The Ashcroft and District Tennis Association (ADTA) held its annual spring invitational tournament June 13 under ideal weather conditions and contestants produced some of the most nail-biting matches ever.
That said, the tournament pitted the young and the old, mixed pairs, and married team players who competed so differently but passionately when playing for the coveted ADTA trophy and gift certificates sponsored by Clem Dion, Manager of Graymont Western Canada – one of the largest suppliers of lime products in North America.
No one could have predicted what exactly would unfold and the championship match came down to two very contrasting teams - one with a combined age of 145 and the other being only 75.
After the eight-team round robin play and then sudden death playoff elimination, it came down to an epic battle between the will of experience and the stamina of youth.
With only a minute left to go the youthful team of Matthew Kormendy and Colin Franes clawed back from a 5-2 deficit to tie Arno Hellner and Andy Kormendy at six games apiece.
The thirteenth game was at final deuce point when Colin Franes returned a high lob that smashed between Hellner and Kormendy and gave youth the victory at the very last possible opportunity.
There was no need for sadness as this match could have gone either way. Both teams joked about their accomplishments and the fatigue setting in after six hours of match play.
Teams and family members assembled for trophy presentations and barbeque at the Kormendy residence that followed the event. The third place team consisted of Tiger and Vivian Yang. Ms. Yang also received the ADTA sportsmanship award because of her great play in her first tennis tournament ever.
Congratulations to all who played and attended this year’s event. A Fall tournament will take place in late September and the ADTA encourages the public to try tennis as it is a healthy sport that all ages can master.