The Saxmundham Tennis Club Open Day, which took place on Sunday 1st August 2021, attracted around 60 people, including members old and new, and players of all ages and abilities.
Despite the changeable weather - sun one minute, drizzle the next - a good gang of current members were on court to kick off the 9.30am Mixed Doubles tournament, a great start to the day with a particularly formidable winning performance by Barbara.
New members also joined in, and it was a great chance to welcome them along.
In no time at all, the BBQ was lit, deftly captained by Kim, with Jacqui's help in rallying hungry players to its aid. By this time a few more families had arrived and all three courts were very animated, including hosting the Family Cup tournament and some brilliantly played mini-tennis by some very speedy and skilful juniors!
One participant (aged 6) said: "I had the BEST day!" - and he'd never played tennis before!
Meanwhile, club legend Fiona had somehow magicked up a smorgasbord of rolls, fresh salads, and an array of sauces to accompany the mouthwatering mountain of BBQ'ed goodies - plus a selection of incredible homemade cakes. Oh boy, how we have missed those cakes...
Soon after, head coach Matt dynamically herded some more very enthusiastic juniors, helped out by assistant coach Richard.
Meanwhile Bill supervised the hitting wall challenge - also racking up the highest score himself, a staggering 41!
We welcomed 14 new members to the club on the day, including two families.
In an email communication this week to all members, Club Secretary Fiona Foreman said:
"Firstly welcome to all our new members who joined us at our Open Day on Sunday.
We hope you find us a friendly club and get to play and enjoy plenty of tennis.
I would like thank everyone who attended and helped make the Open Day a success, braving the frequent showers that did their best to ruin the day but didn't succeed.
Congratulations to Barbara and Bill for winning the tournament and to Bill (again!) for getting the highest score at the hitting wall challenge.
Particular thanks go to Kim - firstly for manning the BBQ, never leaving his post all day, and secondly for making the scrumptious coleslaw (a man of many talents!). He has been nominated by me as chief BBQ chef for all future tennis get-togethers!
[Also thanks to] Judy for the wonderful Waldorf salad, Jo, Jackie and Roger, Jennie, Sharon, Nicky, Chris, David for their help and Shirley who was here there and everywhere.
And of course Matt. Without him there would be no Open Day and the club wouldn't be what it is today."
Full of hotdogs, salads, burgers, and cake, the day ended for all at 3.30pm, after the very popular adult coaching session.
The Open Day was arranged at short notice on this date because of Covid-19 putting paid to our usual May date.
It was great to see members, new and old, come together and knock some balls about in very happy spirits, and well done to everyone who organised and helped out on the day, from putting out tables to clearing away tea mugs, and everyone who turned up.
It was another great day for the ever-popular and friendly club that is Sax.
Take that, Covid!
The next Saxmundham Tennis Club Open Day is planned to return in May 2022.
Photo gallery with thanks to our roving photographer Shirley
