In addition to the Club Championships held in September, there are two special events that the Club hosts each year: the Summer Series Tournament and the Invitation Tournament.

This is a singles tournament for players of all levels of ability and all age groups - this includes mini, juniors and seniors. It is an LTA Grade 4 Ranking Tournament, and the format ensures that players compete against other players of a similar ranking and ability. Winners of early rounds can progress not only to the final of their own draw, but have the opportunity to advance to a higher-rated draw. There's a consolation event for players rated 10.1 and 10.2, and there are also Red, Orange and Green mini-tennis events. It's a great way to gain ratings points!

2019 - Saturday 27th July to Sunday 4th August 2019

The 30th Doe Sport Summer Series Tennis Tournament again attracted a large entry from all over Scotland. And this year both the women's and men's titles were taken by local players, with Emma Wright of Bearsden winning the women's event and Fraser Craig of Thorn Park the men's.

The Men's Tableau Finale featured the same players as last year, Jack Walker (DL Hamilton) holder and four times winner of the event again matched against Fraser Craig (Thorn Park). But this year it was Fraser, whose game has improved so much this season, who took control of the match and who eventually took the title for the first time 6-3 6-4.

The Women's Tableau Finale featured two local players, Emma Wright (Bearsden) and Natasha Lee (Glasgow University Staff), both of whom reached the final for the first time. Emma took the first set 7-6 on a tiebreak after a long close and hard-fought battle, and then took control to win the second set 6-1 to secure the title for the home club.

The Men's Second Section final saw steady play by Sam Gray (Uddingston) too good for Andrew Lackie (Broomhill) to give him a 6-4 6-0 win. And in the Men's Third Section, which was dominated by players from Drumchapel, Colin McCrann secured a convincing 6-4 6-1 win over clubmate William Reid. But the Men's Section 3 playback saw a victory for David Nicolson (Bearsden) in a long and even match, who was the eventual winner 6-4 6-4 against Paul Smith (Drumchapel).

In the 9 and Under Mini Tennis event, Liam King (Dunfermline) was the winner with Rory Hunter (Bearsden) in second place, and the 8 and Under winner was Oran McBride (Bearsden) who just scraped home 12-10 against Andrew Dunn (Oxfordshire).

2018 - Saturday 28th July to Sunday 5th August 2018

The 29th tournament, held over 9 summer days at BLTC in Jubilee Gardens, was yet another outstanding success with over 100 entries from all parts of Scotland. The entry was of an exceptionally high standard this year. Jack Walker (DL Hamilton) retained his title in the Men's Tableau for the fourth successive year with a 6-2 6-2 win in a well-contested final against Fraser Craig of Thorn Park. Men's Section 2 winner was Stewart Armitage (Dunblane) with a 6-4 6-2 win against Fardin Panjshiri (Western). But the closest men's final of the day was in Section 3 between Derek Menzies of Milngavie (a newcomer to tournaments) and Nelson Wan of Queen's Park. Nelson took the first set 6-3 but, in the second, the skills of Derek saw him take the set 6-1. In the match tie-break, Derek took a quick 9-4 lead to give him 5 match points, but Nelson levelled it at 9-all! After more close points, Derek finally won 12-10. The playback event for this section saw home player Owen Boyle (Bearsden) win 6-2 6-1 against Chris Carr of Drumchapel.

The Ladies Tableau final was yet another thriller with 2015 champion Erin Russell (Western) facing the holder Eilidh McLaughlin (Newlands). Eilidh took the first set convincingly 6-1, but hard-hitting talented Erin fought back to eventually take the second set 7-6. The match tie-break saw yet more outstanding tennis with Erin eventually taking the title for the second time 10-5. And the Ladies Section 2 saw yet more outstanding tennis with the 2016 tableau winner Holly Docherty (Newlands) facing 2017 tableau finalist Sophie James (Newlands) - with Holly being the eventual winner 6-3 6-2.

The mini tennis events were held earlier in the week with Oran McBride (Bearsden) winning the 8 and Under event in the round robin, with Luke Kane of Strathgryffe the runner-up. Daniel Stanfield (Hamilton) won the 9 & Under with a 7-3 7-1 win against Harry Sangster (Western), and 10 & Under champion was Lauryn O'Brien (DL Glasgow) who won 4-1 4-0 against Luke Fulton (Kirkhill).

