Southern Tennis Patrons Foundation

Southern Tennis Patrons Foundation

Ernest M. Sutter, Louisiana, 1996

Ernest M. Sutter, Louisiana, inducted in 1996Ernest Sutter

  • All-American at Tulane University
  • Won 2 consecutive National Intercollegiate Singles Championships in 1936 and 1937
  • Won the 1936 Southern Singles and Doubles Championships and the 1937 Southern Doubles Championships
  • Ranked in the top 6 in singles in the South between 1934 and 1939 and #1 in the South in doubles in 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1939
  • Ranked #21 in the nation in 1936 and #22 in 1937
  • Won the 1961 National Senior Doubles Championships with his brother Cliff
  • Inducted into the National Collegiate Hall of Fame, the Tulane Athletic Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Tennis Hall of Fame

Eugene Ray, Georgia, 1996

Eugene Ray. Georgia, inducted in 1996Eugene Ray

  • Involved as a local competitor, teacher and organizer and known as “Mr. Tennis” in Clayton County
  • Devoted much of his time to introducing tennis to local residents, maintaining the only 2 courts in the county, giving free lessons to juniors and adults and running tournaments
  • Began playing senior tournaments at age 60 and restricted himself to 10 tournaments per year, but still earned 21 number 1 Georgia rankings and 9 number 1 Southern rankings
  • Won all 6 Southern tournaments he entered in 1984 at age 80
  • Played few national tournaments, but earned wins over several nationally ranked players, including Bitsy Grant
  • Attained his highest national singles ranking of number 5 in the 85’s in 1990
  • Inducted into the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995

Jane Crofford, Tennessee, 1996

Jane Crofford, Tennessee, inducted in 1996Jane Crofford

  • Involved in tennis at the local, sectional and national levels
  • Helped start junior programs in Nashville and became President of the Nashville Tennis Association and the Tennessee Tennis Association
  • Chaired the Southern Tennis Junior Tennis Council and served as the Tournament Director for the Southern Boys & Girls 16 and 18 Closed Championships for several years
  • Served on the USTA Senior Tennis Council and the Sanction and Schedule Committee
  • Began playing competitively in her mid-30’s and won over 40 national championships
  • Represented the United States at multiple international team events and was World Tennis Magazine’s Player of the Year in 1968
  • Inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Tennessee Tennis Hall of Fame in 1993