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‘Green’ teens a big hit at Ouyen tennis

Posted on February 10, 2012

OUYEN teenagers Gus Lynch and Lewis Hahnel are so keen on tennis that they are devoting much of their spare time to making sure the courts and surrounds at Ouyen Lawn Tennis Club are in top shape.

Plans are well in hand for Ouyen Lawn Tennis Club’s annual Labour Day weekend tennis tournament, thanks to teen green-keepers Lewis Hahnel, left, and Gus Lynch, both 15, and fellow volunteers. Photo courtesy Pam Elliott, Ouyen P-12 College.

It’s mostly volunteer work, although the club does give the two 15-year-olds a bit of pocket money in return, but club officials say the boys are worth their weight in gold, helping the club keep costs to a minimum.

The boys have been particularly busy in recent weeks, getting the lawn courts ready for the club’s 30th annual Labour Day Tournament, on March 10, 11 and 12.

Club committeeman and one of the tournament organisers, Deane ‘Spot’ Munro, was high in his praise for the schoolboys, who had accepted the responsibility of mowing the lawns, line-marking, cleaning up the clubhouse and surrounds, removing rubbish and a host of other jobs.

“With the high cost of water and other associated expenses, the club isn’t in a position to pay for a full-time greensperson, so the work the boys are doing, along with other volunteers, helps us survive,” he said.

Deane said the club was hoping for a full field of players for the Labour Day weekend tournament, and has put out the call far and wide for tournament regulars, new players and former residents of the town to come back and have a crack at the men’s and women’s singles and doubles in various grades, and mixed events.

There are also Under 12 and Under 14 events, which traditionally have attracted good entries.

Deane said that in the past, the event had attracted strong support from clubs throughout Sunraysia, and as far away as Echuca, Melbourne, Swan Hill, Ararat and Adelaide, with the ages of participants ranging from six to players in their 70’s.

At its peak the tournament had as many as 18 courts in use at any one time, but rising costs and a decrease in entries has seen that reduced to 10 or 12 courts.

The annual tournament is the club’s major fund-raiser for the year, putting as much as $6000 into club coffers so that expenses can be met.

Deane promised another big weekend of tennis in March, but emphasised that there would be plenty of social events over the three days, with some good prizes on offer, thanks to many long-standing support sponsors. He said the club also has outstanding catering facilities.

Tennis enthusiasts wanting to sign up for the Labour Day weekend tournament, or who want more information, can do so by contacting Greggs Laser Electrical in Ouyen, online at www.ouyen.vic.gov.au under the Ouyen Lawn Tennis Club tab, or contact Lyndal Munro on 50921413, or email spotmun@bigpond.net.au

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