Trophies were presented to the winners by Les McLean of Doe Sport, sponsors of the event for over a decade. Referee was Josie Beeley, who has refereed all 29 of the Bearsden Summer Series Tournaments.

2017 - Saturday 29th July to Saturday 5th August 2017

2017's tournament was yet another great success. This annual event, now in its 28th year, is an LTA Grade 4 tournament which yet again attracted over 100 competitors from all parts of Scotland who enjoyed 8 days of outstanding play. This event is unique in Scotland and offers players of all levels of ability from ages 7 to over 70 a first match of their own standard!

Highlight of the tournament was the final of the men's tableau, with 4 times winner Ian Cannon of Hamilton pitched against holder and twice winner Jack Walker of David Lloyd Hamilton. After a close match with some outstanding play, Jack Walker made it a hat-trick to give him three titles in a row eventually wining 6-4 6-2. The men's Section 2 finals saw Luke Paul (Mount Vernon) facing Charlie Smith (Thorn Park) where, in the closest of contests, Luke eventually just scraped home 6-7 6-2 and 10-8 in the match tie-break. In the men's Section 3, Kieran Gilmurray (DL Hamilton) proved just too strong for the home player, Saurabh Vohra of Bearsden with a 6-2 6-0 win. But in the consolation event it was home player Bogdan Fodor who was the winner against Jack Brownlie (Drumchapel).

The ladies section also attracted a good entry and saw two newcomers to the event in the Tableau final, in a match of a high standard. Eilidh McLaughlin (Strathgryffe) was the new champion with a close 6-3 7-6 win over Sophie James (Newlands). And the ladies Section 2 final proved to be another nail-biting contest lasting two and a half hours in which Bearsden's Pauline Hughes took the first set 7-5 dropped the second 6-7, and eventually made it to the finishing line 10-8 in the match tie-break.

Winner of the age 8 & Under event was Luke Kane of Strathgryffe who just clinched victory over clubmate Megan O'Brien with a 1% game win difference! And in the 9 & Under, Harry Sangster of Western was the winner with Euan Williamson of Woodend in second place. But another highlight of the tournament was the 10 & Under event which saw 16 outstanding players from all parts of Scotland playing a Fast 4 Compass draw, with Rowan Speed (Dunfermline) taking the title with a 4-0 2-4 10-6 win over Callum Peat of Prestwick.

Prizes were presented to the winners by Martin Noble of Doe Sport, major sponsors of the event for over a decade. Thanks also go to local traders, Reid Shepherd, Kleerkut, Glengoyne Distillery, Paterson Holmes, Hillfoot Garage, StringSports, Monadh Kitchen and Bearsden Tyres for supporting the event. Referee was Josie Beeley who has been referee every year since its inception in 1989.

2016 - Saturday 30th July to Saturday 6th August 2016

The 2016 tournament was another outstanding success with an even larger entry than the record-breaking entry in 2015. There were 113 entries from all over Scotland and a total of 164 matches were played over the 8 days of the tournament. Winner of the men's tableau event for the second consecutive year was Jack Walker of VA Lanarkshire who, in a repeat of last year's final, and in a long close match, narrowly defeated Stephen Friel (Hamilton). Walker reached the final with a close win over Neil Koranka (Hamilton) 6-4 7-5, and Friel defeated Stefan Wolda (David Lloyd Renfrew) 6-4 6-2.

In the men's second section final, Stephan Wolda was also in action but John Jellema (Hamilton) proved just too good for him eventually taking the title 6-3 1-6 10-4 in a match tiebreak. The final of the men's third section featured last year's winner Fardin Panjshiri (Western) but this time he was up against the very determined and steady player, Christopher McNaught (Prestwick) who eventually clinched the closest of matches in an even closer tiebreak 6-3, 5-7 11-9. And in the men's section 3 consolation event, Andrew West (Drumchapel) was the winner over home player Bogdan Fodor (Bearsden) 6-2 6-4.

