It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Peter Langsford.
Peter emerged from Waikato into the Auckland tennis scene at around 12 years old. He formed a formidable doubles team with Gerald Siddall.
As a junior he represented Auckland in Slazenger Shield and played Wilding Shield as a senior. He achieved national representation in Linton Cup and Galea Cup and was part of a national junior squad that included Chris Lewis, Russell Simpson and John Mills.
He reached the singles final of the New Zealand Championships, losing to Onny Parun in the final.
In 1973 he struck out for England to further his tennis, playing doubles at Wimbledon. His professional doubles career brought him back to New Zealand, where he reached the final of the Benson and Hedges doubles tournament (as the ASB Classic was known in those days). He was a part of the wider Davis Cup Squad, winning the New Zealand championship doubles in 1977/78. He won the New Zealand hardcourt championship in both the singles and doubles in 1978.
Returning to Europe with his wife Lynn, he took up a playing and coaching contract in Düsseldorf.
In the mid 1980’s he and Lynn came home to New Zealand, where he took on a national junior coaching role, working alongside Davis Cup coach Jeff Simpson and Brian Fairlie. Along with Jeff, a notable achievement was guiding the U16 New Zealand Junior team to the World Youth Cup Final.
He also managed the New Zealand Federation Cup team.
Alongside coaching and playing, Peter showed an impressive aptitude for business. In setting up a golf and tennis academy with Rory Moor at St. Kentigern College he managed to balance this acumen with coaching. Several successful New Zealand players began their coaching journey under Peter’s mentorship, including Junior Grand Slam doubles champions James Greenhalgh and Steve Downs.
Those who knew him recall his sociability. Tennis Auckland Life member Pam Sowter remembers him as part of a ‘social bunch’.
“Peter, having known you as opponent, teammate, colleague and friend, I watched you turn challenges into successes.
However your best decision was marrying Lynn and spending almost forty-six years together.
Until we meet again.” John Mills (“Millsy”).
Our thoughts go out at this time to Lynn and all family members.
