Scott Hanover helps Kansas City, OPRC become USTA national tournament hub

Tennis players in Kansas City are well aware of the incredible facilities, programs and players within USTA Heart of America.

USTA National recognizes that fact, too. Several USTA Level 1 national tournaments have been hosted in the Kansas City metro area recently, with others coming up.

The Husband-Wife Championships were held Aug. 7-9 at Overland Park Racquet Club, a USTA Premier Facility. The Men’s 80/85/90/95 Indoor Championships take place Oct. 8-11 at OPRC, with singles and doubles titles up for grabs.

The Men’s, Women’s and Mixed 45s Indoor Championships take place Oct. 9-12 at OPRC. And the Boys’ 18s National Indoor Championships are Nov. 27-30 at OPRC.

Scott Hanover, director of outreach and a tennis professional at OPRC, is the tournament director for these events. They’re the only Level 1 tournaments held in USTA Missouri Valley this year.

“It’s an honor that the national USTA junior and adult committees have selected Overland Park Racquet Club to host several Level 1 national championships,” said Hanover, a USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Famer and vice chair of the USTA Volunteer Management Council. “We have hosted these events prior to the club investing in electronic line calling and Save My Play technologies. But those have certainly enhanced the player experience.”

Hanover understands just how big of a deal it is to have these high-level tournaments in USTA Heart of America. And it’s not an easy feat to qualify to be a host, either.

“Facilities have to bid on these events,” he said. “And there are a number of criteria, from facility size and amenities to court availability to sponsors, off-court support and resources, to hotels and more.”

Hanover credited OPRC owners Elliott McDermed and Eric Rand with believing the facility should host high-end events and delivering on it. It brings back memories of when USTA Heart of America previously received national attention.

“I recall way back in the day Jacque Croft, Patricia Graham and Terry Miller used to host the Women’s 65/75/85 Indoors at Indian Creek Racquet Club,” Hanover said. “I thought it was so cool that they brought this event to USTA Heart of America and held it forever. I’m glad we’re continuing that tradition now with the events we have in HOA. They blazed the trail.”

Hanover said Plaza Tennis Center hosted the Husband & Wife outdoor hard courts tourney for 13 years before the event moved.

“When the indoor tournament became available for bid a few years ago, it seemed natural to re-bid on it,” he said. “Having an enthusiastic local couple like Noah and Rebecca Falkner Axelrod available to assist makes it great.

“The Men’s 80, 85, 90 and 95 tournament literally fell into our lap a few years ago when a facility in another section had to cancel on short notice. The national committee asked us to host as a one-time favor. Our local 80+ celebrity, Wilbur Jones, and his wife, Susan, soon jumped in to help with some of the event. And made it easy to say yes to having it return.”