The Country Club of Roswell (CCR) completed its 45th Annual Charity Tennis Pro-Am Invitational this year. The event has grown to one of the largest (112 players) and best (2017 Georgia Professional Tennis Association voted “Event of the Year”) tennis Pro-Am events in Georgia.
Many people think of this as a "tennis event," but it is so much more. "While the Pro-Am tennis tournament is for tennis players, all of our fundraisers during the year are open to all CCR members and nonmembers. Each year, I love seeing all of our members join together with the common goal of raising money for our charities," says Joyce R. Clark, CCR Pro-Am Chairperson.
The tournament takes place each year during the first weekend of August. This year's event weekend kicked off with a gala at CCR with silent and live auction items, DJ, and delicious food stations. Auction items were donated by local businesses and members. The auction alone raised over $45,000 for chosen charities, which was a new record. "We do not know our final total to be distributed to the charities yet, but we hope to beat last year’s record of $74,000," says Joyce.
CCR Director of Racket Sports Marcus Rutsche organized the two-day tennis event, which hosted 56 tennis professionals from throughout the Southeast. CCR members were paired with a pro for the weekend to provide some thrilling and impressive tennis competition. The match play was on Saturday with the semifinals and finals played on Sunday. Marcus, his CCR team of tennis professionals (Haris Poric, Mimi Allan and Jordan Zenaty), and tennis shop manager Susan Wofford worked diligently throughout the weekend to keep the players moving through the round-robin, to tally the scores, and to ensure the players stayed hydrated.
CCR Pro-Am has a mission: through a tennis tournament and its related activities, including a gala supported by members, local business sponsors and other patrons, we annually raise funds to provide grants to eligible, local, non-profit organizations that empower, enrich and improve the lives of the people within our community.
“I like making friends, playing tennis, and going to tournaments. I appreciate organizations like Country Club of Roswell who have donated to Special Pops Tennis, because it helps athletes like me go to tournaments to play tennis and have fun," says Allison Ferrer, Special Pops tennis athlete.
CCR has a long history of giving back to the community. They are supporting four local charities this year. "Our primary charities are Special Populations Tennis Inc. (Special Pops) and Stand Up for Kids (SUFK). In addition, we are supporting For the Love of Ryan and Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (GADRC)," says Joyce.
“Mentors, leaders, and advocators elevated my experience in the StandUp for Kids program. Working one-on-one with a mentor established a productive system of goals and accountability. I trust their wisdom. I trust their direction, and I trust that they will always advocate not just for me, but for any homeless teenager,” says Kimberly, who is benefiting from the program.
The Pro-Am committee began meeting in January. This volunteer committee, consisting of 20 CCR members, worked together as a team to reach a common goal of raising money for their charities. The team spent untold hours to make all of the events successful.
"I am proud of this group of volunteers who donated so much of their time and energy! Notable volunteers this year include Fran Conlan, Russ Prindle, Tonya Holody and, of course, our tournament director Marcus Rutsche," notes Joyce.
CCR general manager Bob Foster was fully supportive of all the Pro-Am events and fundraising for the CCR charities of choice. Clubhouse manager Leah Cunningham and communications director Cassidy Ferreri worked tirelessly with their staff to ensure everything ran smoothly.