By PATRICK MURPHY
The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — For the eighth straight year, the Henry Harris Tennis Tournament will be held at Duncan Park Tennis Courts.

This year’s tournament will be today through Sunday.

This is the last year of the Henry Harris Tennis Tournament, said Georgia Minor, chairperson of the scholarship fund.

“It’s a really great event, and it’s something for Henry Harris,” Minor said. “Henry loves tennis and that’s something he has put his time in to. He’s just moving on to something else.”

The Henry Harris Tennis Tournament raises money for high school students in the Miss-Lou. Minor said if any high school student earns a scholarship from any university to play tennis, then Harris provides either a racket or tennis shoes for that student, with proceeds from the tournament.

At the Henry Harris Tennis Tournament this year, there are teams from Vicksburg; Gainesville Florida; Dallas; Jackson; and some local players will be involved.

The age range for the tournament is from 18 to 99.

The last Natchez team who won the Harris tournament was a 40 years old and over team, coached by Frankie Spence.

Minor said each year the number of teams has been different.

“It has been different with different teams coming from different areas,” Minor said. “It’s like every year someone else is added from a different city.”

The tournament begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, lasts all day on Saturday and be a few matches will be played on Sunday to wrap up the tournament.

Minor said she urges everyone to come out.

“I want Natchez people to come out to Duncan Park this weekend and watch some tennis,” Minor said. “It’s going to be a great weekend for tennis.”