Highland Championships

Last updated
Highland Championships
Defunct tennis tournament
Tour ILTF Circuit
Founded1896
Abolished1981(44 years ago) (1981)
Location Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland
VenueAtholl Palace Hotel
Surface Grass

The Highland Championships (informally called the Scottish Highland Championships) was a men's and women's grass court tennis tournament first established in 1896 as part of the Atholl Hydropathic Open Lawn Tennis Tournament. [1] Also known as the Bell's Highland Championships for sponsorship reasons (1974–1981). [2]

Contents

The championships were first held at the Athole Hydropathic tennis courts, Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland. The tournament was staged annually as part of the ILTF Circuit until 1981. [3]

History

In 1878, the Atholl Hydropathic was opened. In August 1896, the hotel established its first lawn tennis event, the Atholl Hydropathic Open Lawn Tennis Tournament of which the Highland Lawn Tennis Championship Trophy was played for as part of the gentleman's singles programme. [4] It was part of the Scottish Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) circuit from inception. In 1913, the venue's name was changed to the Athol Palace Hotel. The championships were temporarily suspended during both the first and second world wars. It continued to be held annually as part of the official international ILTF Circuit from 1913. At the 1930 championships 149 players entered the tournament for play. [5]

In 1974, the Scottish whisky company Arthur Bell & Sons Ltd. decided to sponsor the event under the brand name the Bell's Highland Championships. That year, 14-year-old Judith Erskine (future mother of grand slam champion Andy Murray) won all three titles of the Bell's Junior Championship of the Highlands. [6] It ran until 1981, [7] when it ceased to part of the international worldwide tennis circuit. The tournament continues to be staged at the same venue today, now known as the Highland Tennis Championships, [8] or Tennis Championships of the Highlands. The tournament is currently administered by Tennis Scotland.

Venue

Atholl Palace, Pitlochry venue for this tennis event. Atholl Palace, Pitlochry.jpg
Atholl Palace, Pitlochry venue for this tennis event.

In 1874, the Perthshire architect, Andrew Heiton was commissioned to design a Scottish baronial-style hydropathic establishment, with accommodation. [9] In 1878, the building was officially opened and named the Athole Hydropathic. [10] In 1913, its name was changed to The Atholl Palace Hotel. [10]

Finals

Men's singles

Harry S. Barlow first men's singles champion c. 1900. Harry s barlow.jpg
Harry S. Barlow first men's singles champion c. 1900.

(incomplete roll)

