THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE KOOYONG LAWN TENNIS CLUB INC. ISSUE NUMBER 36 APRIL 2014 NISHIKORI WINS FIRST AAMI CLASSIC TITLE around the club 3 Always a highlight on the social calendar so make sure you’re there. Men Win Victorian ATL Title It was close to the perfect afternoon in late November as both Kooyong teams strived to book their place at the Asia Pacific Tennis League Playoff at Andrew Coelho, Rubin Statham, Marc Polmans, Daniel Byrnes and David Bidmeade were all the Australian Open. smiles after winning the Victorian ATL title The men, starting red hot favourites, had ones by defeating Tammi Patterson 4/1 Nolan and also Statham and Byrnes. taken all before them in the minor rounds 4/3 but RSY came straight back with a This gripping victory moved the side into but knew they still had the job ahead of win of their own as Storm Sanders a semi final against an extremely strong them to defeat the determined Dingley defeated Sally Peers 4/2 4/0. and talented Brisbane Chargers team Dingoes who boasted an extremely The crucial number two spot saw and the addition of John Peers certainly talented side. And it had had to be done Annabelle Andrinopoulos take on her helped even up the odds. without one of their stars, Andrew familiar foe, Sam Harris, and she started Rubin Statham again showed his class Whittington, who was overseas playing in well by winning the first set 4/2 but it was with a fighting three set win over Kaden the Cambodian ITF title decider. Harris who rose to the occasion in the Hensel while John Peers went down in a Any doubts about the Kooyong side’s second set to take it in a tiebreak before heartbreaking third set tiebreaker. favouritism were quickly erased as Rubin running away with the match 4/1 in the Daniel Byrnes again came up big with a Statham and Andrew Coelho skipped out third set. great win over Michael Look while Gavin to early leads on the back of some Ellen Perez wasn’t going die wondering Van Peperzeel proved to be too strong for powerful hitting against their respective and she dug deep to put Kooyong back in David Bidmeade leaving Kooyong a set opponents, James Lemke and Matt it with a huge three set win over Azra down going into the doubles. THE 2014 Carroll. Statham and Coelho didn’t let up Hadzic to make it level on rubbers, sets Unfortunately the boys fell a set short as as they asserted their dominance on the and games going into the doubles. contest and set the tone for the day with Brisbane took one doubles in straight Rodionova and Perez again teamed well 4/2 4/1 wins by both. sets and Kooyong won the other in the in the doubles to defeat Patterson and same manner. Daniel Byrnes then faced off with Dingley Hadzic as they had done in round 2 to win This left the team to playoff for fourth captain Daniel Wendler as rising star 4/1 4/3 but it was the dominance of position against a very strong Japanese Marc Polmans took on Anthony Zafiris. Storm Sanders and Sam Harris in the team and despite two great wins to Byrnes lost a tight first set after being final doubles match that sealed the win Statham and Peers in singles, an injury to broken when 3/2 down while Polmans for RSY as they defeated Peers and Kate Byrnes made things very tough for the FUNCTIONS & EVENTS made very few errors as he quickly took Antosik 4/1 4/0 to take the title by just Kooyong side. the first set 4/0. three games. Come and celebrate They fought on into the doubles but Polmans continued to mount the In the finals, played in the second week of unfortunately lost both in match the fantastic achievements pressure on Zafiris and took the match the Australian Open, the men showed tiebreakers to finish in fourth spot despite 4/0 4/0 while Byrnes began to get on why they were a force in the competition a fantastic effort from all involved. of our sporting stars as we celebrate top of Wendler with just a set needed to when they defeated Canberra Velocity in a our Club Championships winners in tennis, ensure victory which he claimed 4/2 to nail biting contest. end the day in impressive fashion. The players all enjoyed the squash, billiards, snooker and bridge. Despite the loss of Andrew Whittington, The women’s final wasn’t quite as one Andrew Coelho and Marc Polmans, the format and look forward to sided as two of Australia’s best teams team delivered with fantastic wins in THURSDAY 5TH JUNE AT 7PM, THE KOOYONG ROOM went head to head in a very entertaining singles from Rubin Statham and Daniel the competition’s continued clash. Kooyong struck first when Arina Byrnes and two hard fought doubles wins Booking forms are available from reception or on our website. Rodionva