Nelson Tennis Club plays host to Rob Wright West Kootenay Open
By Contributor
The smoky skies didn’t deter a strong-turn out for the Rob Wright West Kootenay Open tournament held at the Nelson Tennis Club between August 18-20.
More than 50 entrants came from as far afield as Fernie, Kelowna and beyond, with the local talent sweeping the bulk of the hardware and entertaining the appreciative spectators.
On the singles front, Nelson players Emma Grinnell took the women’s title while Sam Allum, captured the men’s title.
Allum was also on the winning side in the men’s doubles, joining fellow local, Mike Dickinson to take the title.
The women’s doubles winners were another all-Nelson team, Ivy Robin and Simone Simpson.
For the mixed doubles final, the Fernie duo of Dan Gordon and Sara McFarlene took top spot.
In the B division, Dan Gordon won the men’s singles, and Keith Bridger and Angus Glass, the men’s doubles.
Many thanks to Ron Stinson, with support from Max Wong, for organizing the tournament.
The the event could not have been possible without the generous sponsorship from the Hume Hotel, Nelson Brewing, Oso Negro, Nelson Box Office, RAREFORM, Save on Foods, Dal’s Soap, Kootenay Co-op, Golden Set International, and Dobson Dentistry.
Rob Wright was central to the tennis community and, with NTC President Keith Bridger, spearheaded the revitalization of the courts — together with the development of the pickleball ball courts and multi-use area — at L.V. Rogers High School.
Sam Allum, who also won the men’s singles, is pictured with partner Mike Dickinson holding the men’s doubles trophy. — Submitted
