Jack Dorsey Memorial Keeps Growing
Oglebay Tournament Draws Record-High 137 Entrants
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WHEELING -- The Jack Dorsey Memorial Tournament just keeps getting bigger.
For the second year in a row, the tournament set a new high mark for entrants with 137 players from across the country descending on the Horne Familty Tennis Center last week.
"It was a record for the seven years that I've been here," said tournament director Kelly Rose. "Last year was a record-breaking year and I thought that was just because after COVID everyone wanted to get out, but this year was even better than last year."
The tournament had divisions from ages 35 through 80 in singles and doubles with age groups in five year increments.
Of the 137 players, Rose estimated that around 30 of them were newcomers to the tournament.
"Every single one of them has said they will be back again next year," Rose said. "I think it's great to get people into West Virginia, into our community."
Rose attributes the tournament's growth to good, old-fashioned word-of-mouth advertising.
"Some of the people who were new to us last year asked me to send them flyers when I began advertising this year's (tournament)," Rose said. "I was mailing out packages to a lot of people and they were promoting it at their own clubs."
Rose said she heard only good things from players new and old about the tournament, which began Thursday and concluded Sunday.
"I've gotten endless positive comments about the facility, the volunteers and the level of play," Rose said. "We have people really coming from all four corners (of the country). It's great for them to come and experience Wheeling. I want people to come and play tennis, but I also want them to come and fall in love with this area, and it's happening."
Another benefit to the tournament is the money it raises for the club's programming.
"Everyone who's working here is a volunteer so all the proceeds go to benefit the programming of the Wheeling Olgebay Tennis Club," Rose said. "They offer programming for elementary, middle and high school (aged children) and for adults as well."
Everyone working to make the tournament a success was volunteering their time with no monetary compensation. Only the referee was being paid.
"The fact that nobody's here earning any money, we're just here trying to grow tennis in the local community," Rose said. "By bringing in people from all across the nation to support that, it's nice for the big picture to help the little picture."