Luke Fischer proved to be the class of the field in the boys’ event, and Ashley Humphrey took the girl’s title.

The boys event had a replay of the Australian Open final, as brothers Luke and John Fischer faced each other for the title. Younger brother Luke jumped out to an early lead before John staged a comeback. Luke finally put John away taking the championship match 8-5. This gives Luke the title in the three grand slam events played this season.

The boys consolation final was a long close match that saw Collin Rose edge Evan Moorehead 8-6 to secure the title.

The girls championship match had Ashley Humphrey take down Isabelle Thibeault 8-1 to win her first grand slam singles title. The girls consolation champion is Rachel Nash who downed Sophie Bogdon 8-5 in the title match.

The fourth and final Royal LePage Hiller Realty junior grand slam event is the “US Open”. It will be contested on Saturday, July 27th. Luke Fischer will attempt to complete a season grand slam sweep.

Bill White

(LtoR) Sophie Bogdon (consolation finalist), Rachel Nash (consolation champion), Ashley Humphrey (girls champion), Isabelle Thibeault (girls finalist)

(L to R) Evan Moorehead (consolation finalist), Collin Rose (consolation champion), Luke Fischer (boys champion), John Fischer (boys finalist)

Sophie Bogdon stretches out to make a return.

 The Stratford Tennis League held its week 5 games this past week. The early game had Snap taking on La Debonaire Hair Design. Snap took the early lead as their #1 ladies doubles team of Linda Doig and Johanna Billings took out Sandie Ennett and Heather Henke 7-5  6-2. LaDebonaire took the #2 ladies doubles as Ginny Smith and Naomi Lange doubled up Nancy Chung and Liz Yundt 6-3  6-3. Richard Bast and Grant McPherson of LaDebonaire won the #1 men’s doubles match 6-3  6-4 over Shannon Dyke and Chris Parson. The #2 men’s doubles went to LaDebonaire also as Brent Hiller and Chris Wyatt scored a 6-3  6-4 victory over Gary Henry and Stuart Arkett.

The #1 mixed doubles set went to Snap as Doig and Dyke downed Ennett and Bast 6-4. Snap also took the #2 mixed doubles with Billings and Parson scoring a 6-4 win over Henke and McPherson. Smith and Hiller took the #3 mixed for LaDebonaire with a 6-4 victory over Chung and Henry. La Debonaire’s Lange and Wyatt won the #4 mixed set 6-4 over Yundt and Arkett giving LaDebonaire an 8 sets to 4 victory on the night.

The late game saw Donkers Agri face off against Sunrise Health Services. Donkers #1 ladies doubles team of Marta Andrekovic and Maria Donkers knocked off Debbie Murphy and Nancy Rheaume 6-1  6-2. The #2 ladies doubles went to Sunrise as Marilyn Leasa and Marilyn Holmes edged Erma Weernick and Carmen Miron 6-4  7-6 (7 points to 4 in the tie-breaker). The #1 men’s doubles went to Donkers as Bob Tamblyn and Greg Vivian scored a 7-5  6-1 win over Spencer Trachsel and Pat McCarroll. There was a split in the #2 men’s doubles as Donkers’ Todd Chisholm and Bill Steele took the first set 7-5 before Jagdish Patel and Steve Fischer of Sunrise took the second set 6-2.

The #1 mixed doubles went to Donkers as Andrekovic and Tamblyn took out Murphy and Trachsel 6-2. The #2 mixed doubles also went to Donkers as Donkers and Vivian edged Rheaume and McCarroll 6-4. Sunrise won the #3 mixed doubles 6-2 as Leasa and Patel defeated Weernick and Chisholm. Holmes and Fischer of Sunrise won the #4 mixed match 6-4 over Miren and Steele. The match ended with Donkers taking 7 sets and Sunrise winning 5.

After 5 weeks of play La Debonaire Hair Design increased its lead in the overall standings, while Sunrise Health Services holds off Donkers Agri for second place and Snap continues to chase the pack. Week 6 has Donkers face Snap in the early game and Sunrise takes on La Debonaire in the late game.

Bill White

Shannon Dyke hits a forehand winner in the men’s doubles match. 

JULY E  NEWS from the Stratford Tennis Club

June was a busy month at the STRATFORD TENNIS CLUB! Greg, Bill, Claire and Steven were kept busy instructing and supervising the many area schools that took advantage of the fine tennis program we offer at the club. In July, the courts will be less busy with school classes but hopefully still busy with our members booking court times and getting out on our great clay surface.

The ladies and mens’ night remain very popular and the morning group is experiencing record numbers this year, with players having to rotate onto a court on some days! On July 1st there is a potluck lunch in the park for all players following the morning round robin. Start time is between 11:30am and noon. Bring your favourite salad or dessert. Spouses are welcome to share the meal as well.

