The Closing of the 2011 Season

The 2011 season came to a close Saturday, October 22 with the Dufferin Tennis Club's closing dinner and awards banquet. Those in attendance were treated to a sit-down dinner consisting of mixed green salad, roasted potatoes, garden vegetables, stuffed chicken breast with cheese, spinach, mushrooms, and apple pie and ice cream for dessert. Thanks to Andy and Patti Sharman (pictured below left with Herman Horn) for preparing the fantastic meal and all those who helped with the after dinner clean up.

Following the dinner, Lee Hendon awarded out trophies to the winners, finalists and consolation winners from the Club Championships and the gold, silver and bronze medallists in the Parent-Child Challenger. Then door prizes, including a tennis racquet and tennis bag were awarded to a lucky few. Those who did not receive a door prize were presented with a new can of tennis balls to bring home.

The next order of business was a short meeting to sum up the season. Outgoing president, Karen Blackmore, thanked the many individuals who helped make this year a success. Those included:

• Our great court staff: Lee Follis (pictured above right with George Follis), Gerard McMullin, Danielle Pretty and Gord Yuill
• Dave Stewart, club pro, for organizing the junior camps, instructing the stroke clinics and adult tennis camps and providing private lessons for members
• David Forbes for completing all the payroll deductions for staff pay cheques
• Mary Laurie-Pile for tending to the garden
• Garry Horsnell for helping the Executive in various capacities such as helping with the court repairs, dealing with the high schools and organizing the installation and removal of the awning
• Gord and Marilyn Yuill for organizing the ninth annual Heart & Stroke Marathon, which raised a record $1,285
• Mike Lewis for all his hard work as Chair of the Dufferin Club
• Our marvelous 2011 Executive, which consisted of Karen Blackmore (president), Ron van Pampus (secretary, fundraising), Ron Stinson (treasurer), Andrea Hebb (web/email), Debbie Bakker (socials), Ron Beckett (tournaments, interurban), Lee Hendon (tournaments), Aldo Pignotta (property) and Anca Gaston (interurban)
• And lastly, to all our members for their continued support of our club, our activities and various events.

The last item on the agenda for the night was to elect the Executive for next year. Peter Pongrac was proclaimed president as there were no other volunteers. The position for social convenor remains vacant; while the rest of the Executive will be back. Peter is quite enthusiastic about his new position as president and he, along with the rest of the Executive, look forward to a prosperous 2012.

2011 Club Championships

The Doubles event kicked off the Club Championships on Saturday, August 27 under beautiful blue skies and hot temperatures. Ron Beckett and Lee Follis (pictured right) defeated Brandon Armstrong and Adis Medanhodzic 6-0, 6-4 in the finals of the main draw. Jim Stephens and Gord Yuill defeated Les Ringrose and Bill Tsuchida 6-1, 6-1 in the consolation draw. Thanks to Ron Beckett for organizing the tournament and Ron and Anca Gaston for providing fruit and pizza for participants.

The Singles Club Championships were played under warm and sunny skies over the September 10-11 weekend. Brendan Ringrose (below left) claimed his third straight singles title after defeating Lee Follis 7-5, 6-2 in the finals of the main draw. In the consolation final, Garry Horsnell bested Paul Bakker 6-1, 6-2. Thanks to Lee Hendon for setting up the draw and Debbie Bakker for food.

The final event played in the Club Championship series was the Over 40 Singles on Saturday, September 24. Mother nature bestowed another beautiful day of tennis for the eight participants. It was a grueling day for the finalists who had to play two matches earlier in the day en route to the finals and it got the best of Garry Horsnell who succumbed to severe cramps and had to retire leading 6-5 against Aldo Pignotta (below right) in the main draw. In the finals of the consolation draw, Rory Stubbs defeated Tony Lynch 6-3, 6-4. Thanks to Aldo Pignotta and Gerard McMullin for running the tournament and Andrea Hebb for providing food.

Unfortunately, the Mixed Doubles and Junior Club Championships were cancelled due to a lack of interest. The Dufferin Tennis Club would like to thank all those members who participated in the Singles, Doubles and Over 40 event so that they could go on as scheduled. Congratulations to all the winners, finalists and runner-ups; awards will be presented at the year-end closing party.

Parent-Child Challenger Results

The last day of the summer holidays felt more like fall, but that did not stop five teams from coming out for the Parent-Child Doubles Challenger Monday, September 5. The gold medal match featured Alex (pictured lower left) and Paul Bakker against Andrew (lower centre) and Bill Brown, with the Bakker's prevailing 8-1. The bronze medal match goes to Duncan Smith (lower right) and Tara Duncan-Smith who placed third after the
round robin. The other teams were Lauren and Michele Dodds and William and Steve Dodds (right). Thanks to Aldo Pignotta for organizing the round robin and to Debbie Bakker for taking care of the food for the teams.

