World Oilman's Tennis Tournament

The World Oilman’s Tennis Tournament, now commonly known as WOTT, began in 1977 and today is considered by our industry to be a world-class event. It started with a simple need. People involved in the oil and gas industry wanted a venue in Houston that would encourage camaraderie and establish friendships while helping to forge strong business relationships throughout the far-reaching petroleum industry. The WOTT team has worked very hard to fulfill this mission and preserve the great success our tournament has enjoyed. A very special thank-you goes to every player and sponsor that has been a part of WOTT over the years.

WOTT is truly a “world” event, having drawn participants from over seventeen states within the United States and eight countries around the world. Participation is reserved for those associated in some way with the petroleum industry and is by invitation only. Each year the event hosts an average of 320 tennis players, 130 sponsors and well over 1000 guests who attend the social aspects of the tournaments. Most of the participants represent the executive leadership of our industry and are directly responsible for exploration, production, drilling or marketing.

The individual to whom the invitation email is addressed.

Registration and its Party is on Wednesday at 4-7 PM CST. Thursday night’s party will be held  at 7 PM. Thursday night’s party attire is Suit/Coat and Tie.  Friday night’s gathering will be a poolside party reminiscent of the early days of WOTT which also will begin at 7 PM. Friday night attire is Country Club Casual.

All parties are held at The Houston Racquet Club.

Yes, the entry fee covers you AND your wife/date to participate in all the social functions as well as play tennis as outlined in the “Tournament Play” section.

Participation is by invitation only. Please contact us.

The 2025 WOTT tournament will be held April 30-May 3. Since the first tournament in 1977, WOTT has been held at the prestigious Houston Racquet Club in the beautiful setting of Memorial Drive along the Buffalo Bayou in Houston, Texas. Site of the first-ever Virginia Slims Women’s Pro Championship and the birthplace of the women’s professional tour, the Houston Racquet Club continues its prominent role in the tennis community, hosting local, regional and national events, and lists more ranked players than any other Texas club over the past 40+ years. The club offers the perfect blend of superior tennis and fitness, outstanding meeting and event space and resort style recreation…a perfect setting for a world-class tournament. You can visit www.houstonracquetclub.com to learn more about this spectacular club.

The entry fee is $600 for a player which includes his/her spouse/date. If you only want to attend the social events and observe the tennis play, the fee is still $600.  You would then be listed as a “Socials Only” participant and this amount covers the invitee and their spouse/date. If you are invited as an Outside Mixed Partner, then the entry fee is $300.  Should an Outside Mixed Partner invite a spouse/date to join them, the total fee would be $600.

Please note that each year we have more players requesting to participate than can be accommodated and this year is no exception.  In the current pandemic situation, the WOTT will be holding the number of participants to a minimum so it is recommended that you register as soon as possible in order to assure your spot.  Please get your registration in as soon as possible but no later than March 31. Excess entrants will be placed on a stand-by list until an opening is available. Confirmation letters will be sent to all participants following the deadline.  You are not confirmed to be in the tournament unless you receive a confirmation letter.

Due to the large number of requests for invitations we receive each year and the total number of players we can reasonably accommodate in the Tennis and Pickleball Tournaments we must limit the number of players. Invitees will be considered on a first come, first serve basis. Late applicants will be placed on a stand-by list.

Each confirmed entrant will be notified by email. You are not guaranteed a place in the tournament until you receive this email.

Wednesday, April 30th from 4-7PM CST.

You must have someone check-in for you. There will be no late Tournament Check-in on Thursday morning.

Over the years, WOTT has become renowned for its social events. Breakfast and lunch are served at the Club each day with refreshments available throughout the Tournament at courtside. Following our Wednesday night Registration Social, two very special events are held Thursday and Friday evenings. There will be a Thursday night dinner and dance.  Dress code is Suit/Coat/Tie. Friday will be a “Dressy Casual” pool-side party, reminiscent of the early WOTT days. More information will be available in confirmation letter.

This year attire for this Special Event is casual cocktail attire for the ladies and the gentlemen.

Casual attire refers to Country Club casual or sports clothing in good taste.

The Tournament features four separate tennis events including Main Doubles, Scrambles, WOTT Mixed Doubles, and Pickleball is being introduced this year. These events include six divisions: “Championship”, “A-1”, “A-2”, “B-1”, and “B-2”, allowing players of almost any skill level to be grouped with those of similar playing abilities. Each INVITED PLAYER can enter up to two events: Main Doubles, and a choice of either Scrambles or WOTT Mixed Doubles. With a double elimination format, participants are assured of at least two matches in each event entered. Information regarding the Pickletball event will be forthcoming.