The Super Set Tournament for adult club members takes place this month. The singles for men and ladies is set for July 13th and the doubles is July 14th. Players are guaranteed 3 pro set matches and there is no entry fee. Sign up at the clubhouse if interested.

Tennis League is moving along well. The standings still have La Debonaire Hair Design in the lead, with Sunrise Health Services a close second. Donkers Agri is in third place and Snap remains in fourth.

The Royal LePage Hiller Realty tournaments for our junior membership of which there are “Wimbledon” and the “U.S. Open remaining, are a great way for both girl and boy juniors to play in competitive but fun matches. Players of all levels may participate and they play off against each other in various games. It is a great opportunity to meet other juniors in the club with whom future matches could be arranged. Circle July 6th and July 27th on your calendars and sign up at the club!  This event is generously sponsored each year by the Royal LePage Hiller Realty company in Stratford.

Our Saturday Kids Tennis Program has now finished, but Junior TENNIS CAMPS are available and a few weeks still have some openings. Camps run the weeks of July 1st, 8th,15th,22nd,29th and Aug.5th. It costs $65/week for members and $75 for non members. Please contact Bill at the clubhouse for availability.

Optimist Junior Tennis Day saw over 50 enthusiastic youngsters participate in a fun filled day of tennis and games. All participants enjoyed a hot dog lunch and prizes. The club is very grateful to the STRATFORD OPTIMIST CLUB for their generous contribution to our youth program each year.

The monthly ladders offer another opportunity for both adult and junior members to meet other players in the club and further develop their tennis skills in a game situation. Juniors who have not played many games, should feel free to ask any of our knowledgeable staff for a quick lesson in scoring. The new ladders begin July 15th so sign up soon.

We are hoping that work will begin shortly on the new concrete foundation surrounding the practice wall. Weeping tile will also be installed to combat some of the water issues we have been experiencing on our courts.

Just a reminder that our Pro, Greg Vivian, offers private tennis lessons by the half hour, hour and series of sessions. Please speak with him if you are interested.

Last but not least, our fundraising tournament the WOODS and WHITES takes place on July 20th. Tickets are now on sale at the clubhouse. All tennis participants need to purchase a $15 ticket. A meal of assorted meat and veggie hors d’oeuvres and homemade desserts is included with your ticket purchase. Past and present members are all welcome to pay and play or just come and enjoy the day and bid on our silent auction items and take part in the raffle draw. Round robin tennis occurs from 1-5:00pm and the silent auction ends at 4pm. Supper will be served at 5pm. Community response has been positive thus far. The committee is still in need of donations from our membership. We would really appreciate your consideration of a small donation to help us make this day a successful one for the club. Donations may be given to the staff at the clubhouse or  Marilyn Holmes and myself.

The club strives to meet the needs of all its members. If you have any suggestions for improvement or ideas that you might like to see implemented, please feel free to email us at news@stratfordtennisclub.com

Play Tennis More!
Nancy Chung

 In Week 4 of the Stratford Tennis League, Sunrise Health Services and LaDebonaire Hair Design continued their winning ways.

The early game saw a close match between Sunrise Health Services and Snap. The men’s doubles matches were dominated by Sunrise. The #1 men’s doubles had Sunrise’s John Noble and Spencer Trachsel take down Snap’s Chris Parson and Brent Hiller 6-4 , 6-3. Pat McCarroll and Jagdish Patel of Sunrise took the #2 men’s match 6-2, 6-0 over Snap’s Murray Schiedel and Stuart Arkett. The ladies got Snap back into the match. The #1 ladies doubles saw Linda Doig and Johanna Billings of Snap score a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Claire Scott and Nancy Rheaume. The #2 ladies doubles split sets with Snap’s Nancy Chung and Noella Schiedel taking the first set 6-4 , while Sunrise’s Marilyn Leasa and Annette Garneau took the second set 6-2. 

 The mixed doubles began with Snap’s #1 team of Doig and Parson winning 7-6 (7 points to 5 in the tie-breaker) over Scott and Noble. The #2 mixed match also went to Snap as Billings and Hiller downed Rheaume and Trachsel 6-4 . Sunrise took the #3 mixed as Leasa and McCarroll edged Chung and Schiedel 6-4. Sunrise clinched the week’s win by taking the #4 mixed 6-3 as Garneau and Patel defeated Schiedel and Arkett. This gave Sunrise Health Services a 7 sets to 5 victory.

The late game was a match up of LaDebonaire Hair Design and Donkers Agri. The match began with a split of sets in the #1 men’s doubles as Donkers’ Bob Tamblyn and Greg Vivian took the first set 6-4 and LaDebonaire’s Richard Bast and Grant McPherson won the second set 7-5. LaDebonaire took the #2 men’s doubles 6-3, 6-4 as Jim Wilson and Cameron Kramer defeated Mike Furlong and Bill Steele. The #1 ladies doubles went to LaDebonaire’s Krista Plociennik and Sandie Ennett 6-4, 6-4 over Marta Andrekovic and Lise Couture. The #2 ladies doubles split their sets. The first set was a 6-1 win for Donkers’ Erma Weernick and Naomi Lange while LaDebonaire’s Ginny Smith and Sandra Hofing took the second set 6-3.