Dufferin Captures the Inter Urban Division 2 Crown

The Inter Urban team capped off a great season by winning the Inter Urban Division 2 Championships in August. The team finished the regular season in first place with a record of 8-2. In the semi-finals, Dufferin played Hespeler and defeated them 10-6 and 12-4 in the home and away series advancing to the finals against the second-place team from Waterloo who defeated Northfield in the other semi-finals. Dufferin took a commanding lead in the first match of the final series (14-2) and never looked back, defeating Waterloo by a score of 25-7 sets overall in the two match series. Members playing on the team included Bev de Beer, Anne Douglas, Anca Gaston, Andrea Hebb, Dianne Lefebvre and Marilyn Yuill for the ladies and Brandon Armstrong, Ron Beckett, Don Fines, Lee Follis, Garry Horsnell, Adis Medanhodzic and Brendan Ringrose for the men. Thanks to Anca Gaston and Ron Beckett for organizing the players each week, organizing the food for home games and coordinating travel for away games. Dufferin was also the convenors of the league this season. Special thanks to Ron Beckett for setting the schedule and Andrea Hebb for keeping the interurban website and scores up to date and making sure the season ran smoothly.

Heart and Stroke Mixed Doubles Results

The Dufferin Tennis Club held its ninth annual Heart and Stroke Mixed Doubles Marathon on Sunday, August 7. Rain interrupted play, providing an extended lunch break for the seven mixed doubles teams (pictured below) entered in the tournament. Gwen Chiasson and Jim Stephens won their second consecutive title finishing with a perfect 6-0 record and 42 games. Andrea Hebb and Adis Medan-hodzic finished in second with 38 games, while Marilyn Yuill and Gerard McMullin finished a close third with 37 games. Fourth place went to Ursula Feige and Ajay Sharma with 32 games. Karen Blackmore and Zibby Niejedlik finished in fifth with 24 games, Shari Spear and Aldo Pignotta in sixth with 23 games. Karen Beal and Hermann Horn rounded out the teams with 8 games.

A special thank you to Gord and Marilyn Yuill for organizing the tournament. Thanks to all those who donated prizes for all players: Gus and Guidos, The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, La Cantinella, The John Peel, Speekezzies Cafe & Wine Bar, The Olde School Restaurant, East Side Marios, Zehrs Market, Moose Winooskis, Blue Dog, Brown Dog, Williams Fresh Cafe, The Windmill County Market, Lowe's Home Hardware Brantford and the LCBO.

Thank you to all those who participated in the tournament, sponsored players and/or made donations. Proceeds from the tournament totalled a record $1,285. To date, the Dufferin Tennis Club has raised over $4,298 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario through this tournament.

Chili Open Singles Tournament Results

Dufferin turned up the heat on an already hot summer with the Chili Open Singles Tournament on Saturday, July 9. Thirteen players hit the courts in a double elimination draw. By mid-afternoon only a few players remained. In the final of main draw, Lee Follis bested Ron Beckett 6-3, 7-6. The consolation final was won by Jeff Armstrong, who defeated Tony Quan 10-2. For prizes, Lee selected a $20 gift certificate for the Blue Dog Cafe and Jeff opted for the $20 gift certificate for Sport Chek. Pictured (l-r) is Anca Gaston, Lee Follis (Chili Open Champion) and Jeff Armstrong (consolation winner).

Chili was served up late afternoon, with caesar salad and baguettes on the side. A panel of three, judged four batches of chili entered in the chili ccok-off contest. The winner was Mrs. Gaston (Anca's mom), who won a set of portable mp3 speakers. Congratulations to Mrs. Gaston and thanks to Mrs. Gaston, Brandon Armstrong and Nathan Eastmure for cooking up batches of chili for the cook-off and feast. Thanks to Anca, Nathan and Andrea Hebb for prepping, setting up and cleaning up the feast and thanks to Ron Beckett for convening the tournament.

Junebug Doubles Tournament Results

The first tournament of the season, the Junebug Doubles, was played Saturday, June 11 with ten doubles teams entered. Despite the high probability of rain and thunderstorms in the forecast, only a few drops fell and did not
interrupt play. The teams were divided into two round robins groups each playing four eight game pro set matches; the winners of each group
would then face off for the Junebug Doubles title. In the cross-over final, Jim Stephens and Dave Cureatz (pictured left to right) defeated Garry Horsnell and Peter Munzar 8-3. The winners and then finalists got their choice of one of two original watercolor painting donated and painted by Garry Horsnell or one of two $20 gift certificate for the Blue Dog Cafe. Thanks to Anca Gaston for lunch which consisted of wraps, fruit and juice
and Lee Hendon for running the tournament.

