Courting the Community Koser Jewelers Standout Stops on the USTA $60,000 Tennis Pro Circuit Combine Great Tennis Challenge with Local Involvement

TennisIndustry

DISTINGUISHEDUSTA FACILITY-OF-THE-YEAR PRO CIRCUIT AWARDS COURTCOMMUNITY CONSTRUCTION IMPACT

LANDISVILLE, PA. Courting the Community Koser Jewelers Standout stops on the USTA $60,000 Tennis Pro Circuit combine great tennis Challenge with local involvement. By Judy Leand

ith more than 100 tournaments held annually throughout the country and prize money ranging from $15,000 to upwards of $160,000 (for an annual total of about $4 million), the USTA Pro Circuit is the largest developmental tennis circuit in the • This ITF Women’s Circuit outdoor world, and the pathway to the US Open and tour- tournament has been held annually at level competition for aspiring tennis players. the Hempfi eld recCenter in Landisville, Since its inception in 1979, the Pro Circuit has provided a stage for some of the Pa., since 2008, and is the fi nal USTA sport’s W top talent and has o ered a glimpse of tennis’ future stars. Just as impor- Pro Circuit stop—and last of the wild- tant, on its 40th anniversary, the USTA Pro Circuit provides exciting, up-close card challenges for American players— experiences for thousands of fans who might not otherwise have an opportunity before the US Open. The event, which to attend a pro tennis event. this year will run from Aug. 5 to 11, is In 2018, about 14,000 players worldwide took part in the USTA Pro Circuit, free to the public. and the tournaments have served as a launching pad for many of today’s top But exciting tennis is only part of stars, including Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, John Isner, Sloane Stephens, Kei the equation for success. Community Nishikori, Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki and Garbine Muguruza. In fact, involvement is also a key factor, as evi- Pro Circuit alumni have claimed more than 50 Grand Slam singles titles, and 17 of denced by an array of on- and o -court those competitors have claimed the No. 1 world ranking. grassroots e orts that include Kids’ Of course, one of the Pro Circuit’s main draws, so to speak, is that the players Day programs, charity events and a fun willingly give back to the sport and to the local communities that host the tour- outreach initiative that targets the mil- naments. The pros get involved in a broad array of events such as youth clinics, lennial crowd. Wilson Pipkin, director pro-ams, school programs and hospital visits, all of which help to strengthen of tennis at Hempfi eld recCenter, notes the sport’s grassroots and pro tennis’ connection with both devoted and newly that for Kids’ Day, the tournament minted fans. partners with NJTL as well as a local Here, we showcase three USTA Pro Circuit tournaments that consistently day camp, since schools are out of ses- exceed expectations on and o the court. sion during the summer. JEWELERS TENNIS CHALLENGE KOSER PHOTOS COURTESY

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Since its inception in 1979, the Pro Circuit has provided a stage for some of the sport’s top talent and has offered a glimpse of tennis’ future stars, while also providing up-close experiences for thousands of fans.

“We run six courts of activities for On the charity front, the tournament American pros Kristie Ahn (left) and Jessica Pegula meet more than 300 kids, and the event is supports Wear White for Water Street, a junior player during the coin held midweek on a Friday before the a fundraiser to support the provision toss at the Koser Jewelers weekend of ﬁ nals,” Pipkin says. “For of food and shelter to the homeless in Tennis Challenge. Fans wear all white (facing page) to support kids 10 and over, we o er on-court ac- Lancaster City. The initiative, a night food and shelter for the tivities and exhibitions with pros in the event with dinner, is held after a feature homeless in Lancaster City. morning. We divide up the courts, keep match during the week and includes all the kids active, and then provide live and silent auctions. Last year more lunch afterward. than $7,000 was raised for the cause. “In the afternoon, kids 8 and under In keeping with the USTA’s current can participate in mini-court play, push to reach out to millennials, this says Pipkin. He adds that a couple of autograph sessions, face painting and year the tournament is introducing weeks after the tournament, the facility other o -court activities.” Tennis on Tap, a social tennis program will o er tennis clinics, thereby giving To help attract more youngsters to that combines networking and tennis millennials a pathway to get involved the game throughout the year, Hemp- via a bar, food and on-court play. in the sport. “The biggest challenge for ﬁ eld recCenter also distributes fall “The goal is to draw new people into us is raising the money and making the tennis schedules following the Kids’ the sport, to build an awareness of ten- community aware of the great tennis Day action. nis and to spark an interest in playing,” right in their backyard.”

