The New Clay Courts Open With a Bang at Roger Scott Tennis Center in Pensacola, Fl.

Roger Scott Clay Courts Open With a Bang!
January 2010 By Scott Harrison

Roger Scott Tennis Center 2009 new clay courts plan

The Grand Opening of the Roger Scott Tennis Center Clay Court Addition was held Friday January 22, 2010 on the most gorgeous day of the year to date. Some 400 people were in attendance at the first rate grand opening ceremonies that celebrated a nearly 20 year dream of getting public clay courts at Roger Scott. The men's singing quartet, "A Diff'rent Arrangement", serenaded the crowd while folks were filing in to the canopied pavilion at the new clay courts.

Mayor Mike Wiggins was Master of Ceremonies for the official program. Following an Invocation by the Reverend Jim Thompson and the National Anthem by "A Diff'rent Arrangement", Mayor Wiggins introduced several area dignitaries who were involved in the project including City Councilmen PC Wu and Larry Johnson, County Commissioner Grover Robinson IV, Recreation Advisory Board Member Jake Renfroe, III and Friends of Roger Scott spearhead Joe Lovoy.

Grand Opening of the new Clay Courts at Roger Scott Tennis Center in Pansacola, FL

After the comments of the dignitaries, a ribbon cutting was held and the ceremonial first match on the new clay courts was held between the team of Joe Lovoy, Escambia County Management and Budget Services Bureau Chief Amy Lovoy versus the aforementioned Grover Robinson and Larry Johnson. It was very nice to see Amy Lovoy swinging a racket again after two or three years absence from the courts. Hope she continues to play a little!

Food, drink and music by The "Crossroads" Band followed the official remarks. A remarkable turnout of 115 players participated in the evening's tennis mixer. Everyone got a chance to hit balls on the beautiful new clay courts.

The state of the art subsurface irrigated court system features the top lighting system available and an irrigation system that uses 2/3 less water than normal above ground watered courts. The additional 10 courts will enable The City of Pensacola to attract more and larger regional and national tennis events to the area. Tennis Director Bruce Caton has mentioned that Roger Scott Tennis Center is already a front runner for the next available USTA National Public Parks Championships to be held in 2013.

Congratulations to all who had a hand in seeing this wonderful tennis facility to completion.

Be sure to visit the Grand Opening Album for some fun pictures of the event.

"Play the Clay!"

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