We often report the results from our junior competitions as well as feature progress on our top young players. However, Bucks have a thriving adult competitive schedule, with several district and county leagues as well as County team representation in all age groups from Open through to Vets.
Bev Wilson, Chairman at Haddenham Tennis Club, is a very active player, competing on the prestigious Veterans Tour. This ‘tour’ has ITF tournaments round the country and also world wide for the different age groups (every 5 years from Over 35 up until 80). He is currently ranked No 2 in the County, 19 in the UK and 231 in the World, although Bev has his sights set on breaking into the Top 100 next year.
Bev was introduced to the Vets Tour by an American player at Frinton-on-Sea. He was invited to play some events in Palm Springs and his career as a vet’s player developed from there. In his year’s event, he played William King, a former junior USTA champion and a member of the Commodores (of Lionel Ritchie fame)! William is still heavily involved in the entertainment world, leaving the Palm Springs tournament early to perform at the Presidential inauguration in Washington.
Bev’s annual schedule includes the following events: Palm Springs, Dudley National Indoors, British Clay Court at Bournemouth , Frinton-on-Sea International Grass, St Georges Hill Grass, Tunbridge Wells, British Grass court at Wimbledon, South of England Grass court at Eastbourne, Gerrard's Cross Hard court, Woking Hard court International and Maidenhead Hard court.
In between tournaments, he runs the Bucks Men’s Over 60 team, plays for Haddenham in the Aylesbury & District League men’s and mixed matches and competes in the Bucks Shield. The Men’s Over 60’s team recently secured two wins this season, beating both Lancashire and Middlesex convincingly. They are due to play their next match against Gloucestershire at the end of August.
To find out more about Vets Tennis GB and the World ITF Seniors Tour, please click on the following links: http://www.vetstennisgb.org and http://www.itftennis.com/seniors