Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in Rancho Santa Fe will host the 20th Annual Sean Eduardo Sanchez Tennis Center Fundraising Pro-Am Tennis Tournament on October 11, 2026, bringing together amateur players, local tennis professionals, sponsors and spectators for a day that mixes competitive tennis with a cause spanning both sides of the border. Player and professional registration begins at noon, with tournament warm-up starting at 12:30 p.m., followed by tournament play, a mini silent auction, a family-friendly barbecue dinner and a trophy presentation.
The tournament raises funds for the SES Tennis Center in Tecate, Mexico, and for Empty Cradle in San Diego, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. The SES Tennis Center was founded by Eduardo and Amelia Sanchez, who created a tennis facility in Tecate that serves the community regardless of income and now reaches more than 150 children on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Eduardo Sanchez grew up in Tecate and bought his first tennis racquet at a San Diego swap meet at age 16 with money he earned working at Tecate's Rancho La Puerta resort, teaching himself to play before he went on to found Rancho Valencia's tennis program in June 1989, according to the resort's own staff biography. He also worked as head pro at Rancho La Puerta and at Windemere in La Jolla before helping open Rancho Valencia.
Co-founder Amelia Sanchez brings her own professional weight to the nonprofit's operations. She is a commercial real estate attorney with more than 20 years of transactional experience who now serves as Partner at CGS3 and on the Board of Advisors at Life Science Cares San Diego, having previously worked as regional general counsel at Newland Communities and senior legal counsel at Cricket Communications.
A Court Built in Memory of a Son
The SES Tennis Center was dedicated in June 2004, honoring Sean Eduardo, the founders' infant son. The dedication, held at Tecate's Eufrasio Santana sports complex, created the first two public tennis courts ever built for public use in the city, per the SES Tennis Center. The organization has grown into a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives children access to tennis instruction, equipment and tournament opportunities regardless of their families' income.
That legacy has drawn regional recognition over the years. The United States Tennis Association's San Diego District named the SES Tennis Center Pro-Am its 2009 Tournament of the Year, and past editions of the event have attracted elite professional talent, including former ATP world No. 1 doubles players Jared Palmer and Rick Leach and former Mexico Davis Cup player Alejandro Hernandez, according to a report from ZooTennis. The tournament pairs amateur players with teaching pros, former college athletes and touring professionals, a format that has helped it draw sustained sponsor and community support.
Where the Money Has Gone, and Where It Might Go Next
Funds raised through last year's 19th Annual Pro-Am helped provide spectator stands, new bathrooms and safety railings at the Tecate facility, per the tournament's news release. Proceeds from this year's 20th anniversary edition may fund new pickleball courts at the SES Tennis Center, the conversion of the center's clay tennis courts to hard surface courts, and new flowerbeds and landscaping, the release states.
That potential pickleball expansion in Tecate would echo a broader shift already underway at the host resort. Rancho Valencia maintains 18 tennis courts, plus four dedicated pickleball courts and three new padel courts, for just 52 guest suites, according to the Luxury Coast Group. The boutique property operates without a golf course and has been repeatedly ranked Southern California's top tennis resort by Tennis Magazine. Rancho Valencia added three dedicated padel courts in 2026 alone, part of a regionwide trend in which San Diego-area racquet venues have rapidly expanded into padel and pickleball to meet strong consumer demand across all three sports.
Cross-Border Backing and Major Donors
The SES Tennis Center's cross-border mission has attracted grassroots as well as institutional support. In November 2025, the community grant organization 100 Who Care Tecate awarded funding to the center, according to 100 Who Care Tecate, which aggregates local member donations quarterly to fund impactful nonprofits. The SES Tennis Center receives support from local player entry fees and local business sponsorships.
The tournament's other beneficiary is Empty Cradle.
Attending the October 11 Event
Spectators are encouraged to attend the celebration portion of the day, with tickets priced at $150 per person and special pricing available for children under 18. The tournament also offers sponsorship opportunities for individuals and businesses looking to support both causes. More information on the event is available at sestenniscenter.org.
