By way of providing some historical perspective we are pleased to note that the Grand Prix Series of community based tennis tournaments was originally founded in 1981 by Wayne Bryan (father and coach of Mike and Bob, world’s top doubles team) at the Cabrillo Racquet Club in Camarillo, California. Sometime later, the Grand Prix ownership and management was passed to Dennis Claus and Linda Collins of Orange County who have conducted the Grand Prix Tennis Tournament series for the past 25 years.
There are four Grand Prix geographical divisions serving Los Angeles, Coachella Valley, San Diego and Orange County. OCGP is the largest of all divisions and has ten annual tournament events conducted at private, prestigious club facilities throughout Orange County. We also conduct the single largest charity tennis event (the Queen of Hearts Foundation tournament at the Newport Beach Tennis Club) which has raised over one million dollars for ovarian cancer research at UCI. We are now into our 16th year of the popular “Grand Prix – Mexico Madness” tournament conducted the first weekend of November each year. Beginning in January, 2011, a select number of Grand Prix events will be sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association, Southern California District.
The Grand Prix series of tournaments continues to evolve with many innovative options being developed from the players themselves. For example, and setting us apart from traditional events or club activities we offer: The only tournaments with play in Open thru Novice divisions, permitted, coaching assistance and a paging system for court availability call-up notification. We specialize in doubles in most tournaments (singles in selected two weekend events), trophy awards for all tournaments, cumulative point awards for annual “High Point” winner, year-end recognition, flexible division assignments with consolation, back draw and feed-in formats where applicable.
Our meticulously maintained data base and rating systems are the most comprehensive, definitive and accurate for all adult Southern California active, private and public court players. We are, first and foremost, concerned that the player participants of all Grand Prix tournaments enjoy spirited, competitive and equitable competition and work diligently to insure the growth and interest in Community-based tennis throughout our area.
February 13, 2011 at 12:12 am |
On this thirtieth anniversary of the Grand Prix Series we are about to embark on a new era of Community based tennis events. We invite you take a look at the Orange County Grand Prix History and Mission statement enclosed with this letter. In addition to the exciting Calendar of Tournaments planned for 2011 we wish to announce the following new programs.
CALENDAR: The OCGP 2011 season of tennis competition will include six (6) doubles tournaments held at the most prestigious, private tennis Clubs in Southern California. They are: Coto Valley Country Club, Nellie Gail Tennis Club, Seacliff Country Club, Mesa Verde Country Club, Racquet Club of Irvine and Newport Beach Tennis Club. In early August we will add to our schedule the 36th Annual Open Tennis Tournament at Mammoth Lakes, Northern California.
In September we will conduct the 9th Annual Queen of Heart’s Charity Tennis Tournament benefitting UCI Ovarian Cancer Research. Mission Statement: The Q of H’s Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for the research and early detection of ovarian cancer and promoting public awareness and education about the signs and symptoms of this disease. Queen of Hearts Foundation is a fully recognized 501C3 charitable institution.
In early November we will host the 16th Annual Mexico Madness/Baja Bash by visiting the village of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Early registrants and OCGP Members will receive a 5% discount on their cost of participation from Signature Travel Series of California. This will be followed the first weekend in January 2012 by our year end, Grand Prix Masters Invitational at the Shadow Mountain Resort in Palm Desert, California.
NEW PROGRAM ADDITIONS: Beginning in January we will offer Orange County Grand Prix “Exclusive Membership” opportunities ($25.00 annual fee required). Membership will include Grand Prix entry privileges and special Member Rewards discount offerings from DUNLOP, Hank Lloyds, Jerdog, Signature Travel Series, OCGP on-line shopping mall, 40 Love, Platinum Tickets, Team Swolen, H3Assist and other members of the Grand Prix Family of participating Sponsors. Membership cards will be available and mailed by late February. To initiate membership please call: W. Daniel O’Connor at 714-734-0800
USTA SANCTIONING: Beginning this year, and of particular note for the Queen of Heart’s Charity Tennis Tournament, a select number of the Grand Prix events will be sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association, Southern California District. They include the following Grand Prix events: Nellie Gail, Mammoth Open, Queen of Hearts and Newport Beach tournaments. Membership, ratings and earned, ranking credits will be available for all USTA sanctioned tournaments and the Orange County Grand Prix events.
Dennis, Linda, Daniel, Rob and Grand Prix Staff
p.s. Be one of the first to join the Grand Prix Membership family………………………