Submitted by Nelson Tennis Club
More than 50 players from all over the Kootenay region and as far away as the Okanagan, the Lower Mainland and even Mexico registered to do battle at the West Kootenay Rob Wright Open Tennis Tournament, hosted by the Nelson Tennis Club from Aug. 19 to 21.
Though the competition was as hot as the mid-afternoon temperatures, the local club players had an excellent showing.
The men’s “A” single title went to Nelson’s Sam Allum, who defeated Jeremy Bell from Vernon. The men’s “A” doubles was an all-local affair with Mike Dickinson and Max Wong defeating Ryan McKinnon and Reynold Stewart.
There was an equally good showing from Nelson in the mixed “A” doubles. Local team Peter Schramm and Ivy Robin defeated teams from Kelowna, Creston and Cranbrook to take the title.
On the women’s side, the 12-year-old rising talent Harlow Horsman from Vancouver took the women’s “A” single title, defeating Supha Wall from Kelowna.
Consolation and “B” event winners from Nelson included Monique Van Gendt, Robin Grinnell, Adam Heislar, Sandra Bernier, Ramon Gariepy, Ron Stinson and Tammy Wright.
The popular tournament is named after Rob Wright — tennis and hockey volunteer, coach-extraordinaire, and joint winner of the Nelson Citizen of the Year Award with Nelson Tennis Club’s president Keith Bridger. Rob passed away in February 2021.
Nelson Tennis Club would like to thank all the players, volunteers, and the following sponsors who made the event possible: Nelson Brewing Company, Kootenay Co-op, Oso Negro, Cowan’s Office Supply, Save-On-Foods, Hume Hotel, Dal’s Soaps, Nelson Box Office, Kutenai Tennis, Golden Set International, and Rareform.