The results of the ProAm on December 4th at the Atlantis Tennis Center were as follows:

Winner of the Pro/Am                Mark Knowles & Thierry Matthey

Runner-up                                Olga Savchuk & Juan Bacardi

Semi-finalists                            Jared Palmer & Glenn Blumberg

                                                Robert Kendrick & Alex Pier

Consolation Pro/Am Winners:

Winner                                      Martin Damm & Daron Roberts

Runner-up                                  Dean Goldfine & John Mallinger

Semi-finalists                              Anna-Lena Groenefeld & Brendan Dunn

                                                 Marvin Rolle & Vince Menard

Sponsors and tennis pros gather for a group shot at a dinner hosted by Bahamas Ministry of Tourism at Fathom's restaurant, Atlantis on December 4th. Presenting and platinum sponsors were Atlantis, Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch, Pictet Bank & Trust, Ministry of Tourism, The Balmoral, Serenity Point Abaco. The tennis pros are kneeling in the front row. Photo: MarkDaCunha.com

On Friday evening, the Ministry of Tourism hosted a dinner at the Fathoms Restaurant, Atlantis, with the cocktail party being sponsored by Lombard Odier.

Both the Ministry of Tourism and Atlantis Resort and Casino pledged their continuing support to this event.

Mrs. Vernice Walkine, Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, in her welcome speech emphasized the wonderful contribution that Mark makes to The Bahamas every day that he is out there on a Professional Tennis Tour giving The Bahamas free advertising with every match he plays.   She said that to then come back and host his fellow pros at the Atlantis, further establishes The Bahamas as the premier vacation experience.  

Speaking at a dinner sponsored by Ministry of Tourism for the players and sponsors of the Mark Knowles Celebrity Tennis Invitational was Vernice Walkine, Director General, Ministry of Tourism. Photo: MarkDaCunha.com

Mr. J. Barrie Farrington, Vice-President, Atlantis, said that having known Mark since he was a toddler, he has taken great pride in his achievements.   He said that Mark has risen to the top echelon of the tennis world and sets a wonderful example to all Bahamians. Atlantis will continue to support him in his event which showcases such world class athletes and exposes them to the Bahamas Atlantis experience.   A great side benefit of the Invitational is the amount of money that it continues to raise for childrens’ charities.

Mr. Laurent Colli of Lombard Odier reiterated their appreciation of the event and lent special thanks to the touring professionals who competed in the event and were kind enough to be so gracious to the other competitors.   He said that they made the event the success that it was.

Mr. R.E. Barnes, representing one of the charities – the Sassoon Heart Foundation – expounded that Mark’s donations have contributed to saving several youngsters’ lives and the impact of this cannot be over stated.   He quoted a couple of specific examples which touched the audience and drew tears to the eyes of several people.

 

The Mark Knowles Celebrity Invitational Exhibition at the National Tennis Center officially opened with a Junkanoo performance. Tennis pros from left to right: Anna-Lena Groenefeld, Mark Knowles, Benjamin Becker, Marvin Rolle, Photo: Mark DaCunha

 

The Mark Knowles Celebrity Invitational Exhibition at the National Tennis Center officially opened with a Junkanoo performance. Tennis pros from left to right: Olga Savchuk, Robert Kendrick, Don Johnson, Martin Damm, and Jared Palmer. Photo: Mark DaCunha

RESULTS of the EXHIBITION at National Tennis Centre on 5th of December:

Mark Knowles & Anna-Lena Groenefed beat Martin Damm & Olga Savchuk 5-4

Benjamin Becker beat Robert Kendrick 5-4

Mark Knowles & Martin Damm beat Donald Johnson & Jared Palmer 5-4

Junior from The Bahamas got the opportunity to hit with the pros after the public exhibition at the National Tennis Center for the Mark Knowles Celebrity Tennis Invitational on December 5th. Photo: MarkDaCunha.com

All matches were extremely closely contested as can be evidenced by the scores and provided great excitement with the wide variety of shot-making displayed.

At the closing out the event, some of the top junior players had the opportunity to hit with the Pros and afterward obtained autographs and photos with them.   This proved to be the highlight of the afternoon for the some 50 children involved.