Serving up again this year, the
Francis J. Robinson Tennis Tournament is set to begin on July 30 at Sanborn Park in Port Huron.
The event will run until August 4. Because of its success, it has become one of the longest-running community tennis tournaments in the country.
“I am very excited to get things going again,” says Tournament Director Jason Go. “It is always one of my favorite times of the year. I am looking forward to celebrating the tennis community in the Blue Water Area. The camaraderie in the local tennis community is second to none.”
The tournament was named after Lt. Francis J. Robinson, who died in a military flight training mission in 1958. Several of Robinson’s friends went on to start the tournament as a memorial and it has been a haven for tennis players ever since.
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The tennis courts at Sanborn Park.
It now boasts yearly participation of over 200 players, with flights running for participants under 10 years old, to older than 60.
“Once we switched to the flight format a few years ago, being grouped with players of your approximate ability level creates competition from the beginning,” Go says. “Every match or set that you play is against someone that is close to your ability level.”
Warm-up clinics will take place leading into the event with all tournament participants welcome on July 29, with the cost already covered by the tournament entry fee.
“In the past, we have done them every five years to coordinate with our special guests, but we decided to put them on again,” Go says. “It is more of an opportunity to kick off the tournament, play some games and have fun.
“Growing up, a group of friends and I would get together the night before the tournament started and play tennis games. While coaching, I did it a few times with the juniors and it was always a good time.”
Several awards will be given out at the end of the tournament to highlight the participants. They include the Francis J. Robinson Sportsmanship Award, given to a player known for their sportsmanship, and the Myron Lee Spirit Award given to a player who inspires and encourages other players through their passion for tennis.
The Mike Clary Junior Tennis Award will also be given out in memory of Mike Clary, a player and an instructor at the Tennis House before passing away in 1991.
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