Thank You to All Our Players, Spectators and Supporters for Allowing us to Award Tennis Camps Scholarships and College Scholarships, to deserving junior tennis players in Houston & Pasadena, Texas.

Thank You to All Our Players, Spectators and Supporters for Allowing us to Award Tennis Camps Scholarships and College Scholarships, to deserving junior tennis players in Houston & Pasadena, Texas.

The Scholarship Story

The Darren Lajaunie Tennis Scholarship Fund (DLTSF) was set up after the passing of Darren Lajaunie in May 2011, from cancer, by his wife Camille and son, Andrew.  Darren was an avid tennis player his whole life.  He began playing at J. Frank Dobie High School, on the club level at the University of Texas, in Austin, and in many adult league tournaments until his passing in 2011. The DLTSF will continue to award college scholarships to the seniors on the J. Frank Dobie High School Tennis Team, in addition to awarding tennis camp and college scholarships to members of the Harry Taylor Tennis Center, in Pasadena, Texas.

Darren Lajaunie Tennis Scholarships

Twelth Annual Darren Lajaunie Memorial Tennis Tournament

The Twelfth Annual Darren Lajaunie Memorial Tournament will now be a Jamboree Series of Tennis Mixers.  The Mixers will be held three times a year in 2023 limited to 60 people or 30 doubles teams, and there will be a time limit for each event, approximately 3 hours on a Saturday.  Which means space is limited, so don't delay signing up.  There will be an option on the entry form to secure your space for all three Mixers, if you choose to do so.  The Entry Form will be available soon.

You don't need a partner to play when you sign up.  If you do have a partner that's great but just know that as you win or lose you will change partners for the next match.  That's why it's called a "Mixer", so you can mix and match and meet new people.

The first Mixer will be Saturday, April 29th, 2023 and tennis camp and college scholarships will be awarded to junior tennis players connected with the Harry Taylor Tennis Center in Pasadena, Texas.  Dobie tennis seniors will receive their college scholarships in May at school. Since it will be in April, we'd like to carry on the April Fool's theme, we are encouraging players to wear a "Silly Hat" to play.  The top three winners will be awarded a small prize.  There will be a small silent auction to support the Scholarship Fund.

The second Mixer will be Saturday, August 19th and the theme will be "Mulligan" theme.  What does that mean?  When & IF you double fault you have the option of donating $1 to get your serve back and not award the point to your opponent.  Someone will be roaming the courts to collect your donation and there is NO limit!

The third Mixer will be Saturday, December 2nd and the theme will be the "Ugly Sweatshirt or Sweater".  Players will be encouraged to play in an ugly Christmas themes sweatshirt or sweater.  There will be a small silent auction to support the Scholarship Fund.  This one is great for last minute Christmas shopping!

More details will be coming and we ask that you follow us on Facebook for more updates as the become available.

The Tennis Camp and College Scholarship applications for the Harry Taylor Tennis Center in Pasadena are now available for junior tennis players wanting to receive a camp or college scholarship.  Deadline for the applications is Friday, APRIL 7, 2023.  

Applications for the Dobie High School Tennis Seniors are also available on the website for a College Scholarship.  Deadline for the Dobie applications is Thursday, APRIL 6, 2023.

Applicants PLEASE read the instructions carefully and turn them in on time.  Any applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed or considered for any scholarship.

Houston's CW Channel 39 Hannah Trippett's Interview with Camille Lajaunie from 5/21/2019.

About Darren

Darren was a devoted family man, dedicated engineer for Lockheed Martin at the Johnson Space Center with a compelling passion for the game of tennis.  Darren began his tennis career playing tennis at J. Frank Dobie High School where he graduated Co-Valedictorian in 1984.  At the University of Texas Tennis Club in Austin, where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1988, Darren won the 1988 Spring Open Champion Men’s “B” Singles title.  At a local Houston tennis club, Darren was the Men’s 3.5 Singles Champion July 2010, and Men’s 4.0 Singles Champion in August, 2010.  In September at a local Houston tennis club, he was a Finalist in the Men’s 4.5 Singles Championship game. 

Darren was diagnosed with Melanoma in October 2009 and while enduring many clinical trials and chemo treatments continued to play tennis until his death in May 2011.  Darren was the epitome of courage, dignity, strength and had the heart of a true tennis champion.

Through these scholarships, we hope for Darren's legacy to live on.  Please join us in remembering Darren by coming out to play in the tennis tournament or by donating to the scholarship fund.

Thank you for your support!

Ways to Help

Make a donation, become an official sponsor, shop at Kroger, or play in the tournament

For more information, you can always contact Camille Lajaunie

Kroger Card Enrollment Time

Get Your Grocery Shopping Done 

and

Support the Scholarship Fund at the Same TIME!!!!!

The Darren Lajaunie Tennis Scholarship Fund is a proud Community Partner with Kroger. If you have a Kroger card, you can help donate to the scholarship fund simply by shopping at Kroger. Enrollment is now underway with the Kroger Community Rewards Program.  Please enroll today and help donate to the scholarship fund. Kroger donates 1% of your grocery bill every time you shop. The scholarship fund receives 4 checks a year. Last year we received about $300 from Kroger. Kroger is not just in Texas, so if you have friends in other states please pass the information along. It's a great way to help donate. Every little bit helps! Thank you to all who have enrolled.

Donate to the Scholarship Fund Directly

 

Please consider becoming a tournament sponsor!

We would not be able to bring this wonderful event to Houston and Pasadena without the help of our generous sponsors and donors. This scholarship program benefits junior tennis players and honors Darren’s memory.

Please send check or money order to:

Darren Lajaunie Tennis Scholarship Fund

3106 Mossy Elm Court

Houston, TX  77059