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37 · Friday, June 11, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com MANY HAPPY RETURNS: Norbert Nemesek returns a shot at the recent Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations tennis championships in Toronto. The White Oaks student moved to Canada three years ago from Hungary to work on his English and pursue a tennis scholarship. PHOTO SUBMITTED Long road to OFSAA title for White Oaks student By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF N o player has come as far as Norbert Nemesek -- not that the 18-year-old ever lacked skills on the tennis court. After all, Nemesek was just six years old when his parents, looking to keep him occupied for the final week of summer vacation, signed him up for a camp. The coach recognized some talent, told his parents and soon he was taking lessons. Twelve years later, Nemesek found himself in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championship. Facing an opponent (Burlington's Azargui Soufiane) he had faced numerous times but had never beaten, Nemesek took an early lead and cruised to an easy 8-1 win to win the OFSAA open boys' singles title. "The guy is a phenomenal player," said White Oaks tennis coach Ryan McLaughlin. "He's very gifted." Though he has progressed a long way from those first lessons, how far Nemesek has come has more to do with actual distance traveled. The native of Hungary moved to Canada three years ago to live with his uncle. Originally the move was to help him improve his English. But once here, Nemesek realized that it would be easier to achieve his goal of earning a tennis scholarship playing in North America instead of Europe. With the school year winding down, Nemesek will return home soon. "I'm going home in three weeks," he said. "I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends again." Nemesek will return to White Oaks next year to complete his Grade 12 courses. Though he misses family back home, he has enjoyed living in Canada. "The whole environment, it's a more relaxed life here," he said. "In Hungary, everybody is in a rush." Nemesek looked like he was in a rush to get the OFSAA tournament over with. He lost just 11 games in four matches. His closest match was an 8-4 semifinal victory over Iain Snedden of Oakridge. That set up a final match against a very familiar opponent. Nemesek and Soufiane train together on almost a daily basis at ACE Tennis Academy in Burlington. At OFSAA, the two warmed up together before their matches and ate lunch together. Nemesek and Soufiane had teamed up to win a doubles title at an International Tennis Federation tournament in Burlington in October. But in the singles draw, it was Soufiane who ended his partner's best run in an ITF event, beating him in the semifinals. His familiarity with his opponent would pay off at OFSAA, though. "I knew I had to be patient," Nemesek said. "I was serving well so I had to play the type of game that would help win the match." "He just overpowered him with his serves and his shots down the line," McLaughlin added. See Blakelock page 38 GREEN FEES MAKE THE PERFECT PASSES ARE AVAILABLE AT OUR FULLY STOCKED PRO SHOPS AT HIDDEN LAKE GOLF CLUB & LOWVILLE GOLF CLUB Call Hidden Lake Pro Shop 905-336-3660 or Lowville Pro Shop 905-335-6181 REMEMBER DAD FATHER'S DAY GIFT! for further information! Visit Us Online: www.hiddenlakegolf.com