Tourney for all ages

By Mark Lidbetter, The Suburban

Approximately 80 athletes aged 45 years and up took to the courts of the Côte St. Luc Tennis Club on Guelph Avenue last week to take part in the Sam Brumer Quebec Senior Men’s Tennis Championships. 

On Saturday and Sunday, eight finals were contested in different age categories. The 50-plus, 70-plus, 75-plus and 80-plus finals were played on Saturday.

“It was the first time in a few years that we had enough for a draw in the 80-plus division,” said Norm Yudin, chair of the event.

“It’s amazing to watch those guys play.”

In that category, Glenn Ramage won in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 over Steve Kozar. Marc Blondeau took the 75-plus title; René Ropin was the victor in the 70-plus final. In the 50-plus match, unseeded Patrice Rousso out of the Dorval Tennis Club upset Sydney Azancot for the title. Hy Glick of the Monkland Tennis Club opened Sunday’s slate of finals with a win over Lucien Desmarais to clam the 60-plus division. Glick was a former pro and manager of the Côte St. Luc club. In the 45-plus final, Mount Royal Tennis’ Jeff Tory was the winner. Dave Thompson, also from Mount Royal made it two wins for the club as he took the 65-plus championship. 

Yudin switched caps from organizer to player as he took on rival Normand Martel from Monkland in the 55-plus title match.

“We have a pretty good rivalry going,” he said. “Normand holds the lead three to two in our last meetings but I’ve won the last two times.”

 It wasn’t to be for Yudin to pull even with his rival as Martel took a close decision from Yudin.

“It was another great tournament,” Yudin said. “There were plenty of entertaining matches all week long.”