Here an ‘ace’ idea for staying healthy and getting fit - head along to Largs Tennis Club on Monday evenings and get playing!

Due to Andy Murray’s grand slam success in recent years, tennis is one of our new national sports, as the game has received a bigger profile than it ever has done before.

If you have been inspired to pick up a racquet, then why not head along to Douglas Park from 6pm and test out your skills.

All seven courts at Douglas Park were built in 1920. and Largs Tennis Club have announced plans to try and obtain all weather tennis courts to make it an all year round sport.

In an edition of the Largs and Millport Weekly News of Saturday 5 June 1920, we reported: “On Friday night, a meeting of those interested in tennis was held in the Stevenston Institute to consider the advisability of forming a tennis club in connection with the public courts in Douglas Park, opened the next day. It was agreed at the committee to call the club The Douglas Park Tennis Club, with an annual subscription of 2 schillings (10p!).” The best local player to have ever graced the courts at Largs Tennis Club was Jimmy Kirk who won many club tournaments throughout the 1950s and 60s era, and went on to be a successful coach for the club for many years after. Jimmy was honoured by Tennis Scotland for his services to the sport several years ago.

The tennis club have two gents and ladies teams who compete in Ayrshire doubles league and the Scottish Cup. Ladies traditionally play on Wednesday evenings, and gents play on Thursday evenings. Coaching is also available for children throughout the summer months, provided by Ryan Bunyan. For more details, contact 07825 005112. Last year, the club organised a fun American tournament on a Sunday afternoon, while the annual club competition offered gents singles, and mixed doubles tournaments, with plans to expand on the range of competitions on offer this year. The current holder of the Gents Singles competition is 22 year old Lewis McAulay who has a speedy serve at 124mph!

All ages and abilities are welcome at the club, and the Monday night club events are always popular.

League matches provide some extra competition, and teams travel all over Ayrshire to the likes of courts at Coylton, Prestwick, Ayr and Troon.

Although the Prestwick club even boast Jan Collins, who is currently Wimbledon champion for the over 85s!

Later in the summer, there is an Ayrshire wide mixed doubles competition, and Ayrshire Masters for over 40s and 45s.

‘News’ reporter Calum Corral has played at the club for 15 years, and said: “It is a great club to be involved with and over the years, I have seen players aged 8-85 play on the courts, Tennis really is a great sport for all ages, and it is a very friendly club.” Largs Tennis Club have been triumphant winners of the Masters tournamnet in recent seasons. For more details about the club, email the secretary on gavin.maclellan@gmail.com