Alton Celebrates Resurfaced Tennis Courts at Gordon Moore Park

ALTON - Community leaders came together to celebrate the resurfacing of eight tennis courts at Gordon Moore Park.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, elected officials and community members gathered at the tennis courts for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the courts’ restoration. Those in attendance noted that the courts serve as a space for Marquette Catholic High School and Alton High School tennis players to compete, as well as the site of many tournaments including the Bud Simpson Open.

“The Parks and Recreation Department is excited to celebrate the resurfacing of the Bud Simpson tennis courts here in Gordon Moore Park,” said Lyndsey Younger, Parks and Recreation director. “This project helps keep our tennis community strong, as this is the home court to the schools in our area along with many tournaments being hosted here.”

Known officially as the Dr. Raymond R. Simpson Tennis Center, the courts are named after a local doctor and tennis enthusiast. The Bud Simpson Open Tennis Tournament, held for over 40 years, brings players from across the Midwest to Alton every year in Simpson’s honor.

The tournament committee includes Nancy Ryrie, Kathy Claywell, Susie Lowe, Kristin Bower, Bradley Bower, Steve Moehn, and tournament director James Humphrey, many of whom were in attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“It’s a small but mighty committee,” Claywell shared. “We’re very excited.”

Courts one and two were fully funded by the Madison County PEP grant, while courts three through eight received support from the United States Tennis Association and the City of Alton.

Mayor David Goins shared that it was a “full-circle” experience to celebrate the Bud Simpson courts, as Dr. Raymond “Bud” Simpson was Goins’s doctor for many years when he was in high school. He thanked the Simpson family and committee, as well as Younger, for their work to improve the courts.

“It’s just a great day, being outside, playing in open air, and just being able to improve our parks,” Goins added. “It’s just a great thing for our community, a great thing for the city.”

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