James Murphy
THE 57th Easter Tennis Tournament will attract over 200 players to the Lucindale Country Club for its annual feature event.
The tournament will be run over three days from April 7-9 and is set to attract competitors from across the Limestone Coast, as well as Adelaide and western Victoria.
“Easter is one of the biggest fundraisers for our club each year and it is also the biggest event in terms of the number of people who come to the Lucindale Country Club,” Easter Tournament director Eliza Handbury said.
“We will expect to have well over 200 players throughout the weekend.”
Camping is available on site and many attendees are expected to stay for the whole weekend of competition.
In total there are 28 events, ranging from the Open categories through to the junior ranks.
Entries – which close today – have flooded in and one event has already been capped to ensure all games could fit into the designated timeslot.
“The Open mixed doubles event is our most popular day and that is on the Friday,” Handbury said.
“We have huge entries for that and for the first time have actually had to cap it.
“There are 55 pairs entered in the mixed doubles for the four different grades.”
Along with South East players, including entries from the the Southern Ports and Mount Gambier and District Tennis Associations, the tournament has also attracted talent from the state’s capital.
“We get a lot of players out of Adelaide,” Handbury said.
“McLaren Vale has been coming for a long time and they are big supporters.
“I believe there are over 50 players coming from McLaren Vale.
“Another club that came for the first time last year was Broadview Tennis Club – they have huge numbers as well.”
While tennis is the main drawcard, there are plenty of events on offer for those chasing a slower pace.
“There are a couple of days of golf tournaments as well,” Handbury said.
“Night golf is always popular and that is always played with the full moon on Good Friday.
“Then we are running our quiz night on the Saturday night.”
The weekend will conclude with a performance from regular visitor Wizzbang the Wizard, who will put on a show for the kids on Sunday night at the clubhouse.
The entire event will be catered by Country Club volunteers, along with several food trucks which will provide a variety of dining options throughout the weekend.
