Voted “Tournament of the Year.”

 

 

 

 

MS Gulf Coast garnishes top honors from the Mississippi Tennis Association for the Adult Tennis Championships held on the Gulf Coast in June 2010. Organizers say winning this award in the first year is impressive by any standards.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission (www.msgcsc.org) announced today that the Gulf Coast is continuing it’s quest to become recognized as one of the top sports destination with the distinction of being named the (MTA) Mississippi Tennis Association’s ‘Event of the Year.” The announcement was made today at the Harrison County Tourism Commission’s conference room.

John Dane III, Chairman of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission relayed the news of the announcement and gave everyone involved with the event accolades in this accomplishment. “When we started the Sports Commission in 2008 these are the type of events that we felt were important to reaching our initiatives. As we continue bringing events such as this to the Coast we will see increased economic impact, economic development but also in the quality of life.”

John Dane III recognized the sponsor’s, volunteers, the CTA’s of the Gulf Coast, the tennis facilities and their professionals who helped make the event such a success. “Everyone who played a part in making this event such a success should be proud of the accomplishment. This was a Coastwide effort and without people such as Lance St. Amant, the Ocean Springs Chamber along with all of the other volunteers who devoted their time and effort, this award would not have been possible. This is directly attributable to them.”

Louis Peters, President of the Mississippi Tennis Association stated, “With this event being hosted on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the first time, the MTA felt this was a great accomplishment in pulling together what the MTA considered to be the best event presentation in the State of Mississippi this year.” “This could not have been put together and professionally run with out the help of the Jackson County CTA, the Harrison/Hancock CTA, the volunteers and the volunteer Chairman, Lance St. Amant. He was tremendous in his commitment to having the event become a player favorite in its first year.”

Mr. Peters also pointed out that the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission was the component that catapulted the event to the stature and deserved accolades as well. “Scott Ratcliff brought in the sports marketing and branding for the event to reach its full potential. With his help and the Sports Commission’s help we were able to bring in sponsorships in excess of $38,000 for this event.” “I commend him and the Sports Commission for their business approach in assisting this event to reach a level of which the Gulf Coast can be proud.”

Louis Peters also pointed out that not only was the 2010 Adult Tennis Championship recognized as MTA’s “Event of the Year” but it is being considered as the (USTA) United States Tennis Association- Southern Region “Event of the Year” as well. “The USTA Southern, made up of nine states within its region, is also considering this event as their event of the year.” Should they vote the 2010 Adult Tennis Championship as their “Event of the Year’ this would be a great honor for the Gulf Coast and everyone involved,” Peters said.  

Scott Ratcliff added, “This shows what a concerted effort can accomplish for major events on the Gulf Coast. An economic study provided in partnership with the USM Sports Marketing Department showed $1.4 million dollars added to the local economy from the four day event.”

Ratcliff went on to say, “Being considered as the top event within a nine state region for the USTA would, in most regards, be unattainable for a first year event but the Sports Commission has been intricate in branding numerous sporting events on the Gulf Coast since it’s inception in 2008.” “I believe we are just starting to scratch the surface on what we can accomplish and if we were to win the USTA Southern “Event of the Year” will only continue our efforts to market the Coast to this multi-billion dollar industry.”