SOCIAL tennis fans and players gathered on Sunday to honour former Northam Tennis Club member Michael O'Neill on the fifth anniversary of his passing.
O'Neill was a well liked and respected member of the club who was a staunch supporter of all things tennis.
He was a talented player who competed in pennants, served on the committee and volunteered much of his time towards maintaining the courts.
With the first hot day at tennis for the year, play conditions were altered after the first round with a self-handicapping system put in place as well as a 20 minute time limit for each match.
The handicap required players to deduct a game point for every game they were ahead - so if a player was ahead 3-2, they began the following game with a score of -15. Individual scores were tallied over the afternoon and prizes, in honour of O'Neill, were awarded to the best male and female player on the day.
Congratulations to Cathy North, who won on a count back, with Bev Young coming second and to Daniel Vernede.
During the tea break Lynton Bowen added to his top tennis tips with the following advice for players looking to improve their tennis:
When preparing for a shot, a player is at an advantage when using the 'split step' approach.
This means repeatedly jumping towards the opponent's side of the court with one's feet apart to improve one's balance before turning to strike through the ball. Simply put keep your feet moving!
In pennants this week Northam hosted Cunderdin and won the day with a score of 17-13 sets.
Congratulations to both Kellie Podmore and Bev Young who won all of their six sets.
Next week Northam travels to Quairading and will hopefully make it three from three.
Wednesday social tennis continues to draw players with four courts in action again last week, particularly as the ladies were warming up for and eyeing off the competition for this week's Northam Doubles Ladies Open Day to be held today from 9am at the Northam Lawn Tennis Club.
If you would like more information please contact ladies captain Jo Hill at Sportspower.
For those wishing to play tennis, social tennis is played on Wednesday mornings from 9am and Sunday afternoons from 1.30pm.
Pennants is played on Saturday afternoons and junior coaching takes place on Wednesdays from 3.30-6.30pm.
This season new members receive a once off half price membership fee applying to singles, family and junior memberships.
Next Sunday is the club's annual Smash Cancer Day where players wear all things pink and eat pink for afternoon tea to raise awareness of and support cancer research.
Contact club captain Kirsten Arthur on 9622 9787 for further details.
