Sat 4 September 2021 was the inaugural Mike A Driver Memorial Tournament (MAD Tournament). Mike Driver was a much loved member of HLTC who unfortunately passed away in September 2020. He is greatly missed, especially at tennis and golf club tournaments and social events. This event has been established as a way to honour his memory and celebrate a kind and generous gentle man.

Members past and present who knew Mike well were assembled into six teams for a fun handicap tournament. Each team had a Mike-based theme and colour that was special to him: Cornish Crackers, Triumph, Good Years, Chillies, Sundowners and the Reds. There were five rounds played and much fun and barracking to be had across nine courts. Afterwards family and friends of Mike gathered for beer or red wine (Mike’s favourite tipple) in the pavilion. The winning team – Sundowners (yellow) – was awarded stylish trophies and a number of family and friends read out tributes to Mike, as well as sharing fond, funny and often poignant memories. The evening was rounded off with a chilli dish (also Mike’s favourite) and lots of reminiscing.

Many people contributed to make the event and the evening supper a huge success. Thanks must go to Mike’s wife Wendy and her family, Club President Beverley Bailey, Tournament organiser and Ladies Captain Viv Mrowiec, catering supremo Lorraine Burton who provided the delicious food, the drink providers Simon, Janet and Gordon and the speakers – Tania (Wendy’s daughter), Beverley (including tributes from Constanze and Wolfgang from Germany and Linda and Malcolm from Australia, Andy Bunyan (also on behalf of Tina and Paul from New Zealand), Sander Rensen, Gordon Smith, John Walker and suitably rounded off with a joke or two from Robert Lemon.

We hope that this MAD Tournament will become an established event in the Club’s Calendar each September and will be a fitting tribute to Mike A Driver.