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Gordon family creates youth scholarship program through Aspen Tennis Club

Andi Gordon saw the influence tennis had on her three kids, especially daughter Laura. A 2002 Aspen High School graduate, Laura Gordon won a state championship in tennis while she was a Skier before going on to play at UCLA.

Her career has carried into coaching, where she most recently helped coach the women’s tennis team at the University of Southern California.

“I wanted to make some kind of contribution to the public courts because of the love that was shown to Laura there,” Andi Gordon said. “We as a family didn’t know exactly what we wanted to do.”



While Laura is the only one remaining in the tennis world — Andi and her husband never played themselves — the sport had enough of an impact on the family that it wanted to find a way to help. So, with the assistance of Gary Quandt, the director of tennis for the Aspen Tennis Club, the Gordon Family Junior Tennis Scholarship Program was created.

The new program is meant to provide financial aid to junior players so they can participate in the club’s tennis clinics throughout the summer.




“We have always wanted to give children an opportunity to learn the game and experience that passion,” Andi Gordon said. “My goal is just giving kids the opportunity to learn the game and maybe love the game. Who knows if they decide that it’s something they want to pursue.”

The financial aid is based on need according to the standards set by Aspen Parks and Recreation. If selected, each child can receive up to 20 free clinics, which Quandt said amounts to about a $400 value.

Gordon said “there is room for as many as want to play.”

“I’m hoping we can get at least 15 to 20 this year and it will kind of take off after that,” Quandt said. “We’ll kind of reevaluate (after the summer) and see if (Gordon) wants to expand it or make something a little different out of it.”

A link to the online application form can be found at http://www.aspenrecreation.com.

The Aspen Tennis Club junior programs begin the week of June 12, while the adult programs begin Monday. The courts opened for the season on Thursday, with the club hosting its annual open house today.

acolbert@aspentimes.com