Alice Pennefather
Alice Pennefather in 1935
Personal information
Birth nameAlice Edith Wilhelmina Patterson
Full nameAlice Edith Wilhelmina Pennefather
Born(1903-10-16)16 October 1903[1]
Singapore, Straits Settlements
Died24 February 1983(1983-02-24) (aged 79)[2]
Singapore
Sport
Country Singapore
SportBadminton/Field hockey/Netball/Tennis

Alice Edith Wilhelmina Pennefather (née Patterson; 1903 – 1983) was a Singaporean sportwoman who excelled in various sports such as badminton, field hockey, netball, and tennis. In 2016, she was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame, maintained by the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations.[3]

Early life

Alice Patterson was born in Singapore on 16 October 1903, and was of Japanese and Scottish descent.[1] She was educated at the Raffles Girls' School and had no particular interest in sports until she met Lancelot Maurice Pennefather, an all-around sportsman in 1918.[1][4] Under Lancelot's guidance, she initially took up badminton and later expanded her sporting resume to include field hockey, netball, and tennis.[3]

Sporting career

In 1930, Pennefather joined the Girls' Sports Club founded by Eurasian women and quickly established herself as the club's standout player.[5] She started competing in badminton tournaments and won her first Singapore Open women's singles title in 1931.[6] Her initial success propelled her to win three more singles titles in 1932,[7] 1934[8] and 1937.[9] In the doubles events, Pennefather secured her only Singapore Open women's doubles title in 1931, with Maude Lewis.[10] In 1947 and 1950, she triumphed in mixed doubles with partners Quek Keng Chuan and Ong Poh Lim respectively, with the latter victory achieved at the remarkable age of 47.[11][12] In addition to her success in Singapore, Pennefather also claimed victories at the inaugural Malayan Open, securing the women's singles and doubles titles alongside Ong Siew Eng in 1937.[13] She added another women's doubles title in 1948, with Helen Heng.[14]

Another significant milestone for Pennefather occurred in 1936 when she became Singapore's women's tennis champion. This achievement was historic as it marked the first time a non-European had won that title.[3] She claimed the singles crown by defeating Pat Coleman in the tournament final.[15] In the same year, she also reached the women's doubles final with her clubmate Maisey Eber, but they were defeated in straight sets by the European pair of Pat Coleman and Mrs. Taylor.[16] In the subsequent years, Pennefather continued to sustain her high standards of play and remained actively involved in tennis where she would again, reach the finals of both the women's singles and doubles events in 1939[17][18] and 1940.[19][20]

An accomplished field hockey player, Pennefather played for the Girls' Sports Club (GSC) and served as the team's captain from 1931 to 1958, except during the Japanese occupation of Singapore from 1941 to 1945.[3] Under her leadership, the GSC hockey team achieved recognition as one of the top teams in Singapore.[21] Additionally, she was also selected to represent Singapore in the initial editions of inter-state tournaments against Malayan states such as Perak and Selangor.[22] The Jansenites Hockey Club, which began at her home in Jansen Road, and celebrated its 35th anniversary with a magazine in which she was said to have been described as "Physically and character wise she was a towering person, always full of love".[23]

Pennefather was also a prominent player in netball,[23] contributing to the success of the Girls' Sports Club as they secured two consecutive Singapore netball league titles in 1939 and 1940.[24][25]

Due to her sporting success and longevity, she was commonly referred to as "The Grand Old Lady of Sport".[3][23]

Personal life

She married Lancelot Maurice Pennefather in 1919, when she was 16 years old; they had two sons, Percy and Ashton. Percy captained Singapore in Field hockey at the 1956 Summer Olympics and his daughter Annabel became the first woman on the Singapore National Olympic Council and first female president of the Singapore Hockey Federation.[3] When Annabel was awarded Her World's "Woman of the Year" in 2004 she spoke of her grandmother as "her role model for life" and "a strong sporty woman".[26]

Pennefather celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary in 1979, at which time she was still in employment as a section head at Shaw's Rentals. Asked about the secret of a happy marriage she said "Love, tolerance and understanding", and advised any new bride to "Give in to your husband even if he's wrong or you're angry. You'll find life more pleasant."[4]

Death

Pennefather died on 24 February 1983, roughly a year after her husband's death in 1982.[3]

Honours and awards

In 1980, at the Girls' Sports Club (GSC) 50th anniversary celebrations, Pennefather was named as "The Outstanding Playing Member of the GSC".[3]

