Welcome to Flitwick and Ampthill Lawn Tennis Club

Tennis in the heart of Bedfordshire

** Interested in becoming a member of the Flitwick & Ampthill tennis club? Then click on the Membership link above to download the 2011 application form **

Club News and Events

Sporting Dinner  Friday 9 March 2012

The man who has taken over from Dan Maskell as the BBC’s Mr Tennis, is the former Great Britain No 1, Andrew Castle. Flitwick and Ampthill LTC are welcoming Andrew, as our guest speaker, when we hold our first ever Sporting Dinner on Friday 9th March 2012, at Parkside Hall. Sporting Dinners are open to both ladies and gentlemen and dress is smart casual. There will be a 3 course Dinner, Raffle organised by the Fundraising sub-committee, and an auction with Martin Howell as Auctioneer.  Cost of tickets for this event is £45 per person. Tickets are available from a member of the Fundraising Sub-Committee, or from Topspin Racquets. Terry says ‘Having worked with Andrew in various capacities in the past, I know you will have a terrific time as he always makes the effort to come and talk to each table during the evening’.

Junior Match Play Events March 2012

Not only are these mini match play events open to junior members of Flitwick & Ampthill LTC but also to junior members of other tennis clubs. For further information and to book please contact: Geraldine Breed, Juniors Organiser, 01525 404525. or email juniors@flitwicktennis.co.uk

The Seven Amigos in La Manga   -  2011 Murcia ITF Seniors Tennis Open

4th to 10th December 2011   Seven players from Flitwick & Ampthill LTC played tennis under the warm winter sun for the 9th Murcia Seniors' Tennis Open, an official ITF Seniors Tournament (category 3) held at La Manga Club's 28-court Tennis Centre. Despite their best efforts the Magnificent Seven didn't come back with any of the €8000 prize money on offer but they did return with some precious memories.  We charted the progress of Derek Hicks, Alfu Miah, Dave Huke, Richard Ernest, Tim Agar, Jonathan Peck and Dave Cartwright with their daily diary below.

DAY 7 FRIDAY    FUN & GAMES ON THE EXHIBITION COURT (OR SHOULD THAT BE THE EXHIBITIONISTS' COURT) DAY 5 WEDNESDAY and DAY 6 THURSDAY Report by Derek Hicks   Consolation Singles.  Dave C beat a Frenchman 9-4, then lost in the next round to a very useful Spanish opponent 3-9.  The clash of the titans first round match between Tim and Rich ended with a win for Rich 9-2.   Rich had a great recovery in the next round. From 5-1 down he leveled at 5-5 with his Polish opponent, before finally losing 5-9. Great effort. Rich is all the better for now knowing a few additional Polish expletives.  Jon retired in his singles match due to feeling unwell. Pleased to report that all is well after he took some rest. Alfu received a walkover in the first round. He then had the enjoyable experience of playing on the Center Court agaist Igor from Russia. He was 1-4 down but fought back to record a creditable score of 5-9. Lots of heavy topspin rallies in this one. Del decided not risk his injury further by playing singles did not enter the Consolation event.         Doubles.  Rich & Dave lost 0-6 0-6 to a very useful GB/Polish combination. The Centre Court experience was shared by an audience of 2 !  Derek & Dave C lost in the Mens 50 Doubles 3-6 2-6 to the No.1 seeds, Found out later that one of the opponents was the world's number 1 at doubles for his age group (60). Del (Potro) pleased top get in a competitive match after injury. He sends his thanks to Linda his physio for giving him the chance to play this year. Tim and Chris (from Windsor TC) lost 3-6 4-6 to Spanish opposition.  Jon & Alfu were unable to play due to Jon feeling unwell. Alf unfortunate he could not get a late replacement. Thursday evening was Quiz Night at the Si Bar. Teams were drawn from a hat and John our Evertonian host commenced the questions. Much cheating had the quizmaster in a muddle but finally the team of Dave (Hants), Del, Chris (Windsor) & Alf ran ouit triumphant ! Mulligans then ran a Karaoke evening and Disco Davedenko and Jon kept us entertained. Dave's rendition of Cool For Cats was simply superb! Our last full day today Friday and the weather has changed so we had better come home.

DAY 3 MONDAY and DAY 4 TUESDAY Report by Jon Peck   Monday:    The sun rose over a crisp la Manga morning bringing the promise of match tennis for four of our desperados. By a strange stroke of coincidence the four newbies had managed to draw a match on the Monday leaving the vets to play their first on the following day. Its amazing! Following an early night previously, energy and enthusiasm were high although expectations were slightly more restrained.

After meeting down for an early knock, first up was Tim. Playing a Spanish ringer who looked 10 years his junior, Tim started by smashing his opponent, gaining a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately due to an unlucky set of circumstances, Tim’s opponent then managed to win the next 12 games in a row leaving a stunned silence from the watching crowds. Next up was the junior on tour Jonathan. After watching his opponent perform Yoga for 20 minutes prior to the match, expectations were suitably set and the match went much the same way. The German giant acted like a human wall and beat our plucky Brit to two bagels 6-0, 6-0. A query by Jonathan around if he had a weakness was answered by a simple “no”.

