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ESCANABA -- A quality field is expected to be on hand for the 79th Annual Michigan-Wisconsin Tennis Open here Aug. 1-2.
As of Wednesday, there were 35 entries with more expected as the tournament nears.
Singles play begins Aug. 1 with doubles taking centerstage the following day.
"This is an excellent opportunity for girls who are playing high school tennis this fall," tournament co-director Tom Penegor said. "We would like to see a real good turnout from that group. Not only does this support our local event, but this helps them prepare for their season."
Entry fee, which includes a T-shirt, is $25 for singles and $15 apiece for doubles.
"We'll take entries through the middle of next week," Penegor, who shares the directing duties with Dennis Lueneburg, added. "We need to receive those so we can order the shirts."
Juan Guerra, who hails from Colombia in South America, is two-time defending Class A men's champion and Esky girls' coach Chris Ogren is defending men's champ in Class B.
Also among the entrants are Esky graduates Steve Prica, who now lives in Minneapolis, and current Illinois resident Luke Ogren, both of whom played at Lake Superior State University.
"I'm not sure if Juan is coming, but he will be going after a three-peat," Penegor said. "Last year we had nine former college players which was the strongest field we had in decades. Juan is also a defending doubles champion."
Also entered in men's Class A are Case Lovejoy of Traverse City and Yale Olivier, who's entering his freshman year at Marquette High School.
"Yale is a real good player," Penegor said. "He played in Class A as an eighth-grader last year. He has been playing since he was three years old. Beside our local players, we have other players from Traverse City, Gaylord, Wisconsin and Illinois."
Among the top senior players are Earl Lepisto of Wallace and Dennis Krueser, who lives in western Wisconsin."
Current college players must play in Class A.
Matches will be played on the Ludington and Veterans Park and high school courts.
Participants, however, are asked to check in at Ludington Park at 8 a.m. each day.
Schedules will be posted at the Ludington Park pavilion Saturday morning (Aug. 1).
"We were happy with last year's field in Class A," Penegor said. "We would like to see a few more entered in some of the other classes. The nice thing about this tournament is it takes place right between Wimbledon and the U.P. Open. The U.S. Junior tournament (for age 16-18) is being played in Kalamazoo Aug. 10-16 with the winners going to the U.S. National tournament at Flushing Meadows in New York City. This will be my 11th year going to the junior tournament."
Entries with checks should be made payable to Esky Tennis and mailed to Escanaba Recreation Department, Attn: MI/WI Tennis, P.O. Box 948, Escanaba, Mich. 49829.
For details contact Lueneburg (906) 786-2207 or Penegor (906) 399-4274.
"There will also be plenty of other activities going on in the park next weekend," Penegor said. "There will be food vendors and Art in the Park."