Dale Yates Remembered On The Courts
Lauren Yates returned the ball during a match at the Dale Yates Memorial Tennis Tournament, named in honor of her dad, Saturday, Sept. 13
The First Annual Central Kentucky Tennis Series (CKTS) Dale Yates Memorial Tennis Tournament welcomed over 100 participants from around the state this past weekend.
Yates, who passed away unexpectedly Dec. 3 at the age of 53, was an avid tennis fan, but even more importantly, a Mercer County tennis fan.
“Dale was so passionate about Mercer County tennis. He was so excited about the rejuvenation and growth of tennis in this area,” said his wife Susan.
The tournament, which is typically known as the Fort Harrod Beef Festival Tennis Tournament, changed its name this year to honor Yates, after moving the date back from the first weekend in June, because of renovations on the courts.
“Dale was the vice-president of the tennis association, and he was a person who would do anything that was needed for tennis in Mercer County. Whether it was mowing or moving equipment, whatever we needed, he would do it. We really wanted to honor Dale,” said President of the Mercer County Tennis Association and Mercer County High School Girls Tennis Coach Diane Beauchamp.
