Hospital And Military Supported by US Men’s Clay Court Championship Program
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HOUSTON – The 2013 US Men’s Clay Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club will once again operate the Ticket Turnback program, with proceeds now benefiting Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital Pediatric Trauma Services. In addition, the tournament is supporting an Adopt-A-Unit campaign to send care packages to a military unit based in Afghanistan.
In its fourth year, the Ticket Turnback program allows patrons holding tickets to sessions they cannot attend to return those tickets to the box office. Those tickets are then resold at face value with the entire purchase price being donated to Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital Pediatric Trauma Services.
Over $45,000 has been raised in the first three years of the Ticket Turnback program at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship.
The Trauma and Emergency Center at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center is equipped to meet the needs of patients with conditions ranging from
minor injuries and illnesses to major trauma. As the first in the region to have a Level I pediatric trauma center to care for children in the Texas Gulf Coast region, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital provides 24-hour care to over 18,000 children in emergency situations each year.
For the second year in a row, the tournament is hosting an Adopt-A-Unit effort. This year, items are being collected to go to the 508th Military Police Combat Support Company based outside Kabul, Afghanistan.
Letters of support are among the items suggested for donation to the troops. In addition, specific needs include beef jerky, sunflower seeds, nuts, protein bars, granola bars, powdered drink mixes, tuna in foil bags, personal or baby wipes, hand warmers, hot chocolate, hand sanitizer and lip balm. Cash donations will also be accepted to be used to purchase such items for shipment or money can be designated to be used for postage by the troops.
Fans are encouraged to bring these items to the USTA booth at River Oaks during the tournament. In addition to these donations, the USTA will provide portable tennis equipment to send to the troops. All the donated items will be packaged and shipped to the 508th Military Police Combat Support Company following the conclusion of the tournament.
This military outreach will be celebrated during the second annual Armed Forces Appreciation Night on Wednesday, April 10. In addition to honoring service members during the night session, a military color guard will present the colors and Wounded Warriors will participate in a tennis exhibition on stadium court.
The US Men’s Clay Court Championship will be held April 8-14 at River Oaks Country Club. The top four seeds, who will all have first round byes, are projected to be World No. 12 Nicolas Almagro, No. 14 and defending champion Juan Monaco, No. 18 Tommy Haas and No. 20 and the top-ranked American Sam Querrey. Other players in the main draw who will play Monday or Tuesday include two-time Grand Slam champion from Australia Lleyton Hewitt, Spain’s Fernando Verdasco, France’s Gael Monfils, and Americans John Isner, James Blake, Ryan Harrison and Houston resident Michael Russell.
In addition to these singles players, four-time doubles champions the Bryan Brothers will return to River Oaks. The twin brothers Bob and Mike are the World No. 1 doubles team. They own the record for Grand Slam titles with 13 together as well as total career titles together with 86.
Information on these special events and tickets can be found at www.mensclaycourt.com or by calling 713-874-6294. Several sessions are very close to selling out, however the Ticket Turnback program should make additional tickets available.
