ANDERSON — Mother Nature provided a few anxious moments for tournament officials at the 2009 Community Hospital Anderson Tennis Classic with a quick storm that rolled through the area Friday afternoon where rain wasn’t the only concern.
Wind gusts knocked over one tent and tournament directors had to hold down another. Then there was the rain that soaked the courts at Anderson University which had to be dealt with before play could commence to open the 30th annual tournament.
“We busted out the squeegees and I think we were delayed, maybe 20 to 30 minutes,” said John Rhoades, executive director of the Classic. “So far (the rain) has been the only hiccup. It seems like every year this happens, but we rebounded well.”
“That storm came through at four o’clock and blew over a tent and made a mess,” said director Carl Bowen. “It knocked one tent over and I was holding down another one.”
The contingency plan had the rain washed out play at AU was to move the tournament indoors to the Anderson Sports Center. There would’ve been two minor issues with that though. One would be the number of courts available.
AU has eight courts for matches to be played on, the Sports Center has just four. The second problem would be the fact that there was an indoor league playing Friday night.
“Scheduling matches is hard enough,” said Meaghan Ellis, who is not only playing in the Girls Varsity division but is also a tournament worker.
This year there are 321 entries for the Classic.
“Scheduling is a worry. We try to make sure that nobody has to forfeit a match,” said Bowen. “We’ve been really good with that. We want it to be an enjoyable tournament for everyone.”
For former director Jim Hostettler, he enjoyed his time from the administrative side of the coin; but now is enjoying his time on the other side that much more.
“I’m just playing; I’m playing in four ‘over the hill’ divisions,” said Hostettler. “I don’t miss (running the tournament). When I gave it up three years ago, I said I’d never second guess anything and I haven’t.”
For Hostettler and Rhoades — who coaches tennis at Shenandoah — the tournament also gives them a chance to see some of their high school players in action before the start of school in the fall.
Shenandoah has 26 players from their boys and girls teams entered in this years draw. Meanwhile, Highland had 15 players sign up for the tourney.
“I’ve got 10 girls and five boys entered,” said Hostettler. “It’s a neat thing. It gives them a good opportunity to play in a tournament and it won’t break them.”
That break would be in financial terms.
The Classic has an entry fee of $15, which is very good compared to some USTA sanctioned tournaments where entry costs can run between $30 and $70.
All proceeds made from the tournament go back into the tournament to add little wrinkles and amenities for next year’s Classic.
One of the additions to this year’s event is the effort for the Classic to Go Green.
With 321 players each receiving a complementary bottle of water, there were plenty of empties filling up waste baskets last season. This year there is a concerted effort to recycle all plastics.
“We have a suggestion box, so people can share ideas on ways to make the tournament better. (The recycling and Going Green) was one of the suggestions last year,” said Bowen. “We want to make sure we get all the plastic.”
Aside from helping the environment, another reward for those behind the scenes is the chance to pass the game on to another generation.
“The most gratifying thing for me is to see the kids grow,” said Rhoades. “We’re trying to get new players and we strive to show the fitness for the game to the young kids.”
For Ellis, the tournament serves as a chance to meet new people.
“I love being here. There’s lots of people to talk to and chances to meet new people,” she said. “I get to be here the whole (11 days). The competition is good and when it’s over I’m just really tired but I’ll be glad.”
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