TOP 50 TENNIS WELCOME CENTER FACILITIES
RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE IN PROMOTING SPORT

Four facilities located in USTA Southwest
lauded for taking a proactive role delivering tennis across the U.S.

	A panoramic view of the Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort.

Hilton Head, S.C.—The "Top 50 Tennis Welcome Centers of 2008" have been recognized by the Tennis Industry Association, U.S. Tennis Association and the trade magazine Racquet Sports Industry as leading the charge in the growth of the sport by providing well-rounded programs to new and current players of all ages and abilities. The tennis facilities honored all exhibited excellent participation figures involving new and returning players, support of industry programs and community tennis development, and were active with Tennis Welcome Center facility requirements, among other criteria.

 “All of the more than 2,500 Tennis Welcome Centers have played a key role in the increased tennis participation we’ve seen in the last few years in the U.S.,” says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. “These Top 50 Tennis Welcome Centers have been doing an exemplary job of creating a positive tennis experience for people in their communities. Tennis Welcome Centers serve a vital role in delivering tennis.  The TIA, together with the USTA, is very pleased to recognize these efforts with this award.”

“Tennis teaching professionals, facility managers and the staff of these TWCs play a critical role in ensuring the continued growth of players in our sport,” says Glenn Arrington, the USTA National Manager for Tennis Welcome Centers. “The USTA remains committed in our support of the TIA and of the Tennis Welcome Center Initiative, which helps introduce thousands of new players to tennis each year.”

Four Section facilities - Paseo Racquet Center in Glendale, Ariz., Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex in Surprise, Ariz., Kiwanis Recreation Center in Tempe, Ariz., and the Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort and Hotel were chosen among the nation's top 50. The state of Arizona tied with New York for most facilities (4) on this list.
(See the complete list of 50 below.)

To choose the Top 50 TWCs, an independent research firm, Sports Marketing Surveys USA of Jupiter, Fla., received nominations via an online survey. The company then used extensive criteria measures to determine this year’s winners, which also were reviewed by an Awards Committee. This is the third year that this prestigious recognition has been awarded.

Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex - Surprise, Ariz.

In addition, according to a study by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, from 2000 to 2008 tennis participation has grown 43%, by far the fastest growing traditional participation sport, well ahead of its nearest rival (racquetball, at 11.6%) and far surpassing sports such as golf, soccer, basketball, swimming and baseball, most of which saw declining participation over the same eight years. Also, industry research shows that both racquet sales and ball sales have increased for the last five years from 2003 through 2008.

ABOUT TENNIS WELCOME CENTERS
The Tennis Welcome Center initiative is a joint effort by the Tennis Industry Association and U.S. Tennis Association to promote the growth of tennis. Participation in the program is free to facilities that agree to meet qualifications in programming and other aspects. All Tennis Welcome Center locations receive valuable benefits and promotion. For information on becoming a TWC, visit http://partners.tenniswelcomecenter.com or growingtennis.com or email info@growingtennis.com.

TOP 50 TENNIS WELCOME CENTERS OF 2008
in alphabetical order by facility name

Annapolis Area Tennis School Annapolis, MD
Arlington Tennis Center Arlington, TX
Bay Tennis and Fitness Harbor Springs, MI
Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club Hendersonville, TN
Cary Tennis Park Cary, NC
Center Court Youth Tennis Association Arnaudville, LA
Circle C Tennis Club Austin, TX
Columbia Basin Racquet Club Richland, WA
Cooper Creek Tennis Center Columbus, GA
Cooper Tennis Complex Springfield, MO
Copamarina Tennis Guanica , Puerto Rico
CTA of East Williston, Wheatley, & Carle Place Williston Park, NY
Delaware Tennis Center Wilmington, DE
Dunnigan Family YMCA Evansville, IN
Family Circle Tennis Center Charleston, SC
Greenville Country Club Greenville, MS
Hamilton Family YMCA Tennis Center Chattanooga, TN
Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort & Club Tucson, AZ
Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet & Fitness Club Homewood, IL
Kiwanis Recreation Center Tempe, AZ
Laguna Creek Racquet Club Elk Grove, CA
Lake Charles Country Club Lake Charles, LA
Lexington County Tennis Complex Lexington, SC
Los Gatos Tennis Academy Los Gatos, CA
Mandarin Middle School Community Tennis Jacksonville, FL
Meadow Creek Tennis and Fitness Club Lakewood, CO
Memorial Park Tennis Center Colorado Springs, CO
Midland Community Tennis Center Midland, MI
Midtown Athletic Club Weston Weston, FL
Midtown Tennis Club Overland Park, KS
Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center Raleigh, NC
Miller Tennis Center Williamsville, NY
Oconomowoc Community Tennis Center Oconomowoc, WI
Paseo Racquet Center Glendale, AZ
Raleigh Racquet Club Raleigh, NC
Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center Minneapolis, MN
Reynolds Plantation Lake Club Tennis Center Greensboro, GA
Rudgear Park Walnut Creek, CA
Sarver Tennis Club Bluefield WV
Shaw Park Tennis Welcome Center Clayton, MO
South Towns Tennis Club Orchard Park, NY
Springfield Racquet Club Springfield, OH
Sprinker Tennis Center Tacoma, WA
Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex Surprise, AZ
Tennis Center of Coral springs Coral Springs, FL
Todd Morsilli Clay Court Tennis Center Providence, RI
Towpath Tennis Center Akron, OH
Upper Main Line YMCA Berwyn, PA
Village Glen Tennis Club Williamsville, NY
YMCA Greendale Worcester, MA

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit http://www.TennisWelcomeCenter.com