Historic Orange Lawn Tennis Club to Host Ninth Annual National 75 & 80 Grass Court Championships.

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. -- Orange Lawn Tennis Club, founded in 1880 and host of the first US national tennis championships in 1886 will be host to the Jerry Waldor 75 & 80 Grass Court Championships September 5th- 10th in South Orange, NJ. This is the ninth year Orange Lawn has hosted the seniors' tournament, which features nearly 100 players ranging from 75-84 years of age, with many coming from other countries to participate.

According to Will McEntire, Tournament Director, "Orange Lawn Tennis Club is pleased to once again host this national tournament. With the rich tradition of the Club as the backdrop, players, media and all those attendees sense the "Wimbeldon-like" feel at the Club, especially with the tournament being played on grass courts and all the players wearing white."

Orange Lawn Tennis Club is no stranger to professionals on the circuit. Former professional players John McEnroe, Ken Rosewall, Arthur Ashe, Rod Laver, John Newcomb, and others have been acing opponents at Orange Lawn for years. "Last year," adds McEntire, "we had the world's number one 80 year-old -- Fred Kovaleski from Arlington, Virginia and the number one 75 year-old -- Lorne Maine from Canada -- in the world playing here. The best seniors from across the globe put this tournament on their calendars and look forward to this event like no other."

The tennis club, developed after the Civil War, was originally built in the Montrose neighborhood of South Orange. In May 1881, Orange Lawn and 18 other clubs formed the United States Lawn Tennis Association to standardize the game's rules and equipment. Founding members of the Club included Richard Sears, the first US Singles Champion, and James Dwight, the USLTA's first president. After hosting the National Championships in 1886, Orange Lawn began hosting the Grass Court Championships, which was the major tournament preceding the US Open while it was still being played on grass courts. The club moved to larger grounds on Ridgewood Road in 1916, where it remains today.

Emilie Cuttone, President of Orange Lawn, couldn't be more pleased with the Club's place in tennis history. "I am honored to be a part of Orange Lawn Tennis Club and have a deep appreciation for our Club's tradition. Orange Lawn is very special, and all of our members and staff over the years have enabled us to maintain our reputation and preserve our place in tennis history. We are especially pleased to open our doors to the public so they can experience the National Seniors Tournament - and the Club - firsthand."

Throughout the years, Orange Lawn Tennis Club has continued to flourish and is recognized as one of the premiere private tennis clubs in the Northeast. Continuing in time-honored tradition, the Club maintains for its members ten grass courts and ten Har-Tru courts (two lighted for evening play), an upscale locker house and pro shop, swimming pool with snack bar, five platform tennis courts and a lawn bowling court. Orange Lawn also has outstanding facilities for special affairs, featuring elegant banquet rooms that can accommodate parties ranging from 10 to 250 people. The Clubhouse charm is found in the gracious, comfortable and intimate environment which offers private seating in the main dining room, and a living room fireplace that invites casual conversation. The food at Orange Lawn is exceptional, with customized menus for catered affairs. Their objective remains to provide quality service and appropriate facilities to hosts and sponsors of private functions and at the same time maintain the quiet enjoyment of the Club for the membership.

For more information about the Jerry Waldor 75 & 80 Grass Court Championships please contact Will McEntire at 973 762-8689 or [e-mail]. For more information about Orange Lawn Tennis Club please contact Annette Scuteri, General Manager, at 973 762-0928, [e-mail] or visit www.orangelawn.com.