The South-West Districts Championships was a combined men's and women's grass court tennis tournament founded in 1950. The tournament was played at the Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia,The Age (1952) and ran annually until 1979 when it was discontinued as part of the ILTF Independent Circuit.
History In March 1950 the first South Western Districts Championships were founded. The winner of the men's singles title was Ken McGregor. The winner of the women's singles event was won by Joy Strickland. The event was played annually on outdoor grass courts at the Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia throughout its run. It initially ran annually as part of the ILTF Australasia Circuit, a global regional sub circuit of the larger ILTF World Circuit until 1969 for men, then 1972 for women before it then became part of the ILTF Independent Circuit (those events not part of the men's ILTF Grand Prix Circuit or women's Virginia Slims Circuit until 1979 when it was downgraded from that tour.
Today the venue for these former championships being the Warrnambool Tennis Club is one of the largest tennis facilities in Australia. With 26 grass courts,(ASC) 6 porous courts and 2 plexipave courts.(ASC)
Finals Men's singles YearChampionsRunners-upScore1950 Ken McGregor David Yates 9–7, 6–3.1951 Keith Rogers Alan Cook6–2, 6–1.1952 Frank Cornall Doug Reid6–3, 2–6, 6–2.1953 Warren Kennedy Doug Reid8–6, 3–6, 6–2.1954 Warren Kennedy (2) John Fraser6–3, 6–3.1955 Philip Brophy Colin Pym6–1, 9–7.1956 Warren Kennedy (3) Brian Tobinw.o.1957 Ashley Cooper Mal Anderson7–5, 6–3.1958 Neale Fraser John Fraser6–3, 6–1.1959 Cedric Mason Paul Hearnden6–4, 6–3.1960 Bob Mark Brian Tobin2–6, 8–6, 6–1.1961 Bob Carmichael Graeme Cumbrae-Stewart4–6, 6–3, 6–3.1962 Cedric Mason (2) Graeme Cumbrae-Stewart6–4, 2–6, 6–1.1963 Owen Davidson Neale Fraser6–4, 4–6, 6–4.1964 Will Coghlan John Sharpe6–4, 6–3.1965 Tony Roche Ron McKenziew.o.1966 Will Coghlan (2) Ron McKenzie6–4, 6–4.1967 Ray Ruffels John Fraser6–4, 3–6, 8–6.1968 Will Coghlan (3) Brian Tobin6–2, 6–2.↓ Open Era ↓1969 Syd Ball Cedric Mason 6–1, 6–2.1970 Frank Sedgman Anthony Hammond6–3, 6–1.1971 Cliff Letcher Brian Hill 6–2, 6–3.1972 Frank Sedgman (2) Cliff Letcher4–6, 6–4, 6–2.1973 Cliff Letcher (2) Frank Sedgman5–7, 6–4, 6–2.1974 Peter McNamara Cliff Letcher1–6, 7–6, 6–3.1975 Paul McNamee John Trickey6–4, 3–6, 6–4.1976 Peter McNamara (2) Bob Carmichael6–4, 6–4.1977 Will Coghlan (4) Trevor Little6–2, 6–3.1978 Will Coghlan (5) Trevor Little6–7, 6–4, 3–1 ret.1979 Will Coghlan (6) Bill Durham7–5, 6–2.
Women's singles YearChampionsRunners-upScore 1950 Joy Strickland Lynne Lamb 6–3, 8–6 1951 Robyn Strachan Mavis Robertson 1–6, 6–3, 6–4 1952 Margaret Wallis Robyn Strachan 6–2, 6–3 1953 Norma Ellis Margery Williams 6–2, 6–2 1954 Margery Williams Beverly Malcolm 6–4, 6–1 1955 Norma Ellis (2) Elizabeth Orton6–4, 6–1 1956 Maureen McCalman Betty Ruffin 6–4, 6–1 1957 Beverly Rae Margaret Carter 6–1, 6–1 1958 Beverly Rae (2) Pam Southcombe Wearne 2–6, 6–2, 8–6 1959 Thelma Coyne Long Beverly Rae6–4, 6–2 1960 Lorraine Coghlan Robinson L. Masson6–4, 6–2 1961 Beverly Rae (3) Lorraine Coghlan Robinson6–2, 3–6, 5–5, ret. 1962 Ann Jenkins Beverly Rae6–4, 6–4 1963 Judy Tegart Beverly Rae6–4, 6–1 1964 Judy Tegart (2) Beverly Rae6–2, 6–3 1965 Judy Tegart (3) Kerry Melville6–4, 3–6, 6–4 1966 Pat Turner Judy Tegartw.o. 1967 Lesley Turner Beryl Jenkins 6–3, 6–0 1968 Beverly Rae (4) Lynette Mansfield 6–2, 6–1↓ Open Era ↓ 1969 Beryl Jenkins Janet Young 1–6, 6–4, 6–3 1970 Beverly Rae (5) Janine Whyte 0–6, 6–2, 6–4 1971 Janine Whyte Beverly Rae4–6, 6–1, 6–2 1972 Janet Young Maureen Pratt 6–3, 6–3 1973 Judy Tegart-Dalton (4) Maureen Pratt 6–1, 6–1 1974 Kerry Harris Janet Young 6–2, 6–2 1975 Kym Ruddell Pam Whytcross 6–1, 6–0 1976 Kym Ruddell (2) Pam Whytcross 6–7, 6–4, 6–2 1977 Gwen Stirton Sue Chancellor 6–4, 6–2 1978 Elizabeth Little Beverly Rae7–6, 6–4 1979 Pam Whytcross Susan Leo 7–6, 6–3
Tournament records Men's singles Included: Most titles: Will Coghlan (6) Most consecutive titles: Will Coghlan (3) Most finals: Will Coghlan (6) Most consecutive finals: Will Coghlan (3)
Women's singles Most Titles: Beverly Rae (5) Most Consecutive Titles: Judy Tegart (3) Most finals: Beverly Rae (11) Most consecutive finals: Beverly Rae & Judy Tegart (4)
References