After a rapid lunch, next up was Richard and David C. Expectations were high for David after a larger Spaniard entered David’s court however his flexibility and ability to dig balls back proceeded to belie external experiences and David lost 6-2, 6-1 the best score so far!. Richard was playing a Spanish coach who proceeded to get every single ball back into court and he followed Jonathan’s example of losing with a double bagel 6-0, 6-0. Following a showy spectacle on the main court by certain members of the amigos, the decision was taken to join the crowd at the Tennis/Golf do, later that evening. A suitable amount of fluid and food was imbibed consoling many sorrows and the dance floor received disco Dave for a brief stint whilst the boys lost their voice singing along with the band. A late night for most with matches the next day. The training schedule may not be adhered to quite so religiously by certain members of the group!

Tuesday : The sun rose today over a slightly more subdued morning with many people trying to avoid direct sunlight. Matches for the tour regulars were scheduled today however Derek had to pull out due to injury. First up was Dave H playing a delayed match due to court restrictions. Dave fell to a double bagel 6-0, 6-0 joining an illustrious group. Alfu played a Spaniard later today that proved too much for him although we felt the heckling from the Spaniard’s 6 month old daughter was a little much. He lost 6-1, 6-0 in a match that did not reflect the scoreline. Using up the rest of the light for a few sets of doubles the team finished the day in good spirits and ended up for a quiet drink in the Tie Break bar whilst various members went off to work.

DAY 1 SATURDAY The arrival of both sets of entrants make up the 7 Amigos or is it the Magnificent 7 ? Rich, Dave & Jon arrived first using an indirect route via Murcia and managed some practice, whilst Tim, Dave H, Alfu and Del (Potro) suffered an Easyjet flight with a Glaswegian drunk who managed to disgrace himself by being sick in his seat!  On arrival, Alfu drove and managed to follow the GPS for 40 miles before realising that it was not talking  to him as nobody had set it up! Talking of hire cars, why is it so expensive compared to the quoted prices. We shall investigate cheaper options next year! Due to a tunnel miscommunication en route during a phone call between the 2 parties we finally met in the Touch Bar rather than the tennis club!  We then decided to get into training with our first visit to the Si bar for our evening meal and a game of Killer on the Pool table, which Alfu won.

This was followed by a quick visit to Mulligans, followed by a trip to the Piano Bar to tinkle the ivories, where we bumped into a few old friends...and had a bit of a boogie (Disco Dave H and Jon had a dance off). No need to ask who won! Jonny managed to pogo into a Armani suit wearing Spaniard and spilt beer all over him and then tore him off a strip - we stopped laughing an hour later. Del (Potro) had a quiet night in to rest after a stomach upset earlier in the day.

Day 2  SUNDAY

Some were feeling a little under par as they came to the courts for some much needed practice. We discover that Tim will kick off this years competitors on Day 1 Monday on show court ? (the  start of the tournament at 1100am). He is therefore now in training for his big match with the world no.175 and refusing to go out (and drinking cappuccinos!!).

Meanwhile back on the tennis court (the central theme of the holiday when all said and done!!), some very serious and dedicated practice and training has been taking place with these 7 finely tuned athletes pushing themselves to the limit in preparation for the tournament ahead...the team have even taken to Tapas at lunchtime to ensure that the diet is finely balanced!! Dave C and Del (Potro) came through their warm ups despite recent injuries which was encouraging.

We went for a swim in Dave C's pool which was so cold their faces looked like they were having a stroke whilst trying to whistle! Meanwhile Dave C made drop scones and hot Bovril to revive us!

Day 3 MONDAY

Tim, Jon, Dave C & Richard all in first round matches today. Hope you are OK John K, many have asked where you were and send their regards for a speedy recovery.  ADIOS! 

JANE SAVILLE CHARITY TOURNAMENT – 20^th November 2011

A misty start to the 10^th  Jane  Saville Tournament soon gave way to some sunshine at approx. 11:00 and continued to the end at 13:30.

£228 was donated by the entrants in aid of the Pulmonary Hypertension Trust @ Papworth Hospital. Excellent. My thanks  to you all.

Overall winner – Chris Liston (pictured above)

Best Lady – Mandy Lines

Best Junior – Tom Cullens

We are looking for new members to join the 100 club. For as little as £1 a month you can enter the prize draw. 

Please contact Mike Reay on 01525 861698 or 07775 644071 if you would like to join and have a chance of winning.

Since it started three years ago, the 100 club has raised more than £1,500 for the club. Trophies have been bought with the funds and we have a number of ideas how the money should be spent for the benefit of the Tennis club, but if you are a 100 Club member and would like your idea added to the list, please contact Mike.

For the chance to win £40 a month contact Mike Reay for details or Click here for a direct debit form. Click 100club@flitwicktennis.co.uk to email Mike Reay.

External News & Events

Listed alongside are details of up-coming competitive opportunities at Linslade Tennis Club during the October 2011 half-term week and the Easter holiday period next year. 

Click here to download the entry form.

Helen Nottingham,

Junior Co-Ordinator

Linslade Tennis Club