Colourful fall tennis event honours good Vernon Joe

Published 2:00 pm Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Joe Fabi would be smiling his approval.

The Fabi Fall Tennis Tournament – named after the first member of the Vernon Tennis Association (VTA, who died at 86 in 2021 – was held Sept. 26 at the Marshall Field Tennis Courts in Vernon. The event honoured the life, passion, and legacy of VTA co-founder Fabi.

“Joe’s love of tennis and dedication to building our local tennis community inspired this tournament from the very beginning,” said event spokesperson Stan Vuckovic . ”For many of us, playing on these courts in his memory feels like a natural extension of the spirit he brought to every match, every meeting, and every moment he spent supporting the game.”

This year’s tournament format brought together four colour-coded teams — Red, Blue, Orange, and Yellow — each made up of five players.

With participants ranging from 3.5 to 4.0 NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) levels, the day offered a perfect mix of friendly rivalry and high-quality doubles tennis, as players rotated partners and opponents across the courts.

“The atmosphere was energetic from the first serve to the last point,” said Vuckovic. “Quick exchanges at the net, well-placed serves, and plenty of spirited rallies under the late-summer Okanagan sun.”

After three hours of competition, Team Blue emerged as the tournament champions. The winning squad consisted of:

• Karthik Lakshmi Narayanan

• Sean Irvin

• Leslie Irvinapps

• Kate Johnson

• Paul Lawson

Their consistent play, smart court coverage, and great team chemistry earned them the top spot — and a sweet reward: complimentary Tim Hortons gift cards for each team member.

As the final points were played, everyone gathered for a relaxed burger barbecue, sharing stories from the day’s matches and reflecting on what makes this tournament so special.

“It wasn’t just about winning; it was about coming together as a tennis community to celebrate Joe’s legacy, enjoy great company, and keep the spirit of the game alive in Vernon,” said Vuckovic.

Players are already looking forward to the next Fabi Tournament, scheduled for 2027.

Joe Fabi took his first tennis lesson at age 65 and discovered a passion for the game. He continued to play on a regular basis, being found on the courts four-to-five-times a week.

Fabi’s love of tennis saw him heavily involved in organizing the VTA.