2006 Santa Monica Open > Beach Tennis USA Kicks Off 2006 National Tour in Santa Monica, CA
With the world-famous Santa Monica Pier as the back drop, Beach Tennis USA kicked off its 2006 National Tour by holding the Santa Monica Beach Tennis Open on Saturday & Sunday, April 8-9.
Over 2,000 players and spectators showed up for the Santa Monica event, the first of 10 events currently scheduled this year.
Our courts were located on the beach, directly across from Shutters on the Beach resort and hotel. Open play was held all weekend for curious individuals who wanted to try this exciting new sport while those who played in qualifying matches were eligible for Sunday’s tournament.
Lester Cook and Craig Cignarelli took home the $1,000 first-place purse in the Men's Pro Division. They defeated Steve Wiere and Steve Oliver in the finals by a score of 9-7. With their victory, Cook and Cignarelli automatically qualify to compete in this year’s U.S. Beach Tennis Open championship tournament, to be held August 26-27 in Long Beach, New York.
Beach volleyball legend Sinjin Smith was on hand to host Sunday’s tournament.