The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-29
City Meters
Outline Needs
Tennis Enthusiasts Seek
improvements To Courts
Here
BY GENE
Star Sports Writer

Tennis, a sport long isolated and
almost con, Hletely forgotten in Viii
mlngton, began its first attempt
o a comeback last night at a
meeting al the Community center
as L veteran meters discusses
the problems confronting local
players, who T interested in en-.
tering the Eastern Carolina Tennis
Association this summer.
Jesse A. Reynolds, director of
the Wilmington recreation depart
ment, conducted the meeting,
which attracted such well-known
local player as H. M. Emerson,
Thad Watts, Gene Fonvielle, Mary
Bland, Mary Johnson, Tommy
Smell, Rev. Walter B. Freed, Les
lie N. Boney, Jr., Archie Fountain,
and Colleen Gam.
The group decided that before
any definite plans are drawn up
for the local team, it should make
sure at least Is good players can
be obtained to represent Whining.
ton against such strong clubs in
the association as Raleigh, Wilson,
Rocky Mount, Kinston, and Beau
fort. Sixteen men and IL women
were suggested. This group includ-
ed: Charles Edwards, Gerald Rob
inson, Robert Getty, M. v. Barn
hill, Rev. Mortimer Glover, Bob
Andrews, Franklin Bell, Brayon
Broodfoot, Clark Adams, Ed White,
John Head, John Powell, Ed John.
son, Claude Davis, Ed Jackson,
Ben Jackson, Mary Bland, Mary
Johnson, Betty Waters, Jean I'll
let, Kitty Bass. Verna Farmer,
Martha Pence, Helen Rouse, Nancy
Brown, Emily Yer Vast, Louise
HarWick, and Rachael Stroll,
Discussion was taken up concern.
ing the local tennis courts. Several
persons present suggested that the
city turn half of the courts at
Robert Strange park into com.
position courts to insure available
ones despite rainy weather con
ditions during the summer. Rey-
nolds replied to this that nothing
can be done on the subject at
present because Of lack of funds,
but said the subject will be brought
up at the City Council meeting next
July l when the city budget for
next year is determined.
The chief issue, however, was
promoting interest in tennis in
Wilmington. Rev. Walter 3. F1eed
stated that without suitable courts,
local meters may no be interested
in tennis, and asked hat Whining
ton courts be improved to compare
with those of other large cities
in North Carolina. r
Asked when the courts at Robert
Strange park will be ready, Rey
noldS disclosed one may be in con
dition by the latter part of next
week and others the following
week if weather permits. He Sald
the bad weather has prevented the
courts from being in .op shape
now. Reynolds also told the group
that a special man, provided by
the city, will keep the courts in
top shape this summer.
Gene For ielle proposed that the
Wilmington tennis representative
show interest in aiding the de
velorment of tennis at New Han
over High school and starting a
tennis clinic for grammar school,
youngsters. If such a clinic wa
organized it was suggested the
young players be permitted to
stay on the various courts mil
5 o'clock in the afternoon during
the weekly days and to one o'clock
on the weekends, giving the older
players the courts after thar time.
At the end of the parley Rey'
nolds as d. all persons present
to contact all good tennis players
in Wilmington and bring them to
the next meeting next Friday at
8 o'clock at the Community Cen
ter.
Count Zoppa1ip cornp1eteJ his