THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE KOOYONG LAWN TENNIS CLUB INC. ISSUE NUMBER 29 DECEMBER 2011 AAMI CLASSIC 2012 PREMIER A Place In History KOOYONG CLUB LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS COURTSIDE – DECEMBER 2011 1 KOOYONG, JANUARY 11TH-14TH 2012. BOOK AT 136 100, OR GO TO WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM.AU WWW.AAMICLASSIC.COM.AU 2 COURTSIDE – DECEMBER 2011 Tennis Legends’ Lunch ooyong again hosted a wonderful She is also one of only a handful able to capture 5 major titles including afternoon of entertainment as the of players who have won both the winning the Australian Open Doubles K last two Australians to win the Australian Open Junior and Senior title in 1980, 1981, 1983 and 1984. Australian Open returned to the scene of Championship after she won the junior Mark captured six career singles titles their victory. event in 1973. and 34 career doubles titles while also Chris O’Neil and Mark Edmondson were She now runs the O’Neil School of having a fantastic Davis Cup career guests of the Kooyong Foundation and Tennis at Morisset near Newcastle and where he finished with a 19-10 win reminisced about their famous triumphs still loves being involved with tennis. loss record. on Kooyong’s centre court while Tennis Mark Edmonson also spoke of his He spoke of the team atmosphere Australia’s Craig Tiley also updated the fondness of Kooyong and his famous created by the captain Neale Fraser enthusiastic tennis guests on the state win over John Newcombe in the 1976 and the Australians at the time and their of Australian tennis. Australian Open final. want to ensure the team succeeded. Chris and Mark’s stories were inspirational A rank outsider for the title, the world Mark was also inducted into the and contributed to a fantastic day for both number 212 came through a fantastic Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 2007. Members and their guests. field containing some of this country’s It was a fantastic insight into two Chris told of how she had nearly given up greatest players to win the title. great Australian tennis players and on the grind of touring life, the loneliness The 21 year old defeated top seed Ken their wonderful achievements here of touring life proving too much, and Rosewall in the semi final 6/1 2/6 6/2 6/4 at Kooyong and a day that will allow went into the event unseeded. before taking on Newcombe in the final. the Kooyong Foundation to continue In the semi final Chris was able to defeat their hard work in the area of junior Newcombe was able to take the first Diane Evers, who had knocked out top development in Australia. set in a tiebreaker but Mark fought back seed Sue Barker, 6/0 6/3 and then went to win in four sets 6/7 6/3 7/6 6/1. He Everyone enjoyed a wonderful day filled on defeat America’s Betsy Nagelsen in a is still the lowest ranked player to win a with great tennis stories made famous by tight match 6/3 7/6. major title since the ATP rankings were scenes of triumph right here at Kooyong She became the first unseeded woman introduced in 1973. Lawn Tennis Club and hopefully we see to win the Australian title in the Open the next wave of champions grace our Mark spoke of his love for the touring life, era and this feat went unmatched until courts in the future. in stark contrast to Chris, and how he Serena Williams, then ranked 81, won enjoyed travelling all around the world. the event in 2007. Picture: Michael Clayton-Jones. He enjoyed considerable success Courtesy of The Age. Chris spoke of her achievement and especially in doubles where he was how fantastic but unexpected it was at the time. COURTSIDE – DECEMBER 2011 3 CONTENTS COURT THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE KOOYONG LAWN TENNIS CLUB INC. ISSUE NUMBER 29 DECEMBER 2011 Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Inc. 489 Glenferrie Road Kooyong VIC 3144 Phone: (03) 9822 3333 Fax: (03) 9822 5248 Website: www.kooyong.com.au Email: [email protected] 8 ?NG<MBHGL>O>GML ABN: 17 177 846 072 3 Tennis Legends’ Lunch Reg. No: A0039994S 5 President’s Message 5 A Message From The Ceo KOOYONG LAWN TENNIS CLUB 6 Men Fall At The Last Hurdle COMMITTEE 7 Women Go Back To Back Ian Hill - President 8 2012 Aami Classic David Wilson - Vice-President 10 Belinda Woolcock Helps Brian Capp - Vice-President Australia Win Junior Fed Cup Des Hinsley - Treasurer 13 The Wayne Arthurs Cup Members of Committee 14 Grass Court Opening Peter Carew Adam Cossar 15 Reciprocal Clubs Cam Dickinson 16 16 Community Clubs Award Richard Kennett 17 The 2011 Inter Club Wine Challenge Fiona Law 18 Foundation Stars Make Duncan McCulloch State Teams Margot McCluskey Darren O’Loughlin 18 Membership Suspension 19 President’s Cup Start Tees Off Chris Brown - CEO On Grass Courts Committee Members may be contacted 20 Members Have Masters Success at any time through reception. 