OM Court Games Club

HISTORY

In 1934 a Court Games Club was founded to encourage the interest of OMs in playing rackets, tennis and squash, and to make certain that teams were entered for the Noel Bruce (rackets), Henry Leaf (tennis), D'Abernon (lawn tennis) and Londonderry (squash) competitions. Whilst OMs still enter the Noel Bruce competition, most of the rackets takes place at the courts in Malvern.

For Rackets, please contact Mark Hubbard
Ron Hughes is honoured in the annual Memorial Day, held at Moreton Morrell Real Tennis Club in October; an occasion which continues to appeal to players of all generations.

For Real Tennis, please contact Philip Shaw-Hamilton

LATEST NEWS

In May 2022 it was delightful to report that five OMs played in the Real Tennis World Masters Tournament held in France, competing against teams from the USA, Australia, and France. Four players represented GB in the various tournaments and two became World Champions of their age group.

Jonathan Fisher (5.66-71) reached the quarter-finals of the over-65 doubles and over-65 singles in Bordeaux, losing to Mark Nicholls (9.70-74) both times. He did, however, win the final of the over-65 doubles plate competition with Marek Stepanovicz.

Mark Nicholls (9.70-74) played 1st pair for the GB over-60s team in the Bostwick Cup (team of three singles and two doubles) in Bordeaux, easily beating the French pair in the semi-final, and then clinching a hard-fought victory over Australia in the finals. He lost in the finals of the over-65 singles to John Prenn but then, with John as a partner, became the World Champions in the over-65 doubles! He also reached the semi-finals of the over-60s doubles.

Philip Shaw-Hamilton (3.65-70) captained the GB over-70s team in the Danby Trophy (three doubles) which beat the USA, France and Australia 3-0 in each match. He won both the over-70s singles and doubles to become a double World Champion!

Simon Shenkman (6.77-82) played singles for GB over-50s team in the Cockram Trophy (three singles and two doubles) in Paris beating the Australians in the semi-final and the French in the final. He reached the quarter-final of the individual over-50s singles and doubles.

Nigel Draffan and Philip Shaw-Hamilton also won the National over-70s doubles held at Wellington College in April, and Philip also won the singles.

Tom Bomford (7.94-99) comfortably retained his Club Champion status at Moreton Morrell Tennis Court Club. According to the Chairman, Sir Andrew Hamilton, he is undoubtedly the best player in the history of the club.

Court Games Club: Rackets

It is good to record that we had five OMs in the British Open Singles Championships in January 2023: Mark Hubbard (SH.87-92), Tom Bomford (7.94-99), Ben Bomford (7.92-97), Ryan Tulley (2.95-00) and Will Annetts (9.12-17), with Ryan and Will making it to the round of 16 and Ben to the quarter-finals. Later in January we were delighted to record that Will had won the Canadian Amateur Singles Championship. Three OMs (Mark, Ryan and Ben) competed in the Pro Singles Competition in February, with Ben making the final. There are now two OMs (Ben and Will) in the top-20 Elite Men’s World Singles rankings, a great testament to the strength in depth of OM rackets.

We are delighted to report that in 2021 Guy Davies (6.60-63) won the British over-75 Squash Championship.

We are proud to report that five OMs played in the Real Tennis World Masters Tournament held in France in May 2022, competing against teams from the USA, Australia, and France. Four players represented GB in the various tournaments and two have become World Champions of their age group.

Nigel Draffan (1.64-69) played 1st pair for the GB over-70s team in the Danby Trophy (team of three doubles) in Fontainebleau. Nigel had a relatively comfortable win against the USA, an easy win against France, but then a nail-biting final against Australia, winning the first set 6-4; this looked comfortable enough but the start of the second set showed cracks. The Australians upped their game and Nigel and his partner (Duncan Colquhoun from Cambridge) lacked the former power and tenacity losing the second set 3-6. With considerable effort Nigel played a key role in getting the pair back on top and they won the third set 6-2, and effectively winning the match for GB.

Jonathan Fisher (5.66-71) reached the quarter-finals of the over-65 doubles and over-65 singles in Bordeaux losing to Mark Nicholls (9.70-74) both times. He did, however, win the final of the over-65 doubles plate competition with Marek Stepanovicz.

Nigel Draffan and Philip Shaw-Hamilton also won the National over-70s doubles held at Wellington College in April, and Philip also won the singles.

Congratulations to all - Ron Hughes would be proud!