First tennis tournament held since COVID-19 shutdown

Canyon Lake Tennis Club members Danette Conlin, front, and Sheila Walkington, back, compete in separate matches during the Wimbleton-themed tournament on Saturday at the Canyon Lake courts. Photo by Jennifer Denson

Women’s winner Andrea Bohn

The Canyon Lake Tennis Club was able to hold its first tennis tournament since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before Saturday’s Wimbledon-themed competition, the club last put on a tournament, which it usually hosts once a month, back in January.

“The club couldn’t have been more excited to get back out there on the courts and compete,” Jennifer Denson said.

The event was organized by Canyon Lake Head Tennis Pro Brien Sullivan and Canyon Lake Tennis Club Tournament Directors Sheila Walkington and Kathy Valdez. The theme of the tournament was inspired by the real Wimbledon tournament that is held every year in London.

Men’s winner Bobby Kielty

Wimbledon is part of the grand slam series and is the oldest tennis tournament in the world. As is traditional for the real tournament, Canyon Lake players came out dressed in their crisp whites to compete.

The Individual Tournament Winners were Bobby Kielty in the men’s division and Andrea Bohn in the women’s division.

The Tournament Team Winners, with the highest overall team points, was the team made up of George Middle, Leslie Anderson, Andrea Bohn, Sesh Sukhram, Jim Barringham, Claude Stemp and Dong Tagasa.

The tournament was not only an opportunity for Canyon Lake Tennis members to compete, but also a time where they could dress up and socialize with fellow players.