Entries Open For 2011 Argus Tennis Tournament
The first serve of the annual Argus Open tennis tournament will take place on Saturday, July 16, with the final matches scheduled on Saturday, July 23.
The tournament will be held at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium, and is hosted and sanctioned by the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association. The Argus Group has sponsored the competition since its inception in 1999.
Over its 12-year history, the Argus Open has grown to become a leading fixture on the tennis calendar in Bermuda, attracting players to establish, defend or improve their ranking.
Players from across the island compete in the following categories: Men’s & Ladies’ Open Singles; Senior Men’s & Ladies’ Singles; Men’s and Ladies’ Doubles; Senior Men’s & Ladies’ Doubles; Mixed Doubles; and, new this year, Senior Mixed Doubles. There will be a consolation draw for first match losers in each of the singles events, so that all singles players will be guaranteed two matches.
Matches are played from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekday evenings and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the weekend. Entry is free to spectators. As an added incentive to participate or come and support the players, this year anyone who attends the Argus Open will be able to enter a free prize draw to win a pair of tickets for this year’s U.S. Open, taking place in New York from August 29 until September 11.
The prize does not include air fare, attendees may enter the draw each time they are present at the Argus Open and to claim the prize the winner must be present at the prize-giving ceremony, which will follow the close of the tournament on the afternoon of Saturday, July 23.
As part of this year’s Argus Open, free tennis lessons will be offered to children under the age of 10 by local tennis coaches. The free session will take place on Saturday, July 16, from 10:00 a.m. until 12noon. To enrol, parents should email the name and date of birth of their child to tournaments@blta.bm. Places are limited.
Alison Hill, Chief Executive Officer, the Argus Group, says: “In addition to providing free, live entertainment for local residents, the Argus Open is the perfect opportunity for players of all levels of experience to test their abilities in a competitive setting.”
“Tennis is a great cardiovascular activity, which reduces the risk of heart disease, Bermuda’s biggest killer, as well as some types of cancer. It increases energy, helps to manage weight and reduces stress while lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. I hope that in coming to watch the Argus Open, we inspire more residents to take up tennis.”
Sarah Cook, Director of the Argus Open Tournament for the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association, says: “We are excited for Argus Open, which promises to once again be the setting for the island’s tennis players to battle for a place or improved position on the local rankings.”
“We are also delighted to be able to offer free tennis lessons to children under 10 years old as part of this year’s Argus Open, which I hope will encourage them to take up the game and keep active from a young age. On behalf of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association and all the players, I would like to thank the Argus Group for their continued support.”
Entry forms are available from The Argus Building, 14 Wesley Street, Hamilton or the Argus website at www.argus.bm. They can also be found at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium and tennis clubs island-wide. Completed entry forms will be accepted at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12. The Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association can be contacted for further information about the tournament on 296-0834 or via email to tournaments@blta.bm.
