&uot;We are extremely proud to have our facility recognized with such an international award. I think it is just tremendous for this city to be even mentioned for this award, but for us to win is unbelievable.&uot;

Those were the words of proud Pelham Mayor Bobby Hayes upon receiving the U.S. Tennis Court and Track Builders Association’s Outstanding Tennis Facility Award on behalf of the Pelham Racquet Club.

The award was presented to the mayor at the club last Thursday by Kruse Smith, senior vice president of Herren Tennis.

And it was given &uot;in recognition of excellence in design and construction&uot; in the category of new construction.

The courts were built by Herren Tennis, a division of Welch Tennis Courts.

Smith said, &uot;I can honestly say you can go anywhere in the country and not find a more beautiful complex. It’s absolutely beautiful.&uot;

He said the Pelham Racquet Club took about six months to build.

Ann Etheredge, tennis director for Pelham, said, &uot;It’s just an outstanding award.&uot;

She said Herrin Tennis is top notch and called the facility it built in Pelham, &uot;the premiere public facility there is.&uot;

Herren Tennis has been in operation since 1962 and has an office in Pelham.

The Pelham Racquet Club was completed in Sept. 2001 and includes 20 Har-Tru tennis courts, composed of crushed green stone, and five all-weather asphalt courts