The Villa Primrose Bordeaux was delighted to host a CTC event between Friday 30th September and Sunday 2nd October and truly honored to welcome fellow Centenary clubs Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club, London and Kungl. Lawn Tennis Klubben, Stockholm.

On Friday, after having got acquainted over a lunch at the Club, direction Bordeaux Wine Museum for those willing to learn about, and sample the region’s best-known produce, and tennis practice for the more motivated, who wanted to familiarize themselves with the Villa Primrose’s legendary red clay courts.

The traditional captains’ meeting was held on Friday evening in the Honorary Lounge where new friendships were made and a Champagne toast proclaimed to officially kick off the proceedings. Emblematic Chris Hurst captained the Cumberland Lawn tennis team, KLTK was finely represented by David Holme and Guillaume Bouffard, Villa Primrose’s Treasurer headed the home team (HLTC Leimonias unfortunately had to pull out a couple weeks prior to the event, the Villa Primrose therefore aligned 2 teams).

Unfortunately, the Bordeaux sunshine didn’t come out to play on Saturday, but the rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm, and the matches were very competitive, a few close calls but all in a spirit of fair play.

The first day saw Cumberland win against Primrose 2 (6-3) and Kung Lawn Tennis Club loose to Primrose 1(3-6).

On Saturday evening, for the Gala evening, Villa Primrose’s President Emmanuel Cruse and his wife Virginie welcomed all to a prestigious dinner at their Wine Château in the Medoc. Everyone got dressed up to the nines and direction ‘ Château d’Issan’. We were truly spoiled and had a fantastic wine tasting of some of the property’s most prestigious ‘grands crus. Memories were made and gifts exchanged.

Sunday came around far too quickly and the finals and 3rd place play offs saw a victory (even if marginal 5-4) for the French Hosts and a victory for our Swedish friends against Primrose 2 (7-2) The result was overshadowed by the joyous atmosphere and the convivial Brunch that accompanied the prize giving. After a fond farewell to those having to travel back, some players stayed on to try out the recently completed Padel tennis courts.

Villa Primrose thanks all once again for their participation and good humor. We can’t wait to see everyone again, and also travel to new Clubs to continuing to extend the CTC family ties!