"THIRTY-FIFTEEN"—MARK LAMPE LOOKS BACK ON TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 November 1950, Page 8

"THIRTY-FIFTEEN"—MARK LAMPE LOOKS BACK ON TENNIS

Has Played With Some Notable Players And Visited Wimbledon

A colourful tennis career covering a period of more than 40 years was reviewed when Mr. Mark Lampe, ol Wanganui, was interviewed. Still a good tennis player, Mr. Lampe is an active member of three clubs in the city—Wanganui, St. John’s and Gonville. He is a foundation member of the-Wanganui Lawn Tennis Association and the St. John’s Tennis Club.

In his long association with tennis he has played against some of the game’s most noted personalities, in-

cluding Sir Norman Brooks, Dunlop and Haege, of Australia. He defeated the latter. He has attended two Davis Cup matches in New Zealand between Australia and United States, as well as having played in try-out matches at Wimbledon. He has also played in America and Canada.

Arriving in Wanganui in 1908 from Australia, Lampe joined the Queen's Park Tennis Club, which boasted eight fine grass courts, situated in the Vicinity of the Sarjeant Gallery. He well recalled the year in 1908. The trams had just begun operations. Lampe was associated with the foundation of the St. John's Tennis Club, which has played an important part in the development of the game in the city, and also was associated with the foundation of the Wanganui Lawn Tennis Association, which has proved such a vital factor in the advancement of tennis throughout the district. He is a life member of the St. John’s Club and a past president and secretary of the W.L.T.A. For more than 20 years, Mr. Lampe represented Wanganui at tennis with marked distinction. In the New Zealand Championship men’s doubles he has reached the semi-finals on three occasions, being partnered respectively by F. D. Andrews, a former N.Z. champion singles winner, C. E, Malfroy and the late G. H. Pownall. Andrews and Malfroy have for many years been resident in England, and have represented New Zealand in Davis Cup fixtures. With Mrs. Melody, he reached the semi-final of the New Zealand mixed doubles. Another achievement by Mr. Lampe is the fact that he won the National Veterans’ Championship Doubles with Dr. Hooper, of Palmerston North. He has also won the Wanganui Veterans doubles title twice, being partnered respectively by Mr. McNatty, a former Chief Postmaster in Wanganui, and Mr. P. D. England, now of Wellington. AT WIMBLEDON When in England many years ago Lampe went to Wimbledon and saw Lacoste beat Cochet in the final of the men’s singles. This was the period when France dominated the tennis world with brilliant players, and subdued the challenging Americans. Patterson and Hawkes, of Australia, wen the doubles, and Helen Wills triumphed in the ladies singles with convincing skill. Lampe played in the try-out singles marches and was eliminated in the fifth set at Wimbledon. He said the appointments at Wimbledon were on a luxurious scale and the centre court the acme of perfection. He took part in the London championships an.d played against Sydney Wood, who later won the Wimbledon singles title. Lampe, when in Paris, saw all the leading players in action, as well as several Australians. He has won the Auckland Tennis Association’s mens doubles championships twice, with Dr. Symth and N. Sturt respectively, and the Wellington doubles with Len France. He has also won the Manawatu doubles title. In past years Lampe has dominated the tennis scene by winning titles on several occasions in Wanganui, including residential honours.

In recognition of his valued work as Taihape representative on the Wanganui L.T.A., he is a life member of the Taihape Tennis Club.