The ladies tableau semi finals, Holly Docherty (David Lloyd West End) had a close win over Niamh Slavin (Drumchapel) and Rebecca Cox (Strathgryffe) proved too good for Bearsden's Emma Wright 6-0 6-2. But the final was yet another tiebreak affair with Holly Docherty eventually just taking the title with a 3-6 6-2 10-6 win over Cox. In the ladies second section final, Jen Morton (Glasgow University Staff) quickly took the first set 6-2, but in the second, her opponent, Eileen Barr (David Lloyd Renfrew), rapidly caught up - with Morton just holding on to take the second set 7-6 (7-4) and the title with it.

The 10 & Under event also attracted a strong entry, and in the semi finals, Kyle McKay (Bearsden) eventually won 2-4 4-0 10-5 over Hector Fullone (Middlesex). But top seed Robert Phillips (Strathgryffe) and one of the top players at this age group in Scotland, proved too strong for Bearsden's Christian McKay in the other semi final winning 4-1 4-1. And with superb play from both players in the final Phillips defeated Kyle McKay 4-0 4-1.

In the 9 & Under (mini orange) event, Oliver Anderson (Bridge of Allan) had a close win over Finlay Orr (Giffnock) 2-7 7-4 7-3, whilst Archie Nicol (Strathgryffe) was too good for clubmate Christopher Kane winning 7-4 7-1. And in the final, eventually it was a victory for Oliver Anderson just making it home with a 7-1 5-7 7-3 win.

The 8 & Under (mini red) event was played with lots of enthusiasm, and after the round robin qualifiers, the semi finals saw Daniel Stansfield (Hamilton) winning 10-4 against Elisa Gibson (Woodend) and sibling Aran Gibson with a win over clubmate Euan Williamson 10-5. And in the final, which was a repeat of the mini red final at the Ayrshire Junior Open championships earlier in the year, Daniel again made the match winning shot 10-7 to give him his second 8 & under title this season.

Prizes were presented to the winners by Craig Mitchell of Doe Sport North, sponsors of this event for over a decade. This was the 27th Summer Series tournament organised by Bearsden Tennis Club, and local referee Josie Beeley has refereed all of them!

2015 - Saturday 1st to Saturday 8th August 2015

There was a record entry for 2015’s Doe Sport Summer Series LTA Tournament at Bearsden Lawn Tennis Club. In the top men’s final, played at Jubilee Gardens, Jack Walker (VA Lanarkshire) won through 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 against Stephen Friel from the same club in a hard hitting match. In the quarter-final Jack Walker won a close match against Ian MacAulay (Newlands) 6-4 4-6 10-8 and in the semi-final he beat Bearsden club coach Gordon Wilson. Stephen Friel won through to the final against top seeded 16 year-old Kafui Akpo-Young (Bearsden) 6-4 6-3 after beating Nigel Smith from Edinburgh in the quarter-finals.

The top ladies’ title was won by Erin Russell (Scotstoun) 6-0 6-4 against Karen Christie (Bearsden). Twelve-year-old Erin was the youngest ladies’ winner in the history of the tournament. Earlier this year she won both under-12 and under-14 age groups of the Scottish Junior Closed Championships. Erin won through 6-0 6-0 in the quarter-finals against Rebecca Bonomi (Rutherglen) and beat Pauline Hughes (Bearsden) 6-1 6-2 in the semi-finals. Karen Christie beat Shannon Brown (Hamilton) 6-2 6-0 in the quarter-finals and Diane Fung (Fort Matilda) 6-2 7-5 in the semi-finals.

Other final results were:
Ladies’ Section 2 - Nicola Prigg (Prestwick) beat Mary Hunter (Virgin Active Milngavie) 6-0 6-0.
Men’s Section 2 - Andrei Sorin (Woodend) beat Lorne Berkley (Milngavie) 6-1 6-0.
Men’s Section 3 - Fardin Panjsiri (Western) beat Andy McGregor (Bearsden) 6-0 7-5.
Section 3B under-14 boys - Fraser Edwards (Bearsden) beat Callum Sommerville (Drumchapel) 6-4 6-2.
Consolation event - Joseph Sheridan (Bearsden) beat James Cathro (Bearsden) 6-1 6-2.
Mini Green (10 & under) - Blair Russell (Scotstoun) beat Kyle McKay (Bearsden).
Mini Orange (age 9 & under) - Robert Philips (Woodend) beat Riley Thomson (Perth).
Mini Red (8 & under) - Ethan Ellor (Mount Vernon) beat Charlie Miller.
Trophies were presented to the winners by Martin Noble of Doe Sport North which has sponsored the event for over a decade.

