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Winston-Salem Open Names Oakes

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Winston-Salem Open at Wake Forest University has announced the hiring of Bill Oakes as Tournament Director.

Oakes recently served as the tournament director for the Atlanta Tennis Championships, an ATP World Tour 250 event, and as Director of Professional Tennis, Sales and Marketing for the USTA Southern Section.

“Bill’s extensive experience with the USTA and the ATP, plus his leadership of the Atlanta tournament, make him an ideal tournament director for the Winston-Salem Open. We are extremely excited about his leadership.” said Don Flow, chairman of Winston-Salem Professional Tennis, the 501c organization that owns the tournament.

In his position as tournament director, Oakes will coordinate all tournament operations and will also assist with construction oversight for the new tennis facility being built on the campus of Wake Forest University to house the tournament.

“Wake Forest is pleased to have Bill leading the Winston-Salem Open at our new tennis stadium being built at the Wake Forest Sports Complex,” said Wake Forest athletic director Ron Wellman. “Bill’s significant experience will be very helpful in the construction of the stadium. Additionally, we look forward to working with Bill to fully maximize the opportunities that the new facility will offer.”

“I am extraordinarily excited about the opportunity to be the tournament director of the Winston-Salem Open” said Oakes. “The long term support of the community for tennis and the ability to partner with Wake Forest makes this a unique opportunity. I am committed to creating a wonderful experience for the players and the spectators. With the help of the many volunteers and the support of the community, I believe we can make the Winston-Salem Open a showcase event on the ATP World Tour.”

The Winston-Salem Open, an ATP World Tour 250 event with a total purse of $625,000, will take place from August 21-27, with qualifying set for August 19 and August 20. The tournament will be the final men’s event of the Olympus US Open Series, and will receive national television exposure via Tennis Channel and ESPN2. The 2011 singles final will be broadcast by CBS.

Posted on January 30, 2011
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