RADICAL changes have been made to Ilkley's Open Tennis Tournament for 2005.
Three events will be battled out on the club's 25 courts after the Lawn Tennis Association granted Ilkley the first of a new nationwide four-week satellite series with a £25,000 purse.
The 109 year-old Ilkley Open will run from July 23 to 31 and the club will host the British Tour as well as its traditional Open Championship along with the satellite event.
The club's General Manager Billy Kerr said: "It is a tremendous boost for the club to be given the first of the new tour. We already have a team of workers ready to meet the challenge of hosting the events as well as the courts to accomodate the players."
Most of the competitors in the new satellite event will be British with a likely Yorkshire contender being David Sherwood of Sheffield. There will also be a corresponding women's event.
The British Tour will continue to attract competitors bidding to make an impact on the rankings. Meanwhile the Ilkley Open will again be a magnet for regional and local players.
A major sponsor is being sought by Kerr who can be contacted on 01943 607182.
Kerr is pictured left (centre) with last year's tournament sponsors Andy Gudgeon of the Skipton Building Society (left) and Martin Penny of OHS (right).
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