Bedford Open

Last updated
Bedford Open
Defunct tennis tournament
Founded1880;144 years ago (1880)
Abolished1974;50 years ago (1974)
Location Bedford, Berkshire, England
VenueBedford Lawn Tennis Club
Surface Grass

The Bedford Open [1] also known as the Bedford Lawn Tennis Open Tournament [2] was men's and women's grass court tennis tournament established in 1880 as the Bedfordshire LTC Tournament. [3] It was held at the Bedford Lawn Tennis Club, Bedford, Berkshire, England and ran through until 1974 when it was abolished. [4]

Contents

History

The first Bedfordshire Lawn Tennis Club evolved out of a croquet club established in June 1871 by the Brooks family of Flitwick Manor. [5] The first tournament tennis was played there on 29 August 1876, one year before the first Wimbledon Championships were held. [6] Records show that the field consisted of six pairs, the final grouping included a Mr G. Tylecote and Miss P. Hodgson who beat Mr. and Mrs. Cobbe in the mixed doubles. [7]

By 1879 at least two lawn tennis clubs had been established in Bedfordshire, the South Bedfordshire Lawn Tennis Club (LTC), that usually staged tennis events at Flitwick Manor, Wrest Park, Silsoe and Cranfield Court. [8] The North Bedfordshire LTC had courts at Sutton Manor, Sutton and Sandye Place. [9] Between 1884 and 1885 both the North and South Bedfordshire LTCs had ceased to operate. [10] Between 1882 and 1884 a new Bedfordshire LTC was established at Bedford on land next to Bedford College. [11] The current Bedford LTC based at Bradgate Road (f.1890), is thought to be the successor club to Bedfordshire LTC. [12]

From 1880 the South Bedfordshire LTC organised three recorded tournaments held at Fairfield Park, Stotfold, and two editions at Blunham House, Blunham, Bedford. [13] In July 1882 a second edition of a Bedfordshire tournament was held on 18 July that year. [14] On 28 August the Bedfordshire LTC had concluded a tournament the gentleman's singles was won by Mr. A. Payne, the ladies singles was won by Miss. A. Lindsell and the veteran's singles was won by a Reverend H. B. Allen. [15]

In 1891 the Bedford Open was founded. [16] In July 1939 the tournament held its 48th annual open event. [17] this event ran through till 1966 before it ceased. In 1974 the tournament was revived for one edition only. [18] This highly popular event was a regular stop on the senior worldwide tour for many years. Former winners of the men's single's title has included; Alan Stedman, Nigel Sharpe, John Bromwich, [19] Erik Bjerre, Ignacy Tłoczyński, Peter Cawthorn, Czeslaw Spychala, [20] Mike Davies, [21] Bobby Wilson, Frew McMillan, [22] Keith Diepraam, Alan Mills [23] and Alberto Esplugas. The previous winners of the women's singles title has included; Evelyn Blencowe, Ruth Pennington-Legh Winch, Phyllis Satterthwaite, Phoebe Holcroft Watson, Elsie Goldsack Pittman, Gem Hoahing, [24] Lorna Cornell, [25] Rita Bentley, [26] and Angela Mortimer. [27]

Venue

The Bedford Open Tennis Tournament was held continuously for 76 years at the Bedford Lawn Tennis Club. In the late 1990s Bedford LTC which then consisted of 10 grass courts and 2 hard courts, had to move from its Bradgate road grounds due to the land being redeveloped. [28] The club moved to new premises at Chester Road, Bedford, where it still operates today. [29]

Finals

Men's Singles

(incomplete roll)