2014 - Saturday 9th to Sunday 17th August 2014

In 2014, Bearsden Tennis Club held its 25th annual Doe Summer Series Tournament with an excellent turnout. The LTA tournament attracts players of all standards from beginners to county ones and veterans with the opportunity to pit their skills against each other. In addition there are popular matches for mini tennis players (aged 8, 9, 10 or under).

In the top men’s final, Ian Cannon from Hamilton won through 6-1, 6-4 against Grant Adie from Kirkhill to retain his title for the third successive year. Grant Adie had got through to the final with a hard hitting match against Stephen Friel (Uddingston) 6-4, 6-4. The top ladies title was won by Kirsty MacDonald (16) from Western Tennis Club 6-2, 6-0 against her clubmate Giorgia Bigaro.

In the ladies Section 2, Niamh Slavin (Drumchapel) had a decisive win 6-2, 6-1 against Maureen Murray (Virgin Active Milngavie) and in the men’s Section 2 Grant Adie beat David Campbell (Thorn Park) 7-6, 6-4 in a close final. Grant had a second match the same day by reaching the final of the top men’s event.

In the large 3rd men’s draw, Andrew Mackintosh (Woodend) won through 6-1, 6-2 against Phil Waterfield (Bearsden). The section 3B under-16 boys event saw Scott Curran (Bearsden) get through 6-4, 7-6 against Fraser Edwards (Bearsden). The consolation event from this draw was won by Arron Scott (Drumchapel) with a 6-4 6-1 win over club-mate Craig McKenna.

The Mini Green (age 10 and under) was won by Jonah Gethin (Pacific Club, Hong Kong) and the runner-up was Findlay Watters (Thorn Park). In the Mini Orange event (age 9 andunder) there were many matches with the winner Antony Sheridan (Bearsden) and runner-up Luca Barbieri (Bearsden). For the mini-red (8 & under) the winner was Andrew Wilson (Bearsden) and the runner-up Ethan Ryan (Thorn Park).

Trophies were presented to the winners by Alec Goodwin of Doe Sport North which has sponsored the event for the tenth consecutive year.

2013 - Friday 2nd to Saturday 10th August 2013

There was an excellent entry of more than 110 competitors in this year's 24th Doe Sport Bearsden Summer Series LTA-sanctioned Grade 4 Tournament held at Bearsden Lawn Tennis Club. As well as the open events for players of all standards from beginners to county players, there were extremely popular matches for mini tennis players (aged 8, 9 or 10 and under) which attracted highly-rated players from across Scotland.

In the top Men's final, Ian Cannon (Hamilton) won through in a match tie-break 7-6(0), 4-6, (10-6) in a superb game against Cameron Mackie (Strathgryffe) to retain his title. Ian, the coach at Uddingston Tennis Club, has competed in the Bearsden tournament in each of the last sixteen years and won the top event previously in 2008 and in 2012. In the semi-finals, Ian overcame another previous winner, Steven Brown (David Lloyd) in a hard hitting 6-4, 6-3 victory and in the quarter final winning 6-1, 6-1 against 14 year old Dean Spiers (Bearsden). Dean had progressed from a second draw winning two tableau draw matches over two adults rated 7.2 before losing to Ian. Nineteen year old Cameron Mackie, was a West of Scotland junior county player last year and in 2012 was Scottish top ranked in his age group. He too had previously won through on match tie-breaks against the second seed Calum Gibson-Smith (Western) by 6-2, 6-7(3), (11-9) and in the semis against Neil Koronka (Hamilton) 6-2, 7-6(8), (10-8).

The top Ladies' title was won by Allwyn Crawford (Bishopbriggs) by a margin of 6-1, 6-3 against Rebecca Bonomi (Uddingston). Allwyn, the Bishopbriggs coach, won through earlier rounds against the top seed, Emma Wright (Bearsden) by 1-6, 6-4 (10-6) and again turned over a losing first set to win a tie-break with 13 year old Rachel Taylor (Bearsden) by 1-6, 6-3 (10-6) in the semis.

