Midland

For The Love Of The Game

The local tennis club will be hosting a tournament next month

Posted By BY CHRISTINA BERNARDO

Posted 2 years ago

The Penetanguishene Tennis Club is gearing up for the Midland Tours Simcoe County Invitational, which will take place early next month.

Brian Dubeau, an organizer of the event, said the tournament will attract about 30 men and women from tennis clubs across the county including Barrie, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Orillia, Midland Penetanguishene.

He said the level of players, on a scale of one to five, according to the Ontario Tennis Association, would be three to 3.5.

"Average to a little better," he said. Anyone can participate in the tournament; contact Mike Hamelin, tournament chairman, at 526-3113. The entry fee is $10.

Previous winners have come from Kingston, London, Midland and Penetanguishene.

Last year's winners in the men's category were Dubeau and his brother John. There was no women's category last year.

Dubeau knows about five women who will compete in this year's tournament.

It is with high hopes that Anne Merkley, a former Canadian juniors champion, will compete.

The tournament was started in 1980 by Dubeau, his brother John and Mike Hamelin.

"We host this to promote tennis in Simcoe County, especially in the Pentenguishene and Midland area" Dubeau said. "Tennis is a great sport for exercise. It's a great sport for people to enjoy the outdoors and we'd like to keep the intensity of the Penetang tennis club alive, which has been going on for 60-odd years."

The men's and women's doubles tournament will take place July 5 from 8:30 a. m. until 4 p. m. at all four club courts -Municipal Park and McGuire Park.

Penetanguishene Tennis Club

The club has been operational for more than 60 years; it currently has about 35 men and women - club members are from

Penetanguishene and Midland;

The club offers Tuesday and Thursday evening mixed doubles league as well as men's doubles and singles leagues;

Club memberships can be purchased at the Penetanguishene Town office;

Dubeau said if it wasn't for the town upkeeping it's club's courts members would not be able to play.

Brian Dubeau

64 years old, Dubeau born and raised in Penetanguishene;

He has been an active member of the local tennis club since he was 10 years old;

He plays tennis recreationally, and has competed against and with his brother John.

He will compete in the July tournament.

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