On 8th June, Colden Common Tennis Club hosted its much‑loved annual American Tournament, and what a fantastic day it turned out to be. With 15 enthusiastic players taking to the courts, the atmosphere was full of energy, friendly competition, and plenty of laughter - everything that makes our club so special.

A Big Congratulations to Our Winner

This year’s tournament was won in style by Alex Morten, who finished with an impressive 28 points, making him the clear winner of the day.Hot on his heels were four ladies tied on 22 points, followed closely by a strong third place on 21 points. The standard of play was  brilliant across the board, and it was wonderful to see such a mix of members taking part.

What is an American Tournament?

For anyone new to the format, an American Tournament is a fun, sociable round‑robin mixed doubles event. Players are paired at random and rotate partners every round, with each match lasting 15 minutes.

It’s all about enjoying the game, meeting new people, and embracing the spirit of friendly competition. The player who wins the most games overall takes home the honour - and at CCTC, that means being awarded the Mark Ashthorpe Cup.

BBQ, Sunshine & Good Company

After the final points were tallied, everyone joins us in the park for a relaxed BBQ, where the stories of near‑misses, great rallies, and lucky shots continued well into the afternoon. As always, the social side of the day was just as enjoyable as the tennis itself.

In Honour of Mark Ashthorpe

Each year, this tournament is held in memory of Mark Ashthorpe, a much‑loved member of our club and a cherished part of the Colden Common community.

Mark was a Detective Chief Inspector with 30 years of service, known for his sharp mind, quick wit, and warm humour. He was also an avid tennis player, enjoying both singles and doubles, and played a key role in helping establish CCTC in its early days back in 2015. He served as our Child Protection Officer, a trustee, and was always someone you could rely on - both on and off the court.

Mark lived locally with his wife Debbie and their three daughters, and his presence is still very much felt at the club. A bench in his memory sits proudly by the courts, offering a quiet place to sit, reflect, or simply enjoy watching a good rally.

Mark passed away in December 2019 from Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare and little‑understood neurological disorder. Each year, our American Tournament helps raise funds for MSA Trust’s research, and in 2025 we were proud to raise £75 in his honour.

A Day That Brings Us Together

The 2025 American Tournament was everything we hoped it would be — competitive, sociable, meaningful, and full of community spirit. Events like this remind us why CCTC is such a special place: we play tennis, we support one another, and we honour the people who helped shape our club.

A huge thank‑you to everyone who played, cheered, cooked, organised, and donated. We’re already looking forward to next year.