Jeremy Bell (Vernon) and Al Lincoln (Kamloops) topped the men’s A table in a round-robin format over Mike Knights (Vernon) and Winston Pain (Salmon Arm) in the 90th Hankey Cup Doubles Tennis Tournament last weekend at the Kalamalka Country Club.
Participants also came from Lake Country, Kelowna, Penticton, Rossland, Kamloops, White Rock and Montreal. Spectators were entertained by multiple close and thrilling matches.
Men’s B doubles champions were Kelowna brothers Dinesh and Rakesh Balu, defeating the White Rock father-son duo of Kerry and Steve Bentley.
The Women’s A final was won by Meryl Ogden (Vernon) and Rosie Schaich (Lake Country). Runners-up were Eva Koksalova and Elena Audy (Kelowna).
Women’s B doubles was a round-robin format, with Sandra Leidl (Vernon) and Kristina Pompura (Montreal) leading all teams to the championship. Second place was taken by Vernon players Lisa Sousa and Barb Klopfenstein.
Women’s C doubles was an all-Vernon round-robin format, with Jill Holmes and Diane Hawkins taking first place. Runners-up were Carol Schroeder and Sharon Robinson. First-time tournament players Bev Barling and Sandi Sasges won the consolation final, while Karen Leahy and Susan Chartrand were second. All teams in the C event wore colourful matching tennis dresses.
In the mixed A doubles, four teams competed for the championship, which was won by Eva Koksalova and Cal Benazic of Kelowna. Runners-up were Meryl Ogden of Vernon and Al Lincoln of Kamloops, with Kristina Labeja and Shawn Harnett of Kamloops taking third.
In the mixed B doubles, eight teams played off. Vernonites Ray Kimoto and Lynn Smith won the final over Bob and Sharon Brownell of Penticton. Third place was taken by Vernon duo Gordon Mann and Karalee Drdul. The all-Vernon consolation final was won by the father-daughter team of Ricardo and Sophia Leiva over the husband and wife team of Ann and Ian Murphy.
Tournament directors Gary Davidson and Ralph Stevens appreciated the help of tennis committee volunteers Karalee Drdul, Tyler Ferguson, Barb Klopfenstein, Lori Lee, Gordon Mann, Dave Valouch, and Tuck Warner. Voet’s Coffee continued their longtime generosity in donating coffee to the tournament.