The Tournament allows invitees to register for two events only. Main Doubles and either Scrambles or WOTT Mixed Doubles. Spouses are limited to WOTT Mixed Doubles. Pickleball information will be forthcoming.

Beginning in 1999, WOTT opened the Husband/Wife Event to allow the pairing of a husband or wife with another invitee’s husband or wife. For example, Mrs. Smith would like to play in the WOTT Mixed Doubles, however, she does not wish to be paired with her husband. In the past, Mrs. Smith would not have had another opportunity to play. However now, Mrs. Smith can be paired with Mr. Jones (an invitee). Participants should note that it is the responsibility of the invitee to designate their partner on their entry form. The Tournament Committee may NOT be able to assist you in the selection of a WOTT Mixed Doubles partner. Invitees may play in the Mixed Doubles with their spouse, the spouse of another invitee, OR an Outside Mixed Partner.

The “WOTT Mixed Doubles” event will be observing the following rules/qualifications:

• INVITED Players may ask an Outside Mixed Partner to play with them.
• Teams will be seated in the division of the highest level player.
• The Outside Mixed Partner MUST register separately.
• The Outside Mixed Partner must play in the Mixed Doubles event with their INVITED Player only.
• There will be an additional fee for the Outside Mixed Partner to play in the tournament. This additional fee will entitle the Outside Mixed Partner to attend all tournament functions.
  • $300.00 Registration Fee for the Outside Mixed Partner only; or
  • $600.00 Registration Fee for the Outside Mixed Partner and a spouse/date.
• Outside Mixed Partner will be defined as follows:
  • Not a spouse of an INVITED Player; and
  • Cannot be a current tennis professional.
  • INVITED Player and their Outside Mixed Partner will be bracketed according to the highest level player’s bracket.

Wives of invitees are encouraged to participate in the WOTT Mixed Doubles. This event allows the spouse of an invitee to pair with the spouse of another invitee. For example, if Mr. Smith is invited and his wife would like to play, she can register to play with either Mr. Smith or seek out an interested invitee who is registered to play in the tournament.

It is not necessary to have a partner to enter the tournament. If you do not have a Main Doubles partner, the Tournament Committee will pair you with someone of generally equal ability. However, if you wish to be teamed with a specific partner, it will first be necessary for you to determine whether your prospective partner has also received an invitation to the Tournament. Each team will be placed in the division of its highest-rated player. No tennis professionals will be permitted to play in any division and the Tournament Committee reserves the right to upgrade or downgrade teams based on previous performances.

The WOTT Board requests that participants change partners if you have played with the same partner for the last two years.

A list of hotels can be found under by Clicking Here.

You can become a sponsor by contacting us.

Yes. We value the participation of our sponsors and recognize their contribution to the success of the tournament. Sponsor fees, however, are allocated to specific items such as player shirts, bags, etc. while entry fees cover Tournament play and social events for the Tournament. Both sponsor and entry fees are vital components to the success of the Tournament. Please be aware that sponsoring at the Davis Cup Level and above includes waiving of entry fees.  Please review the Sponsorship Guidelines for further information.

Sponsorship levels are:

• Regular Sponsor ($750+)
• Special Sponsor ($1,500+)
• Davis Cup Sponsor ($3,000+)
• Australian Open Sponsor ($6,000+)
• Wimbledon Sponsor ($8,500+)
• U.S. Open Sponsor ($12,000+)
• Grand Slam Sponsor ($17,000+)

Special privileges are afforded sponsors, so please contact the Finance Committee for further information.

You can mail your sponsorship payment to:

World Oilman’s Tennis Tournament
c/o Susan Strohmeyer
5859 Inwood Park Ct.
Houston, TX 77057
713.456.0651

Please contact us if you would like to know more.

We continue to make a special effort to update the WOTT photo directory. Our goal is to be able to include a current photo for EVERY participant and EVERY sponsor. YOU CAN NOT FINISH CHECKING IN ON WEDNESDAY IF WE DO NOT GET YOUR PICTURE BEFORE CHECK-IN OR A NEW ONE TAKEN DURING CHECK-IN.

A current professional photo in digital format is preferred. Alternatively, photos taken from a modern cell phone can also be used.

The Houston Racquet Club has specific rules regarding no pets on the club grounds.

This is an Adult Tournament and there are no accommodations available for children.