Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. Jan 28 – The Finals of Les Grandes Dames, an international tournament that exemplifies a legacy for the sport of tennis were held at the weekend at BallenIsles Country Club, capping five days of exciting matches in the 30s through 80s age divisions.
BallenIsles members and guests were treated to classic singles and doubles play as 134 players, many of whom are national senior women title holders and world champions, competed in the event sponsored by the Palm Beach Sports Commission and Dermatology Associates of Palm Beach.
CBS News affiliate WPEC-TV was there to pick up the action:
WPEC News 12 – click to view
The women’s 80s divisions attracted some wonderful players this year with world champion Burnette Herrick leading the field into the finals. The 80 singles and doubles were won by Herrick who teamed with her partner Libby Keenan for the doubles. The 70 singles and doubles also saw the #1 seed take both titles when Betty Wachob sailed through the field winning both events without dropping a set. Her partner Kathy Anderson helped her win the doubles title and they were opponents in the singles final. High quality tennis in the younger age divisions saw Jennifer Bishop come through to take the singles title in the 40s. 30s singles champion Fanny Gamble from California won in straight sets to take the title and also took third place in the 40s singles division.
Les Grandes Dames International Tennis Tournament Celebrates 21st Anniversary at BallenIsles Country Club, with five days of exciting matches in the 30s through 80s age divisions. 40s doubles winners and finalists pose with BallenIsles Director of Tennis, Trish Faulkner (center). From Left: Finalists Trish Riddell, (Lakeland, FL) Mary Dailey, (Delray Beach, FL) with Faulkner (center) and winners Jennifer Bishop, (Toronto, ON) / Paula Myslivecek, (Boca Raton, FL).
Fran Chandler, ITF world champion and USA #1 in the 50s took the 50 singles over Helga Immerfall and she and partner Mikie Loomis-Landauer won the 50s doubles consolation. Best match of Sunday was the 40 doubles final between local favorites and #1 seeds, Trish Riddell and Mary Dailey and 40 singles champion Jennifer Bishop from Canada along with the 40s finalist and partner Paula Myslivicek. After three hard fought sets and some classic serve and volleys doubles points, the team of Bishop and Myslivicek won the title. So both Bishop and Wendy McColskey, winner of the 60 singles and doubles with her sister, took home two titles each. Many of these nationally ranked players will return to BallenIsles for the USTA National 40/50 ClayCourts in late October and also for a new ITF event with both Canadian and USA players for men and women 35 – 85 on November 4 -8, 2015.
About BallenIsles Country Club Nestled in the heart of South Florida’s Palm Beach Gardens, BallenIsles (www.BallenIsles.org) is highly regarded as a unique, private residential community with a distinguished history. Home to some of the world’s top professional athletes and business leaders, it boasts 3 championship courses with 54 holes of golf, 22 world class tennis courts and a state-of-the-art Sports Complex.
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Hopkinson NewsMark Public Relations
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