The Nelson Tennis Foundation is an outgrowth of the original Berry Creek Pro-Am event. In 1997 and 1998, the Pro-Am event was held to raise money for a local charity. The Nelsons were active participants of the Tennis Committee at Berry Creek and very involved in the Pro-Am event. In 1999 it was decided that the Jane and Charles Nelson Tennis Scholarship would be established and the event would become the Nelson Scholarship Tennis Classic. The tournament weekend, including both a live and silent auction, has become the main fund-raiser for the Foundation. In recent years, additional fund-raisers have been added including a July 4th 5K race and a wine tasting.
The event and the scholarship operated under the guidance of the Berry Creek Tennis Committee until 2002. At that time the Foundation was recognized as a not-for-profit organization and a permanent Board of Directors was established. The mission of the board is to benefit youth in the pursuit of tennis as a life-long sport. The actual mission statement of the NTF is “To promote the game of tennis in the Georgetown community.” Scholarship recipients are considered for leadership, community involvement, being a supportive tennis team member, and a solid student.
The event and the scholarship operated under the guidance of the Berry Creek Tennis Committee until 2002. At that time the Foundation was recognized as a not-for-profit organization and a permanent Board of Directors was established. The mission of the board is to benefit youth in the pursuit of tennis as a life-long sport. The actual mission statement of the NTF is “To promote the game of tennis in the Georgetown community.” Scholarship recipients are considered for leadership, community involvement, being a supportive tennis team member, and a solid student.
