BEST SPORTING EVENT I HAVE EVER BEEN TO

I have been to two Super Bowls, many Stanley cup playoff's, a couple world series games, an NBA championships, and not one was as intimate, well done and enjoyable as the weekend I just had at The Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells California. It was unbelievable. No , it was believable. It just goes to show, when man or woman is led to do something, and follows through, amazing things can happen.

This past weekend, Marty Hennessy, Mrs. Muterspaw, Mrs. Garrett and I took 30 jr. tennis players to see what pro tennis is all about, and what I got was the best sporting event I have ever seen.

This article serves as a vehicle to take you on a ride through my adventure and to let you know it is not too late to carve out your own once in a lifetime experience. If you are led to go down and experience an amazing time, get up close and personal with the pro's and tennis personalities of today, do not hesitate. You will be more then satisfied with the 4-hour trip to what many say is better then the Grand slams. It was so good, Hennessy and I talked about getting a big bus and bringing down 100 players next year.

The Pacific Life Open is a two week tournament beginning March 8th-24th, in Indian Wells, California, at the new Indian Wells tennis center that is the 2nd largest in the world. Tickets are $26.00 and you can stay at hotels ranging from $49.00/night to $750.00/night.

The new Tennis Stadium was done perfectly, with nothing I would change. The promoters and builders of this event and its stadium, Charlie Pasarell, Raymond Moore, and the late Mark McCormack are to be commended. They were led to do something bold, and without hesitation succeeded in creating a tennis center that had the comforts of a country club, the atmosphere of a beautiful park, and the action served up by today's best players in the game; Roddick, Agassi, Clijsters, Henin, Safin, Navratilova and the list goes on.

But more then the tennis was the friendly and accessible environment that the facility and its promoters encourage. World famous players walking right past you, like they would if they came to your park or club, and getting on practice courts, where you can be within arms reach and watch them play. In this photo to the right you see Mirat Safin walking in from his practice match signing autographs for all the kids and taking pictures.

Bud Collins, Henin, Clijsters, Hewitt, Tommy Haas, Taylor Dent, Safin, Navratilova, James Blake, Roddick, Agassi and many others walked by me, willing to stop and talk, take pictures and give young fans autographs.

There was something in the air down there saying welcome, participate and thank you. In John McEnroe's book, "You can't be serious" he said his # 3 recommendation for improving tennis in the 21st century was for "Players to be more accessible to fans and media." The Pacific Life open has created an environment that rises to this challenge and in doing so makes it's events, according to many, better then grand slam events. What other sport has their biggest names walking around the grounds chatting it up with fans, like Bud Collins, Tommy Haas and Bollettieri were doing?

The Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells was not just a tennis tournament, it was an adventure.

For years I got 50 yard line tickets to the Super Bowl. If offered the Super Bowl or the experience I had last week at the Pacific Life Open, It would not even be close, .. Pacific Life Open every time.

I just got off the phone with one of the players that went up with us. She explained how Pacific Life Open was much better then going to Wimbledon years before because "The players were the same, but at this tournament they were right there next to you walking by, talking to you and friendly, at Wimbledon they were surrounded by security." This tournament may be one of the last intimate settings of grand slam level tennis or professional sports for that matter.

Dr Marcia Niska, a member at The Stirling Club at Turnberry Place, and a big tennis fan, told me how she has gone down to this event for the last seven years and "It just gets better and better each year."

The event in 1982 had $200,000.00 in prize money and 3 full time staff members (Charlie Pasarell, Julie Copeland, and Dee Dee Felich) along with 100 volunteers. Now The Pacific Life Open has $5.1 Million in prize money, 20 full time staff members and an army of nearly 900 volunteers. It is the first tournament in the World famous Masters series, and holds it's largest combined purse. But more then all that, you can tell those that run this event do so with a lot of heart, and that is reflected in all the little and big things they do to make it an awesome experience. You can see that over the years they have made it better and better , and have succeeded in continuing with their correct attitude to make it the best tournament experience in the world. As far as I am concerned , they have achieved that. Charlie Pasarell stopped and took a photo with Marty Hennessy and Bud Collins. Hennessy had talked with Pasarell years ago about bringing the tournament to Las Vegas. Hennessy talked to Pasarell about possibly bringing another pro event to this great city. Time will tell. All I could think of when I saw that stadium was how great it would be if they design the Darling Tennis Center with enough room for a future stadium court, and perhaps make Las Vegas the pro tennis Mecca it once was. I know it can be done, it is just a matter of someone making it happen. Las Vegas was voted one of the top 3 tourists destinations in the world, of course fans and players from all over want to come here. Living here you can forget the world wide attention and allure Las Vegas has. This tournament, once called the Alan King, was held at Caesars for years.

