Sally Fish and Mardy Fish PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

Golfers took a big swing for local children during the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation’s annual Golf Tournament at Windsor.

Blending sportsmanship and charity, golfers and philanthropists played through a blustery morning of rain and wind to support the nonprofit’s commitment to positively impact children’s lives through sports and education. Founded in 2007 by Mardy Fish, the foundation supports children’s organizations and initiatives that provide opportunities for youngsters to thrive.

On the 17th hole, Fish played through with each foursome, giving everyone a chance to chat with the former top-10 player, Olympic silver medalist and U.S. Davis Cup Captain.

Afterward, everyone enjoyed a luncheon and awards ceremony on the patio of the Windsor clubhouse, and had a ‘Super Ticket’ chance at winning various prizes, with a roll of the dice to make things more interesting.

“A lot of you might still think that we just do tennis, but we are supporting thousands of children a year, and we are way more than tennis,” said Lynn Southerly, MFCF executive director.

“We are supporting programs that teach golf, swimming, tennis, gardening, basketball, horseback riding – any activity after school or in the summer that keeps a child healthy, safe and making friends.”

Last year, she said, they reached 3,200 children through programs offered in 13 elementary schools, six middle schools, one high school, and three afterschool centers. All encourage the healthy and productive lifestyles promoted by Mardy’s Six Healthy Habits: Get Sleep; Drink Water; Exercise Daily, Eat Healthy; Make Friends; Brush and Floss.

“We’re really happy to be partnering with Mardy Fish, who also values healthy lifestyles, healthy habits, and giving these kids other skills to take into their adulthood,” said Ahnna Hindi, director of the Sherwood Farms Equine Program, noting that for many youngsters it is their first experience with horses.

“We’ve seen great changes in these kids. Usually, when they come out, they’re very anxious because the horses are very large, and they’ve not dealt with them. For them to take a step back, assess the situation, and then clearly communicate with the horses and get the results that they want is just amazing to watch. They go through this process and really learn about themselves and their own emotional intelligence in addition to the healthy habits,” Hindi added.

Likewise, said Joseph Van Deinse, co-owner of the Vero Beach Tennis Club at Timber Ridge, many of the children throughout their seven-year partnership with MFCF would not otherwise have had an opportunity to play tennis.

When the kids start, “they’re a little raw,” he said, adding that as they progress, their tennis improves, as does their dress and adherence to court etiquette.

“It really lifts up the kids who are underserved. They aspire to get to the next level. They want to exercise more, eat healthier, and build better habits. The kids don’t just become better players; they become better citizens,” said Van Deinse.

The day before the golf tournament, a special court dedication ceremony and celebration of Fish’s induction into the USTA Florida Hall of Fame was held at newly christened Mardy Fish Courts at Riverside Racquet Complex. It is where Fish learned to play tennis with his father, Tom Fish, Windsor tennis director and a driving force behind the foundation’s formation and success.

The MFCF USTA Pro Circuit Tennis Tournament will take place April 22-28 at the Vero Beach Tennis & Fitness Club at Timber Ridge. For more information, visit MardyFishChildrensFoundation.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis