Grants awarded to area organizations

      Two Las Vegas-area organizations received grants from the United States Tennis Association.
      The George MacCall Tennis Foundation and the David Pate Free Camps each received $1,000 grants from the USTA.
      "This grant will allow MacCall to expand his very successful program to seniors in an economically disadvantaged section of the city,'' a USTA spokesman said. "The program will provide six weekly lessons as well as league activity for seniors."
      MacCall, a former U.S. Davis Cup team captain, said his foundation is involved with adults through league play and the Warner Grand Prix, composed of nine tournaments.
      "We are privately funded," MacCall said. "This is the first time we have formally asked for grants from the USTA.
      "The foundation, also known as the Inner-City Youth Tennis Foundation, is a non-profit organization developed to address some of the inner-city programs related to youth plaguing our cities.
      "When we first started, our entire thrust was at the junior level. We are now bringing in the seniors part. They will be in areas where seniors don't have a lot of money.
      "We will provide league play and get more seniors playing tennis, making it more affordable for them."
      The Nevada Tennis Association has conducted free camps sponsored by Pate.
      Leon Dykes, the NTA junior coordinator, said the Pate camps are twice a week for three or four weeks.
      "Out of that, we try to find kids who have never been exposed to tennis, who show potential and have some talent," Dykes said.
      Those with potential are invited to tryouts for the Future Stars program, in which participants get up to four months of free lessons.
      "I think that is great," Pate said of the grant. "I think anything that helps kids in Southern Nevada as far as playing tennis is going to help keep them out of trouble and get them interested in sports. I think USTA helping out is great. I hope it continues to grow in the future, developing tennis in areas where kids need it the most."
      -- LORENZI DOUBLES -- The Lorenzi Racquet Club is offering two doubles programs, spokesman George Davidson said.
      A "Doubles for Singles" mixed doubles program, with the chance for singles to meet other singles, will be Saturdays at 7 p.m.
      On Sundays, Lorenzi Racquet Club is starting a round-robin format featuring doubles and singles at 2 and 5 p.m.
      Davidson said Lorenzi offers a full selection of social doubles leagues.
     
      Royce Feour's tennis notes are published Friday. He may be reached at 383-0354, by fax at 383-4676 or by e-mail at Royce_Feour@lvrj.com.