CLINTON, S.C. - Presbyterian College's Templeton Center Tennis Courts, home of the Blue Hose men's and women's tennis programs, have been resurfaced thanks to a USTA Grant, part of the US Open Legacy Initiative, and generous donors.

"The grant from the USTA's US Open Legacy Initiative is a game-changer for Presbyterian College's tennis programs," said Dee Nichols, Presbyterian's Athletic Director. "By resurfacing our courts, we are not only enhancing our facilities but also investing in the future of our men's and women's teams. We are grateful to USTA, the PC Advancement Team, the facilities staff, and our donors who made this project possible."
 
Presbyterian women's tennis coach Joel Roberts, a former Blue Hose standout men's tennis player, is in his sixth season as the program's head coach. Roberts's program is directly impacted by the resurfacing of the courts.
 
"We could not be more thankful to the USTA and our donors who made it possible to get our courts redone," Roberts said. "Our courts needed some help and through multiple people, we were able to make it happen. To see the reactions from our men's and women's tennis players has been very special."
 
USTA GRANT
The USTA grant is part of the US Open Legacy Initiative, which was created in celebration of Coco Gauff's 2023 US Open women's singles title. As part of the initiative, the USTA has pledged $3 million to refurbish tennis courts across the country.
 
"Investing in the improvement of tennis facilities, particularly public tennis facilities, is a critical piece of the USTA's mission: Growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere," said Lew Sherr, CEO, USTA. "The new US Open Legacy Initiative will ensure that Coco Gauff's 2023 US Open victory will have a meaningful and lasting impact in communities across the country. I can think of no more fitting way to celebrate an American US Open champion than by completing the circle for the good of the game."
 
"Investing in public parks and our youth is very important," said Gauff. "I strongly believe that tennis can continue to become a more accessible sport, and I would like to thank the USTA for continuing to commit to do so."
 
The US Open Legacy Initiative is part of the USTA's overall efforts to support tennis infrastructure through facility enhancements and construction, which is led by the USTA's Tennis Venue Services (TVS) department. Since 2005, the USTA has awarded more than $17 million in TVS grants, impacting more than 43,000 tennis courts and more than $610 million of infrastructure development.
 
In order to ensure that communities have access to safe, appealing, and functional tennis environments, grant recipients also receive start-to-finish project management assistance from the USTA's Tennis Venue Services team. It provides industry-leading experience in tennis court and facility design, as well as technical assistance, including construction document review and business development insight, to ensure the facilities can deliver tennis at a high level. Completed projects will receive a sign commemorating that the courts were refurbished in honor of Gauff's US Open victory.