USTA Pro Circuit Tennis Returns to Eagle Landing
Orange Park, Fla. (April 22, 2010) – Eagle Landing is the site for the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) Pro Circuit - the Futures tennis tournament, which begins April 30 through May 9th in northern Clay County. The event is the only stop on the USTA Pro Circuit tour within 150 miles of Jacksonville.
More than 100 young men from 30 countries will compete for $10,000 in prize money as they seek ranking points to earn their way up the pro circuit ladder. The USTA organizes, sponsors and handles the USTA Pro Circuit Futures professional tournaments, which are entry level events that enable players to eventually participate in higher level tournaments on the ATP World Tour.
This is the second time Eagle Landing has hosted the event, according to Mark Arrowsmith, Eagle Landing’s director of tennis. “We were thrilled with our inaugural event last year and are excited to host this world-class event in 2010,” he said. “We’ll have players from China, Argentina, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Russia and across the United States. It is a global event that highlights the sport’s up and coming stars.”
Most of the players stay with Eagle Landing’s residents creating a special bond between community and player unparalleled anywhere else on the circuit.
Eagle Landing’s golf course designer is award-winning architect Clyde Johnston, who also designed the courses at Jacksonville Golf & Country Club and Eagle Harbor. The 18-hole, championship course is currently on schedule to open in fall 2005.
There is no charge for the event, which takes place at Eagle Landing’s Athletic Center and Tennis Club. The facility includes eight Har-Tru courts, which will eventually be expanded to 12 courts. Matches are held daily beginning at 10 a.m. The doubles final match will be held ‘under the lights’ at 7 p.m. on May 7. Hot dogs, hamburgers, beer and water will be available for $10. The singles final is scheduled for Sunday, May 9th.
Corporate sponsorship proceeds benefit the Mali Vai Kids Foundation, which promotes academic achievement and positive life skills to Jacksonville youth through the game of tennis, and the John P. Hall, Sr. Children’s Charity, a non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of life for underprivileged children in Clay County, Florida. The Eagle Landing Tennis Classic is sponsored by East West Communities, Peterbrooke Chocolatiers at Oakleaf and Champion Brands/Miller Lite.
To reach Eagle Landing from Blanding Blvd., take Argyle Forest Blvd (Oakleaf Plantation Parkway) 8.9 miles to the Eagle Landing entrance on the right. From I-10, take Chaffee Road to Oakleaf Plantation Parkway. Take a right onto the parkway and drive 2.6 miles to the Eagle Landing entrance. For more information on Eagle Landing, call (904) 291-7200 or visit www.eaglelandingfl.com
