The Galashiels Open was a men's and women's grass court tennis tournament founded in 1884 early editions of the singles events were called the Galashiels Championship. It was organised by Gala Lawn Tennis Club, and played at the Mossilee Cricket Ground, Galashiels Scotland through till 1920 when it was discontinued as a stand-alone event.
History The first Gala Lawn Tennis Club was founded in 1884. That year it held the first Galashiels Open tournament,Southern Reporter that featured three events men's singles and doubles and a mixed doubles event. In 1886 the event featured Wimbledon player George Kerr. The tournament organised by the Gala Club was usually played at the Galashiels Cricket Club Mossilee Cricket Ground. In 1895 the tournament was held in conjunction with the first Border Lawn Tennis Championships (1895–1965) until the early 1900s. That tournament moved to be played on cinder courts (clay) at Langhaugh Gardens, Galashiels circa. 1905. The tournament continued till around 1920.
Finals Men's singles (Incomplete roll) YearChampionsRunners-upScore1884 Alfred Aitken Thomson S.C. Knott6–5, 6–1, 6–2.1886 Arthur John Neville Story George KerrAELTC7–9, 6–4, 6–2, 7–9, 6–0.1887 Richard Millar Watson James Hill Conyers6–3, 6–1, 6–1.
Men's doubles (Incomplete roll) YearChampionsRunners-upScore1884 E.M. Inglis S.C. Knott Alex BuchananForrester John Thomson 3–6, 6–3, 6–3, 7–9, 6–4.1887 Arthur John Neville Story Richard Millar Watson Kenneth Sanderson James Hill Conyers6–4, 6–3, 6–4.
Mixed doubles (Incomplete roll) YearChampionsRunners-upScore1884 Alfred Aitken Thomson Miss. Ness W. Smith Miss Ash6–3, 3–6, 6–4.
See also Galashiels Tennis in Scotland
References