The second annual University of North Georgia’s Tennis Pro-Am wrapped up over the weekend in perfect weather, with 16 men and 10 women joining UNG tennis players in friendly competition, to support the tennis program.
According to UNG Tennis coach Kent Norsworthy, the second-year event grew community numbers from 12 to 26, and raised more than $3,000 to support scholarships, to complete locker facilities adjacent to the UNG courts at the Yahoola Park Tennis Center, and add additional value to the UNG tennis program.
This is not a typical pro-am, according to Norsworthy, and it’s especially designed to be not intimidating.
The one-day event matches up community tennis players with UNG “pros” and is a chance for players to get to know a very international tennis squad at UNG.
Of the players on the men’s team only four are Americans, and of the women’s there is only one.
The remainder are from Paraguay, Canada, England, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the Philipines, France, Germany, Czech Republic, and Argentina, reflecting the international nature of the sport itself and the dynamically evolving UNG tennis program itself.
Norsworthy’s goal for next year or the year after is to expand participation, perhaps doubling the number to 32 players from the community, and expanding the tournament to two days.
In the meantime, he expressed delight with the turnout this year and gratitude for the generous contributions to the UNG tennis program.
For those choosing to contribute to UNG tennis, options are available by visiting ungathletics.com, and click on Nighthawk club.
(David Zunker contributed to this report.)