A Regular ARTA Tennis Event Honors A Gaylord Resident
Mike Roper, a former ATRA board member essential to the sport of tennis in the city, passed away in 2021, leaving the Alpine Regional Tennis Association (ARTA) and the Gaylord community without a crucial player. He was 71 years old.
ARTA sought to continue his legacy of growing the game while paying tribute to their late member.
Mike Roper, a former ARTA board member essential to the sport of tennis in the city, passed away in 2021, leaving the Alpine Regional Tennis Association (ARTA) and the Gaylord community without a crucial player. He was 71 years old.
Roper was a crucial player in the group’s installation of the UTSA Quality 4 Court tennis center at the Otsego County Sportsplex, helping to raise funds for the building while aiding in the project’s initial groundbreaking, with ARTA leading the charge to improve the tennis scene in Otsego County.
When he left, ARTA sought to continue his legacy of growing the game while paying tribute to their late member. Thus, a yearly men’s doubles competition called “The Roper” was established in honor of the Gaylord native.
The third annual Roper Tournament, which included eight teams of seasoned players and amateurs, was held on Saturday, July 15, at the Otsego County Tennis Centre in Gaylord after a start delayed by rain. The teams were all vying to lift the ARTA Champions Cup.
The final two unbeaten teams, John Mock and Eric Morrow faced up against Bob Merry and Tucker Jarvis in the championship match after the teams fought all day. And in a tough encounter, Mock and Morrow emerged victorious, triumphing in straight sets (4-2, 4-2).
Mock’s triumph this year is much sweeter because he placed among the runners-up in the second-ever competition in 2022.
In the consolation game, Bob Bettman and his son Mason Bettman competed against Dan Hawkins and his son Kyte Hawkins. The Hawkins combination prevailed in another hard-fought encounter (4-1, 4-2) to take third place.
ARTA organizes events like these for various purposes, including honoring a past board member, helping the Roper family, and fostering gaming growth in Otsego County.
To reintroduce a high school program at Gaylord High, they hope to generate enough enthusiasm among the younger residents of Gaylord and the neighboring communities. During the summer, they provide drop-in play, leagues, tennis courses, clinics, tournaments, and kid’s programs.
The ‘The Moxie’ women’s doubles competition, which will be held on Saturday, July 29, is the following ATRA-hosted event.