In 2016, she was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame posthumously for her significant contributions to women's sports in Singapore.[3]

Sporting achievements

Badminton

Women's singles

Year Tournament Opponent Score Result Ref
1931 Singapore Open Straits Settlements E. da Silva 11–2, 11–6 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [6]
1932 Singapore Open Straits Settlements E. da Silva 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [7]
1933 Singapore Open Straits Settlements Ong Siew Eng 4–11, 10–13 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [27]
1934 Singapore Open Straits Settlements Ong Siew Eng 11–8, 11–3 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [8]
1937 Malaysia Open Federated Malay States Lee Chee Neo 6–11, 11–4, 11–8 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [13]
1937 Singapore Open Straits Settlements Ong Siew Eng (0–5), 11–3, 11–6 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [9]
1938 Singapore Open Straits Settlements Waileen Wong 7–11, 11–12 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [28]
1939 Singapore Open Straits Settlements Waileen Wong 12–10, 3–11, 6–11 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [29]

Women's doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result Ref
1931 Singapore Open Straits Settlements Maude Lewis Japan F. Horii
Japan S. Horii		 15–11, 15–4 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [10]
1937 Malaysia Open Straits Settlements Ong Siew Eng Federated Malay States Lee Chee Neo
Federated Malay States Lee Kim Neo		 14–18, 15–5, 15–9 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [13]
1948 Malaysia Open Colony of Singapore Helen Heng Colony of Singapore Chung Kon Yoong
Colony of Singapore Ong Siew Eng		 2–15, 15–12, 15–2 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [14]
1948 Singapore Open Colony of Singapore Eunice de Souza Colony of Singapore Helen Heng
Colony of Singapore Ong Siew Eng		 15–7, 14–18, 11–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [30]
1949 Singapore Open Colony of Singapore Ong Heng Kwee Colony of Singapore Helen Heng
Colony of Singapore Mary Sim		 8–15, 8–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [31]
1952 Singapore Open Colony of Singapore Doreen Kiong Colony of Singapore Helen Heng
Colony of Singapore Mary Sim		 5–15, 5–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [32]

Mixed doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result Ref
1933 Singapore Open Straits Settlements L. M. Pennefather Straits Settlements E. J. Vass
Straits Settlements J. de Souza		 7–21, 9–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [33]
1934 Singapore Open Straits Settlements Michael Tan Straits Settlements E. J. Vass
Straits Settlements J. de Souza		 21–12, 13–21, 14–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [34]
1935 Singapore Open Straits Settlements E. J. Vass Straits Settlements Seah Eng Hee
Straits Settlements Aileen Wong		 14–21, 17–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [35]
1947 Singapore Open Colony of Singapore Quek Keng Chuan Colony of Singapore Cheong Hock Leng
Colony of Singapore Teo Tiang Seng		 15–3, 15–4 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [11]
1950 Singapore Open Colony of Singapore Ong Poh Lim Colony of Singapore Lau Teng Siah
Colony of Singapore Mak Fong Sim		 15–11, 15–6 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [12]
1952 Singapore Open Colony of Singapore Goh Tian Chye Colony of Singapore Ong Poh Lim
Colony of Singapore Ong Siew Yong		 17–18, 7–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [32]
1953 Singapore Open Colony of Singapore Goh Tian Chye Colony of Singapore Ong Poh Lim
Colony of Singapore Ong Siew Yong		 6–15, 0–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [36]

Tennis

Women's singles

Result Year Tournament Surface Opponent Score Ref
Win1936Singapore ChampionshipsGrassStraits Settlements Pat Coleman8–6, 2–6, 6–4[15]
Loss1939Singapore ChampionshipsGrassStraits Settlements Maisey Eber2–6, 6–4, 2–6[17]
Loss1940Singapore ChampionshipsGrassNew Zealand Mrs. N. M. Levien6–4, 1–6, 4–6[19]

Women's doubles

Result Year Tournament Surface Partner Opponent Score Ref
Loss 1936 Singapore Championships Grass Straits Settlements Maisey Eber Straits Settlements Pat Coleman
Straits Settlements Mrs. Taylor		 5–7, 3–6 [16]
Loss 1939 Singapore Championships Grass Straits Settlements Maisey Eber Straits Settlements Mrs. Nassim
Straits Settlements Mrs. P. Sewell		 1–6, 6–8 [18]
Loss 1940 Singapore Championships Grass Straits Settlements Mrs. P. Sewell Straits Settlements Mrs. Nassim
Straits Settlements Mrs. Warden		 2–6, 7–5 [20]