YearChampionsRunners-upScore
↓  SLTA Circuit  ↓
Highland Lawn Tennis Championship Trophy
1897 [3] Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg Harry Sibthorpe Barlow Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Clement Cazalet w.o.
1899 [11] Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg Sydney Lawrence Fry Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rupert Hamblin-Smith6–1, 6–3, 6–4
1900 [3] Flag of Scotland.svg Alfred Aitken Thomson Flag of Scotland.svg Richard Millar Watson w.o.
Highland Lawn Tennis Championships
1901 [3] Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg Sydney Lawrence Fry (2) Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg James Cecil Parke 6–1, 6–4, 1–6, 6–2
1903 [3] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E.G. Whittle Flag of the United Kingdom.svg C.H. Moss6–1, 6–3, 4–6, 6–2
1905 [3] Flag of Scotland.svg W.E. McKechnie Flag of the United Kingdom.svg T.B. Pollard6–4, 2–6, 6–4, 6–2
↓  ILTF Circuit  ↓
Highland Championships
1938 [12] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Gregory Flag of Ireland.svg Alfred Eustace Fannin6–4, 3–6, 8–6
1940/1945Not held (due to World War II)
1947 [3] Flag of Scotland.svg David M. Duncan Flag of Scotland.svg S.H. Allan6–2, 7–5
1948 [3] Flag of Scotland.svg John Stewart Ross Flag of Scotland.svg G.W. O'Connor7–5, 7–5
1949 [3] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John C. George Savile Flag of Australia (converted).svg Arthur J. Gould8–10, 6–2, 6–0
1950 [3] Flag of Poland.svg Tadeusz Slawek [13] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John C. George Savile6–1, 6–1
1951 [3] Flag of Poland.svg Tadeusz Slawek (2) Flag of Scotland.svg R.H. Thomson6–3, 6–1
1952 [3] Flag of Poland.svg Tadeusz Slawek (3) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg A.G. Potter6–0, 7–5
1953 [3] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg A.L. Graeme Flag of the United Kingdom.svg N.J. Gibson6–4, 4–6, 6–2
1954 [3] Flag of Ireland.svg John R. Maguire Flag of the United Kingdom.svg D.B. Dempsey6–3, 6–1
1955 [3] Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Douglas Ford [14] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg J.J. Carmichael6–1, 6–2
1956 [3] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Ronald Mills Flag of the United Kingdom.svg D.B. Dempsey6–0, 6–3
1957 [3] Flag of Scotland.svg D.B. Dempsey Flag of the United Kingdom.svg A. Bloomfield6–3, 6–2
1959 [3] Flag of the United States.svg Aaron S. Black Flag of Scotland.svg D.C. Burrows13–11, 6–1
1960 [3] Flag of Scotland.svg D.B. Dempsey (2) Flag of the United States.svg Aaron S. Black2–6, 11–9, 6–0
1961 [3] Flag of Scotland.svg D.B. Dempsey (3) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ken Riley6–3, 4–6, 6–1
1962 [3] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Cox Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Blizard [15] 6–3, 6–0
1964 [3] Flag of Scotland.svg J.C. Reynolds Flag of Scotland.svg T.C. MacNair6–2, 6–2
↓  Open era  ↓
1972 [3] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Graham Clifton Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Alan Lloyd 6–2, 6–2
Bell's Highland Championships
1975 [3] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Alan Lloyd Flag of the United States.svg Hugh Thomson [16] 6–3, 6–0
1976 [3] Flag of Scotland.svg Graeme Notman [17] Flag of Scotland.svg Ken Revie 6–3, 6–2
1977 [3] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jasper Cooper Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robbie Rockwell4–6, 6–2, 6–4
1978 [3] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg K. Reynolds Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Littlewood6–3, 6–3
1979 [3] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg K. Reynolds (2) Flag of Scotland.svg J. McKechnie6–4, 6–3
1980 [3] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Powell Flag of Scotland.svg Keith Kordula [18] 6–3, 6–2
1981 [3] Flag of Scotland.svg P. Priest Flag of Scotland.svg N. Carmichaell6–3, 6–3

Women's singles

Anita Lizana of Chile won 1 singles titles. Anita Lizana 1938.jpg
Anita Lizana of Chile won 1 singles titles.
Esna Boyd of Australian won 2 singles titles. Esna Boyd.jpg
Esna Boyd of Australian won 2 singles titles.

(incomplete roll)

YearChampionsRunners-upScore
↓  SLTA Circuit  ↓
Highland Lawn Tennis Championship Trophy
1897 Flag of Scotland.svg Lottie Paterson Flag of Scotland.svg Jane Corder6–3, 6–3
1899 Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg Florence Stanuell Flag of Scotland.svg Lottie Paterson 6–2, 3–6, 6–2
1900 Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg Ruth Dyas Durlacher Flag of Scotland.svg Lottie Paterson 6–4, 6–3
Highland Lawn Tennis Championships
1903 Flag of Scotland.svg Alice Maud Ferguson Flag of England.svg Minnie Hunter6–3, 8–6
↓  ILTF Circuit  ↓
Highland Championships
1922 Flag of Scotland.svg Mary Gray Welsh Flag of England.svg Mary Thom6–1, 9–7
1928 Flag of Scotland.svg Winifred Mason British Raj Red Ensign.svg Olga Webb1–6, 6–1, 6–3
1929 Flag of Scotland.svg Winifred Mason (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geraldine Beamish 6–0, 6–4
1933 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Esna Boyd Robertson Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joan Hartigan 6–2, 6–2
1934 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Esna Boyd Robertson (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kathleen Robertson6-2, 6-0
1935 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Madge Slaney Flag of Australia (converted).svg Esna Boyd Robertson 6–2, 6–1
1936 Flag of Chile.svg Anita Lizana Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Madge Slaney6–4, 6–3
1940/1945Not held (due to World War II)
1948 Flag of Poland.svg Helena Czolowska Flag of Ireland.svg Betty Lombard 6–2, 7–5
1950 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mrs C.M. Mitchell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chloe Rhodes6–4, 2–6, 8–6
1952 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joyce Reid Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E. Vlandy6–0, 7–5
1953 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Beryl Bartlett Flag of Poland.svg Helena Czolowska6–3, 4–6, 6–4
1961 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ann McAlpine Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sally Holdsworth6–1, 6–4
1962 Flag of Scotland.svg Joyce Barclay Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alison Stroud7–5, 6–3
1967 Flag of Scotland.svg Winnie Shaw Flag of Australia (converted).svg Margaret H. O'Donnell 6–4, 7–5
↓  Open era  ↓
Bell's Highland Championships
1975 Flag of Scotland.svg Joyce Barclay Hume (2) Flag of Scotland.svg Winnie Shaw Wooldridge 6–8, 6–0, 6–3
1976 Flag of Scotland.svg Joyce Barclay Hume (3) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jill Cottrell6–3, 7–5
1977 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jill Cottrell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Marjorie Love1–6, 6–1, 6–2
1978 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jill Cottrell (2) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E. Armstrong6–1, 6–4
1979 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg G. Armstrong Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eleanor Lightbody7–5, 6–8, 6–3
1980 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg D. Boothman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg L. Ristic10–8, 6–2
1981 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg L. Reid Flag of the United Kingdom.svg D. Boothman6–4, 6–1

