NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – August 27, 2012 – The USTA announced that John Newcombe Country Club, New Braunfels’ first private health and racquet club, will host the John Newcombe Women’s $50,000 Pro Challenge October 28 – November 4. The tournament, a USTA Pro Circuit event, is one of only 2 Women’s $50,000 Challengers in the state of Texas, and the largest tennis event ever held in New Braunfels.

The field for the John Newcombe Women’s $50,000 Pro Challenge will feature 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams. Tournaments at the $50,000 level typically feature players ranked from #100 to #500 in the world.  They are stepping stones to WTA Tour events and Grand Slam tournaments like the US Open. Each year, more than half the players in the US Open Women’s draw have either played or are currently playing on the USTA  Pro Circuit.

This year’s tournament plans to benefit the USTA’s Adopt a Unit initiative. The Adopt-A-Unit effort is designed to guide tennis organizations and players to ‘adopt’ a military unit of anywhere between 25-100 service members deployed to Afghanistan by sending care packages of necessities. In turn, USTA Serves, the National Charitable Foundation of the USTA, sends portable tennis equipment to the adopted unit on the organization’s behalf with instructions and educational information on tennis. The effort allows the tennis community to show support and to introduce soldiers to a recreational means for reintegrating with family, friends and community upon their return from conflict.

“This is an extremely exciting event for our club to host,” stated Club Director, Scott McCulloch. “It provides an up-close view to world-class tennis for the New Braunfels community as we work towards growing tennis amongst players of all ages. We will be holding a complimentary Kids Day and Pro Am at the start of the tournament and we look forward to offering Hill Country residents the opportunity to interact with the players.”

Located on Mission Valley Rd just off of Highway 46W, The John Newcombe Country Club is a world-class amenity center operated by the tennis management industry leader Cliff Drysdale Tennis. The Club was constructed for the enjoyment of the surrounding John Newcombe Estate, a luxury residential community, and a limited number of outside memberships.

For ticket or sponsorship information, please contact the John Newcombe Country Club at (830) 625-2005, visit JohnNewcombeChallenger.com or email Tournament Director Scott McCullochs.mcculloch@newkscc.com

About the USTA Pro Circuit
With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging $10,000 to $100,000 the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. The USTA launched it’s Pro Circuit 33 years ago to provide players the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Caroline Wozniacki, James Blake, Li Na, Andy Murray and Mardy Fish are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.
 
About John Newcombe Estate and Country Club
Preserving the Texas hill country landscape is the heart of the John Newcombe Estate’s design, specializing in custom homes with landscaping and trees right up to the meandering curbed roads. The Club provides a social and fitness focus, and combines with common areas featuring picnic areas, playscape, fishing ponds and walking trails.
 
With properties ranging from .19 to 1.76 acres there are lots for sale to suit a wide variety of budgets. This real estate development provides a unique hill country atmosphere and amenities available only at John Newcombe Estate & Country Club in New Braunfels, Texas.
 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Kimberly Arena, Tournament Press Aide
On-site: (830) 625-5911 ext 201; {and/or} Cell: (603) 520-1457
Email: k.arena@cliffdrysdale.com
Web: JohnNewcombeChallenger.com