The Mississippi Gulf Coast has played host to some of the top rated tournaments by providing these events with quality venues, volunteers support along with marketing and branding within these events.

The Mississippi Adult Tennis Championship, touted as the State’s Largest Tennis Tournament,” was hosted by the Gulf Coast for the first time since it’s inception and the Coast put on quite the show. With over 1,000 tennis players from the state, a volunteer group made up of local tennis players, four host cities and the support of local business executives the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission raised the bar to win the Mississippi Tennis Association’s League Tennis “Event of the Year” honors.

“As a first year event for the Coast to win this distinction it shows what a concerted effort can bring to these event,” said long time resident of Ocean Springs Louis Peters. “We looked at this event as a catalyst to larger events that can bring with them more recognition to the area as a major sports destination.” Mr. Peters is the past President of the Mississippi Tennis Association and is proud to see what the Coast do when they come together for a common goal such as this.

Host Sites included the City of Ocean Springs, the City of Biloxi, the City of Gulfport and the City of Pascagoula who all were an integral part of the event reaching the status of Event of the Year. 11 total sites in eight cities were used to provide the players with top rated facilities and the Southern Hospitality that only the Mississippi Gulf Coast has.

Lindsey Sartain, MS Tennis Association Director of League Tennis, also praised the Gulf Coast and what they were able to accomplish, “We see this event as a strong group that has put together an award winning formula that can expand on this accomplishment to bring other USTA events to their area.”

Chairman of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission John Dane III also agreed, “we have provided a model that should be able to attract other tenis events and provide the platform for building the Coast into a recognized leader for sporting events and sports marketing.” “Our mission statement has always been to highlight tourism, economic development and quality of life and this event has all of these components.”

Mr. Dane also recognized the local community for their support, “everyone across the Mississippi Gulf Coast who played a significant role in making this a first class operation should be proud.” “We have a business community that understands the importance of sports and the social and economic value that it brings to the area and for this we are thankful.”