It is time to look out the tennis racquets as Largs seeks to gain an early advantage this year.
Largs Tennis Club is starting the season earlier than usual with the first competition of the season taking place at Inverclyde Sports Centre this weekend.
Weekday practice has already been taking place throughout January.
The first qualifying event for the Murray Cup takes place on Sunday 4 February at Inverclyde at 1pm.. 
Club members should email David Cunningham (davidlindsaycunningham@gmail.com) to confirm their attendance.
Qualifying events will be held monthly from February until June. Members will play a series of doubles games at each qualifier (with different partners drawn at random) and accumulate points on an individual basis.
Each Qualifier will have a men’s and a ladies’ winner. Members’ points will be totalled up over the year in a men’s league table and a ladies league table.
Members don’t have to play all qualifiers, but the more they play, the more points they get.
At the end of the year the top two men and top two women will play mixed doubles at Finals Day for the Murray Cup.
The third and fourth place men and women will play mixed doubles at Finals Day for the Murray Shield.
Last year, the inaugural Murray Cup saw members play a series of qualifiers throughout the season to win a place in the final. The Murray Cup final was contested between Sarah Cunningham and Crawford Boyd against Sue Wilkie and Alan McEwing. In a rollercoaster match Sarah and Crawford proved to be the strongest on the day, taking victory in 3 sets; 0-6, 6-1, 6-4. 
The Murray Shield for 3rd and 4th place was won by Janie McKenzie and David Cunningham against Chris Reekie and Andy Jones. Janie and David put in a solid performance winning 6-2, 6-3.
Last year’s Murray Cup format proved to be very popular and with the earlier start date, it is a good opportunity for some competitive tennis to get the season going in earnest this weekend.
Inverclyde Sports Centre have block booked courts for Largs Tennis Club until the end of March as follows; Morning Play 10-12am Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Anyone who hasn’t played in the morning and wishes to start must contact Brian McNeil on 07551183429. Sunday Play 1-3pm commencing February 4th, Monday evenings 6-8pm commencing 12th February. For more details about club membership this year, email gavin.maclellan@gmail.com
Competition dates have been confirmed for 2018 as follows: 4 February (1pm) Murray Cup Qualifier; 1 March - Entries for Club Championships Open; 4 March (1pm) Murray Cup Qualifier 2; 9 April - Murray Cup Qualifier 3; 6 May (1pm) Murray Cup Qualifier 4 27 May - Mixed Team Mach (Entries to be confirmed). 3 June - Murray Cup Qualifier 5; 28 & 29 July - Club Championships Finals Weekend. 
April (1pm) Murray Cup Qualifier 3; 9 April Entries for Club Championships Close; 6 May (1pm) Murray Cup Qualifier 4; 6 May (1pm) Mixed Team Match (Details to be confirmed) 03 June (1pm) Murray Cup Qualifier 5; 28 & 29th July Club Championships Finals Weekend*Club Championships will be: Gents Singles, Ladies Singles, Gents Doubles, Ladies Doubles and Mixed Doubles, Mixed Doubles Handicap.
The Ayrshire Gents and Ladies doubles leagues run from April until June, while the Ayrshire Mixed Doubles competition takes place in August. Both competitions have home and away fixtures.
Largs Ladies 1st team managed to stay in the top division after winning a dramatic play-off last season, while Largs Gents 2 side remain in Division Two. Largs 2 Gents side will be competing in the fourth division, and will require two play-offs in order to get promoted to Division 3.
Last year’s Largs Tennis Club gents singles winner was Blair Cunningham, women’s singles winner - Lesley Maclellan, Gents Doubles - Malcolm McAulay and Calum Corral, Mixed Doubles - Gavin Maclellan and Deborah Brown.
To keep up to date with everything happening at Largs Tennis Club, go to their Facebook page which includes photos from last year’s competition events and updates on tournaments. The club is always on the look out for new members. Email gavin.maclellan@gmail.com for more details.