Hamilton and Weeks Park Tennis centers are hosting a major zone tournament Oct.12 and the head professionals are hoping for college students to come.
“We’re so close to campus that people could walk over here,” Bobby Hagerman, head tennis professional of weeks park tennis center, said.
The tennis courts host various tournaments throughout the year, and even offer lessons to those wanting to learn the sport.
Hagerman said the center is a good place for students to come in their free time to play.
There are two different courts for people to play. Hamilton Tennis Center right off of Hempstead, Weeks Park Tennis Center is somewhat hidden between apartments and a park.
“I always make sure I give people exact directions when they call,” Hagerman said. “We’ve had a funny experience where people who’ call up and want to play would go to the other court by mistake because we aren’t right off a major street.”
The fees for playing single games are $2 on weekdays, to $1.50 on weekends, with $2.50 for playing in the evening. The courts also have annual permits for those who play regularly for $95.
“Anybody who wants to play some tennis can bring friends and come to play,” John Simmons, head professional at Hamilton Tennis Center, said. “I’d love to have more college students.”
Some students do go the courts and either play matches or watch them.
“I go sometimes to play,” Audry Stevens, sophomore in horticulture, said. “I just found out about this place [Weeks Tennis Center] and it gives me something to do when there’s nothing to do on campus. Plus it’s cheap.”
The courts are for anyone. The head professionals at both centers offer classes for adults, including college students. For eight classes, the price is $86 including single play. If visitors want to only go for one day, it costs $17.
“We need to get info out to the sororities and organizations so they can come and get group discounts,” Simmons said.
At the tennis centers, visitors are not required to play any matches. They have bleachers and seats inside the buildings made just for spectators.
“It’s really fun to go and just watch,” Khadeja Green, freshman in special education, said. “It’s surprisingly entertaining.”
