ORANGE PARK – Eagle Landing is the site for the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) Pro Circuit - the Futures tennis tournament, which is currently underway through May 10 in northern Clay County. The event is the only stop on the USTA Pro Circuit tour within 150 miles of Jacksonville.
More than 100 young men from 30 countries are competing for $10,000 in prize money as they seek ranking points to earn their way up the pro circuit ladder. The USTA organizes, sponsors and handles the USTA Pro Circuit Futures professional tournaments, which are entry level events that enable players to eventually participate in higher level tournaments on the ATP World Tour.
Matches are held daily beginning at 10 a.m. The doubles final match will be held “under the lights” at 7 p.m. on May 8. Free beer will be available to those of legal drinking age. Singles semi-finals begin at 10 a.m. on May 9 and single finals will get underway at 10 a.m. on May 10.
This is the first time Eagle Landing has hosted the event, according to Mark Arrowsmith, Eagle Landing’s director of tennis. “We are thrilled to host this world-class event and we are planning to do so on an annual basis,” he said. “We have players from China, Argentina, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Russia and across the United States. It is a global event that highlights the sport’s up and coming stars.”
There is no charge for the event, which is taking place at Eagle Landing’s Athletic Center and Tennis Club. The facility includes eight Har-Tru courts, which will eventually be expanded to 12 courts.
The Eagle Landing Tennis Classic is sponsored by East West Communities, Garber Automall, Regency Centers, Peterbrooke Chocolates at Oakleaf and Champion Brands/Miller Lite. Corporate sponsorship proceeds benefit the Mali Vai Kids Foundation, which promotes academic achievement and positive life skills to Jacksonville youth through the game of tennis, and the John P. Hall, Sr. Children’s Charity, a non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of life for underprivileged children in Clay County, Florida.
To reach Eagle Landing from Blanding Blvd., take Argyle Forest Blvd (Oakleaf Plantation Parkway) 8.9 miles to the Eagle Landing entrance on the right. From I-10, take Chaffee Road to Oakleaf Plantation Parkway. Take a right onto the parkway and drive 2.6 miles to the Eagle Landing entrance.
For more information on Eagle Landing, call (904) 291-7200 or visit www.eaglelandingfl.com.