Park Avenue Tennis Center is proud to present the four recipients of the Inaugural David Hudson Memorial Tennis Scholarship. Here is a little background on how this scholarship started: 

Dave Hudson was an enthusiastic promoter of tennis, especially with the younger players. He coached many adult USTA teams throughout the years, but during the summer months, he would volunteer his time helping Pat Smith run a junior program. When Pat Smith became a teaching pro at the opening of the Park Avenue Tennis Center, he invited Dave to bring his USTA teams and other players to the club. Dave met Sean McCarthy and Tom Fontana, and the club was up and running. 

In November 2019, Dave was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Not one to quit, he fought hard and was a survivor of a cancer that has a ninety percent mortality rate. He was even able to get back on the tennis courts! Unfortunately, the cancer returned very aggressively and Dave passed away on July 16, 2022. 

Park Avenue Tennis Center and all the players who Dave touched throughout the years wanted to keep his spirit alive. Mark Canny came up with the idea of organizing a charity tournament in Dave’s name with the proceeds going to his scholarship. Since the outpouring of donations exceeded everyone’s expectations, the club has decided to host an annual charity tournament. 

It is unfortunate that Dave is not here to see what surely would have been his crowning achievement. He would have been honored and humbled to see all his tennis family and friends coming together to support a youth program in his name.
Park Avenue Tennis Center wishes to thank all the players who donated their time and money to bring this idea to a reality and is looking forward to seeing you in August at the next tournament!