Vanessa McAlister Bankhead, Jonathan's wife,
addresses the crowd at the
Inaugural Smash Cancer Tournament
The 4th
Jonathan Bankhead
SMASH CANCER
Memorial Tournament
Recognized by the USTA South Carolina
with the
2024 Cam Littlejohn Community Service Award
The Rockbridge Club
April 25-27, 2025
The Jonathan Bankhead Memorial Smash Cancer tennis tournament was started in 2021 and dedicated to the memory of a well-loved man. The tournament, its sponsors, and players have donated more than $113,000 to assist the families of those going through cancer treatment at South Carolina Oncology Associates. Every sponsor dollar and all donations are contributed to SCOA Cares Foundation, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients receiving treatment at SCOA, the only comprehensive cancer treatment center in South Carolina. Jonathan was a patient at SCOA and lost his 15-month battle against glioblastoma January 12, 2020. The annual event is underwritten by player registration fees and a grant from the City of Forest Acres.
The Vanessa Bankhead Family & the Memorial Event were awarded the
2024 Cam Littlejohn Community Service Award
by the South Carolina Tennis Association.
Click here for Vanessa's acceptance of the Award during the USTA SC Annual Meeting.
2025 Coverage in the Columbia Star
2024 Tournament Highlighted on SCOA Cares Foundation Site
Contact a member of the 2025 Volunteer Committee to sponsor or learn more:
Brian Reeves
Sheryl McAlister
Helen Russell
Visit the Sponsorship/Donation page for more information on Sponsorship levels, how to donate and links to PayPal.
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IMAGES:
2022
Check out the photos from the 2nd Annual Jonathan Bankhead Smash Cancer Tournament
Here is another 2022 Gallery!!
2021
Here are some of the photos from the Inaugural Jonathan Bankhead Smash Cancer Tournament
Google Folder to all photos from 2021 Inaugural Tournament