Oklahoma Tennis Foundation Host First Tennis Open Event

For almost fifteen years the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation has been passing on the love of tennis to youth all over the state.

“We want to get a racquet in the hands of all youth, so they have an opportunity to play,” said Carmen Bond, executive director of The Oklahoma Tennis Foundation.

In addition to giving college scholarships, the foundation also supports youth tennis organizations all over the state.

We want to get into all seventy-seven counties, that’s our goal and we are on our way,” said Bond.

They even make tennis available for those that typically would try tennis.

“We’re also helping adaptive clinics and tennis programs, like here at Edmond center court, we love play it forward and we help them,” said Bond.

To help support of the all the clinics, the foundation is hosting their first ever tennis open event, at Edmond’s Center Court.

“Our goal when we started and still our goal is to be the best, finest, and the biggest non-sanctioned event in the United States,” said Bill Towler, organizer of the tennis open event.

The event has already attracted some big-time talent.

“Samantha Crawford is playing; she was number ninety-eight in the world in 2015. Tyler Zink, he was in the main draw of the US doubles in the men in the US open,” said Towler.

Plus a few other tennis greats and future greats

“All three schools will have players that will participate with us. The Tulsa Hurricane, the Cowboys, the Cowgirls, the Sooners, all will have players in this event,” said Towler.

When the players aren’t on the court, they’ll be taking part in two different clinics.

“We have an adaptive clinic at 10:30 for adaptive athletes, then at 4:30 we have a kids clinic come out if fun to watch, players will be there too,” said Towler.

All the fun this Saturday at Edmond’s Center court, 601 W. 15th street, in Edmond. There will be lots of food, raffles, a DJ, and it’s all free to attend and for a great cause.

“At the end of the day this is really about putting a racquet in a kid’s hand who wouldn’t have that otherwise without our support,” said Towler.  

To attend the classes, they prefer that you register, but it’s not required. To register or get more information about the event visit www.oktfopen.com