In the final of what was a very large Men's second section draw (for players with Ratings 9.2 to 8.1) there was an intriguing contrast in style, age and experience between Ian MacAulay (Newlands), who won the Bearsden tournament top title three times in the 1990's (and was a representative in Scottish International matches), and Dean Spiers (Bearsden) aged fourteen - who this year has been playing in the club first men's team. Ian's unusual style, playing two handed on both sides and with the ball taken early and precisely targeted, was a problem for a series of competitors in the tournament in which he won seven matches including progressing into the top draw. Ian MacAulay eventually won through a close match against Dean's greater mobility but lesser experience, 7-6(4) 6-4.

The Ladies' second section draw final saw Cara Wilson (Bishopbriggs) winning through 2-6, 6-3, (10-8) against Iona Taylor (Drumchapel).In the men's third section draw, Matt Byiers (Uddingston) won 7-6(4), 6-2 against Jack Sinclair (Drumchapel). There was also a Men's third section consolation event the final being a long close match which Ryan Long eventually won 4-6, 7-6(4), (10-2) playing his club-mate David Flynn (Drumchapel). Awards were presented by Bearsden Tournament Committee member Caroline Gillen, and the event was again sponsored by Doe Sport (North) Ltd.

Photos of finalists from previous Summer Series Tournaments to follow...

Josie Beeley

The tour-de-force behind the Bearsden Summer Series Tournament and the Invitation Tournament is Josie Beeley. She has been the main organiser and tournament referee throughout the many years that these events have run. The considerable time and effort she gives to these tournaments ensures that they are always very well organised and a great success.

Previous Summer Series Winners (Mens)

2019 - The 43rd Annual Invitation Tournament

The annual Invitation Tournament was held on Sunday 2nd June 2019. Congratulations to Clarkston Tennis Club who won the ladies' event, and Western who won the men's.

Well done to all the BLTC players who took part (Lesley Pratt, Rachel Taylor, Liam Gordon, Andrew Christie, Paul Mazoyer and Scott Curran), and thank you to referee and club legend Josie Beeley for organising this great event for the 43rd year in a row!

2018 - The 42nd Annual Invitation Tournament

The annual Invitation Tournament was held on Sunday 3rd June 2018, with eight mens and eight ladies teams from across the west of Scotland competing in this legendary doubles competition, organised by Josie Beeley. Winners of the ladies final were Western, with Milngavie winning the mens final. Bearsden teams were runners-up in both finals.

2017 - The 41st Annual Invitation Tournament

In the men's event, after some close first round matches, holders Bishopbriggs (represented again by Andrew Blair and Greg Marlow) met Fardin Panjshiri and Ridwan Pfluger of Western. In the closest of matches, a 6/5 win just scraped them a place in the final. Here they met Bearsden's Andrew Christie and Liam Gordon (both still under 18) who secured their place in the final with a 12/2 win over Milngavie's Frank McBride and David Alexander. The final was neck-and-neck all the way with Bishopbriggs taking an early lead and then the home team getting ahead, Eventually the more experienced Bishopbriggs pair won some key points in the last game to retain their title with a 7/5 win and take the trophy back home too.

The ladies event also produced some excellent matches, with both Bearsden's first couple, Joanne Quirk and Lesley Pratt, and the Garscube-based Glasgow University Staff team, Genevieve Stapleton and Elaine Clark having easy passages to meet in the semis. But with both teams raising their game, it was the Glasgow Univ ladies who eventually reached the final with an 8/4 win. In the bottom half of the draw, Bearsden's second team, Susan Burns and :Pauline Hughes, thanks to some superb net play by Susan, proved too strong for the experienced Clarkston couple, Mary Gow and Lesley Taylor. But in the final it was the Glasgow Univ ladies (the losing finalists last year) who came through with a 6/3 win over the home team to take the trophy to the University for the first time.

Trophies were presented to the winners by Club Secretary, Andy Gordon. Also present at the event was Mike Bottomley representing club main sponsor Clyde Property. Tournament referee was Josie Beeley who has officiated at all of the 41 tournaments.

2016 - The 40th Annual Invitation Tournament

Local clubs did well at the 40th Annual Invitation Tournament held on Sunday 5th June 2016 at Bearsden Lawn Tennis Club in Jubilee Gardens, with ten clubs taking part. Bishopbriggs won the men's event and Thorn Park the ladies.

