Sarnia-Lambton was well represented at the 57th Annual Francis J. Robinson Memorial Tournament, which took place at Sanborn Park in Port Huron from August 5-10. The “Robinson” is one of the longest running community tennis tournaments in the United States, with divisions ranging from 10 & under to 65 & over. It is the highlight of the local area summer tennis calendar. This year’s tournament had 230 players competing but over 400 entries, as many people competed in two or three events - singles, doubles and mixed doubles. 26 Sarnia- Lambton players participated, with three winning events , nine reaching the finals and 15 the semi finals.
Junior Andrew Davies captured two titles, the 14s Boys and Mixed doubles with partners from the Port Huron area. Junior Monika Polakovic won the 18s Girls doubles and veteran Betty Latosinsky won the 35s Women’s doubles , also with partners from the Port Huron area.
Jaxon Bore (10s), Chandler Haagsma (12s), Andrew Davies (14s) were finalists in their respective Boys singles flights, while Betty Latosinsky (35s) and Yvette Gilfoyle (45s) made the final of the respective Women’s singles flights. Evan Duggal and Jaxon Bore (12s Boys), and Beth Grieve and Trish Gogas (35s Women’s) were finalists in their doubles flights. Beth Grieve, Trish Gogas, and Beth Isles made the final of the 45s Mixed doubles, 55s Mixed doubles and 55s Women’s doubles, respectively, with partners from the Port Huron area.
There were also many local semifinalists in the tournament, including Evan Duggal and Chris Latosinsky (10s Boys singles) , Ryan Davies and Chris Latosinsky (12s Boys doubles) , Chandler and Tristan Haagsma (14s Boys doubles), Riley Bore and Griffin Allen (14s Boys doubles) , Geoff Bore (35s Men’s doubles), Tino DiBattista (55s Men’s singles) and Michael Coleman (Open doubles). On the girl’s and women’s side, semifinalists included Ashley Gregoris (Girls 14s singles and 16s doubles, 14s Mixed doubles), Monika Polakovic (18s Girls singles), Betty Latosinsky (35s Mixed doubles), and Mary Huybers and Michelle Whitcombe (55s Women’s doubles).
Other area participants were Gabriel Balan (12s Boys singles), Elise McInnis (Girls 16s singles and doubles, 16s Mixed doubles), Bruce Davies (45s Men’s singles and doubles), John Baxter (45s Men’s doubles) and Darren Wong (Open singles, doubles and mixed).
In addition to her strong performance on the court, Sarnian Beth Grieve was honoured by the Robinson Tournament Committee with the Francis J. Robinson Sportsmanship Award. This award is given each year to the player who demonstrates sportsmanship throughout the Robinson week and beyond. The individual recognized has a love and passion for the game, contributes to tennis through honest and fair competition, and is respected by other players.
