Sparta Athletic Club Hosts Free Junior Tennis Clinic with Pros Gambill and Princeton’s Michibata on Saturday, August 9
Inaugural Newton Motorsports Pro Tennis Classic Charity Exhibition, Sunday, August 10
SPARTA, NJ, July 6, 2008 – The pros are coming to Sparta for the Inaugural Newton Motorsports Pro Tennis Classic at the Lake Mohawk Tennis Club on Sunday, August 10. As part of a full weekend of festivities in Sparta, the Sparta Athletic Club is proud to host a free Junior Tennis Clinic on Saturday, August 9 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The clinic will be highlighted by appearances from professional players Jan-Michael Gambill and Glenn Michibata, current Princeton University men’s tennis coach and former world no.1 doubles player.
This free clinic will feature many of the event’s stars assisting club pros with instructions and demonstrations. The Junior Tennis Clinic is open to all children between 10-18 years of age who are interested in learning about the sport of tennis from internationally renowned professionals. Interested parents should contact the Sparta Athletic Club at 973-729-9141 to complete required paperwork and confirm a position.
Gambill is a three-time ATP tournament winner and former world ranked #14 player who was voted one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” in 2000. He holds career wins over tennis icons Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, current world #1 Roger Federer as well as former world #1 Lleyton Hewitt, whom Gambill defeated to win his first career ATP title in 1999. Gambill will arrive in Sparta in top form, having spent the month of July playing for World TeamTennis’ Boston Lobsters, who made Gambill their first round draft earlier this year.
Michibata was an ATP tour professional from 1983 to 1993, reaching the world no. 1 ranking in doubles in 1991 while teaming with Grant Connell. As a doubles standout, Michibata reached the finals of the Australian open and the semifinals of Wimbledon and the French Open. He holds career doubles wins over such legends as John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl, and Pete Sampras. Michibata also played for the Canadian Davis Cup team from 1982 through 1992. A three-time All-American as a player at Pepperdine University, Michibata currently serves as the men’s tennis coach at Princeton University.
Join Jan-Michael Gambill, Justin Gimelstob and other legends and current professional tennis players on Sunday, August 10 for the inaugural Newton Motorsports Pro Tennis Classic at the Lake Mohawk Tennis Club. This unprecedented event will benefit The Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation for ovarian cancer research and the Newton Memorial Hospital Foundation for improvements and upgrades to its Maternity Unit and Women’s Health Initiative.
Tickets are available online (www.SpartaTennis.net), by telephone (973-729-5010) or mail. Tickets are also available for purchase to the separate Pro-Am, which offers a limited number of lucky patrons the once-in-a-lifetime chance to play with and learn from touring professional tennis players, along with photo and autograph opportunities. This package offers one playing spot in the Pro Am, as well as reserved seats for two to the event.
Sponsorship opportunities and Pro-Am slots remain available on a limited basis. Interested parties may contact Mark Macler, Event Director, at 973-729-5010.
THE KALEIDOSCOPE OF HOPE FOUNDATION
The Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation was organized by three ovarian cancer survivors: Gail MacNeil of Chatham Township and Patricia Stewart-Busso and Lois Myers of Harding Township. Since the foundation's inception in 2000, they have contributed more than one million dollars to fund ovarian cancer research initiatives at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, The Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia and The Ohio State University. Its fundraising walkathons in September, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, have become an important forum for New Jerseyans touched by ovarian cancer. The three 2008 events, in Morristown (September 14), Lyndhurst (September 21) and Avon-by-the-Sea (September 27), draw hundreds of participants and raise thousands of dollars. The September 2007 “Turn the Towns Teal” campaign to raise awareness of ovarian cancer will be expanded in 2008 to cover much of New Jersey in teal ribbons. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecological cancers in the U.S.
THE NEWTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The Newton Memorial Hospital Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Newton Memorial Hospital, exists to serve the present and future health and wellness needs of our community and beyond, as defined by Newton Memorial Hospital. Proceeds from the event will go to expand services and add equipment to Newton Memorial Hospital to better serve the needs of residents who rely on the Hospital for their healthcare needs. Funds raised will be used on improvements and upgrades to the Newton Memorial Hospital Maternity Unit and Women’s Health Initiative.
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Information and Sponsorship
Mark Macler, Event Director
973.729.5010
610.996.0280 (mobile)
Media Contact
Jon Blitzer, Media Coordinator
302.242.1288