OAK PARK TENNIS CENTER LAUNCHES 2007 WITH NEW NAME, NEW PRO, NEW TOURNAMENT AND EXPANDED PROGRAMS
New Name Emphasizes “Open-to-All” Policy

            OAK PARK, IL – May 11, 2007 – The 2007 outdoor tennis season brings many new beginnings to the Oak Park Tennis Center.  Previously, known as the Oak Park Tennis Club, the Center has changed its name to better reflect its community focus and non-membership status.  In addition, the Center has hired a new pro, added a new tournament to raise awareness for women’s heart health and is reviving its Junior Tennis Camp.

             “We changed our name to the Oak Park Tennis Center to communicate our mission to provide recreation for all residents of the surrounding communities and to promote the game of tennis,” said Gayle Evans, club manager of the Oak Park Tennis Center.  “Tennis enthusiasts can come here and use high-quality clay court facilities without the requirements that come with many club memberships.”

            As part of its overall changes, the Center has hired new pro Patrick Heneghan.  Previously the assistant pro at Saddle and Cycle Club in Chicago, Heneghan was an associate head pro at Lakeshore Athletic Club in Chicago under Frank Parker, a U.S. Open, French Open and Wimbledon champion.  Heneghan also was the head tennis coach at Francis Parker School in Chicago.

            The Oak Park Tennis Center’s first tournament of the year, the Heart Strings Women’s Doubles Tournament, will take place on May 19 and 20, and will feature a health fair from the Oak Park Chapter of the American Heart Association.  Intended to raise awareness of women’s heart health,
the health fair will focus on heart-healthy lifestyle choices.  The tournament is open to all women’s doubles teams in the surrounding areas.  Those who are interested in participating should contact Gayle Evans at (708) 366-9652.

           After a three-year absence, the Oak Park Tennis Center’s Centre Court Tennis Camp for children returns this summer with four one-week sessions running beginning June 18.  The junior camp is open to children
ages 4 to 8 for drills focusing on the basics of tennis, and for recreational and competitive players ages 9 to 17 for varying levels of instruction.  Camp will take place Monday through Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. for children ages 4 to 8, and from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for children ages 9 to 17.  The cost for children ages 4 to 8 is $70 per week, and for ages 9 to 17 the weekly cost is $140.  Contact the Oak Park Tennis Center at (708) 366-9652 for more information.

About the Oak Park Tennis Center

            The Oak Park Tennis Center has served the Oak Park/River Forest and surrounding communities for more than 80 years, offering the only fully public clay courts in the county and nearby communities.  Situated at the corner of Lake Street and Harlem Avenue on land owned by the Cook County Forest Preserve, the financially-independent Center is open to all members of the public, offering a variety of economical options for season passes, from $475 per season for an individual to $875 per season for a family.  The hourly per-use fee of $15 per person is lower than most other tennis facilities.

The Oak Park Tennis Center’s high-quality courts are the location for the United States Tennis Association’s annual Midwest Senior Men’s Clay Court Championship.  Players of all skill levels are welcome to experience the outstanding facilities the Center offers.