JOURNAL STAFF
When the Katy Build Tennis Tournament takes place at Bossier Tennis Center June 24-26, there will be more than just tennis matches going on.
The weekend includes meals, a Family Kick-Off Night, exhibition games, an auction/raffle, and extra-fee events that include wine pull, hit for prizes, and more.
And all for a great cause.
All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Katy Build Project, which will provide additional housing in Bossier City for first-time veteran homeowners. Since 2015, Katy Build supporters, sponsors, and players have contributed over $200,000 for home builds in honor and memory of Katy Watkins, Molly Reed, and Emily Purdue, who lost their lives in a car accident in 2006.
Since 2011, three churches – Asbury United Methodist Church, Simple Church, and First Bossier – have sponsored Katy, Molly, and Emily legacy build homes in the Scott-Dickerson and Yarbrough subdivisions in Bossier City. The churches joined together to turn a tragic ending into a triumphant beginning for local veterans.
The Katy Build Tennis Tournament was named Louisiana Tennis Association’s 2018 Charity Tournament of the Year. It was also nominated for Northwest Community Tennis Association Charity Tournament of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2022 and for Adult Tournament of the Year in 2021.
Adult social fee of $30 per adult includes meals and weekend activities. Kid’s social fee of $15 per child (10 and under) includes meals, Family Kick-Off Night, and exhibition games. Team entry fees for mixed/women’s/teams are $85 per player.
All team matches will be one men’s doubles court, one women’s doubles court, and one mixed doubles court. Teams must have a minimum of three women and three men per team. Levels are 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, and open. Three matches will be guaranteed to each team.
In all levels, the player’s NTRP rating can be no more than one point difference between partners. Open and women’s divisions are also available. Women’s division teams are level 6.0 and 7.0 only and must consist of a minimum of four players.
For those new to playing tennis, an apprentice division consisting of four-person teams with three guaranteed matches will be offered. The team with the highest number of points will win their division. If divisions are larger than 10 teams, the teams will be divided into two groups and the winners of each division will play for the finals.
All matches will be pro sets dependent on the number of division registrations. Winners will be determined based on win/loss record.
For information, call The North Bossier Tennis Center at 318-213-2108.
Juniors awarded – The first Northwest Louisiana Community Tennis Association Scholarship Program recently awarded three local high school seniors with scholarships on behalf of Erroll Sims, a very special mentor to the tennis community.
Originally intended to award one student with $1,000, the NWLACTA decided to split scholarship money between Benton’s Raelee Craft, Haughton’s Zach Haley, and Calvary’s Zach Hicks.
The scholarship is given for the 2022-2023 academic year if the student will play varsity or club tennis in college and does not otherwise receive a full academic college or athletic scholarship.
All three of the award recipients were members of the inaugural SBJ All-Metro Tennis Teams.
Sims became a certified tennis official in 2012 and was a regular at tennis events in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Photo by HARRIET PROTHRO PENROD