Public Grand Opening to Feature Activities with Pros, Food, Games, Prizes – RSVP Encouraged
Tega Cay, SC – The Tega Cay tennis community is pleased to announce that the City of Tega Cay is receiving a facility grant from the United States Tennis Association (USTA). The facility grant will pay for equipment and installation of the SmartAccess system for managing reservations and access to four tennis courts that were recently converted from private to public, adjacent to the Tega Cay Golf Club, 15083 Molokai Dr., Tega Cay, SC 29708.
The public is invited to the grand opening to help celebrate the transition from private to public usage of the tennis courts complete with food, pro-led activities, a chance to experience adult red ball tennis and prizes on Sat., Mar. 22, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (rain or shine). There will be something for everyone at any age and skill level to experience. Registration is highly encouraged. RSVP here http://bit.ly/4kqcgXW for an entry into a special drawing! And don’t forget to wear your tennis shoes!
Starting at 11:15 a.m., elected officials and other invited VIPs will participate in a “cut the net” ceremony to open the courts, followed by Tega Cay Tennis Pro Keith Womble explaining the new reservation technology system. Afterward, Womble will lead a target practice drill for the elected officials and VIPs, and the crowd will choose a winner.
The Tega Cay tennis community, Mid-Carolina Tennis Association (MCTA), Pinnacle Golf Properties and City of Tega Cay collaborated to obtain the facility grant from USTA which covers 100% of the cost of the SmartAccess equipment, new gates as needed, installation and software fees for two-years, for an estimated value greater than $5,000.
SmartAccess includes installation of coded locks on the entrance gates that are integrated with USTA’s Serve Tennis platform. Players can book a court reservation online or by scanning a QR code at the gate. When the booking is confirmed, the player receives an email with a unique PIN code that is valid only for the duration of the booking. To open the gate, simply type in the access code and you’re ready to play. Watch a SmartAccess video.
Ty Lefler of Tega Cay Golf Management says, “Tremendous growth and demand spurred the decision to convert the tennis courts from private to public and replace the outdated manual padlocks with a smart reservation system that is accessible to the public.” Controlled access provides a simple and easy method to access the courts, the ability to collect participation data, and remote court security – reducing the potential for misuse and vandalism.
“Lessons and clinics for children and adults are also available to the public as well,” says Womble, whose information is [email protected] or 704-650-7625.
Tennis continues to experience remarkable growth in the U.S. In 2024, 25.7 million Americans which equates to 1 in 12 people played tennis according to MCTA Board Member Debby Bosselman. “MCTA is delighted to work closely with the Tega Cay tennis community, the City of Tega Cay and its representatives to provide a cost-saving solution to preserve the vitality of the Tega Cay tennis community by ensuring the courts can be conveniently and reliably utilized by all tennis players, and we look forward to continuing to work together to promote tennis in the Tega Cay community through additional activities and events,” says Bosselman.
The Tega Cay tennis community and its volunteer leadership group aims to advance and promote the play and enjoyment of tennis in Tega Cay, and provide organized competition through ladder play, USTA and inter-club leagues, and social activities.
Mid-Carolina Tennis Association is a registered USTA Community Tennis Association with a mission to promote the growth of tennis in York, Lancaster and Chester Counties of South Carolina in cooperations with the USTA, USTA SC and others in pursuit of this aim.
Public Grand Opening Registration: http://bit.ly/4kqcgXW
Read the most recent Tega Cay Tennis newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tegacaytennis
Instagram: @tegacaytennis
Contact: Debbie Wey, Tega Cay tennis community, 704-408-2306
Debby Bosselman, Mid-Carolina Tennis Association, 972-489-6478
Ty Lefler, Tega Cay Golf Club, 803-548-3500 Ext. 228
Charlie Funderburk, City of Tega Cay City Manager, 803-548-3512
Gretchen Kalar, City of Tega Cay Social Media and Information Specialist, 803-548-3512
Keith Womble, Tega Cay Tennis Pro, 704-650-7625
