More than 80 hearty golfers teed up for the 2022 Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Charity Golf Fundraiser at the Windsor Club recently, despite chilly conditions as wind whipped across the golf course.
In town for the weekend, Fish, former top 10 tennis star, 2004 Olympic silver medalist, and current U.S. Davis Cup captain, chatted with the participants once each foursome reached the green at the 17th hole.
The teams were peppered with a veritable who’s-who in the sports arena, including such notables as Ivan Lendl, Tim Wakefield, Mikael Pernfors, Paul McGinley, Richey Reneberg and Thomas Blake.
With several lifetime’s worth of professional athleticism among the competitors, although not as golf professionals, in the end it was counted as a big win for Low Gross winners Steve Owen, Matt Avril, Bobby Bird and Jerry Shulock, and Low Net winners Meg Brossy, Melissa Stahel, Marcy Wilson and Jeremy Nevius.
Fish fans had actually been treated to a double dose of Vero’s own tennis star, who played in a Celebrity Exhibition Match at Windsor the Saturday before the golf tournament.
The professional doubles team of Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan bested Fish and Thomas Blake, but the brothers eased the sting of Fish’s loss by announcing that they would match his $10,000 donation to the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation. Additionally, Windsor donated a portion of the proceeds from the event registration fees.
“Every single entry into this event really makes a significant impact on youth in Indian River County,” said Randy Walker, tennis tournament director.
The tennis and golf events were winning days for more than just the players and spectators.
Funds raised support the MFCF’s mission to provide “underserved children with the opportunity to participate in safe and impactful fitness, nutritional and enrichment programs empowering them to live healthy and productive lives.”
“This is one of our biggest turnouts,” said Fish of the golf tournament. “This community has given us so much.”
“Your commitment helps us in great ways,” said Lynn Southerly, MFCF executive director during the golf tournament’s award ceremony luncheon.
“We assisted over 1,900 children last year to make sure that they had an afterschool activity with healthy snacks and learned Mardy’s Healthy Habits. Without your money, we would not be able to do that.”
Founded in 2007, the nonprofit provides funding for afterschool fitness, nutritional and enrichment programs at local schools and afterschool organizations.
“We’re trying to help as many kids as we can and make the funds go as far as possible.
Whether we do it on our own or partner with others,” said Fish.
“We are not just tennis anymore,” added Southerly. “We started this foundation teaching kids tennis afterschool and in the summer. Now, we realize not everybody likes tennis, so we support any healthy activity. We are now making sure that children can play golf, ride horses, learn how to swim, garden, play basketball and do cheerleading. We support tons of activities to make sure kids are staying healthy and being active.”
The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships, an entry-level U.S. Tennis Association Pro Circuit tournament, will be played at the Boulevard Tennis Club from April 25 to May 1.
For more information, visit mardyfishchildrensfoundation.org.
Photos by Kaila Jones
