160 North Midland Avenue
Nyack, New York 10960-1998
(845) 348-2000 www.nyackhospital.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Amy Massimo
Director, Public Affairs DATE: March 20, 2008 PHONE: 845.348.2773
Superstar John McEnroe to Highlight The Kennedy Funding Invitational Tennis Tournament, July 9 – 13, 2008
Sponsorship Proceeds Will Benefit The Breast Center at Nyack Hospital and Englewood Hospital Breast Care Center
John McEnroe, former World No. 1 player, will make his highly anticipated debut in The Kennedy Funding Invitational for 2008, July 9 – 13. The Kennedy Funding Invitational is a benefit tournament for two area hospital breast care centers. Co-directors James Miller, Mitch Klein, and Kevin Wolfer have put together one of the finest competitions in the U.S., which will feature top competitors from around the world who are ranked in the ATP top 100-including last year’s Invitational winner Michael Russell as well as Justin Gimelstob, Sam Querry, Aaron Krickstein, and others.
2008 is the third year of the annual Kennedy tournament, which is becoming recognized by pundits and fans alike as one of the pre-eminent tennis events of the year in the New York Metro area. Proponents involved in the fight against breast cancer see it as a welcome venue for donating funding. 2007’s Invitational resulted in over $625,000 being bequeathed to the breast care centers at Nyack Hospital in New York and Englewood Hospital in New Jersey. The legendary Pete Sampras, form Men’s #1 player, came to the tournament to play an exhibition Celebrity match against Justin Gimelstob and said, “I’m happy to be a part of it. I’m happy to help. Breast cancer is something that’s been a part of my family. It’s a tough disease, and I’m just happy to help out a little bit and play a little tennis.” The crowd was delighted to see Sampras, and cheered wildly while he was on the court. All tickets for the Sampras Celebrity match were spoken for long before day of the event.
As a special added bonus for 2008, The Kennedy Funding Invitational will feature an appearance by another legendary former World No. 1-ranked payer: the unforgettable John McEnroe, playing in an eagerly awaited exhibition match. During his acclaimed career, McEnroe won seven Grand Slam singles titles – three at Wimbledon and four at the U.S. Open – nine Grand Slam Men’s doubles titles, and one Grand Slam mixed doubles title. He is remembered for his shot-making artistry and supreme volleying, for his matches against Bjorn Borg, for his fiery on-court temperament, which frequently landed him in contention with umpires and tennis authorities, and for the catchphrase “You cannot be serious!” He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1999. After a 12-year absence from the professional tour, McEnroe returned to top-level doubles competition in 2006, and became the oldest male player to win a top-level title in 30 years at San Jose, California.
The setting for the tournament will once again be the prestigious Dellwood Country Club in New City, NY, with its 12 Har True tennis courts, 18-hole Tilinghast-designed golf course, sumptuous banquet facilities, and beautifully landscaped surroundings. Players will be competing for over $250,000 in prize money during a week-long event.
Admission to The Kennedy Funding Invitational is free to the public. Admission to the John McEnroe Celebrity match requires tickets. All proceeds will go to Nyack and Englewood Hospital.
Sponsorships for The Kennedy Funding Invitational 2008 are now available. For more information, please call Mitch Klein at (845) 634-4674, or Kevin Wolfer at (201) 342-8500.
For more information about The Kennedy Funding Invitational and John McEnroe tickets, please call James Miller at (917) 607-6477, or visit www.kennedyfundinginvitational.com
Nyack Hospital is a 375-bed community acute care medical and surgical hospital located in Rockland County, NY. Founded in 1895, it is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System. For additional information, please visit our web site at www.nyackhospital.org.