YearWinnerRunner-upScore
Bedfordshire LTC Tournament
1880 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert James Lindsell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frederick Willis?
1881 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cecil Henry Polhill-Turner Flag of the United Kingdom.svg R. Hughes6-4, 6–4, 6–5
1882 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E. Horley Flag of the United Kingdom.svg R. Hughes?
1883 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg S. Burton Flag of the United Kingdom.svg A.A. Cooper?
Bedford Open
1899 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Harold L. Whale Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bernard Wood-Hill3–6, 6–4, 6–4
1909 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Bernard Besly Yule Flag of Australia (converted).svg Leslie Poidevin 6–1, 6–4
1914/1918Not held (due to World War I)
1934 Flag of New Zealand.svg Alan Stedman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George Godsell 6–1, 7–5
1935 Flag of the United States.svg Roland O. Williams Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frederic Robin Kipping6–1, 6–1
1936 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nigel Sharpe Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Derek Bouquet6–8, 6–1, 6–1
1937 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nigel Sharpe (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lawrence Shaffi 7–9, 6–4, 6–3
1938 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nigel Sharpe (3) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lawrence Shaffi 7–5, 6–3
1940/1946Not held (due to World War I)
1947 Flag of New Zealand.svg Owen Murray Bold Flag of the United Kingdom.svg A. Dawes6–3, 6–1
1948 Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Bromwich Flag of Poland.svg Czesław Spychała 6–3, 6–2
1949 Flag of Denmark.svg Erik Bjerre Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg David Samaai 9–7, 3–6, 6–2
1950 Flag of Japan.svg Ignacy Tłoczyński Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Starte7–5, 6–1, 7–5
1951 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Cawthorn Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dick Guise6–0, 6–3
1952 Flag of Poland.svg Czesław Spychała Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Horn 3–6, 6–3, 6–0
1953 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Davies Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Moss6-2, 6–2
1954 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Davies (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David H. Williams6-3, 6–4
1955 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gerry Oakley Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Mills 7–5, 6–4
1956 Flag of Australia (converted).svg John F. O'Brien Flag of Pakistan.svg Khwaja Saeed Hai 3–6, 6–1, 6–2
1957 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gerry Oakley (2) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Frankland6–4, 7–5
1959 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Mills Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Michael Sangster 6–3, 6–1
1960 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bobby Wilson Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Michael Sangster 7-5, 6–1
1962 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Keith Diepraam Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Mills 6–4, 6–2
1966 Flag of Spain.svg Alberto Esplugas Flag of Spain.svg Jorge Marfa6–2, 6–4
Open era
1974 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bobby Wilson (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg T.E. Mabbitt6–1, 6–0

Women's Singles

(incomplete roll)

YearWinnerRunner-upScore
Bedford Open
1892 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Evelyn Blencowe Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Henrietta Horncastle 6-3, 6–2
1909 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mrs Cole Flag of the United Kingdom.svg M.T. Grossw.o.
1910 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruth Winch Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Miss Scott6-4, 6–0
1911 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruth Winch (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E.M. White6–1, 6–2
1912 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruth Winch (3) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg A. Sargent6-2, 6–4
1913 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E.M. White Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Miss Sargent3-6, 6–3, 3-0 ret.
1914 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phyllis Satterthwaite Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruth Winch 6-1, 6–1
1915/1918Not held due to World War I
1921 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruth Winch (4) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Miss Dalton6-4, 6–0
1922 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruth Winch (5) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg A. Sargent6-2, 6–1
1924 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg R. Fletcher Flag of the United Kingdom.svg A. Wells6-3, 10–8
1925 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phoebe Holcroft Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Betty Boas6–3, 6–0
1926 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phoebe Holcroft Watson (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Claire Beckingham 6-2, 6–1
1927 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Betty Boas Flag of the United Kingdom.svg D. Haines6-2, 6–4
1928 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Naomi Trentham Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E. Howes6-2, 6–4
1929 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Naomi Trentham (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joan Ridley 6-4, 7–5
1930 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Margaret Walsh Mellows Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sylvia Mayne8-6, 6–4
1931 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Freda Scott Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E. Howes6-2, 6–3
1932 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Freda Scott (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ruth Armstrong Kirk6-4, 6–3
1933 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg N.C. Case Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Helen Foster Dyson9-7, 6–1
1934 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg N. Hill Flag of the United Kingdom.svg M. MacTier6-3, 1–6, 6–3
1935 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg N. Hill (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg M. MacTier8-6, 6–3
1936 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Effie Hemmant Peters Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Billie Yorke 6-3, 6–3
1937 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Elsie Goldsack Pittman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Betty Batt 5–7, 6–3, 6–4
1938 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Valerie Scott Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Elsie Goldsack Pittman 6-0, 6–4
1939Event divided between 4 players
1940/1946Not held due to World War II
1947 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gem Hoahing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg M. Smith6-0, 6–1
1948 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gem Hoahing (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Betty Batt Passingham 6-1, 6–2
1949 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gem Hoahing (3) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Edith Middleton6-3, 6–1
1950 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jean Knight Flag of the United Kingdom.svg M. Graham6-4, 6–3
1951 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lorna Cornell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Elaine Watson 6-4, 6–2
1952 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Elaine Watson Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joyce Reid6–1, 6–1
1953 Flag of New Zealand.svg Evelyn Attwood Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jean Knight6-0, 6–2
1954 [30] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jean Knight Flag of New Zealand.svg Evelyn Attwood6-2, 6–2
1955 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sheila Armstrong Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rita Bentley 6-1, 6–4
1956 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jean Knight (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E. Tudor6-0, 6–0
1957 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rita Bentley Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Margaret R. O'Donnell 6–3, 6–2
1958 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rita Bentley (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Margaret R. O'Donnell6-3, 6–3
1959 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Angela Mortimer Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Margaret R. O'Donnell8–6, 6–3
1960 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Angela Mortimer (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Shirley Bloomer Brasher 6–2, 6–1
1961 Flag of the United States.svg Pat Stewart Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Honor Durose6-3, 8–10, 7–5
1962 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Carole Rosser Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Diane Tuckey6-4, 6–2
1963 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Heather Allen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Carole Rosser divided title
1964 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Heather Allen (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sue Tutt w.o.
1965 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sue Tutt Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jean Haskew6–3, 6–1
1966 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sue Tutt (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthea Rigby6-2, 6–4
Open era
1974 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sandra Coe Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E. Evans6–3, 6–4

