Please join us on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Hilton Columbia Center as we celebrate the newest members of the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame.
The 2026 SC Tennis Hall of Fame Class features two individuals whose accomplishments, leadership, and lifelong commitment to tennis have made a lasting impact on the sport: Hayley Carter and Ben Cook.
We hope you’ll join us for a special evening celebrating their achievements and their contributions to tennis in South Carolina and beyond.
SC Tennis Hall of Fame Banquet
The 2026 SC Tennis Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Hilton Columbia Center.
The evening will begin with a Cocktail Reception from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., featuring a Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffle. The Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony will immediately follow the reception.
Ticket Information
Early Bird Tickets: $135 per person through September 15, 2026
Regular Tickets: $150 per person beginning September 16, 2026
Reserved Tables: Tables for 10 are also available
RSVP Deadline: October 15, 2026
To learn more about the banquet and purchase tickets, click HALL OF FAME BANQUET TICKETS.
Questions regarding tickets may be directed to Marcia Littlefield at marcia@sctennisfoundation.org.
Meet the 2026 SC Tennis Hall of Fame Inductees
The South Carolina Tennis Foundation proudly announces the induction of Hayley Carter and Ben Cook into the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame, Class of 2026.
Both inductees have distinguished themselves through extraordinary achievement, service, leadership, and a commitment to growing the game.
Hayley Carter: A Legacy of Record-Breaking Excellence and Impact
Hayley Carter’s impact on tennis in South Carolina began with a level of junior achievement rarely matched in the Palmetto State.
She holds a record 14 South Carolina State Championships and captured a record 16 titles at the Palmetto Championships in Belton, winning both singles and doubles in every age division. A two-time USTA South Carolina Player of the Year, Carter was also the recipient of the Wilton McKinney Award in 2012, the highest honor presented to a South Carolina junior player.
Her success continued on the national collegiate stage at the University of North Carolina, where she became the ACC’s all-time leader in women’s singles victories with 168 and achieved a No. 1 national ranking in both singles and doubles.
As a professional on the WTA Tour, Carter reached a career-high doubles ranking of No. 25 in the world and advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open.
Today, she continues to make an impact on the sport as Adult Programs Manager for USTA Tennessee, bringing her experience and passion for tennis to players and programs.
Ben Cook: A Legacy of Leadership, Service and Competitive Excellence
Ben Cook’s tennis legacy spans more than four decades as a champion player, respected tennis professional, administrator, and community leader.
A former Palmetto Boys’ 18s Champion, Cook went on to compete for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, where he served as both Team MVP and Captain.
His adult competitive accomplishments include a 2019 USTA National 40s Mixed Clay Court Championship and four US Court Tennis Association national doubles championships in Court Tennis.
Since 2008, Cook has served as Director of Tennis at the Daniel Island Club, where he oversees one of South Carolina’s largest racquet programs. Under his leadership, the program was ranked the No. 2 Racquets Facility in the United States by Club + Resort Business Magazine in 2023.
Cook’s influence extends well beyond the court. He serves on the board of the Lowcountry Autism Foundation and has played an instrumental role in developing the Aceing Autism program in Charleston.
In 2024, his hometown of Kershaw, South Carolina, recognized his lifelong impact by naming its refurbished tennis facility the Ben Cook Tennis Courts.
As Bill Ennis, Past President of the Lowcountry Community Tennis Association, shared:
“Ben Cook is a natural candidate for induction…a leader who embraces integrity, professionalism, and loves the great game of tennis.”
Honor a 2026 Hall of Fame Inductee
Friends, family members, tennis organizations, clubs, businesses, and fellow players are invited to help celebrate Hayley Carter and Ben Cook by purchasing an advertisement in the 2026 SC Tennis Hall of Fame Printed Program.
A program ad is a meaningful way to congratulate an inductee, recognize their accomplishments, or share a personal message in their honor.
To purchase an ad, click PROGRAM AD.
Serving Up Opportunities Silent Auction
The South Carolina Tennis Foundation will host its annual Serving Up Opportunities Virtual Silent Auction beginning November 1, 2026, and concluding prior to the Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony on November 14, 2026.
Proceeds from the Silent Auction help the South Carolina Tennis Foundation create opportunities through tennis across the state.
In addition to preserving the history of tennis in South Carolina through the SC Tennis Hall of Fame and hosting the annual Hall of Fame Banquet, SCTF provides support for:
- Underserved youth and community tennis programs
- Adaptive and wheelchair tennis programs
- College scholarships for graduating high school seniors
- High school tennis initiatives and state championship support
If you have an item, experience, gift certificate, tennis package, or other contribution you would like to donate to the Silent Auction, click SILENT AUCTION DONATION.
SC Tennis Hall of Fame Sponsorship Opportunities
The Hall of Fame Celebration also offers businesses, organizations, clubs, and individuals an opportunity to support the South Carolina Tennis Foundation through event sponsorship.
Sponsorship provides meaningful visibility while helping SCTF continue its mission of creating opportunities through tennis across South Carolina.
If you or someone you know may be interested in becoming a sponsor of the 2026 SC Tennis Hall of Fame Celebration, please contact Amy Franklin at amy@sctennisfoundation.org for additional information.
Hotel Reservations
Guests needing overnight accommodations may reserve a room at our host hotel, the Hilton Columbia Center.
Special Room Rate: $199 per night, plus applicable taxes and fees
Reservation Deadline: October 15, 2026 or until block is filled
To reserve your room, click HILTON COLUMBIA CENTER ROOM RESERVATIONS.
Questions regarding hotel reservations may be directed to Marcia Littlefield at marcia@sctennisfoundation.org.
About the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame
Hayley Carter and Ben Cook will become the 82nd and 83rd inductees into the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame when they are formally inducted on November 14, 2026.
The inaugural South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame Class was inducted in 1983. New members are selected each year by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee and inducted during the annual Hall of Fame Banquet held in conjunction with the USTA South Carolina Annual Meeting each November.
The South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame is located in Belton, South Carolina, where the stories and accomplishments of generations of South Carolina tennis leaders, players, coaches, and contributors are preserved.
We invite you to take a Virtual Tour of the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame with SC Tennis Foundation Historian Rex Maynard.
Can’t Join Us?
If you are unable to attend the Hall of Fame Banquet but would still like to honor Hayley Carter or Ben Cook, you may make a contribution to the South Carolina Tennis Foundation in their honor.
Your gift helps SCTF continue Serving Up Opportunities through grants, scholarships, adaptive tennis, youth programming, high school tennis support, and preservation of South Carolina’s rich tennis history.
Click DONATE to make a contribution.
