Tuesday, April 23, 2024
April 23, 2024

Junior open sees tough competition

Portlock Park was the spot for exciting junior tennis play when the Gulf Islands Junior Open took place over the Aug. 25-26 weekend.

Salt Spring player Scott Goddard had a great weekend at the boys U12 event, taking down the first and third seeds on his way to the finals where he lost to George Leith Murray from Victoria in a third set tiebreaker (4-1, 0-4 and 7-2).

Sixteen players competed in a compass draw format over the weekend, each playing four matches. Salt Springers Sisaye Patterson, Sam Barrett, Ronan Wardroper, Toby Beardsmore and Noah Logan all competed well with players coming from Vancouver, Abbotsford and Victoria.

Jag Singh Sanghera of Surrey won third place, defeating Evan Chen from Coquitlam 2-4, 5-3 and 7-4 in a tiebreaker.

In the U10 Future Stars event, Charlie Murray of Victoria was undefeated in the group round robin, where Nate Kray-Gibson of Salt Spring performed well with a fourth-place finish. Future Stars events are full court matches using green dot balls for a slightly slower pace.

The Sportsmanship Award was awarded to Sam Barrett for showing outstanding character in reversing a call in his opponent’s favour on match point. His gesture was one of integrity and in the spirit of true competition, coming on the final point of a very hard fought match.

Tournament director Marjorie Blackwood thanked the volunteers and Salt Spring Tennis Association junior committee, PARC for allowing use of the courts, and Country Grocer and Glad’s Ice Cream for contributing goodies for the competitors to enjoy.

Blackwood and fellow Centre Court indoor coach Peter Schelling say they are looking forward to expanding junior tennis lessons and events this fall with the addition of a second indoor court ready by Oct. 1.

Sign up for our newsletter and stay informed

Receive news headlines every week with our free email newsletter.

Other stories you might like

‘Heart and soul’ goes into Gabriel’s Kitchen

By Marcia Jansen Driftwood Contributor A growing mix of Salt Springers gets together every Thursday to cook and share dinner at the All Saints by-the-Sea...

Lumley deal inked, funding needed

Conservation project would protect ‘gold’ wetland A purchase price has been negotiated for the BC Parks Foundation to acquire a remarkable 31-acre parcel on the...

LTC ends proactive enforcement on short-term rentals

Officials on Salt Spring have dropped proactive enforcement against short-term vacation rentals (STVRs), ending a prioritizing policy in place by standing resolution, in one...

Clam garden visits, art among grant recipients

Several Salt Spring Island community organizations are getting a boost this year from one foundation, which announced grant funding to help support Indigenous cultural...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Weather

Salt Spring Island
overcast clouds
11.9 ° C
11.9 °
11.9 °
52 %
2kmh
92 %
Tue
12 °
Wed
12 °
Thu
9 °
Fri
11 °
Sat
11 °