Event names

References

  1. "Highland Lawn Tennis Championship Trophy: We give a sketch of the Highland championship challenge trophy which to be competed for as part of the Atholl Hydropathic Open Lawn Tennis tournament" . Edinburgh Evening News . Midlothian, Scotland: British Newspaper Archive. 17 August 1896. p. 4. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  2. Barrett, John; Tingay, Lance; Flink, Steve (1979). "British Tournament Results 1978". World of Tennis BP Year Book 1979. London: Macdonald and James Publishers Limited. p. 286. ISBN   0354090682.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 "Tournaments: Highland Championships". The Tennis Base. Tennismem SL. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  4. Edinburgh Evening News (1896)
  5. "HIGHLAND TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP At Pitlochry Today play commenced in the 25th annual Highland championship tournament at the courts at the Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry. There was a capital entry of 149 players, which is under last year's record" . Dundee Evening Telegraph. Angus, Scotland: British Newspaper Archive. 8 September 1930. p. 5. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  6. "TENNIS HAT TRICK FOR JUDITH: Crieff, pupil, 14-year-old Judith Erskine of Dunblane was successful three times over in the finals of the Bell's Junior Championship of the Highlands at Perth on Saturday. Also featured is the Bells Highland Championships for seniors". Strathearn Herald. Perthshire, Scotland: British Newspaper Archive. 17 August 1974. p. 8. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  7. "Tennis News: Across the border to Perth and at Bells Highland Championships". Grantham Journal. Lincolnshire, England: British Newspaper Archive. 25 September 1981. p. 24. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  8. "Highland Tennis Championships". Scotland's Spa Hotel. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  9. "Atholl Palace Museum: Hotel History & Architectural Heritage". www.athollpalace.com. Atholl Palace Hotel. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  10. 1 2 Atholl Palace Hotel
  11. "LAWN TENNIS: Highland Championship Tournament". The Courier and Argus. Dundee, Tayside, Scotland: newspapers.com. 14 Aug 1899. p. 3. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  12. "LAWN TENNIS HIGHLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS Two Davis Cup players, J. C. Gregory and A. E. Fannin, contested the final of the men's singles in the Highland Tennis Championship Tournament" . Edinburgh Evening News. Midlothian, Scotland: British Newspaper Archive. 10 September 1938. p. 28. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  13. "Tadeusz Slawek: Overview". ATP Tour. London: ATP. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  14. "Brian Ford: Overview". ATP Tour. London: ATP. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  15. "John Blizzard: Overview". ATP Tour. London: ATP. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  16. "Player Profile: Hugh Thomson". www.itftennis.com. London: ITF. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  17. "Graeme Notman: Overview". ATP Tour. London: ATP. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  18. "Kordula finally claims his magnificent seventh". Herald Scotland . Edinburgh: The Herald & Times Group. 1 August 1994. Retrieved 21 August 2023.