Southbroom tennis champs wraps up in ‘Steyl’
In the mixed doubles, Wege and Short lifted the trophy, edging out Deanne Purtell and Roos.
Southbroom Tennis Club recently concluded its 2021 championships, with Annamarie Wege emerging as the ladies A division singles winner, Jenny Browne the ladies B division winner, and Christian Steyl the men’s singles winner.
In the final games, Wege beat defending champion Renee Purtell, Browne beat Cornelia Steenkamp, and Steyl beat Kees von Wiele.
In the ladies A division doubles, Renee Purtell and Deanne Purtell beat Wege and her partner, Betsie Tayler.
In the B division, Browne and Tanya Hielckert beat Steenkamp and Liezl Cumming.
The men’s doubles was won by Rolf Gudegast and Richard Short, who fought off a challenge by Jan Roos and Gary Purtell for the top spot.
In the mixed doubles, Wege and Short lifted the trophy, edging out Deanne Purtell and Roos.
The trophies for the most improved players, who are singled out and voted for by their fellow players, were awarded to Jenny Browne and Bernhat Kruger.
This year also saw the introduction of a new trophy, the Purtell Family Trophy, which is for the player who exemplifies the finest spirit of the game during the annual tournament.
The Purtell family has had a long association with the club, and Deanne, the club’s current chairperson, said it was hoped the trophy would encourage sportsmanship. “It’s about developing an attitude of fairness and etiquette in the game tennis,” she said. Emily Peckham was the first recipient.
Commenting on the tournament, Purtell said it was “played in a very good, yet competitive spirit”.
She also thanked Steyl, the convener of the tournament, for the hard work that ensured its success.
“It was very well organised and well run. Communication to all participants and members was top notch.”
She also paid tribute to club member Philip Schaffler, the unofficial photographer, who spent tireless hours at the tournament, and whose photos were regularly posted on the club’s website throughout the competition.
Purtell is excited about the potential of the championships and future of the club.
She said: “There is a nice component of young players in the club. We really want to encourage the junior players, so we would like to include them and invite them to be part of our competitions going forward.”
Her final word was a thanks to the sponsors of the championships. “No serious competition can do without them, and we are very grateful for their support.”
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