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References

  1. ↑ "THE BEDFORD OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT. Opened on Wednesday, a lunch-hour thunderstorm, which delayed play for hour, the Bedford Lawn Tennis Open Tournament has been blessed with continuous sunshine, and splendid progress was possible with a heavy programme". Bedfordshire Times and Independent. Bedford, Bedfordshire, England: British Newspaper Archives. 29 July 1927. p. 15.
  2. ↑ Bedfordshire Times and Independent (1927)
  3. ↑ Routledges Sporting Annual (1882) Lawn Tennis in 1881. George Routledge and Son. London. p.69.
  4. ↑ Nieuwland, Alex. "Tournament – Bedford". www.tennisarchives.com. Tennis Archives. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  5. ↑ "Newsletters: Tennis in Bedfordshire". bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk. Bedfordshire Archives. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  6. ↑ Bedfordshire Archives
  7. ↑ Bedfordshire Archives
  8. ↑ Bedfordshire Archives
  9. ↑ Bedfordshire Archives
  10. ↑ Bedfordshire Archives
  11. ↑ Bedfordshire Archives
  12. ↑ Bedfordshire Archives
  13. ↑ Nieuwland, Alex. "Tournament – Beds LTC". www.tennisarchives.com. Tennis Archives. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  14. ↑ Nieuwland, Alex. "Tournament – Bedfordshire". www.tennisarchives.com. Tennis Archives. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  15. ↑ Routledges Sporting Annual (1883) Lawn Tennis Principle Meetings of 1882: . George Routledge and Son. London. p.117
  16. ↑ BEDFORD OPEN TOURNAMENT The forty-eighth annual open tournament of the Bedford Lawn Tennis Club takes place at the Bradgate Road courts during the whole of next week. Bedfordshire Times and Independent (Friday 28 July 1939). British Newspaper Archives. Bedford, Bedfordshire. England. p.15.
  17. ↑ Bedfordshire Times and Independent (1939) p.15.
  18. ↑ Tennis Archives
  19. ↑ Smith, Margaret. "Bedford+County: History". www.badmintonbedford.co.uk. Bedford Badminton Club. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  20. ↑ Bedford Badminton Club
  21. ↑ Bedford Badminton Club
  22. ↑ Bedford Badminton Club
  23. ↑ Bedford Badminton Club
  24. ↑ Bedford Badminton Club
  25. ↑ Bedford Badminton Club
  26. ↑ Bedford Badminton Club
  27. ↑ Bedford Badminton Club
  28. ↑ Bedford Badminton Club
  29. ↑ Tennis Association, Lawn. "History: Bedford Lawn Tennis Club". clubspark.lta.org.uk. LTA. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  30. ↑ "Series of photographs taken during the Bedford Open Tennis Tournament, 1954 (1) Billie..." discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/. Kew, Richmond: The National Archives. 1954. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
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