MASSENA - The Alcoa Field tennis courts will be bustling with doubles activity on Sept. 8 when local tennis enthusiast Bruce Beckstead stages his third annual tournament in memory of his mother.

The third annual Mary Jane Beckstead Memorial Doubles Tennis Tournament features three categories: men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles, according to organizer Bruce Beckstead.

The tournament is named in memory of his mother, who was also a tennis player.

“It’s pretty much the same format as the last two. It’s doubles only. (Doubles) is more popular generally,” according to Mr. Beckstead, a United States Professional Tennis Registry teacher who went to school in 1983 to become certified to teach tennis.

He received professional status, the highest status a person can get.

Playing doubles also means he’s able to get more players on the court at the same time, he said.

“We’re limited on court space and time, so you can get a lot more people playing at the same time,” he said.

Seventeen teams - approximately 30 people - participated in the inaugural event. Some of the players, who also participate in other tournaments, traveled from as far as Perth, Ont., and Cape Vincent for the Massena event.

“Last year we had maybe a couple more teams than the year before,” Mr. Beckstead said. “I expect that it will be as good or better than last year.”

As in past year, he said he expects many players to be from out of the Massena area.

“There’s not as many that come from Massena. We get them way down from the Cape Vincent area,” Mr. Beckstead said.

He expects the tournament to run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“It starts right at 8 (a.m.). It worked out last year where we were done right at 5 p.m.,” he said.

Mr. Beckstead said he schedules the tournament to coincide with the U.S. Open tennis tournament, which is taking place in New York City. The local tournament runs the day before the U.S. Open men’s finals.

This year’s sponsor is Massena Savings and Loan, and there will be hot dogs and drinks. Prizes will be awarded following the tournament.

He has already sent out a mass email to other players to let them know the date, and anyone who is interested in participating can contact him at 705-4543.

“People can contact me if they’re interested in playing. People tend to sign up at the last minute,” he said.

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