Marty Hennessy

Marty Hennessy

jr. Tennis Foundation

Party and Tournament

Hosted by Marc Kreisberger

... How it all began

VegasTennis.com's Marty Hennessy jr. Tennis Foundation was developed to help kids with "The talent and drive but not the finances." Bringing tennis alive in the valley, one match at a time, has been the mission statement at VegasTennis.com from the beginning. To this end, I was happy to have met Marty Hennessy , who had the same passion for principle and doing things the right way. In the last number of years Hennessy and VegasTennis.com have partnered up to bring tennis tournaments, camps, and this jr. tennis scholarship. What I liked about Hennessy was he always looked at how to make everything better, and he was willing to do the work to make it happen.

After 30+ years at the Desert Inn and now The Stirling Club at Turnberry Place, Hennessy has the same love for life that he had at 23 when he was given the unique opportunity to run the Desert Inn. It is this willingness to give a 100% at all times which has endeared him to generations of kids that have gone through his camps, tournaments and programs. Now those kids are adults, many still playing and bringing there own children, even grandchildren to hit with Hennessy or play in his events.

Over the years Hennessy has always been sensitive, as have I, to the players with parents that work hard, make a living, pay the bills, yet struggle to afford tennis for their child that has become an excellent player.

There are programs for underprivileged who really need assistance, and the very affluent are covered, but those in the middle are stuck. You see them not entering tournaments because of the tournament fee, missing national competitions they qualified for because the travel was out of reach. These are the kids VegasTennis.com's Marty Hennessy jr. tennis foundation is going to help; Those that help themselves and need additional assistance. Part of the program will also allow recipients to work for their scholarships, which instills an appreciation and self confidence that comes from earning your own way.

Hennessy for years has been helping these families quietly, but there is only so much one person can do. At VegasTennis.com, running these tournaments and being involved with the families, I see it all the time where a scholarship is needed. I too have accommodated these players by not charging them for my event, but I cannot do that with other events that are not mine or for other expenses like travel and competitions in the summer.

Tennis is a profound way to spend productive time in contrast to the many less then preferable activities available to kids these days. On the weekends they are competing, and during the week training. It instills principles such as "NO QUIT," honesty, Patience, respect for the truth, how to deal with pressure calmly, how to deal with other people as opponents and teammates. How to deal with the inner pressures within oneself in a variety of situations. It is an excellent vehicle for parents to illustrate life's lessons in real time. And this foundation is here to facilitate that.

In addition to scholarships, VegasTennis.com's Marty Hennessy jr. Tennis Foundation is here to take tennis to a whole new level. This is something Hennessy has done for decades, with the best events, trophies, and experiences. VegasTennis.com is here to assist him to bring that tradition and promotion of the game into the next decade. Promoting the game of tennis, healthy living and friendly competition comes natural when you love what you are doing. This partnership with Hennessy and VegasTennis.com has been so successful due to that significant similarity in attitude.

VegasTennis.com and Hennessy will continue to work with all the tennis Clubs and professionals in town to Bring Tennis Alive in the Valley, One Match at a time. This foundation is here to promote the game of tennis and the respective organizations, so they can do what they do best, which is teach tennis and run tennis programs. With more promotion, involvement, and better tennis events, everyone benefits. There is a need in this community to promote and take Las Vegas Tennis to the next level, and VegasTennis.com's Marty Hennessy jr. Tennis Foundation is going to fulfill it.

Grand slam winner $25,000	NCAA Champion $2,500
Masters Series winner $15,000	Amstel Light Champion $1,500
Circuit Champion $10,000	Nevada Champion $500
Futures winner $5,000	Las Vegas Champion $200