NEWSLETTER 1/25
Bill Ritchie
A Past President of the Club, Bill Ritchie died in Christchurch just before Christmas. He made a very significant contribution to the Club over many years as a player and an organiser. His family are inviting those who knew Bill to join them in ‘a social setting’ at the Marlborough Tennis Club on Sunday 9th March between 7pm and 9pm. Light refreshments and drinks from the bar will be provided. If you are planning to attend it would be helpful for the family to confirm that by texting Bill Taylor on 0278680691.
Light Project update
Progress on the installation has been good. A large gate has been installed in the perimeter behind the Pro-Shop building. Part of the hedge was removed and Ian Hale (Club Member) made the gates which were erected by Marlborough Civil. The component parts of the light structure (lights and poles) are on route to Blenheim for storage pending construction of the pole foundations.
Trench and foundation work will start in February (exact date awaits) and about two weeks are then required for foundations to be ready to receive the poles. Findlater is handling the foundations and organising the workflow for installation. Aotea Electrical will position poles and complete the light installation. The lights are made by Lumosa and are pre-set in position in the factory and do not require ‘adjustment on site’. They provided the LED lights that are now in use on Courts 1-5. Accessman is providing the hoist.
While there will be some disruption on site and care will be needed it is not anticipated that any of the courts (Ct 6 in particular) will be out of use.
The lights on Courts 6 and 7 will be linked to the Court Booking system (as are Courts 1-5) and thus will come on and go off automatically as per booking and the time schedule for lights as set by the Club.
Your Club Committee is extremely grateful to all the Members who have been able to make a donation for the project. The original final cost has increased a little as a result of a revised requirement by the structural engineer for a larger foundation size and our decision to install the new entry gate to facilitate access for all the necessary equipment. Originally all equipment would have had to cross some courts and require the temporary removal of perimeter and interior fencing. The new gate is a better option and it will also mean that all three tennis bays now have a large gate access for maintenance and development of the site.
We are close to our total funding needs but if any Member who has not yet been able to make a donation the Club Committee (and is able to do so) then assistance with the final push to success would be greatly appreciated. Our bank details are ‘Marlborough Tennis Club Inc’, account number 03 1355-0517265-00.
On completion of the project a simple board with a list of contributors (names only) will be sited close to the new lights.
Bennett Cup
The history of the Bennett Cup dates back to the mid 1920’s which make it one of the longest standing club tennis ties still going in New Zealand. Teams from the Marlborough Tennis Club and the Nelson Lawn Tennis Club comprising of 12 men and woman compete in doubles, singles and mixed doubles. There are two ties held each season one in Nelson and the other in Blenheim to decide who will hold the impressive cup, which was donated in 1933.
Currently, after the first leg match in Nelson, matches won are equal! The second leg will be played at our Club on Sunday 23rd February 2025. The Club Captains, Stephen Dempster and Taylor Keen, will be selecting the Team but it would be great to get spectator support to help us secure a victory and retake the trophy from Nelson who are the current holders. Do try to look in at some point.