ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 16, 1996 TAG: 9602160078
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
The U.S. Tennis Association Women's Circuit will return to Roanoke this summer with its most lucrative purse ever.
After taking last year off to secure more sponsorship and more volunteers, organizers for the USTA Women's Circuit of Roanoke bestowed much of its authority on the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce, which promises a $25,000 purse for this year's tournament to be held at Hunting Hills Country Club July 28-Aug.4.
This will be the ninth USTA women's tournament to be played in the Roanoke Valley, the first since 1994 when the purse was $10,000.
The payoff for this year's champion will be 21/2 times larger than the $1,600 won by Keiko Nagatomi two years ago. The champion of the 32-player main-draw field wins $4,000 this year, the runner-up receives $2,350 and semifinalists get $1,300.
The increased payoff resulted from the participation of the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce. Previously, the tournament was organized by a group of local volunteers.
The Chamber of Commerce has taken over fund raising and marketing for the tournament and will be seeking to attract more spectators than in years past.
``We're making the tournament more visible [to the public],'' said Brian Duncan, the assistant director of Economic Development for Roanoke County and a member of the tournament's host committee. ``Like the Tour DuPont and the Stagg Bowl, we're going to show what a jewel this tournament is. It's kind of neat. You have such good young players coming here.''
Tournament director John Barker said the increased prize money will attract the best caliber players since the circuit first came to Roanoke in 1985. Some of the best college players, ranked juniors, lower-ranked professionals and young foreign players are expected to make up the main field.
``There are players who played in the $10,000 tournament that won't make it through qualifying of the 25 [thousand-dollar tournament],'' said Barker.
Barker said Hunting Hills also will be hosting a prize-money tournament in March featuring the top 16 men's players in the Roanoke Valley.
The United States Cellular Tennis Invitational singles and doubles championships will be held March 1-3. Tickets are $3.
``It's the first time the Roanoke Valley has ever had anything like this,'' said Barker. ``It's like the golf hall of fame tournament they have, when the best players get together.''
LENGTH: Short : 50 linesby CNB