Download PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Florence Open Pro

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Florence Open Pro Tennis Tournament Has a New Name and a
New Mission
Florence (August 26, 2014). Florence’s only professional tennis tournament, now in its third
year, has a new title sponsor, McLeod Health, and a new name—the McLeod for Health Florence
Open. The event is set for October 11-19 at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Tennis Center.
Earlier it was announced that the tournament had formed an alliance with Susan G. Komen
Lowcountry to help support the fight against breast cancer in the Pee Dee Region. McLeod
Health spokesperson Jumana Swindler noted that the partnership between McLeod, the
Florence Open, and Komen is a perfect arrangement. “McLeod Health is deeply committed to
the early identification and treatment of cancer in all its forms, and Komen Lowcountry provides
very generous grant funding to help us with breast cancer awareness. Our support for this
event will also help us stress the important health benefits that come from regular physical
activity. We see this as another opportunity to contribute directly to the health of the people
we serve.”
The week-long McLeod for Health Florence Open will draw some of the best young professional
players from around the world to compete for $25,000 in prize money and higher rankings. Net
profits from the event will go to Komen Lowcountry, which serves a 17 county region that
includes Florence and the rest of the Pee Dee counties. For several years, Komen Lowcountry
has provided major grants to McLeod Regional Health Center to support mammograms, followup diagnostic procedures, patient navigation services, and survivor support services, including
transportation and child care.
With approximately 70 tournaments held annually throughout the country, the US Tennis
Association 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 largest
developmental tennis circuit in the world, it draws more than 1,000 men and women each year
from more than 70 countries to compete in cities nationwide. Established pros like Maria
Sharapova and Carolyne Wozniacki began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit, and so did some
of the sport’s top new players like Americans Sloane Stephens and Christina McHale. Florence
Open alum Taylor Townsend, who was the first American to hold the junior girls world number 1
spot since 1982 recently made it the third round of the French Open, but lost this week at the
US Open when she drew number I seed Serena Williams in the first round. Florence, one of the
smallest cities on the circuit, was selected to host an event because of its world-class courts, its
strong volunteer base, and the generosity of its sponsors. This nine day tournament puts us on
the world tennis map and generates significant tourism revenues for our community.
The Florence Open will feature two days qualifying rounds, a 32 player main draw, and a pro-am
event. The week’s events will be organized and managed by a Tournament Steering Committee
that includes City Parks and Recreation Department Director Darlene Buchanan, City Tennis
Director Rob Hill, and a number of Florence Tennis Association volunteers. FTA President Ernie
James said that the FTA already has volunteer committees working on marketing, fund raising,
identifying host families and other volunteers, and developing community activities and social
events to add more spice to the tournament week. According to Hill, who will serve as
Tournament Director, “the goals are to bring world class tennis to Florence, to create a genuine
community event that emphasizes health, fitness, and breast cancer awareness, and to raise
funds that will enable us to make a significant donation to an excellent cause. This will be great
tennis for a great cause.”
One highlight will be Community Day on October 11, which will feature a 5K Walk/Run to honor
cancer survivors, exercises and introductory tennis lessons for adults and children, a wheelchair
tennis demonstration, music and refreshments. There will also be opening and closing
ceremonies, a pro-am tournament, and many other activities. Admission will be free, but
attendees will be offered the opportunity to donate on site to help support Komen Lowcountry.
Attachment: Photographs from 2013 Florence Open (Release authorized by USTA Pro Circuit)
For More Information Contact:
Darlene Buchanan, City of Florence Director of Parks and Recreation, 843-665-3106,
[email protected]
Rob Hill, City of Florence Director of Tennis, [email protected]
Ernie James, President, FTA, [email protected]
Paul Pittman, Marketing and PR Committee Chair, 843-667-9804, [email protected]
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