Calling all lines
The United States Tennis Association, the sport’s governing body
in America, is a giant. But it needs people like Hank Lloyd, a little
guy in the USTA’s grand scheme of things but a Goliath on the game’s
grass-roots level.
Sure, Lloyd would like to do better than break even as host and
tournament director of the recently concluded Diadora Pro
Championships, a $10,000 USTA Futures Tour stop -- the beginning
stage on the men’s pro tennis circuit with every player dreaming of
reaching (or returning to) the Association of Tennis Professionals
Tour.
But Lloyd, operator of the Costa Mesa Tennis Center and a guru in
the game’s public sector, is like the rest of the circuit’s
tournament directors. They’re all required by the USTA to pay for
their own officials. And that’s what Lloyd is trying to change.
If the USTA, which boasts of annual U.S. Open revenues in the $150
million range, would pick up the $8,000 bill for umpires and
officials (plus daily meals and hotel room if the official commutes
over 50 miles), it would be a huge financial turnaround for the
small, community-oriented events such as the one in Costa Mesa last
week and perhaps more money would be given to charity.
“It might cut into the prize money, but that’s OK, because we can
try to go out and find sponsors that will help,” Lloyd said. “These
(USTA Futures Tour events) aren’t money-makers. They’re to get people
involved in the community.”
Lloyd, who bailed out the USTA this year and took over as
director, host and promoter of the event in the 11th hour, said last
week’s Diadora Pro “worked out well” from his position and he’s
excited about hosting it again in 2003, when he will plan a special
event for the public each day.
This year, Costa Mesa hosted, among other things, a Demo Day, a
Ladies Day and a doubles pro-am. About 60 women showed up for Ladies
Day and each were charged $5 to participant, with proceeds going to
the Orange County Community Tennis Association, which plans to help a
promising junior with entry fees or lessons.
A longtime pro shop owner and operator, the hard-working Lloyd
will host the $15,000 Costa Mesa Pro Classic in November, also a USTA
Futures event.
* Four officials, including a chair umpire, are required at each
USTA Futures match. There were six or more officials during some
Diadora matches, with officials rotating in and out during
changeovers seemingly every 30 minutes. There were 20 officials on
site each day during the tournament, Lloyd said.
* The Palisades Tennis Club is hosting a seminar with the
Southern California Tennis Association regarding tennis scholarships
Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Mark Winters is the director of the SCTA’s
College and University Scholarship Program. Details: (949) 644-6900.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.