Alan Fleming Tournament
Alan Fleming Sr. Open Clay Court State Championship Tournament
October 3-7, 2012
The 29th Alan Fleming Senior Open Clay Court State Championship, to be held at the Seabrook Island Racquet Club, was recently voted “South Carolina Adult Tournament of the Year”. This is a South Carolina Level 1 State Championship event as well as a Southern 200 point tournament with over 44 events including singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Age categories for both men and women range from 35 years old to over 80 years.
The event was originally established in 1981 under the leadership of Seabrook resident Alan Fleming, a resident of Seabrook Island along with his wife Sally. Before moving to Seabrook, Alan had been a nationally ranked tennis player whose resume included matches played at Forest Hills, the precursor to the US Open. Alan was a NJ State champion and a National Father-Son champion with son Peter. Alan was often ranked #1 in his age group in both New Jersey and South Carolina.
The tournament, originally called the Seabrook Island Senior Tennis Tournament, ran continuously until Hurricane Hugo forced a two year hiatus in 1989. After Alan’s death in 1997, the tournament was renamed in his honor. His son, Peter, went on to become a tennis professional and in the early 80’s was the Seabrook Island Club’s touring pro. But, it was with his doubles partner, John McEnroe, that Peter made tennis history. Together, Peter Fleming and John McEnroe won over 50 doubles titles including four at Wimbledon and three at the U.S. Open.
In 2001, the tournament added a fundraising component for Hospice of Charleston including the Hospice House, a 20+ bed facility opened in 2006. Last year’s tournament donated over $37,500 to benefit Hospice. In recognition of the $258,500+ donated over the last eight years, one of the rooms in the Hospice facility is named in honor of the Seabrook Island tennis community.
Over the years, participation in the tournament has grown to over 250 players from all over the Southeast and beyond. In 2007, the tournament received its current designation as a South Carolina Level 1 State Championship event and a Southern section 200 point tournament - one of only four events at this prestigious level in a nine state region.