21 Squash Legend Honoured 21 Rotary Footy Tipping Competition PUBLISHERS To Support Charities Courtside magazine edited by 22 A Place In History Daniel O’Neill 23 The Inaugural Tony Ryan Cup 28 Membership Enquiries 23 Terry Fraser Reaches Kylie Polidano Another Milestone [email protected] 24 Stars On The Rise Tennis Enquiries 25 Women’s Teams Find The Cedric Mason Right Balance [email protected] 26 National Tennis League 26 Tennis Victoria Rewards Star Juniors Functions Enquiries Kristina McArdle 27 Pennant Profiles [email protected] 27 Junior Competition News Design & Production 29 Kooyong International Mustard Creative Media Tennis Academy [email protected] 30 Mid Week Ladies Report 32 31 Bridge News 31 Billiards & Snooker Report KOOYONG CORPORATE MEMBERS 32 Squash News AAMI 34 Crèche News Australian Fabric Laminators 34 Royal Childrens BUPA Hospital Auxiliary Duncan Thompson Building Concepts 35 The Social Committee Endeavour Shipbrokers 36 Wine & Food Society Mercedes Benz 37 Health Club News Montague Cold Storage 38 Diary Dates Ozito Industries Staff Australia 4 COURTSIDE – DECEMBER 2011 Zanity As we close our year at Kooyong, we look forward with great anticipation to the annual summer of tennis. Our own grass courts have reopened for the season and look well prepared Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club has changed AAMI Classic for the rigours of the season to come. over the years and it had to. The facilities are On the topic of pride of membership, it better and more expansive and membership The AAMI Classic returns on the 11th seems that Members love the fact that numbers have increased, however, we are to the 14th January and there are Kooyong is a member of the international still a world leading sporting club with tennis excellent opportunities for Kooyong tennis world by virtue of hosting the world at the heart of our being. members to enjoy the best tennis. class AAMI Classic each January. Has the essence that is Kooyong been lost This year will see the return of as a result of changes over the years? However, the Club needs more Members Andy Roddick, with several other to get up close and personal with the drawcards including Thomas The Community Club’s Association of event by purchasing tickets rather than Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and local Victoria doesn’t believe this to be the case simply enjoying the prestige of the event homegrown talent Bernard Tomic. having awarded Kooyong the Best Club from a distance. Redevelopment award in 2010. Tickets are available through The Tennis Community Ticketmaster and corporate They said that Kooyong has retained opportunities are also available. As Tennis Victoria’s largest stakeholder, that “Clubiness” feel, hard to describe Check the website at one would rightly expect that Tennis yet it is that priceless atmosphere that is www.aamiclassic.com.au for Victoria’s other Member Clubs would take quintessentially Kooyong. further details. a closer look at what Kooyong contributes Kooyong can be busy at times but rather to tennis in this State and how that benefits It is also a great time to contact than detracting from the experience, their Club before finding any reason what our functions staff about your people make the place tick. so ever to knock our great Club. upcoming needs and special events up to Christmas and for the New The noisy bar, the quieter yet friendly Our Club has been one of, if not the most Year to come. Members’ lounge, the chatter on the generous contributor to junior player balcony and the good spirit of Members development in this State for many years. I wish all Members a wonderful and guests enjoying Kooyong simply adds Christmas and look forward to great to the theatre and the richness of the Our Club has generously and frequently times at Kooyong in 2012. Kooyong experience. made courts and other facilities available to the Victorian and Australian tennis family Chris Brown The diversity of Members has also and via our Kooyong Foundation initiated, CEO - Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club played a major part in our success and developed and funded the Alicia Molik attractiveness to future Members. Cup for 12 and under kids and the Wayne It’s a message I have reiterated on many Arthurs Cup for 10 and under kids. occasions to Members. It’s my opinion These young tennis players understand Supporting Country Tennis that to cater to and appeal to just one and appreciate the significance of After the 2011 Victorian floods our segment or demographic to the exclusion playing at Kooyong, the spiritual home of Committee decided to adopt a country of all others in our sport and leisure space Australian tennis.