Independence, Kan., Midland, Mich., and Ojai, Calif., have been selected as the top three finalists, as determined by nationwide voting, in its first-ever search to determine America’s “Best Tennis Town.”
The ultimate winner of the “Best Tennis Town” search will be announced during the 2009 US Open, which will be held from Aug. 29-Sept. 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. In addition to the title, the winner of America’s “Best Tennis Town” will receive a $100,000 grant from the USTA to be used for community-wide tennis programming or facility enhancements. The 2nd and 3rd prize winners will receive $50,000 and $25,000, respectively, to be used towards the same purposes.
The search for America’s “Best Tennis Town” is the USTA’s first-ever nationwide search to identify the local area—from small, rural towns to large, urban metro areas and everywhere in between—that best exemplifies the passion, excitement, spirit and impact that tennis brings to the local level.
Tennis towns from all over the country submitted their entries for consideration on www.besttennistown.com between May 1 and July 1, 2009, and after carefully reviewing each submission, a panel of judges selected 10 communities as finalists for the 2009 “Best Tennis Town” title.
Independence, Midland and Ojai were among the 10 finalist cities, from an initial group of 56 entrants, which tennis fans around the country could vote for at www.besttennistown.com from July 16-26. They selected, in alphabetical order:
• Independence, Kan. – With a population of just 9,846, Independence still annually attracts nearly 200 kids to play in its summer recreation programs; the Independence girls' team has won an unprecedented 17 consecutive league titles and three Kansas state team titles since 2001.
• Midland, Mich. – More than 10,000 local players take to the courts in Midland (population 41,685) every year; the Midland Community Tennis Center hosts more than 20 tennis tournaments a year.
• Ojai, Calif. – Home of one of the oldest (since 1896) amateur tennis tournaments in the country -- The Ojai; 64 tennis courts are available for its 8,202 residents.
These three communities beat out, in the nationwide voting, Baton Rouge, La., Cary, N.C., Grand Junction, Colo., Hickory, N.C., Las Vegas, Springfield, Mo., and Tempe, Ariz., each of which will receive $2,000 worth of tennis equipment for community use as runners-up.
“The USTA is excited to see the dedication and commitment to tennis that these towns have demonstrated in their communities,” said Kurt Kamperman, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. “All three proved worthy of the honor and are great ambassadors for the sport.”
The top three finalists will travel to New York City, where the winner will be revealed during a ceremony at the 2009 US Open on Sept. 6. The winner will take home the 2009 “Best Tennis Town” title, an accompanying trophy and $100,000 to be used for community-wide tennis programming or facility enhancements.
For more information on The Best Tennis Town please visit www.besttennistown.com/.