The annual Senior Open tournament sponsored by Chrystals Estate Agents commences at the Ballaughton club on Saturday and all players will be notified by e-mail of their first match time. The entry for the men’s Singles is good and will be run as a progressive event using the ratings system. Sadly the women’s entry is not good and I think the referee, Ian Watson would accept late entries for this event. The doubles entry is quite good. Players please remember that if you haven’t paid your entry fee, this is due before you play your first match. Finals Day is Sunday 7 August and prizes will be presented by Shane Magee of Chrystals.

Tickets for the “50yrs at Ballaughton Dinner” on Friday 7 October at The Empress Hotel will be available from committee members next week. Tickets are ?25 a three course meal and reception drink but registered members of the club will have a ?5 discount. Our guest of honour will be the President of the Lawn Tennis Association, Mrs Cathie Sabin and her husband. During the evening our major fundraising Tombola will be drawn . There are many attractive prizes and books of tickets will be available from next weekend. All members will be asked to sell at least one book of 10 tickets, although the committee hope members will try to sell more. Proceeds will be used to clear the loans taken out by the club to pay for re-surfacing our courts with first class cushioned acrylic which everyone agrees is a great success.

The annual President’s Day tournament will be held on Sunday 25 September and as usual will be a senior/junior event with each senior having a junior partner and seniors only allowed one serve per point.