The Owensboro tennis community had plenty to celebrate on Friday. Three new courts named after Wm. J. “Bill” Thompson were unveiled, other courts across the city have been upgraded through USTA grants, and three USTA-sanctioned events were announced.
The announcements were made by the Owensboro Parks & Recreation in partnership with the Owensboro-Daviess County Tennis Association during a court dedication ceremony at the Owensboro Tennis Complex at 2965 Bittel Road.
The event marked the official opening of three additional outdoor courts, bringing the total to 12 outside Merchant Centre Court. A large sign was unveiled that lets visitors know the courts are named after Wm. H. “Bill” Thompson, recognizing his family’s contribution to the project.
While several family members were present, Bill’s son Tommy Thompson spoke during the ceremony.
“This is a very exciting and proud moment for us,” he said. “This is a great opportunity not only to dedicate these new three courts here at this outstanding facility in honor and memory of my dad. It’s also a great opportunity to expand the attractiveness of this fantastic facility we have here in Owensboro.”
Tommy said his father was an All-American football player at Murray State University and ran track, not playing tennis until he was older. Tommy said Bill also had some “handicaps that impeded him” including macular degeneration in his eyes and arthritis in his feet, “but he endured those and just loved to play.”
Bill’s love of tennis developed before there was a tennis facility in Owensboro, Tommy said, so he and a group of men strung up a net on the hardwood basketball court inside the National Guard Armory that was located on Parrish Avenue. He later built a couple of tennis courts behind his house and held small tournaments there often.
“He just so enjoyed the game and socializing and the athleticism and everything that came from playing tennis,” Tommy said. “This sport has always been special for him. Hopefully, via this dedication in my dad’s memory, tennis can continue to be available to people in our community and our region and our state. It’s such a great sport for folks to play.”
Parks officials and local tennis leaders also announced the City of Owensboro was the recipient of more than $100,000 in USTA grant funds that helped pay for the resurfacing of the courts at both the Owensboro Tennis Complex and the Moreland Park Tennis Center.
Speakers on Friday also noted the city and the Owensboro-Daviess County Tennis Association have been selected by USTA Kentucky to host three USTA-sanctioned events in 2024, including:
- Adult Mixed Doubles Sectional Championships (October)
- Junior Team Tennis State Tournament (August)
- Adult Combo League State Championships (October)
Noel Clayton, General Manager at Merchant Centre Court and a long-time board member of the Owensboro-Daviess County Tennis Association, spearheaded the effort with the Thompson family and the addition of the extra courts.
“We are excited to be able to publicly thank Tommy and his family for their commitment to tennis in Owensboro,” Clayton said. “The extra courts have allowed us to not only keep tournaments like the GMAC College Tournament Championship, but also to host our first USTA Adult Sectional Tournament.”
Kerry Bodenheimer, recreation superintendent for the City of Owensboro, similarly said the upgrades play a role in drawing high-profile tournaments.
“(The upgrades) provide our community with some of the best public tennis courts in the state,” she said. “With the continued investments by the City in our facilities, and our relationship with the local tennis association, we have been successful in hosting many tournaments over the years at our facilities, and to be awarded a Sectional Championship is a testament to the recent resurfacing projects, the construction of the additional courts, and the efforts of the Owensboro-Daviess County Tennis Association.”
Officials said the three tournaments will bring players from nine states to Owensboro.
“The team at USTA are exceptionable partners committed to delivering well-run, professional events,” said Mark Calitri, President & CEO of Visitor Owensboro. “We continue to attract quality sports events and showcase our vibrant riverfront city.”
