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The 2003 Irish Real Tennis Championship
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| Update: Photos available |
| 13 June, 2003 |
| A selection of pictures
from the weekend is now available. (The
pictures page contains about 150k of images,
which might take up to one minute to load over
slower links.) |
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...more |
Over the weekend of 31st May and 1st June, the IRTA
held its first Championships at the
Bristol and Bath Tennis Club. We ran
an Irish Championship, with
participation limited to those with
Irish affiliation, and an Open
Championship. We had 16 entrants for
the tournaments, which were played on a
handicap basis, ensuring good quality
matches. Five newcomers to the game
were given coaching by Kevin King,
B&BTC head professional, and also
had the opportunity to use their new
skills in friendly matches. Players
came from Ireland, the UK, and the
USA.
The Irish Championship was won by Mike Bolton
(Ireland) in a closely contested match with Clarence
McGowan (resident in the USA). The Open
Championship was won by Brian Rich, overcoming a
severe handicap in the final to beat Jackie
Blackwell two sets to one.
Players and supporters in front of the dedans.
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B&BTC chairman, Peter Probyn, organised an
excellent social evening on the Saturday at a local
pub. About 40 people, both players and supporters,
enjoyed a barbecue and beer. Mike Bolton, chairman
of the IRTA, spoke briefly about the history of the
Dublin Court and its current situation. Many
players expressed great excitement at the idea of
playing real tennis in Dublin, and we are certain
that there would be a steady stream of international
visitors to a Dublin court. Clarence McGowan,
representing the United States Court Tennis
Association, read an enthusiastic letter of support
for the Dublin court from the USCTA's chairman.
The weekend provided an opportunity for members of the
IRTA to meet fellow real tennis players from the UK,
and discuss the idea of a playable Dublin court over
lunch. James Wyatt, the Chief Executive of the
Tennis and Rackets Association, joined us to watch
the semi-finals and final, and give the T&RA's
support. Brian Rich, as well as emerging the Open
Champion, gave a fascinating illustrated talk on the
history of the game, including the Church's strong
disapproval of the game in centuries past!
We would like to express our grateful thanks to the
B&BTC, its committee (in particular Nick
Ponsford, Kevin King, and Peter Probyn) and members,
for allowing this hugely enjoyable event to take
place; to the sponsors, Investor Select Advisors;
and to everybody who took part, making the weekend
such a success.
| Programme
| | The weekend consisted of two
tournaments (Irish and Open), coaching
sessions for beginners, and friendly doubles
matches.
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...more
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| The Bristol and Bath Tennis Club
| | We could not have held the
Championships without the help and support
of the B&BTC. The club is relatively
young, yet has quickly developed an active
membership.
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...more
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| Poster
| | If you are curious, you can see a representation of the poster we sent round the world to
generate interest for our first championship.
| | ...more
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