Seabrook Island Racquet Club announces the 35th Alan Fleming Senior Open Clay State Championship (“the Fleming”) will be held on Seabrook Island October 3 – 7, 2018. This premier event attracts over 250 players from around the county in age groups starting at 35 years and older.
The Fleming is a South Carolina Level 1 State Championship and Southern Level 200 Point Tournament. The tournament offers 44 events including singles, doubles and mixed-doubles for women and men ages 35 to 80. Seabrook Racquet Club Director Mike Kiser noted “The competition in all draws is stronger than ever. While continuing to grow, the Fleming remains focused on improving the player experience.” To register or receive additional information on this year’s tournament, please visit www.usta.com.
In addition to a premier tennis event, the Alan Fleming Tournament is devoted to raising funds to benefit a local charity. Over the past five years, the Fleming Tournament has raised more than $250,000 for charities.
The 2018 charitable beneficiary will be The Sea Islands Blessing Basket, a Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation (“SIHAF,” a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) mission. SIHAF supports charitable food-related organizations that feed the hungry and provide drinkable well water to those who do not have fresh water on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. For more information about the foundation, please visit www.FightIslandHunger.org.
In 2017, approximately 20% of the entrants were new to the Fleming. It was recently named “best tournament of the year” by visiting players and is free to spectators and open to the public – no ticket required.
This will be the Fleming’s 5th year hosting the Mixed Doubles National Gold Ball Events. Included in the draws are former professional tour players including a Wimbledon Men’s 35 Doubles champion, National Gold Ball champions, Members of US National teams, highly ranked ITF players and world champions, former Davis Cup players, Collegiate Division 1 standouts, South Carolina and Southern Hall of Fame players and the highest ranked National and International amateur champions.
Seabrook Island Racquet Club is ranked by Tennis Resorts Online as one of the top 25 tennis resorts in the world. Entries for the tournament open August 1, 2018, and close September 15, 2018. The tournament identification number is 700053618. To register or receive additional information on this year’s tournament, please visit www.usta.com.
SIHAF is 100% volunteer operated and distributes 98% of the money raised by the foundation to needy families. Once a month, The Sea Islands Blessing Basket distributes food to approximately 510 residents of Johns and Wadmalaw Islands whose income is below the poverty level. The food provided is enough for seven meals. Funds raised by the Fleming will allow SIHAF to improve the quality of the food baskets with the addition of a protein, fruit and vegetables. For more information about the foundation, please visit www.FightIslandHunger.org.
-Submitted by Patti Leibach