A national tennis association will hold a pair of tournaments in Branson this spring.
Branson High School Boy’s Head Tennis Coach Sean Kembell and his family.
Two US Tennis Association junior tournaments will be held in Branson thanks to Branson High School Boys head tennis coach Sean Kembell and his family. The tournaments will take place April 23 and June 4 at Stockstill Park tennis courts in Branson. The April event will be a round robin and the June event will be a Grade 7 competition, according to a press release from Branson High School.
Kembell, who started the boys’ tennis program at Branson High School 17 years ago, said he would like to see more tennis in the area.
“We would like to see tennis events grow in the Branson area,” Kembell said.
Kembell’s brother-in-law put him in touch with USTA Missouri junior competition coordinator Courtney Nesbitt. Nesbitt explained the process of creating the USTA Junior Tournaments and encouraged the Kembell family to find a tournament director to lead the charge, according to the statement.
Kembell has recruited Branson High School graduate and four-year-old former tennis player Josh Bartram to serve as tournament director.
Bartram said he was looking forward to seeing promising regional talent.
“Tennis is such a great sport,” Bartram said. “Being immersed in the sport as much as possible is important to me.”
Last December, Kembell’s oldest daughter competed in her first USTA Level 6 tournament at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield.
“Sean and I are committed to raising our family here in Branson,” Cher Kembell said. “I see it’s an annual tradition. I hope so. I hope my 4 year old can play when she is old enough.
