Marion Harris
Easley, SC
Inducted Nov 1, 1986

A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF EASLEY, HE DID NOT BEGIN PLAYING TENNIS UNTIL 1957 WHEN AT THE AGE OF 42 WHEN HE BUILT A TENNIS COURT AT HIS MOUNTAIN HOME.

HE ENTERED HIS FIRST SANCTIONED TOURNAMENT IN 1963, THE CAROLINAS OPEN, WHERE HE MADE AN INSTANT IMPACT ADVANCING TO THE QUARTERFINALS AND DEFEATING THE #3 SEED IN THE MENS’ SENIOR DIVISION.

HAS BEEN THE STATE’S PREMIER SENIOR TENNIS PLAYER SINCE 1965.

HE WON 15 SOUTHERN SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS BELIEVED TO BE THE MOST EVER WON BY A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL. HE ALSO WON SEVERAL SOUTHERN DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIPS.

HE WAS RANKED EITHER #1 OR #2 IN HIS AGE DIVISION IN SOUTH CAROLINA EVERY YEAR SINCE 1966 EXCEPT IN 1969, 1972, & 1973 WHEN HE WAS NOT RANKED. HE HAS BEEN RANKED #1 IN THE STATE 17 TIMES.

HE HAS WON 138 SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS AND HAS BEEN THE RUNNERUP IN MORE THAN 60 MORE TOURNAMENTS.

HIS BEST COMPETITIVE YEARS WERE IN THE 60 TO 65 AGE DIVISION WHEN HE WON 81 OUT OF 82 MATCHES IN THE SOUTHERN SECTION.

HE EARNED A RANKING OF #13 IN THE NATION IN THE 60 TO 65 AGE DIVISION IN 1981.

HE HAS PLAYED SEVERAL TOP PLAYERS AND OWNS A 2 WIN, NO LOSS RECORD AGAINST BITSY GRANT, PLUS SEVERAL WINS IN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES AGAINST FELLOW HALL OF FAMER SAM DANIEL.

HE PLAYED AND DEFEATED THE #1 PLAYER IN THE NATION IN THE 55’S AGE DIVISION, COLONEL NICK POWELL FROM VIRGINIA.

HE HAS BEEN A MAJOR SUPPORTER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA TENNIS ASSOCIATION AND ITS PROGRAMS OVER THE YEARS.

HE IS DECEASED.