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Barry Shave Doubles Tournament begins Wednesday

Jun 12, 2018 | 4:53 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — One of the Medicine Hat Tennis Club’s biggest events returns this week.

The Barry Shave Memorial Classic Doubles Tournament is celebrating its 20th anniversary, with the first round getting underway on Wednesday.

“I think the Barry Shave is just a chance for us to say something to the community,” said club manager Ken Clement. “Tennis isn’t a high profile sport in Medicine Hat by any means. It’s a way that we can show that we’re contributing, and we’re promoting a cooperative, helpful mentality in the community.”

The tournament honours Barry Shave, a teacher and volunteer tennis coach who passed away from cancer in 1999.

Clement notes several players from the club’s junior program are taking part in this year’s tournament, one week after taking to the court for their own tournament.

“You have the kids, most of them are the kids of parents who play tennis, but some of them are from completely outside of a tennis environment,” he said. “They come in, they like it, and have a great old time.”

The Barry Shave Memorial Classic has raised more than $150,000 over the past two decades, helping support the club’s facility expansion program and the Canadian Cancer Society. This year, the club is also raising funds for the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre.

“This is one tournament where you manage to combine a competitive environment with ‘let’s have a good time,’” said Clement. “People of all skill levels participate, and nobody gets too bent out of shape if the result isn’t quite what they expected. They all end up cheering for each other, and end up enjoying the whole event.”

The tournament wraps up on Sunday.