In 2013 the United States Professional Tennis Association will continue to offer its members national tournaments on several court surfaces as part of the USPTA National Surface Championship Series. USPTA members will have the opportunity to test their playing skills in competition and earn prize money at each event.

The first tournament in the series, the USPTA Clay Court Championships, will take place at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Mar. 22-24. The total prize money for the tournament is $7,500 and will feature events in the following categories: men's and women's open singles and doubles competition, men's and women's 35 and 45 singles, men's 40 doubles, men's 50 and 60 singles and doubles, women's 40 and 50 doubles, and mixed open, 40 and 50 doubles categories.

"I hope everyone can come join us for the start of our national surface championships, the second year it has been hosted by BallenIsles," said Gary Trost, USPTA national vice president and chairman of the Tournament Committee. "And it is going to be bigger and better this year."

The use of Courtside USA, the second largest tennis league management software in the United States with more than 300,000 users annually, allows USPTA members to register for surface tournaments through Courtside and get quick and easy access to location information, match times and results. It not only provides tennis teachers and clubs with access to a free website to build their business and connect with their members/players from one central location, but it also gives teaching professionals the technology they need to run leagues, ladders, tournaments, flex leagues and round robins. In addition, they can manage lesson bookings, court bookings and events.

The national tournaments are open to Professional-level members in good standing. They are eligible to compete in any of the competitions and the International Championships.

For additional information, please contact the USPTA at 800-USPTA-4U. USPTA Professionals may log in to the "members only" section of the USPTA website at www.uspta.com for more information. To sign up for the Clay Court Championships on Courtside click here.

2013 USPTA National Surface Championship Series schedule:

USPTA CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS, Mar. 22-24

BallenIsles Country Club, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Tournament director: Trish Faulkner - 561-775-4777

USPTA INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS, April 19-21

Lifetime Fitness Fridley Club, Fridley, Minn.

Tournament director: Brian McCoy - 763-656-1590

USPTA INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - TBA

USPTA HARD COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS, Oct. 18-20

Hollytree Country Club and Tyler Tennis & Swim Club, Tyler, Texas

Tournament director: Jim Sciarro - 903-581-7788