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| History |
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In the late 1950's, a driving range peppered with
little white dimpled balls is what sat on the Southwest corner of Alvernon and Broadway
Boulevard. Today it is the location of the Southwest's crown jewel of public tennis
facilities, boasting 25 lighted hard courts tucked within the lush greenery of Randolph Park.
Randolph Tennis Center is now Tucson's flagship public racket facility, but it has grown
from humble beginnings.
Randolph Tennis Center was constructed circa 1959 and consisted of 10 red-dyed concrete
courts lit by florescent bulbs. Preserved as a piece of history, the red concrete is still
visible in the walk way between courts 1-5 and 6-10. The public restroom was limited to a
single portable unit on the west end of the facility and the proshop was hardly bigger than a
closet.
Jim Reffkin became the first tennis pro ever hired by the city of Tucson, and assumed the
position of Director of Tennis at Randolph in 1975. Over the past three decades, Reffkin has
overseen the construction of 15 additional courts (including the Michael Landon Stadium
Court), a new proshop of original design, the preservation and addition of vegetation
within the grounds, and the updating of lighting to modern standards. With these
improvements came reward, as Randolph was named "Outstanding Facility of the Year" in 1993 by the United
States Tennis Association. Reffkin has also developed Randolph's tournament schedule.
Randolph Tennis Center hosts more tournaments than any other facility in the Southwest,
including USTA National Championships.
Randolph is also home to the Smith-Perry Tennis Academy (SPTA). The SPTA is one of the
largest junior tennis development programs in the Southwest, and consistently produces
regionally and nationally ranked junior players, most continuing on to play at the
collegiate level.
Celebrity has also found a place at Randolph. Tennis legends such as Rod Laver, Roy Emerson,
and Billy Jean King have graced the courts, as well as movie stars and other sports
figures. The Celebrity Tennis Classic was hosted at Randolph from 1981 through 1995.
Connie Stevens hosted in 1981, followed by Michael Landon's 10 year reign from 1982 to
1991, Beau Bridges in 1993, and Rick Springfield in 1994 and 1995.
Randolph Tennis Center has enjoyed a colorful history and will proudly continue to be the
heartbeat of tennis in Tucson. With more instructional programs and events offered for all
ages than any facility in Tucson, public or private, Randolph will continue to play a major
role in the future of our sport.
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