Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex

Honoree

Scott Linder

Born on December 26, 1921, Scott Linder was raised in Coral Gables, FL. He graduated with a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Florida and founded Linder Machinery in 1953. Linder was very active in Florida business, serving as an adviser to several governors and as the head of many organizations, including the Florida Council of 100, Florida Chamber of Commerce, and the Governor’s Economic Advisory Board.

A dedicated alumnus of the University of Florida, Linder was a past president of the UF Alumni Association, and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. He was named Florida’s Free Enterpriser of the Year in 1988 and Entrepreneur of the Year in 1989 and was honored in the Great Floridians 2000 program.

After Linder passed away in 1990, the city of Lakeland renamed the airport “Lakeland Linder Regional Airport” in his honor.

Facility History

Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex was completed following a $1.7 million renovation project. The focal point of the project is a new building adjacent to the courts that serves as home to the men’s and women’s teams.

The complex features a 1,000-seat grandstand overlooking six main lighted courts, in addition to a second row of nine courts. The second row combines six outdoor courts and the three covered courts in the Ring Pavilion, giving Florida a total of 15 regulation courts. The courts, which were resurfaced in the summer of 1998, are made of a hard court surface similar to the type of court found at the U.S. Open.

The grandstand is highlighted by a two-level, 15-seat press box and features six electronic scoreboards over each of the six courts, providing updates on all six grandstand courts. A court-level viewing area, as well as concessions and restrooms, are conveniently located beneath the grandstand.