Visiting pro Murphy Jensen and The Landings own Nathan Smiley were among the teachers at the pro clinics.
From every possible standpoint, Madisen’s Match, a fund-raising event for kids with cancer, was a tremendous success when it was held on March 15 and 16 at The Landings. When people gather to share a tennis court with Grand Slam champions, learn from the best players and coaches in the world and come with open hearts and wallets, good things happen.
This program began 15 years ago when event creator Duane Chaney’s niece, Madisen, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Prior to this year’s event, Madisen’s Match has raised over $1.3 million to support pediatric brain cancer treatment programs in the area. Madisen is now a delightful 20-year-old young woman who attended and was feted at the event.
The star-studded tennis players included 14-time Grand Slam champion Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, five-time Grand Slam champion Emilio Sánchez, French Open doubles champions Luke and Murphy Jensen, #1 world-ranked doubles player Don Johnson, U.S. Davis Cup Team Captain Tom Gullikson, former Top 10-ranked Mikael Pernfors, and ATP Tour stars Ryan Harrison and Denis Kudla!
The event began with a dinner on Saturday evening held at Compass Rose at the Helm Club. The staff presented a delicious array of foods based upon what you would find at the four tennis Grand Slam events. Among the special offerings were strawberries and cream, scones, and tea sandwiches worthy of Wimbledon, and for the French Open, a vast variety of cheeses, baguettes, ratatouille, and salmon en croute. The Australian Open featured a fresh summer mix of greens, tomatoes, peaches, feta, basil and almonds with vinaigrette dressing, and delicious mini lamb meat pies. The U.S. Open offerings were an heirloom tomato and watermelon salad, a French fry bar, and slices of perfectly cooked, medium rare New York strip steaks. The Landings chefs and servers did a beautiful job of preparing and presenting the food.
ENJOYED THEIR DOUBLES PAIRING.
The band Cinnamon Cove performed during cocktails and dinner when people put in their bids for silent auction items. Five especially valuable prices were auctioned off live. The highest bid of $6,000 came for tickets to see Keith Urban in Nashville from a special box at the theater. Fierce but friendly bidding was fun to watch and the winners were delighted not only with the prizes, but with the knowledge that the funds were going for a very good cause.
Those who weren’t successful with their auction bids were invited to donate to the cause. Many did so, with some giving as much as $5,000 or $2,500 and others giving $100, with the added incentive that Mark Turnbull, one of the event’s sponsors, matched all the $100 gifts, a match that raised an additional $3,300.
Three of the celebrity tennis professionals, Tom Gullikson, Murphy Jensen, and Ryan Harrison each donated $1,000 to support the pediatric cancer treatment program at the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. The organizers are grateful for their generosity.
On Sunday, the amateur participants were treated to the Legends Tennis Camp and Pro-Am. There were morning clinics followed by lunch with the pros, afternoon clinics, and a special Pro-Am that gave players a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with and against Grand Slam champions.
Those amateurs who participated in the event were exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. The advice and coaching they received will serve them well. The players spent a total of five hours on court on Sunday, and though their muscles were tired and sore, their spirits soared.
The final event was The Pro Tennis Classic, which gave spectators the opportunity to watch the pros in action. This was the perfect end to a superb weekend.
