[03/22/01] Professional tennis is coming to Vicksburg on Friday, when Vicksburg Country Club hosts the VCC Professional Tennis Tournament.

Eight pros from around the South, including former Ole Miss star Dave Randall and VCC pro Chad Oxendine, will compete for a $500 top prize at VCC. Matches begin at 5 p.m.

“I just wanted to bring professional tennis to Vicksburg. The closest pro tournament is in Memphis,” said Oxendine, who organized the event in hopes that it would also promote tennis in the city. “We’re laying the foundation. Hopefully it’s the start of something big. If people come out and have a blast, maybe we can make it into something bigger.”

The tournament is open to the public and there is no admission. Afterward, fans can meet the pros and listen to local band The Chill at a party at the country club. Tickets to the party are $10.

The eight players are all teaching pros at clubs around the South, but several have big-time college and pro experience.

Randall, who will face Oxendine in a first-round match, was an All-American in doubles at Ole Miss in 1988. He has also competed in doubles at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, and advanced to the third round in doubles at the U.S. Open in 1997.

His main competition could come from Patrick Serret, a four-year All-American at Arkansas 1978-82 who has won 118 singles and doubles titles during his pro career.

Other pros who will compete: former Mississippi State star Jay Bewley; Joc Simmons, a former Big 8 singles champion at Oklahoma. He also played at Mississippi State; Mike Doty, a pro from Houston who is ranked No. 1 in Texas in Men’s 30-year-olds doubles; Louisiana College women’s coach Todd McCarty; and Jackson-area pro Scott Pennington.