Vegas on River serves up success

December 03, 2012, 10:00 pm by Glynis Crawford Smith

Volunteers for the Andy Roddick Foundation pose for a picture at the blackjack table: from left, Dan McMurrough, Susan Potts, Jan Grape, Amy McMurrough, Stephanie Berry, Pat and David Baker, and dealer Laura Rowley at the blackjack table. Photo by Debbie Slangal

More than 150 guests enjoyed Vegas by the River Friday night, raising some $20,000 for continuing construction of the Andy Roddick Tennis Center in Granite Shoals.

"Vegas by the River was a spectacular success," said ARF Director of Fundraising Dave Holder. "Our volunteers, donors and sponsors were awesome. We look forward to building on this success in future years as we continue raising funds for the tennis center and the youth tennis program."

The project began in 2010 with construction of two covered QuickStart tennis courts for youth and senior players. Funds from a circus event in Granite Shoals were added to a $5,000 US Tennis Association (USTA) grant and local businesses and private donors have continued to build a fund toward construction of a 16-court center.

The casino fundraiser tradition began last year with a cruise on Lake Buchanan and continued this year at the Marble Falls Lakeside Pavilion venue.

In addition to use by the Marble Falls Independent School District for elementary physical education classes, the QuickStart courts are the site for after-school tennis instruction by US Professional Tennis Association Pro Randy Savage. The ARF sponsors youth tennis programs in Florida, Idaho and Texas to develop personal and sports skills for a lifetime.

For more of this story, see Tuesday's Highlander.