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A legacy on the court

Published 11:49 pm Thursday, October 22, 2026

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List of names of people who have played on the courts over the years: Bob Ahlering, Dennis Anderson, Ralph Ball, Drake Bell, John Bell, Jeff Bellamy, Ricky Brisco, Keith Bruffy, Carl Carter, Glen Carter, Greg Carter, Cory Chaplin, Jim Clardy, Heather Connley, C. W. Coots, Jeff Crouch, Robin Crouch, Wanda Dahman, Christy Delaney, Rob Dyer, Dave Erisman, Michael Erisman, Mickey McBride Erisman, Richard Field, Cully Galloway, Rick Good, Jim Graham, Les Grow, Kelly Grub, Steve Halpin, Marion Hancock, Ed Harris, Bill Hensley, Tom Hoskins, Qi Huang, John Innes, Matt Innes, Scott Innes, Mike Keith, Joe Kupersmith, Charlie Lane, Mike Larson, Sandy Larson, Dave Lyndsay, Tai Mach, Scott Maple, Peggy Martin, Mike McBride, Rick McBride, Phil Miller, Tim Milnes, Allen Moore, Randy Neal, Tammy Noah, Jay Pattiz, Phil Pitzen, Bill Poynter, Mary Jane Poynter, Anthony Rehn, David Rehn, David Robinson, Lindsey Schoonover, Jonathan Schoonover, Bill Schull, Bill Scroggs, Tom Sims, Chris Sinatra, Paul Sinatra, Dave Slifer, Mark Spiece, Kevin Sylvester, Jack Taylor, Claire Thomas, Dave Thomas, Bob Tompkins, Judy Tompkins, Carson Thompson, Clete Thompson, Ken Thompson, Gary Turner, Bruce Uhler, Hazel Urquilla, Manny Urquilla, Rod Vaught, Kevin Visser, Curtis Wilson and Carolyn Woodard. (Photos courtesy of Carolyn Woodard)

For decades, the sound of tennis balls hitting rackets has echoed across our local courts, bringing together generations of players. The foundation of this sports tradition traces back to John Innes. Recently, a group of Warrensburg tennis players met at a local restaurant to take a trip down memory lane and tried to compile a list of tennis players they knew who had played on the John Innes tennis courts which are located by the pool. They came up with 87 names of past and present players. Many remembered playing with John Innes, Marion Hancock, and Bill Scroggs, who were some of the first people who played there.

John Innes was the heartbeat of the same. A dedicated player himself, he competed alongside the group well into his nineties, anchoring the local tennis scene with his passion and warm sportsmanship. The group remembered that John always knew the score even when no one could remember. He knew the score when he was just watching others play. He only stepped away from the game when his wife Leonore entered the nursing home, turning his full attention to her care.

Today, the matches continue. Many of the veteran players who shared the court with Innes during his playing days – some now up in years themselves – are still actively playing on those same courts. They carry forward his inclusive spirit ensuring that the courts remain open to anyone wanting to play the game. Anyone interested in playing, text 660-441-5187 to be added to their group text.

Courtesy of Carolyn Woodard.

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