Advantage, Goldsboro: State tennis league play begins today
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on October 12, 2017 5:50 AM
Hundreds of tennis players from across the state will compete this week during the United States Tennis Association North Carolina Singles League Championship in Goldsboro.
The city is serving as the host site for its fifth year, with participation increasing from 300 tennis players in 2013 to 450 this week, said said Ashlin Glatthar, Goldsboro-Wayne Travel and Tourism director.
The five-year economic impact to the local economy from the tournament is expected to be almost $1 million, Glatthar said.
The tournament, held Thursday through Sunday, will be headquartered at Herman Park and 48 tennis courts will be used at sites in Goldsboro, Wayne County and Greene County. The games are open to the public at no cost.
"Goldsboro is one of my favorite areas to host a State Championship," said Jenny Phelps, Director of Adult League Tennis - USTA North Carolina. "Their facilities are fantastic, the hotels are accommodating to our needs, but most of all, the people are the absolute best to work with.
"I was impressed with the level of hospitality and excellent customer service, (which) will keep our tournament coming to Goldsboro as long as they will have us."
The 2016 championships were originally planned in early October but delayed until December due to Hurricane Matthew. In response, the USTA NC office coordinated a toy and food drive with the Goldsboro Salvation Army to help families affected by the flooding. An estimated 180 toys and 400 cans of food were collected and donated over the course of the tournament weekend.
The tournament is already set to return in October of 2018, Glatthar said.