GULF SHORES, Ala. - Eph Walker, tennis director at The Peninsula Golf and Tennis Club, presented to the City of Gulf Shores a proposal to bring city tennis courts under his management and expertise so that all facilities would have tennis professionals.

  He said that the management could be effective in making sure that all segments of tennis participants could have their time on the courts and make arrangements also for the growing number of state and regional tournaments.

  Walker’s appearance at this time reflects the growing interest in tennis on the Island, and the prospects of the Island’s being the place to be and the place to go for neighborhood and competitive tennis. Christine Slaughter, United States Tennis Association local league coordinator,  also attended.

  Slaughter coordinates adults, and she wants to challenge the local news media to recognize the growth of the tennis world on the Island. She said that when they won The Southern Event of the Year for the Combo Championship in 2007, the Southern Tennis magazine did not recognize their accomplishments.

  Slaughter was very thankful to the City of Gulf Shores and the City of Orange Beach for their support of the State Championship events. They generously hand over their facilities to our volunteers for the run of the tournaments. The same applies to The Gulf Shores Plantation, The Beach Club, Harbor Cove Condominiums and the host site The Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club.

  There are more adults playing tennis on the island than any other sport. Tournaments require organization and personnel. Cindy Key, an elementary school  teacher at Gulf Shores and an avid tennis player, volunteers each year to help coordinate and run the Gulf  Shores City courts. Mal Biedekapp does the same at Gulf Shores Plantation, Buck Bobo at The Beach Club, Eph Walker and his staff at The Peninsula, and a coordinator from Huntsville takes care of Orange Beach city courts.

  Slaughter also recognizes 40 volunteers who give up not only their time but their courts at least twice a year for the Championships.

  These championships bring in more than 1,000 people each year who room, dine and shop during their stay which is usually off the tourist calendar.