Professional tennis is not something most people expect to find a few miles from Lititz. But each August, the Hempfield Recreation Center in Landisville becomes a stop on the women’s pro circuit when the Koser Jeweler Tennis Challenge comes to town.
In 2022, the tournament opened with qualifying rounds on Monday, August 8, as players from around the world chased spots in the main draw.
A pro event in Lancaster County
The Koser Jeweler Tennis Challenge is a women’s professional tournament on the international pro circuit, which serves as a proving ground for players working to climb the rankings toward the WTA Tour and Grand Slam events. Tournaments at this level offer prize money and ranking points, and they attract a mix of rising young players, college standouts turned pro and veterans fighting to regain form.
The event is named for its title sponsor, Koser Jewelers, a family-owned jeweler in Mount Joy. It is played on the outdoor hard courts at the Hempfield Recreation Center, part of Hempfield Township’s recreation complex in Landisville.
Who played
The 2022 field brought an international lineup to Lancaster County. Qualifying and early-round action featured players including Canada’s Karman Kaur Thandi, Indonesia’s Jessy Rompies, China’s Xinyun Han and Americans Alexandra Riley, Joelle Kissell and Maegan Manasse, among many others.
Spectators saw a range of styles: big serves, heavy baseline forehands and quick volleying at the net. Because the venue is intimate compared with major stadiums, fans could sit close enough to hear the ball off the strings and the players’ footwork on the court.
Free and close to the action
One of the attractions of a local pro tournament is access. Admission for much of the week has typically been free or low cost, and fans can wander between courts, watch practice sessions and see future stars before they are household names. Several players who have competed on the women’s pro circuit at this level later reached the top 100 or appeared at Grand Slam events.
For local junior players and their coaches, the tournament is a chance to study professional technique, preparation and match management up close.
Community support
Events like this rely heavily on local partners. Sponsors, host families who house players, volunteers who serve as ball kids and drivers, and recreation center staff all help keep costs manageable for players traveling on tight budgets. Many competitors at this level pay their own travel expenses, so a well-run tournament with community hospitality earns a strong reputation on the circuit.
The format
A typical week opens with a qualifying draw over the first days, followed by the main singles and doubles draws, building to finals at the end of the week. Match schedules are posted daily and can shift with weather, since the courts are outdoors.
Planning a visit
The Koser Jeweler Tennis Challenge has become an annual summer event in Landisville. Dates, schedules and any admission details are announced each year by the organizers and the Hempfield Recreation Center. Fans should check the tournament’s official channels before heading out, bring sunscreen and water, and plan to stay for more than one match. The best tennis of the week is often found on an outside court in the early rounds.
Why it matters locally
For Lancaster County, hosting a professional tournament brings visitors, hotel stays and restaurant traffic during a quiet stretch of late summer. It also gives the area a small place on the international tennis calendar. Rankings points earned in Landisville count the same as those earned in much larger cities, and players remember the tournaments that treat them well. That reputation helps the event keep drawing strong fields year after year, which in turn keeps the tennis on the courts at Hempfield Rec worth the short drive from Lititz.