Woods Tennis Center Earns Gold Star Award

To honor their 100th anniversary in 2020, the USTA Missouri Valley is recognizing 100 deserving recipients with the Gold Star Award. This award recognizes contributions that recipients have made in growing the game of tennis in their community. In Nebraska, one of the first two winners is Woods Tennis Center of Lincoln.

Woods Tennis Center is unique because it is a non-profit, public facility where anyone is welcome to play a match or take part in a cardio tennis drill. No membership is required. Executive Director Kevin Heim said their goals are to remove all barriers so everyone can play the lifetime sport.

“We are truly open to everyone,” Heim said. “We provide racquets to those that are just beginning or cannot afford their own.  We have a scholarship program that allows for so many families in challenging times or that cannot afford this sport to play. We truly have people from all walks of life in our program.”

Each year the staff at Woods teaches lessons to over 1,200 kids in the community and also with after-school programming. Woods hosts high school and college duals and tournaments, the UNL Club Team practices there and the adult programming continues to grow with leagues, adult drills and instructional lessons.

“The best part about Woods is creating and sharing an escape for people who play tennis in a safe environment,” he added. “People come here to get away from work and school.”

In the 1960’s, Woods started up as a public park facility with three outdoor courts. Not long after that, three more outdoor courts were added. In the 80’s, the indoor bubble was added and a clubhouse. In 2017, Woods underwent a massive reconstruction with the community pitching in to donate.