Jayhawk Tennis Center to Host Inaugural Tennis Fest

Oct. 31, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Food, fun and an exhibition match that includes Kansas women’s tennis assistant coach German Dalmagro will highlight the inaugural Tennis Fest Saturday at the Jayhawk Tennis Center. The event is from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with the exhibition match slated to begin at 6:10 p.m.

“The Jayhawk Tennis Center has teamed up with the Lawrence Tennis Association to hold our first Tennis Fest,” Jayhawk Tennis Center General Manager Kyle Markham said. “Tennis Fest is a family-friendly event with the goal of bringing together the Lawrence tennis community for a fun tennis event. There will be food and drinks as well as time for participants to play tennis at a great indoor tennis center. There will also be an exhibition doubles match featuring some standout players from our community. Lawrence has a strong tennis base, and I think that it is important to hold events like this to bring tennis enthusiasts together as well as promote the game we all love.”

Markham and Dalmagro will be joined in the exhibition match by former KU All-American Jim Secrest and nationally accomplished grass-court player Todd Chapple, who also played at KU.

During the event, there will be a special tribute to Tommy Johnson, Sr., whom the local tennis community lost in 2010. His son, Tommy Jr., will play the trumpet at 5 p.m., with Bud Pettit on drums, accompanied by John Lomas on guitar and Paul Miller on bass.

Tickets for the event are $10 for adults, $3 for children under 12 years old, $15 for couples and $20 for families. Food, including hot dogs, hamburgers and chips, will be available by donation. The suggested donation for adults will be $6.75 and $3.75 for children. Proceeds from ticket sales will be used to plant a memorial tree in Tommy Johnson, Sr.’s name at the Lawrence High Courts.