The recent Rob Wright West Kootenay Open (RWWKO) Tournament, hosted by the Nelson Tennis Club (NTC) and Tournament Director Ron Stinson, drew 68 entries with participants coming from Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and Creston. Although now BC-based, participants hailed from countries as far away as Mexico, China, Korea, Syria, Qatar and Iran. Tennis is a global international sport and it was evident at this year‘s tournament with different languages filling the air such as French, Arabic and Farsi.
Nelson Tennis Club had some of its best results ever, despite the fierce competition with many matches going to tiebreaks. In the Women’s A Doubles, there was a three-way tie, which resorted to having to count the number of games won by each team, with Ivy Robin and Brenda Thomas of the NTC emerging victorious. In Mixed A Doubles, after losing the first set 5-7, Peter Schramm and Emma Nassr, both of Nelson, stormed back to win the second set 6-3 and the tiebreak 10-7.
This year, local Nelson junior tennis players from head coach Matt Martin’s Junior Development Program produced some impressive results at the 28th annual RWWKO. Katherine Naul won the Women’s Singles A event, Bennet Dickinson was runner-up in the Men’s B Singles and was also runner-up with Roman Van’tland in the Men’s Doubles B Consolation.
Adam Heisler of Salmo won the Men’s A Singles, with Tayyeb Moradi of Kelowna and Cade McCarthy of Nelson, taking the Men’s A Doubles. Women’s B Doubles was won by Melanie Beaulac and Catherine Locke, both of Nelson, with Melanie Beaulac also winning Mixed Doubles B with partner David Russell-Loewen of Nelson. Men’s B Singles was won by Caleb Jones of Kelowna as well as winning Men’s B Doubles with Frank Benzce of Vernon.
There was a great barbecue Saturday evening and wonderful prizes thanks to the sponsors Kootenay Co-op, Oso Negro, Hume Hotel, Save-On-Foods, Safeway, Nelson Brewing Company, Mallard’s Source for Sports, Cantina Del Centro, Pro Shop NTC, Kutenai Tennis, Nelson Box Office, Dal’s Soap, Golden Set and Cartolina. Thanks also to Monique St Louis and Max Wong for their help with the draw.
