PRINCETON, NJ Restaurant Dining Guide Announcement

Mercer County Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2016 Announced

WEST WINDSOR, N.J.— The Friends of Mercer County Parks is proud to announce the Mercer County Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2016. This year's five ambassadors who have achieved great accomplishments within the tennis industry and helped to expand the awareness and popularity of the sport are Bill Kurtain, Edgar Levy, Bill Mountford, Albert Stark, and Judy Vogt. They will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on January 23, 2016 at an awards dinner at the Boathouse at Mercer Lake in Mercer County Park.

"This is the first year that the Friends of Mercer County Parks will be hosting this induction dinner," said President of the Friends of Mercer County Parks Joseph Schmeltz. "We are honored to participate in this prestigious event and to recognize some of the great contributors to the game of tennis."

The Mercer County Tennis Hall of Fame was initiated in 1992 by the Mercer County Tennis Council to recognize persons with ties to the Capital County who have made outstanding contributions to the sport. The Mercer County Tennis Council has been dissolved and the Friends of Mercer County Park have taken on the responsibility of selecting candidates who may have been recognized for their involvement in competition, education, officiating, recreation, media or industry, or for having advanced interest in tennis. Induction ceremonies are held every four years and honorees are elected by blind ballot by leader in the area's tennis community. Criteria for induction stipulate that, "The record of achievement must be balanced by a reputation that can be admired and respected. Membership is intended to represent a highly selective group." Any proceeds from the Hall of Fame dinner will be used to support Mercer County Tennis programs and events.

The Class of 2016 includes a USPTA Middle States Hall of Fame Member who brought the first tension fabric tennis structure to the area (Kurtain); a passionate tennis enthusiast who helped bring tennis exhibitions and activities to Mercer County (Levy, awarded posthumously); a collegiate all-conference player, challenger tour player turned tennis executive who has made his everlasting mark on tennis around the world (Mountford); an accomplished tennis player from the age of nine who went on to beat the 1963 Men's Singles Champion of Wimbledon, NJTL Board President (Stark); and a distinguished club owner, tennis coach and volunteer who has given back to the sport in so many ways (Vogt). As Hall of Fame Committee Chair, Marc Vecchiolla, commented, "This year's inductees are some of the best innovators, players and teachers of the game of tennis and they are all from Mercer County. The Hall of Fame dinner should be inspirational and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating these amazing people."

Tickets for the Hall of Fame dinner are $80 per person. For more information or to receive an electronic invitation, please contact Marc Vecchiolla at mvecchiolla@mercercounty.org or call (609) 448-2088.

The Friends of Mercer County Parks is a 501c3 non-profit organization that supports all the parks in Mercer County. Founded in 2013 the Friends of Mercer County Parks has helped to enhance and expand the many offering throughout that the Mercer County Park system, from programs to equipment and education of the staff.