Parkes Tennis Club will stage its annual Club Championships Singles this Sunday from 9am. The A and B Grades will see a good mix of experience and youth. Young Jake Magill of Bogan Gate will be searching for his fourth consecutive A Grade title. His biggest threat will come from good mate Ben Evans who has been in encouraging form the past couple of months. There will be no lack of power. If they meet in the final it will be entertaining tennis.
The B Grade may be somewhat of a lottery with defending champion James Fisher indicating his intention to play although his racquet has been firmly entrenched in the back shed for the entire year. Brendon Hunt has been a big improver this year and is the Ace’s pick in this group.
In the Ladies A Grade it will be a challenge for the young guns to see if they can work out a way to utilise their speed and skill to overcome the precision and guile of defending champ Helen Magill. Helen has taught most of them their craft so she knows their weaknesses, but as the years pass, Helen is slowing down and the teen brigade need to take advantage of this.
The Ladies B Grade is an unknown as entries are yet to close. The honour boards in the clubhouse tell the story of the first Parkes Town Tennis Club Championships held way back in 1953 with Vi Philpott (mother of current committee and Life Member Lyn Pengilly) taking out the Ladies Singles title. Many visitors comment on the history of the club when they peruse the photo and honour boards.