After some well-contested first round matches, the men's semi-finals saw two teams from the home club on court, with Bearsden's Paul Mazoyer and Andrew Brock securing victory over Lenzie 8-4, but with Bearsdens' second men's pair, father and son team Philip and Scott Waterfield, eventually succumbing to the Bishopbriggs team of Andrew Blair and Gregg Marlow 8-6. And it was the Bishopbriggs team who were the eventual winners with a close 6-5 win over the home pair in the final.

In the ladies event semis, the Thorn Park team of Elise McCaig and Claire Ryan proved just too strong for Strathgryffe's Rebecca Cox and Rhianne Richmond winning 10-1. And in the other semi-final, the Garscube-based Glasgow University Staff team, Elaine Clarke and Genevieve Stapleton, narrowly defeated the home pair of Dorothy Gordon and Joanne Quirk 6-5. In the final the Thorn Park team held off a strong challenge from the University-based pair to secure the trophy 6-3.

Trophies were presented to the finalists by John Shemilt, President of Tennis West of Scotland.

Another highlight of the tournament was an exhibition game of tennis as it might have been played a century ago, involving Pauline Hughes and Keith Wright, in appropriate dress, using wooden rackets and white balls! Quite a spectacle!

2015 - The 39th Annual Invitation Tournament

Sixteen doubles teams from tennis clubs across the West of Scotland met on Sunday 7th June 2015 at Bearsden Lawn Tennis Club for the 39th Annual Invitation Tournament. In the top ladies doubles competition, Emma Wright and Joanne Quirk (Bearsden), defending their title, won through in a tie-break which had spectators on the edge of their seats in the final, 6-5 (7-5), against sisters Amy and Rebecca Cox (Bishopbriggs). Emma and Joanne reached the final with a semi-final win against Clarkston’s Mary Gow and Babs Blackett.

The men’s doubles winners were Lenzie’s David McBain and Stewart Wright who beat John James and Alan Whitlock (Woodend) 6-2. The Lenzie club has competed in the Invitation Tournament every year but this was the first time their men won the Stage Stirling Trophy for the men’s ?competition.

Teams that lost their first-round match played through to a consolation final with Bearsden’s men, Phil and Scott Waterfield winning through against William Stevenson and Colin Scott (Clarkston). The ladies’ winners were Jenny Whitaker and Kathie Nicholson (Milngavie) who beat Craighelen’s Sue Black and Susan Bell.

A large crowd turned out for the event in what was glorious sunshine, and the trophies were presented by club secretary Andy Gordon.

2014 - The 38th Annual Invitation Tournament - Bearsden Men and Ladies both win!

On Sunday 8th June 2014, in the top ladies' doubles competition, Emma Wright and Joanne Quirk (Bearsden) won 6-2 in the final against Clarkston's Jenny Hunter and Jennifer Hahn. Emma and Joanne reached the final with a close 7-6 win against Craighelen in the semi-final.

In the men's event, the two Bearsden teams won through to reach the final. The Bearsden top team of Gordon Wilson and Ian MacAulay got there with wins against Lenzie and Bishopbriggs. The Bearsden 2nd team of Euan Proud and Scott MacAulay beat Broomhill in their first round and just got through 6-5 in the semi-final against Shaun Tulloch and Roger MacLean (Milngavie). In the final, Ian MacAulay was facing his very talented son Scott in the other team - but Gordon and Ian just edged it to win 6-4.

Teams that lost their first round match played through to a consolation final with Glasgow University Staff men Dan Lockyer and Hugh Shields winning through against Clarkston's William Steven and Craig Beaton. The ladies' winners were Genevieve Stapleton and Elaine Clark (G.U. Staff) who beat Lenzie's Audrey Wright and Mandy Thomson.

The tennis was enjoyed by a large group of spectators. Councillor Keith Small attended the event during the afternoon. Trophies were presented by Club Secretary Andy Gordon.

2013 - Congratulations to Gordon Wilson and Andrew Merry (Bearsden), who won the mens' event at the Invitation Tournament, held at the club on Sunday 2nd June 2013. On a glorious sunny day, the ladies' winners were Clarkston's Lesley Taylor and Mary Gow. As always, many thanks to Josie Beeley for organising and refereeing this hugely enjoyable event. For further details, please click here for the Milngavie & Bearsden Herald report.

Photos of winners from previous Invitation Tournaments to follow...