Mark Knowles "Knowlzee" at his event in The Bahamas in 2011 Photo: MarkDaCunha.com

Nassau, Bahamas - Mark your calendars now for December 6th - 9th for this event in its twelfth successful year!  Success has many interpretations but in this case it is clear that the Mark Knowles Celebrity Invitational is the winner in all categories.

The first and most important one perhaps is, that true to its mission of raising money for several children’s charities, it has to date raised in excess of $750,000.  Past recipients include: The Sassoon Pediatric Heart Foundation, The Association of the Physically Disabled, The Cancer Society, The Children’s Emergency Hostel, The Boy Scouts of the Bahamas, The Special Olympics and various scholarships for promising junior tennis players.  Last year a children’s de-fibrillator was donated to a local hospital and The Cancer Caring Centre  honoured his work by dedicating a room naming it ‘The Mark Knowles Room’. Funding was also given to a Special Olympics tennis player who recently won a medal at The World Games.

A winning combination of hard work by the “star” team of Mark Knowles, known affectionately as ‘Knowlzee” , his sister Samara and  mother Vicky provides the foundation for each successive year.  This has encouraged a vast amount of generous support by sponsors, participants, friends and fans who follow this event year after year providing a testament to the team’s dedication and who, between them, provide the funding and support that makes the whole thing work. 

Last, but by no means least, is the fact that Knowlzee has, over the years been able to invite fellow tennis professionals, who need little encouragement at the end of the touring season, to come and relax and play in our Bahamas, all for a good cause.  Their generosity in giving their time and enthusiasm has helped give this tournament its well-deserved reputation of excellence.  Major tennis stars over the years have come to play and have certainly given their fans  a great deal of enjoyment and the ability to interact with them up close and personal.  The list of players has included Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Fred Stolle, Jennifer Capriati and Andy Murray, who braved a snow storm to get here in time and, of course, Andy Roddick in 2011, to name but a few.

Barely thirteen weeks to go before the start of this the 12th year which promises to be as exciting as ever, so make plans to come and watch, participate in the Pro Am or become a sponsor with options available starting at $1,000 to include invitations to a reception and spectator tickets to the Celebrity Tennis  Exhibition.  All proceeds from the  event go to the charities chosen to be recipients for this year and will be announced shortly.  Mark Knowles Celebrity Tennis Invitational is dedicated to the memory of Eugene (Gene) Scott founder and publisher of Tennis Week and a long time committed supporter of Mark Knowles Celebrity Tennis.

 For information on scheduling, participation, or tickets; please contact:  Vicky Knowles at:mkcti.info@gmail.com; telephone 242 357 9670.