Cliff Drysdale Tennis at In-Shape Fairfield Rancho Solano is pleased to announce that Francis Ford Coppola Winery will be the presenting sponsor of the Fairfield Men’s $50,000 Professional Tournament from October 12th-18th of this year. The tournament, which is a USTA Pro Circuit and ATP Challenger event, will be a part of three men’s USTA Challenger events that will swing through northern California, with proceeds to benefit the Chris Cammisa Tennis and Education Foundation (CCTEF).
“We are thrilled to have the support of Francis Ford Coppola Winery behind this fantastic event and the CCTEF,” stated Scott McCulloch, Tournament Director. “The Coppola brand has a foundation rooted in family, fun, great experiences and celebrations, and the synergies with our tournament, the CCTEF and the overall mission of In-Shape Health Clubs and Cliff Drysdale Tennis are innumerable. We look forward to a successful event partnership and showcasing the Francis Ford Coppola Winery to our players, spectators, members and tennis audiences world-wide.”
In addition to daily tennis matches during the tournament week, attendees will have the opportunity to partake in events for the whole family, ranging from themed tennis clinics and Kids Carnivals, a ladies luncheon and wine tasting, to exclusive VIP hospitality parties.
Jay Shoemaker, Francis Ford Coppola Winery CEO, has been a long time supporter and participant in the USTA tennis activities at the In-Shape Fairfield Rancho Solano Club. “The winery has been informally donating to USTA events for years. This year, we’re proud to come on board as the presenting sponsor and help raise awareness for such a devoted organization as the CCTEF,” said Shoemaker.
Located at 3250 Rancho Solano Parkway, In-Shape: Fairfield Rancho Solano is a multi-recreational, family athletic facility offering health, fitness, sports, recreation and social programs for people of all ages and interests. The tennis facility features 11 lighted tennis courts, and the Cliff Drysdale Tennis-managed program offers instruction, leagues and events for players of all ages and abilities.
For more information please visit the tournament website at www.fairfieldchallenger.com
About the USTA Pro Circuit
With approximately 90 tournaments hosted annually throughout the country and prize money ranging $10,000 to $100,000 the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. The USTA launched it’s Pro Circuit 33 years ago to provide players the opportunity to gain professional ranking points, and it has since grown to become the largest developmental tennis circuit in the world, offering nearly $3 million in prize money. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 countries competed in cities nationwide. Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Caroline Wozniacki, James Blake, Li Na, Andy Murray and Mardy Fish are among today’s top stars who began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit.
About The Chris Cammisa Tennis and Education Foundation
In 2014, Tournament Chairman Phil Cello founded the Solano Tennis and Education Foundation. The non-profit Foundation operates on the campus of the Solano Community College (“SCC”) with the purpose of providing programs and facilities to further the academic and athletic opportunities for SCC students, along with young athletes from Solano County, by providing low or no cost tennis training and educational development services. The foundation’s name was changed to theChris Cammisa Tennis and Education Foundation (CCTEF) in memory of Dr. Chris Cammisa, a beloved Solano County doctor, Tennis Player and member of In Shape – Rancho Solano who passed away in June of 2014.
The CCTEF will use the Men’s $50,000 Challenger as an annual fundraiser to support it programs. The Foundation’s first goal of creating a men’s and women’s intercollegiate team has already been accomplished with the addition of the men’s team in the Fall of 2015 and the women’s team scheduled to begin in the fall of 2016.
About Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Francis puts it best, saying the winery is “a wine wonderland, a park of pleasure where people of all ages can enjoy all the best things in life: food, wine, music, dancing, games, swimming and performances of all types. A place to celebrate the love of life.” Francis Ford Coppola Winery is located at 300 Via Archimedes in Geyserville, California, accessed from US HWY 101 and the Independence Lane exit. Among the many unique attractions at the property, Francis Ford Coppola Winery features a wine tasting bar, two restaurants, swimming pools, a movie gallery, a performing arts pavilion and a park area with game tables and bocce courts. Francis Ford Coppola Winery opens at 11 a.m. daily. For more information, call (707) 857-1400 or visit www.FrancisFordCoppolaWinery.com.
About In-Shape Health Clubs
In-Shape Health Clubs is based in Stockton, CA, and is ranked one of the top 10 health club companies in the United States. Founded in 1981 with one club and a vision for helping people stay healthy and have fun, the company is expanding to provide state-of-the-art facilities to members throughout the state. In-Shape currently owns and operates 70 locations in California.
About Cliff Drysdale Tennis
Founded in 2001 by International Tennis Hall of Fame member Cliff Drysdale and partner Don Henderson, specializes in daily tennis operations and management for resorts, hotels and private tennis clubs; sports design and construction consultation for companies interested in building world-class tennis facilities; tennis educational programs, summer camps, clinics and retreats; and resort, hotel corporate outing planning and leisure operations. CDT is dedicated to growing the game of tennis and strives to develop, promote and teach new programs that bring more tennis to more people. As the sport continues to grow, as does the CDT commitment to hire, educate and advance talented tennis professionals that provide service excellence both on and off the court. Cliff Drysdale Tennis’ managed property portfolio currently boasts 29 tennis facilities nationwide, including multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal ranked tennis resorts on Tennis Resorts Online’s Top 100 list.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Kimberly Arena, Tournament Press Relations
Office: (830) 625-5911 ext 201 or email k.arena@cliffdrysdale.com