It emerged about the same time as disco, but while the general popularity of that music genre faded, the Sunshine Coast Open Tennis Tournament endured. With only a two-year hiatus imposed by COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, the annual meet-up testing the skills of local and visiting tennis competitors has been a summer staple since 1975.
“It’s one of the longest running sports competitions that I am aware of on the Coast” said event co-organizer Darcy Lawrence. Since 2007, Lawrence and his wife have handled the event management duties. This year, as is tradition, the sets will include singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions.
This year it happens Aug. 1-3 on the open-air courts in Gibsons, at Dougall Park and Parkland subdivision. The competition spots filled up within days of opening, but the public is invited to watch the action at either of the locations.
Those involved with the event also get to experience what Lawrence noted was one of what is likely less than a dozen playable competition level grass tennis courts in Canada. The tournament’s banquet and social event are hosted at a Roberts Creek residence, home to that unique sport facility. The property was once the residence of the organizers, and he said “play on grass” is something both locals and visiting players look forward to; a treat that has been part of the tournament for years.
Lawrence told Coast Reporter the Open is fortunate to have great support from the community. From the local who donates the salmon for the event barbeque meal, to area businesses that provide donations including use of shade tents at the courts for the competitors and audience, to the spectators that drop by to watch the action, he stated the level of interest the Coast has shown in the event has been integral in keeping it going and growing.
Looking back at Coast tennis history
While starting with tennis in his early teens in St. Albert, Alberta, Lawrence said the sport became more of a recreational focus in his adulthood. He moved to the Sunshine Coast in 1997, to further his career as a lawyer, and in 2001 he joined the local tennis club. It was during league play he met his soon-to-be wife Shelley and the two have found ways to continue with tennis along with their busy careers and family life.
Shelley has become a Sunshine Coast Open powerhouse, collecting the most event first place finishes of any competitor in its history, according to her husband and the historical statistics posted on the tournament’s website.
“She’s the most decorated player in the history of the Sunshine Coast Open”, he proudly stated.
As for how the sport has evolved locally, Lawrence recalled his early years in local tennis involved play at “the bubble”, a facility with an inflatable roof, located behind the former Wakefield Inn (now a residential development) along the Sunshine Coast Highway in West Sechelt. He explained by the time he was involved, that structure was already “dated” and had issues with structural integrity. The fabric roof eventually failed, was removed and the tennis community intensified its search for an alternative facility.
In 2006 construction of the Sunshine Coast Racquet Club indoor courts began next to the Sunshine Coast Arena in Sechelt’s West Porpoise Bay area. Built with private financing and volunteer contributions, it opened in Nov. 2008. It sits on land leased from the District of Sechelt. As a condition of the lease, the Club makes times available for public play.
Tourney is a tourism draw
Lawrence called the Open “a destination event”. Players and their supporters for this and past years tournaments have travelled to the Coast from the lower mainland and Vancouver Island. This year, 32 competitors are coming to the Coast for 2025 play.
For more details about the event, browse to sunshinecoastopen.com.
