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Tunica National to Host The Fitz $50K USTA Challenger
Tennis Event Free to the Public May 6-12

TUNICA, Mississippi (April 3, 2007)—Tunica National Golf & Tennis Club will host The Fitz $50,000 United States Tennis Association (USTA) Pro Circuit tournament May 6-12.  The event will bring tennis professionals and celebrities from around the world for an exciting week of tennis action in Tunica.

Director of Tennis, Keith Evans, says this pro tournament at Tunica National allows tennis fans to learn from some of the best pro players on the circuit.

“When these events come to Tunica, our fans will have the chance to see some of the best young tennis players in the world,” said Evans. “These are rising stars, and the competition will be intense. It will be exciting to watch them perform on Tunica National’s indoor clay courts.”

This year the tournament will be raised to the highest level available for a Challenger, which also gives players more ATP ranking points.  The Fitz Casino will be hosting all of the players for the six day tournament at their newly renovated hotel.

The public is invited to watch the tournament. Viewing will be free to the public during qualifying rounds and the daily main draw matches.  There will be free on-court bleacher seating for the quarter finals, semi-finals, and the Championship match.  A features match with one of the top-seeded players will be held every night.  The finals will be held May 12th.  For exclusive upstairs seating, tickets may be purchased for $20 each by calling the Tunica National Tennis office at 662-357-0777.  

More than 1,100 men and women from 79 countries competed on the USTA Pro Circuit in 2006 for nearly $3 million in prize money and ranking points making it the world’s largest developmental tennis tour.

At Tunica National Golf and Tennis Club, the four indoor tennis courts are the only Hydro-Grid Har-Tru indoor clay courts south of Washington, D.C.  Har-Tru’s granular surface acts as a shock-absorbing cushion, allowing players to slide into their shots, preventing joint-jarring stops. One of the most impressive aspects of the technology is the sub-surface irrigation and the ability to control humidity indoors.  Tunica National is managed by KemperSports. Tunica National is located on Highway 61 North near the casinos.

About Tunica National
Located on U.S. Highway 61 North in Tunica, Tunica National features an 18-hole Mark McCumber-designed public golf course, six-hole par-3 practice course, 20,000-square-foot clubhouse, circular driving range, and Golf Training Academy.  The four indoor tennis courts are the only Hydro-Grid Har-Tru indoor clay courts south of Washington, D.C.  Har-Tru’s granular surface acts as a shock-absorbing cushion, allowing players to slide into their shots, preventing joint-jarring stops. One of the most impressive aspects of the technology is the sub-surface irrigation and the ability to control humidity indoors.  Tunica National is managed by KemperSports.  For additional information and services provided by Tunica National, call 662-357-0777. 

About KemperSports
Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports operates golf facilities as well as athletic clubs, lodging venues and major sporting events, including nationally ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Dorado Beach Resort & Club, The Glen Club, Gillette Ridge, Harding Park, Bolingbrook Golf Club, and Desert Willow.  For more information, visit www.kempersports.com.  

About Tunica
Tunica, an area where cotton, rice, soybean fields and catfish ponds still thrive, is “The South’s Casino Capital.”  Located 30 minutes south of Memphis, Tunica welcomes more than 15 million visitors annually to its nine world-class casino resorts, with more than 6,300 hotel rooms, over 40 restaurants, championship golf, outdoor recreation, museums, outlet and antique shopping, and much more. For travel information, please visit the Tunica website at www.tunicamiss.com, or call Tunica at 1-888-4TUNICA.