Paige Seburn
Niagara Now/The Lake Report

Saturday’s Grape and Wine Tournament proved to be a lively day of competition and camaraderie, as a couple of dozen women came out to the Niagara-on-the-Lake Tennis Club for a series of matches — with free wine for the winners.

This was the eighth annual tournament, hosted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 5, and saw 24 registered participants take part, first with a round-robin tournament, then the championship games.

Trish Spagnol and Christy Pennington, members of the NOTL Tennis Club, cohost the tournament every year, conceived eight years ago while Spagnol was playing on the courts one night with friends.

“We wrap up the summer by having an enjoyable tournament — just because we love the game,” said Spagnol.

Participants were encouraged to wear shades of purple, pink or white, to reflect their favourite types of wine.

“It’s such a lovely group of ladies. This was a great way to bring them all together and to meet somebody new,” she said.

After everyone showed up and found out who their partner was for the round-robin on Saturday, they played two rounds of 45 minutes each, and from there, they established the championship and consolation games, said Spagnol.

She made personalized towels for everyone, had local wine donated by NOTL winery Ferox for the winners, and provided jams and jellies for all participants to take home.

“Nobody went home empty-handed,” said Spagnol.

The registration fee of $25 covered not just the games but also a box lunch and snacks, which she said made it an affordable way to enjoy a day of tennis.

“With rising costs, I was left with only $7 to save for next year,” said Spagnol.

But the community’s enthusiasm is what keeps this tournament alive, she said.