We are mourning the loss of Charles Hodgin, who passed away on Friday, April 2, 2021. Mr. Hodgin was inducted into the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019.
Charles settled in Sumter in 1957. His competitive spirit, sportsmanship, honesty and integrity, along with his instruction and leadership skills were instrumental in building tennis in Sumter for over fifty years.
Charles competed as a player in state and southern age group tournaments, 35’s through the 80’s, for over 44 years. He earned his first state ranking in 1968 when he was number two in Men’s 35’s Singles. Charles was ranked among the top four in South Carolina for ten years from 1971 to 1980 in singles and doubles. He was ranked number five in the south in Men’s 45’s singles in 1976 and number three in Men’s 50’s Singles in 1980. Hodgin was ranked among the top three in South Carolina in singles and doubles from 1987 to 1991, including several years as number one. He continued to play tournament tennis from 1992 to 2012 and was consistently ranked among the top five in the state and top fifteen in the south in his age division.
During his twelve years as tennis coach at Edmunds High School in Sumter, Hodgin’s teams never had a losing season. He began his teaching pro career in 1971 and taught youth and adults as a PTR pro. After retiring from high school coaching, he coached his children, Chuck, Mark and Marian. Chuck reached number eight nationally in Boy’s 14’s Singles and Mark and Chuck attained number one rankings in Boys 12’s through 18’s in South Carolina and the south. Chuck went on to play at the University of South Carolina, and Mark played at the College of Charleston, both on Division I tennis scholarships.
Charles was instrumental in the development of the Sumter Tennis Association. He was the face of Sumter tennis for several decades and influenced the development of the 24-court Palmetto Tennis Center where the center court is named in his honor.
Mr. Hodgin was an avid tennis player, and a well-known and respected high school coach and teaching pro throughout South Carolina and Southern tennis circles.
(Mr. Hodgin is pictured at the 2019 South Carolina Tennis Patrons Foundation Hall of Fame Banquet)