The Peachtree City Tennis Center has announced two new high-profile sponsors that should bring added visibility to its annual ladies' professional tournament.

The drkoop.com USTA Tennis Challenger of Peachtree City, presented by America Online, is the event's new name, according to tennis director Virgil Christian.

Peachtree National Bank, the tournament's title sponsor the past few years, will continue to be the local hosts, Christian said.

The tournament is in its sixth year, which is a long time for a Challenger event, according to Christian. Challenger tournaments are the tier below the top professional tennis tournaments, although many top players often play in them to gain points and improve their rankings.

“It's good to have people who want to be the title sponsor,” said Christian, referring to the fact that the new sponsors approached the center about the arrangement, which is a two-year deal.

This year's tournament is scheduled for July 10-16.

In other developments at the tennis center, work has begun on the expansion of the locker rooms next to the clubhouse.

The job should take 2-3 weeks, Christian said, weather permitting. Winter is the best time to get the job done, although the courts are busy virtually every week of the year.

The tennis center topped the 500 level in total memberships during December, an all-time high, according to Christian.

“I don't know if any of us ever thought we'd have that many people,” he said. “That was exciting.”

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