Special Olympics Tennis Championships Set
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Peggy Edwards
PO Box 4739
Hilton Head Island,
843-785-7244
peggy@ptrtennis.org
01/07/05 - Professional Tennis Registry will host the 6th annual Special Olympics Tennis Championships presented by PTR March 14-16, 2005. The three day event has attracted more than 100 athletes from 10 states and four countries to PTR International Headquarters at Van der Meer Shipyard Racquet Club on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Athletes, coaches, unified partners and volunteers enjoy a cookout sponsored by the Southern Tennis Patrons Foundation, followed by the Opening Ceremony. To kick off the ceremony on Monday, March 14th, each state contingent marches onto Center Court in the Parade of Athletes, stopping for a commemorative photo with famed tennis coach Dennis Van der Meer, President and Founder of PTR. Dignitaries from Special Olympics and the USTA are scheduled to address the crowd. The Opening Ceremony will conclude with the lighting of the cauldron. Then it will be time to enjoy a rousing exhibition match with several former ATP Tour players.
The following morning, athletes go through a skills assessment divisioning process while their coaches take advantage of special PTR training. Then, it’s an afternoon of competition individual skills and match play, followed by a Rock ‘n Roll Dinner and Dance. Competition will continue Wednesday, March 16th with the event culminating with a Closing Ceremony and medals presentation at 5pm.
“Everyone involved in Special Olympics, from the athletes to the volunteers, is a winner,” said Dennis Van der Meer. “This is one of the most rewarding things I do. I recommend that all tennis teachers join me and participate in Special Olympics.”
PTR is the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals with more than 11,000 members in 122 countries It has the greatest percentage of multicultural and women members of any such organization. PTR is dedicated to educating, certifying and servicing tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to grow the game. PTR is the official tennis training partner of Special Olympics.
For information about PTR and this event, email ptr@ptrtennis.org or call Julie Jilly at 843-785-7244. For more information about Special Olympics, visit www.specialolympics.org
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Event Date: 03/14/05
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