won the battle of the number by David Bidmeade and rising star Daniel growth in years to come. www.kooyong.com.au 2 COURTSIDE – APRIL 2014 CONTENTS 5 COURT THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE KOOYONG LAWN TENNIS CLUB INC. AAMI Classic Can the Club and the Foundation do more embraced by our Members. Of course After only a very short time in the chair, for junior development? our network of reciprocal Clubs overseas ISSUE NUMBER 36 MARCH 2014 continues to grow especially as our IMG’s Director of Tennis in Australia There are always many deserving cases Members recommend clubs to Kooyong Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Inc. and Kooyong’s new AAMI Kooyong for player support and ideas for more 489 Glenferrie Road Classic tournament director Brian or broader programs for developing that they have visited around the world. Kooyong VIC 3144 Cooney has worked with the Club to Australian racquet sport talent and with (03) 9822 3333 successfully deliver the 2014 and 26th the generous financial support of Club (03) 9822 5248 AAMI Classic. Kooyong is delighted Members and tennis enthusiasts the www.kooyong.com.au to have the involvement of one of Club’s programs will continue to evolve [email protected] the most experienced and successful and expand. Hopefully in the not too Ian Hill 17 177 846 072 worldwide sports marketing, sporting distant future it will proudly contribute to FUNCTIONS & EVENTS A0039994S and entertainment event companies with an Australian achieving major success on President deep connections with Australian and the world stage. Contact CEO Chris Brown 6 3 Men Win Victorian ATL Title International tennis. Kooyong and IMG are if you would like to learn more about how 5 Message from the CEO KOOYONG LAWN TENNIS CLUB looking forward to greater engagement you could support these programs. COMMITTEE with Kooyong members and the broader Victorian tennis community and to Social Events 5 President's Message Ian Hill - President Peter Carew - Vice-President re-invigorating the event in 2015. The Good people are the cornerstone to a AAMI Classic 6 Brian Capp - Vice-President event committee is currently considering successful organisation and at Kooyong we Joe Dicks - Treasurer a number of possible event changes to are blessed to have a number of Members 8 Club Championships increase the importance of the AAMI who volunteer their time to add to the Members of Committee Classic as the premier lead up event to the opportunities to enjoy the Club. Our social 12 Foundation News Rowena Cole Australian Open. groups are really making a big difference around the Club with most groups enjoying 13 Foundation News: Adam Cossar Club Championships The periods leading up to Christmas and Aussie Open Success Cam Dickinson record numbers, booked out events and the early part of the year have been Richard Kennett Whilst on the topic of events, our 2014 glowing reports from Members. Some of Club Championships were arguably the extremely busy. That time included a win 14 Wayne Arthurs Cup Fiona Law the successful events in 2014 so far have in the local competition by our ATL men 8 most popular ever despite the weather Duncan McCulloch been a big Social Committee Round Robin and the team went on to compete in the 16 Oceania Seniors Event Margot McCluskey god’s attempts to derail proceedings. afternoon on grass, the packed Royal finals during the Australian Open. The Darren O’Loughlin Nearly 500 members took part again this Children’s Hospital Kooyong Auxiliaries Open also provided an opportunity for 17 Summer Comp News year in the tennis championships and Tennis Day, Wine & Food dinners and Chris Brown - CEO a number of our Members to showcase congratulations go to our Open singles the inaugural and highly popular Young their development and we congratulate 18 Pennant Profiles Committee Members may be contacted winners Matt Carroll & Kate Antosik. Members AAMI Classic event. several of our Kooyong Foundation at any time through reception. Our Club Championships are one of Scholarship Players who achieved their 19 Premier League the biggest tennis championships in Membership Value best results over the two weeks. Club Australia both in number of participants 20 Pennant Preview As I have reported previously to Members, Championships were completed and the PUBLISHERS and number of events. It is a significant your Committee continue to seek out involvement of almost 500 Members Courtside magazine edited by 22 Junior Competition News logistical exercise managed brilliantly by opportunities to add further value to makes them one of the most successful Daniel O’Neill our tennis staff.