If you drove past the Goose Doughty Tennis Courts in McAdams Park any Tuesday or Sunday evening this summer, you may have caught a glimpse of a future Serena, Venus, Coco or Big Foe.
There were dozens of potential stars participating in this year’s free summer McAdams National Junior Tennis program sponsored by the McAdams Tennis Foundation and Club. Even though the camp name includes “junior,” the players were of all ages from three to 70, and possibly older.
The camp helps beginners who’ve never picked up a racket, returning participants with a summer or more of the program under their belt, as well as seasoned players.
This year, the camp attracted one of its biggest groups in years.
“McAdams NJTL Tennis organization ended the summer with over 50 participants enjoying free tennis lessons and drills,” said Alex Lee, program director.
The program began with the spring session in May that was just on Tuesday evenings and continued with the summer program that ran on Tuesday and Thursday evenings through the end of June. Many of the program participants wrapped the program by participating the the McAdams Tennis Tournament, held the last weekend of July at Riverside Park. That annual tournament attracts players from across the midwest.
The NJTL program and the McAdams Tennis Foundation and Club are a continuation of the program that was started by Charles “Goose” Doughty in the 1960s.
“It’s our way of continuing a legacy,” said Lee.
Every summer Goose ran a free summer program in the park for community youth. Avon DeGrafenread, one of the instructors in this summer’s camp, started playing tennis with Goose as an elementary school student. Five decades later, he’s still an active tennis player and instructor who recognizes tennis as a game you can play for life.
If you missed this summer’s program, come out next year. Look for information about the start of the program in THE VOICE or just drop by the courts.
Support for the program is provided by Genesis Foundation or Fitness and Tennis, Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation, the United State Tennis Association Kansas and the City of Wichita.
This school year, McAdams NJTL program is partnering with the GFFT to provide free tennis lessons as part of afterschool programs at a number of local elementary schools. They’re already partnering with Holy Savior Academy but have plans to expand their reach this year.
