Margaret Wayte (born and bred Gloucester and now lives in Forster) initiated the Seniors Tournament in 1988 is playing with Denise Martin. Photo supplied

Gloucester once again turned on perfect conditions for the 2019 Ray White Gloucester Seniors' Tennis Tournament. Players competed over three days in 300 matches from April 26 to 28.

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The tournament was began in 1988. Margaret Wayte (nee Holstein) had been competing in what was then known as veterans' tournaments and thought Gloucester was the perfect venue to host such an event.

Thirty-one years later, 130 players and their friends and family came to Gloucester to compete. Players travelled from the ACT, Bookham, Inverell, Gunnedah, Port Macquarie, the Central Coast, Newcastle and Sydney. Overwhelmingly, players commented on Gloucester's beauty and friendliness, and there was plenty of praise for the condition of the courts which were recently upgraded with permanent lines.

It was a family affair for Gloucester's Holsteins. Neville Holstein, who maintains the courts, saw his sister, Margaret, win the 60+70 women's doubles with her partner Denise Martin, and his son, Andrew, win the 70+100 combined men's doubles with his partner Scott Mallinson. Gloucester players, Tom Power and Kevin Ivin competed with convincing results in their events.

Friday morning saw the singles events, Saturday morning held the men's and women's doubles with the mixed doubles in the afternoon. This event could not happen without the army of dedicated volunteers assisting in the smooth running of the tournament, and our sponsors - Ray White Rural Gloucester, Rob Moore & Associates, Darrel's Gourmet Butchery, The Gloucester Community Shop & Roadies Café. The club sends its sincere thanks.