Welcome to the 2021 Thalhimer Club Challenge

Welcome back!! The Richmond Tennis Association (RTA) is so excited after a year’s absence to return and host the annual Thalhimer Club Challenge at both Westwood Club and for the first time ever Salisbury Country Club. We are excited about the format changes this year and want to thank the local tennis community for embracing this event and making it the best tennis party in town!

Thanks to you and our wonderful sponsors, this event continues to be our largest fundraising opportunity of the year. Proceeds from this event allow the RTA to continue supporting and promoting the game of tennis in our community for all ages and levels. Here are just a few of the 2020-2021 RTA initiatives and events the Club Challenge helps support:

• RTA Rising Stars Tennis Academy – we are thrilled to continue this program to provide under-served area youth with free tennis clinics and training at Byrd & Battery Parks throughout the year. We had a record number of juniors participate in this year’s summer session.
• The Mercedes-Benz Greater Richmond Tennis Championships – the Junior division was held at Byrd Park, the Mixed Doubles division was held at ACAC, and the Open and 40+ divisions were held at Salisbury Country Club.
• Annual Junior Banquet – an event where we honor the accomplishments of Richmond’s top junior players and teams and present annual awards for Sportsmanship, Most Improved, and Enthusiasm.
• Wheelchair tennis events – the Richmond area was fortunate to host in 2021 a wheelchair tournament at Collegiate. Top wheelchair junior and adult players from all across the country came to participate. It also included a teaching clinic taught by a national coordinator.
• McDonald’s Richmond Junior Tennis Circuit (RJTC) – approximately 300 junior players competed in a series of 14 events throughout the summer.
• Hugh Waters Family Championship – this event which was played just this last week at Raintree brings together players of all ages and abilities to compete in a family-friendly atmosphere.
• Travel Reimbursement for Juniors and Adults – we support our juniors and adults by providing expense reimbursement when they travel to compete in tournaments.
• Support of Local Tennis Initiatives – we continue to support the Chesterfield Junior Cup, Lobs & Lessons, the Metro Richmond Tennis Club, the ARTP, area junior tennis development, and maintaining the landscaping around the Arthur Ashe Memorial statue on Monument Avenue.

Upcoming RTA-sponsored events include the Autumn Cup which will be held at Avalon Recreation Association October 1-3 and the Richmond Tennis Hall of Fame Celebration will take place in March 2022 at Westwood Club. We plan on announcing the Hall of Fame inductees on Saturday afternoon of this event, so please make sure to stay for that exciting announcement!

Please let us know if you’re interested in joining the RTA as a member, volunteer or leader. As a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we’d love to discuss opportunities with you.

Good luck. Play well, enjoy the camaraderie, and most importantly… Have Fun!

Travis Miller
President, Richmond Tennis Association