For five decades, the PA State Clay Court Open Championships was the premiere tennis tournament in the USTA/Middle States Tennis Association. Its popularity attracted top ranked players from all over the state and country. In 1993, the tournament’s scope increased when the tournament director renamed the event in memorial to his tennis enthusiast friend, Bill Metzger. Fund raising increased, and soon former ATP players were common place entries into our field. Jimmy Arias, Luke and Murphy Jensen, Tim Wilkison, Jeff Tarango, Tim Mayotte, Rick Leach, Nathan Healey, Richey Reneberg, and Dick Stockton were part of our history. The tournament went from being played solely at the CC of Harrisburg to four venues – Hershey CC, West Shore CC, and now the host club, Colonial Golf and Tennis Club. The Metzger Open’s finals were televised several times – the tournament has survived and thrived where many other prize money events have not. This year marks our 32nd Metzger Open! |
Please note: The photo of the winner of the 2012 Metzger Open, Jesse Witten, is courtesy of Alex Lowy Photography LLC /www.Lowyphoto.com.