The “Mars vs. Venus Celebrity Tennis Exhibition” pitted the Women’s team of Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, Brenda Schultz McCarthy and three other WTA circuit players, including Kacey Moore, ranked in Florida 14s, and WTA tour player Jaine Scheepens against a formidable Men’s team.
Co-captained by Palm Beach County Deputy Sheriff Ira Peskowitz and Dick Stockton, formerly #8 in the ATP world rankings, the Men’s team includes BallenIsles Head of Tennis Operations Frank Swope, Gaston Murray, nationally ranked boys 18, Vince Baudat, ATP players Coach and Ricardo Acuna, winner of 3 doubles titles during his pro career.
The exhibition followed a Team tennis format with cumulative scoring and substitutions allowed after 8 points in any match. The complimentary event to Members and their guests allows for voluntary donations to benefit the Kids & Police Tennis Association (KAPTA) and the Police Athletic League (PAL).
KAPTA-PAL offers three distinct programs: (1) Afterschool Tennis; (2) School Break/Summer Camp; and (3) Individual Grants and Scholarships for select, elite program participants, who are eligible to receive advanced tennis training. There is no charge for the general afterschool/weekend programs or the week-long programs held during school breaks. Grant money and donations afford advanced players the opportunity to receive more intense and comprehensive training from a nationally recognized USPTA junior development program.
To date, KAPTA-PAL has made a difference in the lives of over 1500 kids and is committed to positively impacting and teaching over 1000 at-risk students in 2012.