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DISTINGUISHEDUSTA FACILITY-OF-THE-YEAR PRO CIRCUIT AWARDS COURTCOMMUNITY CONSTRUCTION IMPACT

Mexican tennis pro Hans Hach Verdugo helps out a young player during on-court clinics in Dallas.

DALLAS, TEXAS The community events—and there by touring pros who meet patients and RBC Tennis are many—start a week prior to the sign autographs round out the impres- Championships of tournament, and many of the clinics sive community package. take place during tournament week, “We try to do as much as we can for Dallas beginning with a citywide clinic for kids the community while we have these of all ages. pros in town,” says Edwards. “Our “Some touring pros come out, run biggest challenge is to remain visible— • Held in early February, the RBC Ten- clinics and play games with the kids on there’s only one opportunity per year to nis Championships is part of the men’s 28 courts,” says Tournament Opera- get kids out to see the tournament.” ATP Challenger Tour and has occurred tions Director Shawn Edwards. But Edwards is making the most of it. annually since 1998. The event, which Events are then added throughout “You can teach a kid to play ten- includes housing for the pros, is played the week, and include a Latino tennis nis, but seeing pros in person helps on indoor hard courts at the T Bar clinic—which this year attracted 250 to get them hooked on the game,” M Racquet Club in Dallas, with prize kids. A clinic for the deaf is held, and a says Edwards. “We want to give kids money totaling $135,400. This year, 60 USTA adaptive clinic gets kids out on opportunities to mingle and interact volunteers and 40 staffers, along with the stadium court. A Susan G. Komen with the players. It’s fun for everyone 100 ball kids throughout the week, Dallas County Pink Day features a shop and it helps tennis keep its place in the helped everything run smoothly. with special vendors, and hospital visits greater sports world.” TENNIS CHALLENGER TALLAHASSEE BIBB; COURTESY PHOTOS: RYAN

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We try to do as much as we can for the community while we have these pros in town. You can teach a kid to play tennis, but seeing pros in person helps to get them hooked on the game.

American pro Ryan Harrison jumps into action at a Net Generation clinic during the Tallahassee Tennis Challenger.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. the helm since 2005. “It’s an excellent The Southside Extravaganza is anoth- Tallahassee Tennis proving ground for players.” Just as er Net Generation event. There is also a Challenger crucially, the tournament is a fund- Boys Town event for boys and girls from raiser, with proceeds beneﬁ tting the marginalized and homeless families. Vogter Neuro-Intensive Care Unit at “I always get choked up about a Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. couple of things,” admits Vogter. “I also • A men’s ATP Challenger Tour event, “We believe in health and investing in love the awards for sportsmanship for the Tallahassee Tennis Challenger in tennis,” Vogter says. Junior Team Tennis. The winners serve Florida is part of the Roland Garros Toward this end, there are a plethora as player escorts and coin tossers at Wild Card Challenge for American of children’s events tied to the tourna- evening matches.” players and is contested on the green ment. For example, four schools’ worth Vogter also enjoys watching the ball clay courts of the Forestmeadows Ten- of third-graders—about 1,000 kids— kids interact with the players after nis Complex. It has been held annually participate in Net Generation. “We pay matches. “These opportunities are not in April since 2000, run by about 300 for buses to get the kids here, teach available at big tournaments,” she says. volunteers. them for an hour and then let them “It’s a unique opportunity in a small “Our tournament has a really good watch a pro match,” explains Vogter. town the size of Tallahassee. Com- reputation,” says Tournament Direc- In addition, a huge Special Olympics munity and volunteer support is what tor Karen Lyn Vogter, who has been at program includes 200 to 300 athletes. makes our tournament happen.”