The 5th edition of the Kooyong Foundation Pro Am presented the participants with a look not seen before but often a regular in Melbourne, inclement weather! The forecast was grim, the skies were grey, the rain came down hard in the morning- grass ruled out of action.
The 5th edition of the Kooyong Foundation Pro Am presented the participants with a look not seen before but often a regular in Melbourne, inclement weather! The forecast was grim, the skies were grey, the rain came down hard in the morning- grass ruled out of action. A shift to the en-tout-cas courts was locked in from event organisers. Will the players get on? A gap in the weather radar, allowed for the courts to be dried and give hope to all as they gathered for the official draw ceremony which like previous years pits 5 entered team members from a company or just mates getting together, with an up-and-coming Kooyong Foundation Scholarship player. As John Millman’s name gets called out by the Yonex team captain, the rain comes again in a short passing shower, the crowd’s gasp in disappointment. The courts still survive through it all, on they march.
The change up in format meant 2 rounds of doubles match ups per round instead of the usual 3, but with a fun twist of mid match substitutions for those players waiting off. Used wisely by some teams bringing in their Pro as they go to serve to consolidate the break. With another short rain delay, the courts somehow survived again after a quick mop up. Kooyong’s unique weather system bubble which often has a mind of it’s own, somehow missed the “red” on the weather radar.
Rounds 4-6 of the round robin doubles draw continued after a short lunch break highlighted by Kooyong’s famous chicken sandwiches and homemade sausage rolls. Sun! it shone through like the weather gods themselves were determined to make sure this wonderful event continues on through to its final stages. With the courts now in prime conditions after a little soak and sun coming down, the tennis action intensified on court. Greg Jones pulling off some inside out fade “Bernie Tomic forehands”, Ellen Perez hitting trademark high backhand volley jumping smashes, Omar Jasika caressing the ball around on a string, John Millman ripping a phenomenal backhand angle winner crosscourt with a knowing smile “still got it”, Daria Saville- incredibly playing pregnant showing off her full range of court craft, it was all happening.
The top two scoring teams after the round robin event duelled off in the best of three, 10-point tiebreaks. The winner for this year’s event and going back to back for the first time in the Pro Am’s history was “The Mind Whisperer”. The team led by long time Kooyong Member and Foundation supporter Julie Fidler defeating “Property Investor Portal”, the team led by another long-time Member and Foundation supporter Cal Board.
“It was such a thrill for The Mind Whisperer's team to win back-to-back titles in nail biting finishes with close friends uniting. Probably the oldest team this year with an average age of 55! We'll be back next year to enjoy this unique event to Kooyong. Thanks for the amazing opportunity and to those that made it all happen” Fidler said of her team’s success.
The crowd got to hear from John Peers as he was interviewed by tennis great Paul McNamee, providing his usual extensive tennis knowledge and of course discussing the amazing gold medal moment for Peers at the Paris Olympics with fellow Aussie Matt Ebden. Ymerali Ibraimi, a 16-year-old up and comer who’s been with the Foundation since he was1 2, overcame some early jitters being interviewed, much like a big tennis match, but became increasingly comfortable as the “match” interview went on, discussing his tennis goals with a very bright future ahead of him. The crowd meanwhile kept enjoying Kooyong’s famous hospitality, socialising and highly satisfied with what was an adventurous exciting day at Australia’s most famous tennis Club.
“I’ve had one of the best days of my tennis existence” said team member Sebastien Nicolas of “Ace2Allergies”. “To play with all these wonderful tennis players who were all such a welcoming group at this amazing Club, made for such a magical day”.
We look forward to next year’s event, back on the luscious green grass of Kooyong on a glorious early summer’s day!
Thank you to participating partners:
Askin Panels: Major Sponsor
Yonex
The Mind Whisperer
Property Investor Portal
Ace2Allergies
Banter Toys
BK Carts
Carbon Data
Carew Counsel
CBA
Dennis Family
Maddocks
Statewide Stars
Warwick Accounting
The 5th edition of the Kooyong Foundation Pro Am presented the participants with a look not seen before but often a regular in Melbourne, inclement weather! The forecast was grim, the skies were grey, the rain came down hard in the morning- grass ruled out of action. A shift to the en-tout-cas courts was locked in from event organisers. Will the players get on? A gap in the weather radar, allowed for the courts to be dried and give hope to all as they gathered for the official draw ceremony which like previous years pits 5 entered team members from a company or just mates getting together, with an up-and-coming Kooyong Foundation Scholarship player. As John Millman’s name gets called out by the Yonex team captain, the rain comes again in a short passing shower, the crowd’s gasp in disappointment. The courts still survive through it all, on they march.
The change up in format meant 2 rounds of doubles match ups per round instead of the usual 3, but with a fun twist of mid match substitutions for those players waiting off. Used wisely by some teams bringing in their Pro as they go to serve to consolidate the break. With another short rain delay, the courts somehow survived again after a quick mop up. Kooyong’s unique weather system bubble which often has a mind of it’s own, somehow missed the “red” on the weather radar.
Rounds 4-6 of the round robin doubles draw continued after a short lunch break highlighted by Kooyong’s famous chicken sandwiches and homemade sausage rolls. Sun! it shone through like the weather gods themselves were determined to make sure this wonderful event continues on through to its final stages. With the courts now in prime conditions after a little soak and sun coming down, the tennis action intensified on court. Greg Jones pulling off some inside out fade “Bernie Tomic forehands”, Ellen Perez hitting trademark high backhand volley jumping smashes, Omar Jasika caressing the ball around on a string, John Millman ripping a phenomenal backhand angle winner crosscourt with a knowing smile “still got it”, Daria Saville- incredibly playing pregnant showing off her full range of court craft, it was all happening.
The top two scoring teams after the round robin event duelled off in the best of three, 10-point tiebreaks. The winner for this year’s event and going back to back for the first time in the Pro Am’s history was “The Mind Whisperer”. The team led by long time Kooyong Member and Foundation supporter Julie Fidler defeating “Property Investor Portal”, the team led by another long-time Member and Foundation supporter Cal Board.
“It was such a thrill for The Mind Whisperer's team to win back-to-back titles in nail biting finishes with close friends uniting. Probably the oldest team this year with an average age of 55! We'll be back next year to enjoy this unique event to Kooyong. Thanks for the amazing opportunity and to those that made it all happen” Fidler said of her team’s success.
The crowd got to hear from John Peers as he was interviewed by tennis great Paul McNamee, providing his usual extensive tennis knowledge and of course discussing the amazing gold medal moment for Peers at the Paris Olympics with fellow Aussie Matt Ebden. Ymerali Ibraimi, a 16-year-old up and comer who’s been with the Foundation since he was1 2, overcame some early jitters being interviewed, much like a big tennis match, but became increasingly comfortable as the “match” interview went on, discussing his tennis goals with a very bright future ahead of him. The crowd meanwhile kept enjoying Kooyong’s famous hospitality, socialising and highly satisfied with what was an adventurous exciting day at Australia’s most famous tennis Club.
“I’ve had one of the best days of my tennis existence” said team member Sebastien Nicolas of “Ace2Allergies”. “To play with all these wonderful tennis players who were all such a welcoming group at this amazing Club, made for such a magical day”.
We look forward to next year’s event, back on the luscious green grass of Kooyong on a glorious early summer’s day!
Thank you to participating partners:
Askin Panels: Major Sponsor
Yonex
The Mind Whisperer
Property Investor Portal
Ace2Allergies
Banter Toys
BK Carts
Carbon Data
Carew Counsel
CBA
Dennis Family
Maddocks
Statewide Stars
Warwick Accounting
