GXLTC International Seniors Tournament 2013 - report by Gerrards Cross Tournament Committee
Thank you to all the competitors who came to Gerrards Cross and braved the fine sunshine and a 2 day heatwave that has been our trademark for the last few years! We again had a good influx of top players from clay courts around the globe, seeking to experience the joy of playing on the green stuff! Spain, Sweden, Italy, Germany, France and even Scotland and Wales were all represented. It is always nice to welcome our regular Viking friends to Gerrards Cross as they like to reconnect with the country that they think they once conquered! They like our beer and make us laugh!
Many of the usual suspects turned up to claim all the titles although the ladies 40 final was a great contest between two of Spain's finest! They loved the grass! All the results can be seen on the ITF website.
Special mention is due to Mark Rowe who had to fight hard all week to retain his 45 title. In the process he managed to produce his now legendary repertoire of displaying the full colour spectrum as the week progressed. Starting on Wednesday, Mark strategically started in a low key conservative grey ensemble steadily progressing through the delicious tones of vivid orange which culminated in a crescendo of bright lime green for the final. Gary Minns gave a very athletic serve and volley master class and was very unlucky to be edged by the dogged and colourful Mark in 3 sets. Gary sportingly did not claim that the colour overload he had to endure was a debilitating factor!
One other player retaining his title from the previous year was Myles Collett. Bronzed God with movie star looks (at least until the Croatian sun tan wears off!) ruthlessly offloaded his partner of last year Peter Ford, claiming he was not handsome or athletic enough, in favour of a much slimmer and more stylishly coiffured Chris Hill from Wales!
Only one local player secured a title during the week and it was none other than Bull Lane's own, Peter Davidson. Trying very hard throughout the 2 sets to avoid glorious victory his Buckinghamshire team mate Bev Wilson managed to calmly navigate the stormy seas and steer the pair to the 60/65's doubles title! Only kidding Peter! They had to work hard against a classy pair from Hertfordshire.
Thank you to our referee Chris Mann and tournament director Michelle Ryan who made it run so well.
I hope that our good fortune with good weather will continue at the event next year and that many of you will return to play again. We appreciate your continued support.
Any feedback, whether positive or negative, would be greatly appreciated in order that we can improve on any shortfalls to help make our tournament even more enjoyable.
Until next time, have a warm and happy winter.
Kindest regards,
Gerrards Cross Tournament Committee