Jeff was a hugely respected tennis player, competing against many of the Australian greats of the day. He won the NZ singles title three times, represented New Zealand in the Davis Cup both as a player and later as Captain. He reached the last 16 at Wimbledon at his first attempt, and also reached the last 16 of the mixed doubles at Wimbledon with wife Heather in 1957. In badminton, with many titles to his name, Jeff was ranked in the top 6 in the world, and then went on to be a controller of badminton at several Olympics for 25 years.

In the 1976 New Year Honours, Jeff was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to tennis and badminton. In 1990, he was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.

In 2004, Jeff and wife Heather Robson were awarded the The Halberg Trust NZ Herald ‘Lifetime Achievement’ Award for contribution to badminton and tennis in New Zealand.

Working around his day job as a dentist, Jeff was also the chairman of the committee for the first Open tennis tournament at the Stanley Street venue before it became the now named ASB Classic.

Jeff was a foundation member of the International Tennis Club of New Zealand in 1956 and has been the Patron for many years and was a Life Member.

He will be missed by many.