Southern Tennis Patrons Foundation

Southern Tennis Patrons Foundation

Dorothy “Ma” Vest, Mississippi, 1983

Dorothy “Ma” Vest, Mississippi, inducted in 1983Dorothy Vest

  • Vest is known for establishing the sport of tennis in Mississippi.
  • Her family was selected as USTA’s Ralph W. Westcott Family of the Year in 1979.
  • Director of Tennis for Jackson, Mississippi for 30 years.
  • Undefeated in mixed doubles with her partner, “Slew” Hester, for their tennis careers.
  • Mississippi awards the Dorothy Vest Award annually to the most outstanding male and female players in Mississippi.
  • Received the Marlboro Award, the Jacobs Bowl, and the Touchstone Award.
  • Inducted into the Mississippi Hall of Fame in 1983.

William E. “Slew” Hester JR, Mississippi, 1978

William E. “Slew” Hester JR, Mississippi, 1978, Mississippi, inducted in 1978Slew Hester

  • No one knows quite why the wildcatting oilman was called “Slew.”
  • In his own words, he liked to “drink all night and play tennis all day.”
  • The first United States Tennis Association President from the Deep South.
  • During his tenure from 1977-78, “Slew” led the move of the US Open from Forest Hills to its current site in Flushing Meadows.
  • One big mistake he made in picking the new location was not realizing planes taking off and landing at LaGuardia Airport next door would be disruptive during play at the Open.
  • Planted ivy near the entrance of Flushing Meadows with a handwritten sign that read, “Watch Tradition Grow!”
  • Mr. Hester died from congestive heart failure at the age of 80.

Sharon Gault, Mississippi, 2006

Sharon Gault, Mississippi, inducted in 2006Sharon Gault

  • Involved in tennis as a recreational player, volunteer, tournament director and administrator since the early 1970’s
  • Named to the Mississippi Tennis Association Board in 1978 and elected President in 1983
  • Chaired several Southern Tennis Association committees, including Adult Leagues, Adult/Senior Competition, Senior Cup and Strategic Planning and was elected to the Management Committee as Vice-President in 1989
  • Appointed to numerous USTA committees, chaired the USTA League Committee for 4 years, served as the USTA Division Council Chair for the Competitive Play Council and chaired the Committee on Committees for 4 years
  • Received the 1985 state (Mississippi), section (Southern) and national (USTA) Family of the Year awards
  • Other recognition includes the USTA Southern Gerrie Rothwell Award, the Southern Volunteer Service Award, the USTA Jacobs Bowl and the Charles Morris Volunteer Service Award and the USTA Barbara William Leadership Award
  • Inducted into the Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame in 1996

Carolyn Henry, Mississippi, 2002

Carolyn Henry, Mississippi, inducted in 2002Carolyn Henry

  • Devoted her life to playing and promoting the game in Mississippi and the Southern Section
  • Highly ranked as a junior player at the state, section and national levels, played high school tennis at Crystal Springs High School and went on to play #1 singles and doubles at Mississippi State College for Women where she graduated in 1945
  • Placed first or second in over 190 state, section and national USTA championships since 1972, ranked in the top 3 at the state and section levels every year between 1968 and 2002 and in the top 10 in the nation in singles and doubles between 1987 and 2002
  • Competed on numerous Mississippi Senior Cup and national intersectional teams, including the winning United States team at the Bundy-Cheney Cup in 2001
  • President of the Mississippi Tennis Association and served on many state and section committees
  • Teaching professional for 28 years and a high school tennis coach for 18 years
  • Received the 1988 USTA Southern Touchstone Award and was inducted into the Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame in 2001