Dufferin Club Awarded BCF Grant

The Brantford Community Foundation, which assists with funding to improve the well-being of the community and its residents by providing financial assistance to various non-profit community organizations, approved the Dufferin Club's 2011 grant application to the amount of $3,058.05. The funds will be used to purchase tennis and lawn bowling equipment to compliment and expand our existing junior program for children 5 to 15 years of age. The project ties in with the club's overall aim of promoting an active and healthy lifestyle among people of all ages. Children within the community will be able to participate in a new sport and engage in social interaction, thus improving their physical and mental well-being and improving their overall quality of life.

This is not the first year the Brantford Community Foundation has approved grant applications from the club. The Dufferin Tennis Club was successful in acquiring funds for court repairs in 2008 and 2009 for $3,146.02 and $1,569.24, respectively. In 2010, the Dufferin Club received $2,100 to help with the Centennial Celebrations. Thanks to Andrea Hebb and Ron van Pampus for all their hard work in completing and submitting the applications each year.

$50,000 Waterloo Open Women's Tennis Challenger

The Waterloo Tennis Club is hosting the fourth annual WOW Tennis Challenger presented by Victoria Star Motors from Saturday, July 2 to Sunday, July 10. The tournament is an International Tennis Federation event, attracting professional women tennis players from around the world. The prize money has doubled this year to $50,000, attracting a stronger field of players. Come on out and watch some amazing tennis. Admission to all matches is free. Visit www.wowchallenger.com for more info.

Open House - Saturday, April 30

The 2011 season kicks off with a joint Tennis and Lawn Bowling Open House on Saturday, April 30 from 10 am to 3 pm. Information regarding memberships and club activities will be provided and membership and junior tennis camp registrations will be accepted.

Meet our new court staff and Executive members. Non-members are welcome to attend and can play free the entire day. Light refreshments will also available.

Court Access

Courts 4, 5 and 6 are open for those eager to get out and play during the month of April. The front gate onto Court 6 by the clubhouse and lawn bowling greens is unlocked for access onto the courts.  Please close the front gate when you leave.

Summer Job Opportunity

The Dufferin Tennis Club is now accepting applications for our summer Court Staff positions. Applicants must be post-secondary students between 17 and 30 years of age.  Individuals must also be available to work shifts between 9 am and 10 pm seven days a week from Saturday, April 30 to Sunday, October 2, 2011.  Knowledge and experience in tennis would be an asset. Deadline to apply is 4 pm on Friday, March 25, 2011. Click here for a full description of the positions and details on applying.

Upcoming Events

• Dufferin Club Annual General Meeting
  Thurs, Nov 17 @ 7 pm
  Open to all members
  Light refreshments will be provided
  
  
• Calendar of Events
  

2011 Club Champions

• Singles - Brendan Ringrose def Lee Follis 7-5, 6-2
• Singles Consolation - Garry Horsnell def Paul Bakker 6-1, 6-2
• Doubles - Ron Beckett & Lee Follis def Brandon Armstrong & Adis Medanhodzic 6-0, 6-4
• Doubles Consolation - Jim Stephens & Gord Yuill def Les Ringrose & Bill Tsuchida 6-1, 6-1
• Over 40 Singles - Aldo Pignotta def Garry Horsnell 5-6 (retired)
• Over 4 Singles Consolation - Rory Stubbs def Tony Lynch 6-3, 6-4

2010 Club Champions

• Singles - Brendan Ringrose def Nick Parpotta 2-6, 7-6(3),
  6-2
• Singles Consolation - Adam Bakker def Tony Lynch 6-1, 2-6, 6-4
• Doubles - Nick Parpotta & Dave Stewart def Leo Modi & Tony Parpotta 6-4, 6-3
• Doubles Consolation - Martin & Zibby Niejadlik def Adam Bakker & DJ Morrison 6-1, 6-1
• Mixed Doubles - Andrea Hebb & Brendan Ringrose def Anne Douglas & Leo Modi
  4-6, 7-5, 6-3
• Mixed Doubles Consolation - Karen Blackmore & Lee Hendon def Joanne & Peter Munzar 7-5, 7-6(5)
• Over 40 Singles - Ron Beckett def Roger Taylor 6-4, 6-4
• Over 40 Singles Consolation - Garry Horsnell def Paul Bakker 6-1, 6-4
• Under 18 Singles - Lee Follis def Adam Bakker 6-2, 6-3
• Under 12 Singles - Alex Bakker def William Simpson 6-1, 6-0