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National tennis event designed for average players By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Ole Oksvold set a goal three years ago to create a tennis tournament that would allow amateur players of all levels to meet and compete against each other at the national level. Thus, the Grand Slam National Public Tennis Tournament was born. "I wanted to take this tournament to the grass roots of tennis and give players of all ages and levels the chance to play competitively, but for fun," says Oksvold. "I wanted to give them a chance to play in a tournament that they might otherwise not get." "The best part of the format is that it's designed primarily for players of average to less-than-average ability levels," says Oksvold. The third edition of the tournament, which has grown every year in numbers of regional sites and players, starts next weekend at 32 regional sites, including Medford and Ashland. Regionals are scheduled for Medford's Rogue Valley Swim and Tennis Club Feb. 4-6 and at the Ashland Racquet Club March 10-12. Entry deadlines are Jan. 25 for Medford and Feb. 29 for Ashland. Entry blanks for the regionals are available at Rogue Valley Swim and Tennis Club, Ashland Racquet Club and at tennis and sports shops around the Rogue Valley. The tournament is organized and sponsored by Oksvold's Sports Management Group of Seattle. "I like tennis and I'm into promoting sports," says Oksvold, an avid tennis player who plays at the 3.5 level. "I know what the players want after doing this for three years, and I'm working to give them what they want. "Basically, this is a tournament that gives more of the average players a chance to have some success and enjoy tennis. We feel with better promotion, the tournament can grow. We'd like to increase the number of regional sites to 50 next year." Ken Nelson, 58, an avid amateur player from Grants Pass, has connected with other players and met numerous new friends while playing in the tournament the past two years. Nelson qualified for nationals in 3.5 men's singles last year, and went 1-2 in the double-elimination format. "I had a great time," says Nelson. United States Tennis Association-sanctioned playing levels to be used in the tourney are 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and Open -- the highest level. The 3.5 level is for male and female players of average ability, Oksvold says. "It's a wonderful experience to go to the nationals and get to play," says Nelson. "My son-in-law (Rich Taylor of Portland), and I both qualified for the nationals last year. That meant our family got a good family experience around tennis there." Nelson says he also got to meet and face a left-handed Russian player from Grants Pass. "I didn't even know the guy and it turns out we play at the same park sometimes," says Nelson. "We had a real fun match, and we got to know each other." Nelson will play 3.5 men's doubles this year. He will team with Les Patton of Grants Pass. "I love to play in tournaments," says Nelson. "I like the aerobic workout it gives you, and it adds excitement to the game without adding pressure for me. "I decided that if I'm going to live a healthy life, I need to do something like this. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, OR U.S.A.