Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. – Local network news affilates were on hand to cover the action when BallenIsles Country Club’s Member resident and world-class tennis sensation, Venus Williams faced off against record holder of the fastest serve in WTA history, Brenda Schultz-McCarthy on the Stadium Court of the Club’s new state-of-the-art Sports Complex. Nearly 600 members and their guests attended the BallenIsles Country Club Women’s Doubles Exhibition with voluntary donations to benefit the Kids & Police Tennis Association (KAPTA).
KAPTA is a Palm Beach County Police Athletic League (PAL) Program, founded by Palm Beach County Deputy Sheriff, Ira Peskowitz, and uses tennis to establish an encouraging environment for children who might otherwise be exposed to crime.
The Women’s Doubles Exhibition featuring Williams vs. Schultz-McCarthy was followed by a Charity Return Serve Exhibition that gave Club Members a rare opportunity to try and return the fastest serves in professional tennis, while supporting a worthy cause.
“We enjoyed playing on the Stadium Court in an event that entertained members and benefited such a good cause,” Venus said.
Schultz claimed her place as the fastest server in WTA history in July 2006, recording a 130 mph serve during a qualifying tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Venus Williams hit the fastest recorded serve in a women’s tour main-draw match, reaching 129 mph at the 2007 French Open.
BallenIsles Country Club has been lending its world class tennis facilities to KAPTA and the Club’s teaching professionals are donating their time to teach children in the program, while promoting its values.
A Who’s Who of former and current Grand Slam champions have played on the new BallenIsles Stadium court this year, including Virginia Wade, Stan Smith, Fred Stolle, Mats Wilander, Brenda Schultz-McCarthy and Venus Williams.
About BallenIsles Country Club
Nestled in the heart of South Florida’s Palm Beach Gardens, BallenIsles Country Club www.BallenIsles.org is highly regarded as a unique, private residential community with a distinguished history. Home to some of the world’s top professional athletes and business leaders, the prestigious country club boasts 3 championship courses with 54 holes of golf, 22 world class tennis courts and a new, state-of-the-art Sports Complex.
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Hopkinson
NewsMark Public Relations
561-289-6852
mhopkinson@newsmarkpr.com