It should be noted local Pro David Pate made it to the finals of this tournament in 1985, and it was local Poncho Gonzales who got Andre Agassi one of his first pro tournament Wild cards at this event during the early 80's. Charlie Pasarell told a small intimate crowd that it was here he met Andre and brother Philip, and gave them both enough money to get back to Las Vegas, as they had no money left for their trip home. Years later Agassi has won more matches at Indian Wells than any active men's player.

Click to see more pictures

Now next year you can go down to The Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, next to Palm Springs, and see Agassi continue this streak, in addition to seeing Haas, Roddick, Davenport, Henin, James Blake, and many others compete feet away from where you sit, for $26.00 and some gas.

This year Marty Hennessy continued a long standing tradition of taking the winners of his Stirling Club junior tennis circuit down to a professional tournament. What other tournament does this? For years Hennessy has taken tournament tennis and the programs he runs to the next level. In life you have the choice to do things half way or to play hard, intense and do it 100% with Patience, Honesty and Respect for truth. Hennessy, once the best player in Nevada for over 10 years, has used this same willingness to do his best on the court and applied it to all of his life. This includes being an honest and patient father, teacher, coach, living and eating healthy, doing what ever it takes to rise to the occasion. That has transformed into Hennessy having the undisputed best junior tennis tournament for as long as anyone can remember. And it became obvious this weekend that Andre Agassi in particular has not forgotten the huge impact Hennessy's do it right attitude has had on tennis in Las Vegas and in his life.

I had a press pass and was in the interview room after Andre's match. I handed a note to Andre's assistant, and later when Andre read it, you could see immediately a change from a serious interviewee to someone happy to see a old friend. He said aloud "Where is Marty" His reaction to a piece of paper with Hennessy's name on it told me volumes about the respect Agassi has for Las Vegas's most senior and accomplished pro. I put Agassi on my cell phone with Hennessy who was outside with all the kids we brought down. Agassi said he would come out and see him. Minutes later all the kids were brought to a restricted area where Hennessy and Andre saw one another after a few years absence. Just in the way he was happy to see Hennessy you could see that Andre must have enjoyed his years participating in events and things Hennessy was a part of. Probably like the players this past weekend love being around each other and going on this highly prized tennis road trip. After Agassi asked Hennessy if he still had those "magic hands", Agassi then took a photo with many of the kids we brought up, with most of them wearing the MIKE AGASSI "NO QUIT" T-shirts. These shirts were made to promote the Mike Agassi "NO QUIT" Award that was given to Julia Baltas this year. The award was made possible due to David Chesnoff of Goodman and Chesnoff, and went to the player who never , ever quit, playing all three circuits with the most heart.

The trip happen to fall on Hennessy's birthday as well, and his son Michael Hennessy, came to celebrate the event with his father. Michael, at 25, is pursuing a career in acting in Los Angeles, with some success. Recently he was on the TV show CSI, and continues to follow what he is led to do in his life, which is acting.

The road trip began with a 4 hour ride to Indian Wells, California. During this ride I said to all the players in the van, "Who wants to be the VegasTennis.com junior reporter and write an article about our weekend?" There was silence, then a modest voice came out saying "I will." It was Selina Brown, and immediately I knew she would do a great job.

She did not know when she volunteered she would get a full access press pass and be able to accompany me as "PRESS" almost anywhere we wanted to go in the stadium. This included a press room with her own desk to write at, phone, locker room, and access to a special press and players outdoor cafe. It also included $16.00 worth of free food per day from the players cafe, which had the best salad bar I have seen in a long time, and access to the players lounge where they await their matches. As I got Selina her pass and gave her a tour, and told her what she could do, she was mature and took it all in with grace. Just moments after entering the press room the legendary tennis personality, writer and commentator, Bud Collins walked up in his trade mark classic attire and was beyond delightful to Selina. He saw her as a young aspiring tennis player and writer. Selina is not only a decent player, who was once in Andre Agassi's Boys and Girls Club Program, but excels at school and enjoys the challenge of putting into words what she has experienced in life. But her two day experience as a junior tennis correspondent may be too good to describe. For this you will need photos and even then it may not do it justice. Everywhere Selina went there was another pro taking a photo and talking with her. Where was Selina now? First Bud Collins spoke with her for more then 5 minutes and was thoroughly sincere when he told her he would help her any way she needed to write her article. Then she met Navratilova, who took a picture with Selina and told me to call her Selina not "She." Moments later Leyton Hewitt, James Blake, Tommy Haas, they kept coming around and Selina had a few words, took a photo, and it was fun.

