The Comox Valley Tennis Club completed its season-end club tournament under Saturday afternoon’s bright sunny skies. Members competed in singles, doubles and mixed doubles events, all of which were played on Courtenay’s Lewis Park courts over the last two weekends.
Tournament director Don Axtell was pleased that the final event, a hard-fought mixed doubles match, concluded late Saturday afternoon. “We packed a lot in on the last day. Lead-up matches were played in the morning and then, after a hot lunch served on site in conjunction with the club’s annual meeting, the finals were played. With the change in the weather, finishing on Sunday would not have been an option,” said Axtell.
The mixed doubles final was a tough three-set match (7-6, 6-7, 6-3) pitting Rael and Katherine L’Abbe against the eventual winners Jane Beard and Dennis Kostyk. Katherine L’Abbe’s steady ground strokes and sharp angles coupled with Rael’s aggressive left-handed top spin forehand allowed them to tie the match at a set apiece. However, the hard-hitting service returns of Jane Beard and aggressive net play of Dennis Kostyk prevailed in the third and final set. Glayne Axtell/Rob Calder defeated Marjorie Milliken/Mike Gould 7-6, 6-3 for third. In mixed B Doubles it was Fiona Wilson/Vernon Dean over Susan Bosveld-Bowyer/ Mike Bourassa 7-6, 6-4.
In the men’s A singles final an inspired Rob Calder turned the tables on Berend Henckel 6-2, 6-1, who had won their previous encounter during regular season league play. Mike Bourassa defeated Wayne Gornall 7-5, 6-2 for third place. Ron Clough won men’s B singles 6-2, 6-1 over Tom Lagerman.
Marjorie Milliken won the women’s singles event by defeating Susan Bosveld-Bowyer 6-3, 6-2 with consistent serving and steady forehand and backhand ground strokes.
Calder returned to the court with partner Marcel Moose to capture the men’s A doubles over Henckel and Rael L’abbe 6-4, 6-2. Wayne Gornall/Robert Seidlitz defeated Ron Clough/James Patterson 6-0-, 7-5 for third place.
The women’s doubles was won by Joane Arsenault and Danielle Picard over Wendy Prothero and Cynthia Tree 6-2, 6-0.
– Comox Valley Tennis Club
