LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – After acing its first year hosting the USTA Men’s Pro Circuit Tournament as part of Bolo Bash Tennis, the Baptist Health Foundation is looking to make this year’s event another smashing success with a new location and special guest, Grand Slam Champion Lindsay Davenport.
Davenport was ranked No. 1 in the world eight times and is a former singles champion of the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open. She also won the French Open playing doubles.
The tennis great will kick off Bolo Bash Tennis on Friday, April 8, by conducting an instructional clinic at 3 p.m. as well as headlining a mixer and speaking engagement at 6 p.m. Cost of the clinic and evening functions is $200 or $75 to attend just the evening social events.
The actual tournament begins Saturday, April 9, with Qualifying Play in which tennis players will vie for a spot in the Men’s Pro Am Main Draw Tournament. The Main Draw begins on Tuesday, April 12, and play goes through Friday, April 15. Semi-finals will be on Saturday, April 16 and finals on Sunday, April 17.
Admission to the tournament, presented by Standard Business Systems, is free and open to the public. The various action-packed events begin at 10 a.m. each day and will be held at the Rebsamen Tennis Center in Little Rock.
Other offerings during the 13-day bash will include a Kid’s Day sponsored by Delta Dental; a sponsor’s lounge; night matches; a weeklong online auction; and free food provided by Lindsey’s Hospitality House, Fire Extinguisher Sales and Services, and Arvest on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Bolo Bash Tennis is a partnership between Baptist Health and the United States Tennis Association. This official USTA men’s pro circuit event is a pathway to the U.S. Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and has hosted players such as the 2014 U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, James Blake, Brad Gilbert, and many more.
Once it’s game-set-match, proceeds from the tournament will be used to sponsor nursing scholarships at Baptist Health College Little Rock and for continuing education for nurses employed by the healthcare system.
Sponsorship opportunities for Bolo Bash Tennis are still available. For more information, contact Erin Childress with the Baptist Health Foundation at erin.childress@baptist-health.org or 501-202-6437.
Baptist Health is an Arkansas-based, locally owned and managed, not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare organization. It’s Arkansas’ most comprehensive healthcare system with more than 8,300 employees operating eight hospitals. For more information about the Baptist Health Foundation or Bolo Bash, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST.