20 September 2017 | Tennis West

Margaret River Tennis Club will be a hive of activity this weekend when almost 100 local and interstate players descend on the club for the Margaret River Gold Australian Money Tournament (AMT).

 

The AMT will run from 23-26 September, and is proudly sponsored by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

 

The competition is set to be fierce as the strong contingent of players all vie for $10,000 in prize money.

 

Shire of Augusta Margaret River President, Ian Earl, welcomed the return of professional tennis to the region.

 

“The Shire of Augusta Margaret River is delighted to be supporting tennis in the region again. This event provides us with a fantastic opportunity to showcase our area to local, interstate and international players”. Earl said

 

WA’s rising stars are set to make their mark at this tournament, with the top 5 seeds in both the men’s and women’s draw all being WA locals.  Among the top seeds is Zach Itzstein, who is currently ranked 54 in Australia and boasts a great track record at WA tournaments, having recently taken out the Perth Platinum AMT and Geraldton Easter Open.

 

Second seed, Tristan Schoolkate will certainly be a force to be reckoned with, coming into the tournament with some solid form. Schoolkate was a quarterfinalist at the Oceania Closed Junior Championships ITF event in Fiji, and a semifinalist at the Queensland Junior Winter International ITF. Schoolkate was also chosen to attend a Davis Cup training camp during the Australia v USA tie in Brisbane in April.

 

Schoolkate has a good track record against Itzstein in recent times, defeating Itzstein in both the Bronze Bash AMT and Bronze Blast AMT earlier this month, and is excited about the upcoming tournament.

 

“I can’t wait to come down south and play some good tennis while enjoying what this great part of the world has to offer” Schoolkate said.

 

Sixth seed, Dominic Bechard will also be one to watch this tournament. Bechard has recently returned from the University of Tulsa where he has been competing on a tennis scholarship.

 

In the Women’s draw, 17 year old Crystal Mildwaters has earned the top seed after an impressive season of tennis. Mildwaters was a finalist at the Silver Swift AMT in June, and a quarterfinalist at the Newcastle Platinum AMT, Satwell RSL Seaside Open AMT and the Perth Platinum AMT.

 

Second seed, Lexie Weir also sports an impressive record coming into the tournament. She was a finalist at the Bronze Bash AMT and semifinalist at the Perth Platinum AMT. Weir also defeated Mildwaters to take out the Final of the Silver Swift AMT.

 

South West Players will also feature across both the Men’s and Women’s draws, including Kayla Myburgh, Summer O’Keefe, Maddy Wright, Michael Frayne, Cooper Smith, Carlton O’Keefe and Joshua Grace.

 

Tennis West CEO, Michael Roberts said holding the event in the Margaret River is not only a big drawcard for the players, but a great opportunity for locals to watch some world class tennis.

 

“We are grateful to the Shire for their support of this event. The players love playing in Margaret River, where they can also make the most of what the region has to offer”

 

“There will be some world-class men’s and women’s tennis on offer to the local community, and best of all, the event is completely free for spectators” Roberts said.

 

Tournament Director, Loretta Hughes, is pleased that locals will be able to watch up-and-coming elite players close to home, backed by her team of tournament staff and officials.

 

“The players will be able play on some of the best courts in the State, whilst enjoying the wonderful beaches, surf, restaurants, wineries and boutiques of Margaret River between matches” Hughes said.

 

Tennis West will also be holding a Free Kids Tennis Day on Sunday 24 September from 9-11am at the tennis club.

 

The full list of players and draws can be found here.

 

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