Old Boys celebrate high mark
Strong characters an indelible part of club’s journey
THE Old Selbornian Tennis Club celebrates its Golden Anniversary tomorrow. The club had its roots in the Alma Tennis Club which was situated next to the East London Bowling Club greens.
In 1965 the members of Alma decided that it would be beneficial to join forces with the Old Selbornian Club. This was a good move as the club soon grew in numbers and in stature.
Going back to the Alma days the stalwarts of the club included the Stacey family, Mervyn and Gem, who was affectionately nicknamed “Ma”, Frere and Yvonne Hartley, Charlie Houghton, Phyl Estment, Eric Pike, Trevor and Redmund Geach, Brian Potgieter and Brian and Denise Taylor.
Old Selbornians built up a strong rivalry with the now defunct East London Tennis Club which was housed at Selborne Park. This friendly rivalry was followed up in later years with Beacon Bay.
Among the leagues in which Old Selbornians emerged victorious, they enjoyed the distinction of winning both first leagues in 1973.
Their men were represented by the steady Errol Sapire, Rory Richards, Jack Laverock, Alan Houghton, Dave Watson and Dennis Davies, while the women included four provincial players in Cora Mills, Val Laverock, Bev Harmuth and Melanie Muller, Springbok hockey star and daughter of Springbok rugby captain, Hennie Muller.
They were supported by Peta Harmuth, Desiree Loppnow and Desrae Domoney.
The year which current members recall as being the best ever was in 2006 when Old Boys won the “Grand Slam” of leagues which included the women’s, men’s and mixed as well as all the second leagues.
That year Old Boys also won the inaugural Meyers Nite league for firstr and second league players.
Together with many others, the Grotjohn family has been the cornerstone of the Old Boys Club. Gareth and his wife, Lorna, and children, Kelly and Dunstan, as well as Mitch and Grant, have been loyal supporters and hard workers.
Grant won the singles title three times in the 1990s and then followed up with an unbroken run from 1998 to 2009. In addition, he served as club captain for 12 years after which he was elected president.
Ray Mandy held the office of President from 1983 to 1988, while the moustachioed Andy Morris was at the helm for six years.
Wendy Mokawem served as secretary for an amazing 16 consecutive years from 1997-2012.
The steady Errol Sapire followed in the footsteps of his uncle, Ben, who represented Border on many occasions. Errol added two more singles titles to those he captured from 1971-1976.
Members such as Hanlie Bassingthwaighte, Alison Baxter, Gary Cadle, Oliver and Liz Ciganek, Mike Francis, Kenny Keyter, Mike Keyter, Dion “Rooster” van Heerden, Beth Hayes, Colin Hewson, Graham Jekels, Alvan Mandy, Jenny Milne and Denise Taylor are all longstanding members and, together with others, have served the club.
The honour of being the longest standing member with no breaks in service goes to Di Harraway (nee Estment) who joined after leaving school in 1966.
All tennis players congratulate the Old Boys Club on this auspicious occasion.