Simpson Memorial Tennis Program

Helping people play more tennis in the Riverbend area.
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Dr. Raymond "Bud" Simpson Tennis Center

Built in 1991, the Dr. Raymond Simpson Tennis Center is located in Alton, IL in Gordon Moore park - central to the Riverbend communities of Godfrey, Alton, East Alton, Bethalto, Roxana, Woodriver, and Jerseyville as well as the larger St. Louis Metropolitan area. Because of its great facilities and beautiful setting, it is enjoyed by tennis players of all ages and experience levels. In addition to its popularity with recreational players, the center is used for Junior Development Camps, High School tennis matches (15/yr) and tournaments (10/yr) and USTA adult and junior tournaments (3/yr).

2025 Simpson Center Court Resurfacing and More

Improvements in 2025:

  1. All 8 courts resurfaced
  2. 3rd Pavilion rotted wooden platform replaced with concrete
  3. Asphalt spread over all peeling intercourt areas
  4. Flower beds weeded, mulched and replanted
  5. Pickleball court and fence removed between courts 2 and 6 to allow spectator/player access to exterior of courts
  6. Trees close to courts removed to prevent litter and improve spectating
A big thank you to Lyndsey Younger, Executive Director of Alton Parks and Recreation, for her commitment and support in completing this vision of restoring the tennis center.

Thanks to Robert Barnhart for his tremendous flexibility in restoring the grandstand, two pavillions, drainage, and intercourt areas.

Thank you to McConnell and Associates for doing a great job and completing all 8 courts in October.

Thank you to the United States Tennis Association, USTA Missouri Valley, and USTA St. Louis Tennis for a total of $58,000 in grants.

Thank you to the City of Alton, Illinois for supporting the project and believing in the mission of helping people lead healthier lives through tennis.

Thank you to all of the supporters of the Simpson Memorial Tennis Program for helping us donate over $25,000 toward these improvements.

Why It's Important

  • Central Location

    The tennis center is located near the geographic center of the Riverbend area - an ideal spot to serve the communities of Godfrey, Alton, East Alton, Bethalto, Roxana, and Woodriver.

  • Excellent Facilities

    The tennis center has 8 courts, lighting for 4 courts, stadium seating/ADA access/parking for 300 spectators, and a pro shop with a water fountain and bathrooms.  It is in a beautiful setting with natural protection from the wind.  It is laid out in two court banks that limit interference from other courts.

  • Junior Development Camps

    Each year the City of Alton Parks and Recreation and Simpson Memorial Tennis program hold a Junior Tennis Development program at Gordon Moore. Kids ages 7-18 learn the game through fun, instruction, drills and games. Students are grouped by age and ability generally between grade school and middle/high school. Instruction is held for an hour a day, 3 days a week for 4 weeks in the month of June and families can sign up for individual weeks or the entire month. The program serves 15-20 kids annually.

  • High School Tennis

    Marquette High School uses Gordon Moore as its home courts for Girls and Boys high school tennis. Alton High school Girls and Boys tennis uses Gordon Moore for multiple- team invites and for junior varsity play. This is approximately 15 matches per year.

  • High School Tournaments

    Because of its size and central location, the Simpson Center at Gordon Moore, is used for high school tournaments year round including:

    • The Heather Bradshaw Invitational
    • Edwardsville High School Invitational
    • Girls Fall Robert Logan Memorial Doubles Tournament
    • Boys Spring Robert Logan Memorial Doubles Tournament
    • The Marquette, CM, Greenville, Granite City Quad
    • The Alton, Jacksonville, Belleville Althof, Hillsboro Quad
    • IHSA Girls Sectionals
    • Girls Southwestern Conference Championships
    • IHSA Boys Sectionals
    • Boys Southwestern Conference Championships

  • USTA Tournaments

    The City of Alton and Simpson Memorial Tennis Program put on three USTA tournaments each year and all are held at Gordon Moore.

    • Bud Simpson Open, Level 5 Adult. 96 participants in 2024.
    • Alton Open & NTRP, Level 5 Adult. 64 participants in 2024.
    • Alton Junior 6-Hour, Level 7 Junior. 30 participants in 2024.



If you'd like to help, please contact us at committee@simpsontennis.org.