Netball

Girls' Sports Club
  • Singapore Netball League

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Personalities In Sport: Mrs. L. M. Pennefather". Sunday Tribune (Singapore). 30 August 1936. p. 20.
  2. ↑ "Grand old lady of sport dies". The Straits Times. 25 February 1983. p. 42.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Alice Pennefather". The Honored Inductees to the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame. Singapore Council of Women's Organisations. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Diamond Wedding". Straits Times. 3 March 1979. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  5. ↑ "The Sporting Granny Who Started It All". The Straits Times. 30 August 1980. p. 6. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Mrs. Pennefather And Vass Winner". Malaya Tribune. 20 October 1931. p. 10. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Vass Retains Singapore Title". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 19 October 1932. p. 2. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Mrs. Pennefather Regains Badminton Title". The Straits Times. 5 November 1934. p. 14. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Final Ties In The Tournament". Morning Tribune. 25 October 1937. p. 21. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  10. 1 2 "Singapore Championship Doubles Finals". The Straits Times. 13 October 1931. p. 13. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Peng Soon Retains Title". Malaya Tribune. 22 December 1947. p. 16. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  12. 1 2 "Poh Lim wins his first Colony title". The Singapore Free Press. 18 January 1951. p. 7. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  13. 1 2 3 "Malayan Badminton Championships". The Straits Times. 7 December 1937. p. 14. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Penang Champion Annexes Malayan Badminton Title". Morning Tribune. 30 March 1948. p. 16. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  15. 1 2 "Mrs. L. M. Pennefather Wins Tennis Title Miss P. Coleman Beaten". Malaya Tribune. 23 July 1936. p. 14. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  16. 1 2 "Miss Coleman & Mrs. Taylor Win Women's Doubles". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942). 21 July 1936. p. 16. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  17. 1 2 "Two Finals Decided in S.L.T.A. Championships". The Straits Times. 16 June 1939. p. 18. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  18. 1 2 "Mrs. Nassim & Mrs. Sewell Doubles Champions". Malaya Tribune. 15 June 1939. p. 15. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  19. 1 2 "Mrs. Levien Wins Women's Singles Title". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942). 5 June 1940. p. 8. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  20. 1 2 "Yadi and Kamis Retain Title for Third Year". The Straits Times. 20 June 1940. p. 15. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  21. ↑ "Fellowship of green fields". The Straits Times. 30 August 1980. p. 3. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  22. ↑ "Women's State Hockey Team". Malaya Tribune. 7 February 1941. p. 4. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  23. 1 2 3 "Breaking through barriers: inspiring Eurasian women: Anabel Pennefather" (PDF). The New Eurasian. April–June 2014. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  24. 1 2 "G.S.C. Win Trophy Back". Malaya Tribune. 15 July 1939. p. 16. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  25. 1 2 "Singapore Netball League Ends". Malaya Tribune. 23 August 1940. p. 4. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  26. ↑ "2004 Annabel Pennefather Her World Woman of the Year". SPH Magazines. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  27. ↑ "Title Holder Beaten". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 19 September 1933. p. 15. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  28. ↑ "Miss Waileen Wong Wins Women's Singles Badminton Title". The Straits Times. 4 December 1938. p. 32. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  29. ↑ "Waileen Wong Retains Title". Morning Tribune. 18 September 1939. p. 15. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  30. ↑ "Tribune Backed The Right Man". Sunday Tribune (Singapore). 17 October 1948. p. 10. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  31. ↑ "Peng Soon Makes Badminton History". Sunday Tribune (Singapore). 18 December 1949. p. 15. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  32. 1 2 "Poh Lim is Triple Champion". The Singapore Free Press. 30 December 1952. p. 6. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  33. ↑ "End of Badminton Season". Malaya Tribune. 18 December 1933. p. 13. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  34. ↑ "Local Badminton Finals". Malaya Tribune. 13 August 1934. p. 14. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  35. ↑ "S'pore Badminton Championships". Sunday Tribune (Singapore). 11 August 1935. p. 10. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  36. ↑ "A Junior Defeats Marjan". The Straits Times. 3 December 1953. p. 16. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
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