Column: PATA, Yavapai College present first Tennis Festival of Fame

On Sunday, Oct. 25, there will be a tennis event at the new Yavapai College Tennis Center you won't want to miss, the very first PATA Tennis Festival of Fame, which will be a day of celebration and honor for what has taken place at this site and the people in the game of tennis (far and wide) who have done so much for it.

There are really two parts to this day, a very specialized tennis clinic on six courts with a multitude of tennis professionals where you'll have fun with fast-moving drills from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. (It's already sold out, but for $15 you can rotate with a group and listen and learn if you'd like; contact Chris Howard at choward4541@q.com). Lunch is included.

Phase two starts at 1 p.m. and runs to 3:30-4 p.m. on Stadium Court 7, where you'll meet some very well-known people and players in the tennis industry with the following agenda.

(There is no charge to attend, refreshments will be available, dress for the weather, bleacher seating - some chairs - come early and come ready to cheer, clap and harass a bit.)

Exhibitions

• Two 90-year-old plus players will take on two 10-year-old twins. Dr. Ed Free and Sid Moglewer vs Leyton and Camden Fetty. (Four games).

• Two U.S. Open/National Tennis Wheelchair Champions, Nannette Oately vs Kaitlyn Verfuerth, will show the finer points of game. (Four games).

• Four senior players with over 150 national and SW titles will play one no-ad set: Brian Cheney, Peter Bronson, John Byron and Chris Howard. (One no-ad set).

Donor Recognition Plaque unveiled

• History of fundraising project for this facility by Dr. Karen Spear.

Tennis Park of Fame design presented

• P.A.T.A. President Sue Knaup and chair of this event Nannette Oately along with landscape architect Barnabas Kane will present the renderings, the park and walks of fame - and how you can become a brick sponsor.

Inductions

Nationally - Vic Braden, world tennis ambassador. Representing Vic, who passed away last year, will be his wife, Melody, and Pam Austin, former UCLA, WTA and WTT player.

Nationally - The Cheney Family, U.S. Tennis Legacy. Brian Cheney will be representing himself, his mother, Dodo, and grandmother May Sutton Bundy - a tennis linage like no other.

Southwest - Peter Bronson: Player, coach, educator.

Southwest - John Byron: Player, coach, rep for many major tennis manufacturers over the years.

Northern Arizona - Sedona Racquet Club: Started by the Miller Family.

Northern Arizona - Larry Lineberry: USPTA Master Professional - coach, player, organizer, tournament director.

Prescott Area - Prescott Racquet Club: Started by the Hannay Family and currently owned by the Waples Family.

Prescott Area - George Reynolds: Roughrider Icon, volunteer extraordinaire.

Prescott Area - Fay Matsumoto: player, coach, selfless volunteer.

Tennis clinic pros will include five-time cancer survivor and World Tennis Champion Sheri Bronson, her husband, national champion Pete Bronson, John Byron, Fay Matsumoto, Jan Hasse, Tim McClintock, Allison Wood, Dave Hibbs, Ron Barron, Nic Cristea, Cathy Low and myself.

Hope you all can make - it'll be a day to remember.

Chris Howard is a local USPTA tennis professional with over 40 years in the racquet and fitness industry. He can be reached at 928-642-6775 or choward4541@q.com.