By HARRIET PROTHRO PENROD, Journal Sports
The annual Katy Build Tennis Tournament has always been a win-win event –for the Bossier community and its local veterans, and also for the players who participate over the weekend. Held over the past weekend at the Bossier Tennis Center, the tournament was another success for everyone involved.
“It’s one of my favorite tournaments because juniors can play,” said Dana Hicks. “It’s good family fun for a wonderful cause.”
All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Katy Build Project, which provides additional housing in Bossier City for first-time veteran homeowners. When Katy Watkins, Molly Reed, and Emily Purdue lost their lives in a car accident in 2006, the community came together to create the project in honor and memory of the girls.
“This was our seventh year to host the event,” said tournament director Angela Pfanner, “and this was definitely our largest one. We had 312 players and 56 teams.”
The numbers aren’t yet in about the amount of money raised, and Pfanner said she can’t wait to see amount of money that will go to the project.
“We started out with a goal in mind, but we expanded it,” she said. “Our goal is to build more houses. We’ve done a total of five already and we have four more lots.”
For the second year, the tournament included a junior event that was held on Thursday to kick off the weekend’s activities and add a “family” element to the festivities.
“It was a very special weekend,” said Pfanner. “The tennis community has really embraced it.”
Harrison forced to withdraw – Shreveport native Christian Harrison had to withdraw from his second-round men’s singles match at Wimbledon on Wednesday due to a foot injury. No. 32 seed Oscar Otte of Germany was leading 3-1 in the first set when Harrison was forced to stop.
Harrison, who won three matches in the qualifying tournament last week to earn a spot in the main draw, defeated Jay Clark of Great Britain 7-6, 6-1, 7-6 in the first round in a match that began on Monday but was halted because of bad light. When the match resumed on Tuesday, Harrison was up two sets to one with the third set tied 5-5.
Southern Trace hosting exhibition – If you want to see some great tennis in a fun atmosphere, head out to Southern Trace Country Club tomorrow night. Two of the Cliff Drysdale Tennis professionals at Southern Trace will play a best-of-three-sets doubles match against two guest players.
Southern Trace pros Adam Brownlow and Anya Coerver will play against Pierremont Oaks pro Judit Castillo Gargallo and Alex Quinones, the head tennis coach at John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas.
The match begins at 6 p.m. and is open to the public. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children. For tickets, go to cliffdrysdale.regfox.com. There is a $5 discount for Southern Trace members. There will be a courtside cash bar with beer, wine, and other beverages.
High school tennis coach needed – Caddo Magnet High School, which has eight hard courts on campus and approximately 40 players, is looking for a tennis coach.
Anyone interested can contact Julie Anderson, CMHS athletic director, at 318-771-3860.
Contact Harriet at sbjharriet@gmail.com
Photo by SUSIE NECTOUX