News

Fairfield, California – The USTA announced that In-Shape Fairfield Rancho Solano, Solano County’s premier fitness and tennis facility with programs managed by Cliff Drysdale Tennis, will host the Men’s $50,000 USTA Challenger Professional Tournament from October 12th-18th of this year. The tournament, which is part of the USTA Pro Circuit and ATP Challenger Tour, will be one of three Men’s USTA Challenger events that will swing through Northern California. The proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Chris Cammisa Tennis and Education Foundation (CCTEF).

The field for the Men’s $50,000 Professional Tournament will feature 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams. Tournaments at the $50,000 level typically feature players ranked from No. 100 to No. 500 in the world. They are stepping-stones to ATP Tour events and Grand Slam tournaments like the US Open and Australian Open. Each year, more than half the players in the US Open Men’s draw have either played or are currently playing on the USTA Pro Circuit.

Rancho Solano played host to a $50K Men’s Challenger from 1990-1991 under the direction of local tennis professional and Executive Director of the CCTEF, Phil Cello. More recently from 2013-14 the event was dubbed the Napa Valley Men’s Challenger and hosted at the Napa Valley Country Club. Following this event dropping off the USTA schedule in 2015, In-Shape Health Clubs, Cliff Drysdale Tennis and Cello joined forces to bring professional tennis back to Rancho Solano with the goal to fundraise and promote tennis throughout Solano County through the event.

The current initiatives of the CCETF for 2015 include the formation and funding of a men’s and women’s tennis team and the establishment of a free after school tennis development and educational mentoring program at Solano Community College, as well as launching the “I’m Next” Athletic Talent Search, a USTA Norcal Pilot Program.

“It is great see the event return to Fairfield, Rancho Solano and Solano County” states Cello. “We have the elements of a perfect match; As one of the best tennis facilities in Northern California, In-Shape Fairfield Rancho Solano is the perfect location to host the event. Scott McCulloch, VP of Operations for Cliff Drysdale Tennis brings vast experience as a Tournament Director having run USTA Pro Circuit events for other Cliff Drysdale-managed facilities throughout the US. Additionally, Chris Cammisa was a long time member and one of the club’s most active tennis players before he passed away in 2014, and to honor his memory and support the local community through this event is truly an honor”.

“It is tremendous to have the tournament returning to Rancho Solano given its history here and the role it will have with our current tennis community,” states McCulloch.”It’s wonderful for our kids to have an opportunity to see professionals up close and inspire their dreams to be a pro tennis player one day as well. On a personal note, I am very excited to work with my partner in the tournament, Phil Cello, who has been a staple in the tennis community for the past 3 decades and still drives forward every day to make a difference which is inspirational and speaks to his character.”

Located at 3250 Rancho Solano Parkway, In-Shape: Fairfield Rancho Solano is a multi-recreational, family athletic facility offering health, fitness, sports, recreation and social programs for people of all ages and interests. The tennis facility features 11 lighted tennis courts, and the Cliff Drysdale Tennis-managed program offers instruction, leagues and events for players of all ages and abilities.

For ticket or sponsorship information, please contact Phil Cello at [email protected] or 707-853-0915 or Scott McCulloch at 239-246-5303