The #1 mixed doubles saw Plociennik and Bast of LaDebonaire ease past Andrekovic and Tamblyn 6-2. Ennett and McPherson won the #2 mixed set for LaDebonaire 7-5 over Couture and Vivian. Donkers scored a 6-3 win in the #3 mixed as Weernick and Furlong downed Smith and Wilson. Lange and Steele of Donkers defeated Hofing and Kramer 6-4 to win the #4 mixed match. The final result was an 8 sets to 4 victory for LaDebonaire.

After week 4 LaDebonaire remains in first place as Sunrise Health Services holds onto second place. Donkers Agri is in third place and Snap trails the field. Week 5 will see Snap take on LaDebonaire Hair Design in the early game while Donkers Agri faces Sunrise Health Services in the late game.

Bill White

Linda Doig of Snap hits a forehand in the ladies doubles match.       

Over 50 young tennis enthusiasts took part in the annual OPTIMIST JUNIOR TENNIS DAY at the Stratford Tennis Club this past weekend. With their free t-shirts, the kids participated in tennis skills and games before a draw of fun door prizes. A barbeque with hot dogs and drinks was enjoyed by all the participants who  ranged in age from 4 to 13 . Everyone had a great day and we very grateful to  our sponsor, the Optimist Club of Stratford who helps to make this event happen each year!.

The first 80 youngsters to register will receive a free T-shirt!

                      Racquets are available to borrow. Registration begins at 10:00am.

Week 3 of the Stratford Tennis League was played this week. The early game saw the two teams tied for first place face off. Going into play LaDebonaire Hair Design and Sunrise Health Services had each won 16 sets, with LaDebonaire holding the tie-breaker edge in games won/lost differential. The match began with LaDebonaire’s #1 ladies doubles team of Krista Plociennik and Sandie Ennett sweeping Claire Scott and Debbie Murphy 6-4 6-1. The #2 ladies doubles was a split as LaDebonaire’s Sandra Hofing and Jolanda Vandereijk took the first set 6-4 while Sunrise’s Nancy Rheaume and Marilyn Holmes scored a 6-1 win in the second set. The #1 men’s doubles went to Richard Bast and Grant McPherson of LaDebonaire as they downed John Noble and Spencer Trachsel 7-5 6-3. Sunrise rebounded to take the #2 men’s doubles as Jagdish Patel and Steve Fischer scored a 6-2 7-5 over Jim Wilson and Cameron Kramer. 

The #1 mixed doubles was won by LaDebonaire as Plociennk and Bast edged Scott and Noble 6-4. Sunrise took the #2 mixed doubles with a 6-4 win by Murphy and Trachsel over Ennett and McPherson. Rheaume and Patel took the #3 mixed set for Sunrise with a 6-2 win over Hofing and Wilson. The #4 mixed had Holmes and Fischer of Sunrise top Vandereijk and Kramer 6-4. This left the night’s match tied at 6 sets each. The teams remain tied for first in sets won, while LaDebonaire maintains the tie-breaker advantage.

The late game was a battle between Snap and Donkers Agri. The #1 ladies doubles went to Snap as Linda Doig and Johanna Billings defeated Marta Andrekovic and Maria Donkers 6-3 7-6 (7 points to 5 in the tie-breaker). Donkers took the #2 ladies doubles as Lise Couture and Erma Weernick took out Nancy Chung and Noella Schiedel 6-3 7-6 (7 points to 5 in the tie-breaker). Donkers’ Bob Tamblyn and Greg Vivian won the #1 men’s doubles 6-3 7-5 over Shannon Dyke and Chris Parson. Murray Schiedel and Gary Henry of Snap won the #2 men’s doubles over Mike Furlong and Bill Steele 6-3 6-3.

The #1 mixed went to Donkers as Andrekovic and Tamblyn downed Doig and Dyke 6-4. Billings and Parson won the #2 mixed for Snap with a 6-3 victory over Donkers and Vivian. Snap’s Chung and Schiedel took the #3 mixed 6-4 over Couture and Furlong. The #4 mixed went to Donkers as Weernick and Steele took out Schiedel and Henry 6-3. This meant the late game also ended in a 6 set tie.

The standings remain the same after this weeks match ups. LaDebonaire Hair Design holds the tie-breaker edge to remain in first place with Sunrise Health Services in second. Donkers Agri holds a slight lead over Snap for third place. Week 4 will have Snap facing Sunrise Health Services in the early game and Donkers Agri taking on LaDebonaire Hair Design in the late game.

          Spencer Trachsel  hits a backhand during week 3 of the Stratford Tennis League.