Alice Pennefather

Alice Edith Wilhelmina Pennefather (née Patterson; 16 October 1903 – 24 February 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.

Early life Alice Patterson was born in Singapore on 16 October 1903, and was of Japanese and Scottish descent. She started competing in badminton tournaments and won her first Singapore Open women's singles title in 1931. Her initial success propelled her to win three more singles titles in 1932, 1934 and 1937. In the doubles events, Pennefather secured her only Singapore Open women's doubles title in 1931, with Maude Lewis. 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. 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. She added another women's doubles title in 1948, with Helen Heng.

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. 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. 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 and 1940.

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. Additionally, she was also selected to represent Singapore in the initial editions of inter-state tournaments against Malayan states such as Perak and Selangor. 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".

Pennefather was also a prominent player in netball,

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

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."

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

Singapore Open Ong Siew Eng 11–8, 11–3

Singapore Open Waileen Wong 12–10, 3–11, 6–11

Malaysia Open Lee Chee Neo 3–11, 0–11

Women's doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result Ref1931 Singapore Open Maude Lewis F. Horii S. Horii 15–11, 15–4 Winner 1949 Singapore Open Ong Heng Kwee Helen Heng Mary Sim 8–15, 8–15 Runner-up 1952 Singapore Open Doreen Kiong Helen Heng Mary Sim 5–15, 5–15 Runner-up

Mixed doubles Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result Ref1933 Singapore Open L. M. Pennefather E. J. Vass J. de Souza 7–21, 9–21 Runner-up 1934 Singapore Open Michael Tan E. J. Vass J. de Souza 21–12, 13–21, 14–21 Runner-up 1935 Singapore Open E. J. Vass Seah Eng Hee Aileen Wong 14–21, 17–21 Runner-up 1937 Malaysia Open Koh Keng Siang Wong Peng Soon Waileen Wong 11–21, 12–21 Runner-up 1947 Singapore Open Quek Keng Chuan Cheong Hock Leng Teo Tiang Seng 15–3, 15–4 Winner

Tennis Women's singles

Women's doubles

Netball Girls' Sports Club Singapore Netball League Winners: 1939, 1940