Proving she earned the right to be the junior reporter, when all the other kids were having fun at the hotel, Selina was in her room writing to meet her deadline.

Then we ran into Sean Monk and his whole family, who's good friend plays pro tennis. Ben Coates was also down to see some friends in this event. Stephane Mathue Cambas, who played pro for over ten years was catching up with old friends , sitting in the cafe most of the weekend. Then Dan Maccanello, Ben Coates and many other Vegas faces started appearing in the players lounge, cafe and other full access areas. Each had a special relationship with a pro or coach, and in turn was able to experience the Pacific Life Open from the inside.

From around the corner came one of Las Vegas's biggest tennis fans, Alex Zara. Zara, is one of the most committed players, always looking for a game and up to talking about matches for hours. This was his heaven. His mom Liz and sister Erica came down for the whole weekend, as did Cristala Andrews, Shauna and Kelly Morgan, and Estefania Serrano. All of Canyon Gate junior tennis was present, including teaching pro Nenad, who had many friends in this event. This event allowed Alex to walk around those whom he one day wants to know, play and even beat. He was so interested in where he was, I could tell he was just soaking it all in. I don't know what player or coach got him a pass, but I could think of no other player that would enjoy the access more then Zara. Always the statesman , he handles it with class and did not ask any of the pro's his always curious questions, yet he did enjoy the opportunity to take a photo with one of the worlds most famous instructors Nick Bollettieri, and one of Germany's best players Tommy Haas.

But you do not need a pass to have access to most if not all the pros that are at this weeks event, and that is what makes it so amazing. The players, coaches and personalities walk to and from their courts, stretch on the grassy knoll and play on courts right in front of you. The whole group was waiting to leave when Meghann Shaughnessy was jogging around the grass to warm up. When she was done, she came over and took a group shot with us. Just hours earlier, on the same grassy landscape, Martina Navratilova was stretching out. The players are so close and accessible that you could walk by 5 or 6 without even knowing it.

Meghann Shaughnessy was gracious about taking photos and had a great attitude. The best however was Tommy Haas. So often he stopped and was patient with what could be deemed an overwhelming demand for his time and attention. I also noticed how many laps Meghann Shaunessy had run around the grassy field before taking a photo with the group. For a pre match warm up she ran more then most if not all junior players here in Vegas run in a week.

As Friderick Prandecki and Gustavo Garbim were walking with me, the two top ranked juniors had a chance to take a photo with Maria Sharapova.

Soon I ran into Erica Zara, who got the chance to get a photo with James Blake and watch the matches courtside with Selina. Blake was another pro that showed tremendous class when dealing with the young players that look to him as an example. He explained to Prandecki that eating healthy is a given to compete on that level. In Stadium box seats courtside I ran into Cameron and Brandon Parker, who were with their family.

Jessica Carter's mom and dad, along with their grandchildren Mitchell and Gabrielle Smith, were also courtside. Mitchell as usual was working it, getting signatures from the pro's in between matches, while the Carters enjoyed their incredible seats.

Another big Las Vegas tennis fan is adult player David Kartzinel. He and his wife and new born child came to see the action. David is a big supporter of UNLV tennis and is like many who take this trip each year, loves to watch high level tennis. Here he took a photo with Stephane Mathue-Cambas, who is the girls UNLV assistant coach. Stephane played pro for over 10 years and went to Indian Wells to spend time with many old friends still on the tour.

Meanwhile Selina Brown and Erika Zara had a chance to get a photo with a very happy Kim Clijsters. Somehow later that day it was reported that she had to pull out of the event due to an injury.

Walking a little further Mardy Fish and his coach were hitting balls. Here Erica and Selina once again found themselves surrounded by another pro for another photo. Mardy Fish is one of the United States future stars, along with James Blake, and Andy Roddick.

Meanwhile, I got down to center court to watch Agassi win easily. In the press room afterwards I asked Agassi if his on court success is equally as fulfilling as the accomplishments off the court with the Boys and Girls Club and his school. He became more alive when he discussed what the school and tennis team has accomplished, "It is great to see kids who never touched a racket, three years later be the top in their section." Let it be known, many in that program are top in the nation, like Asia Muhammad, who was 5th in the nation in the 12's and just aging up is already 16th in the nation in the 14's.

While court side access was great, the best part of The Pacific Life tournament was beyond the action on center court. That is the least of the fun. There is a whole tennis bonanza happening off the court, either in the spacious tennis garden, where booths are set up to offer samples and demo equipment or clock the speed of your serve, or a question and answer session with the tournaments founder and owner Charlie Pasarell and Bud Collins, the world famous commentator and writer.

I was so impressed on Sunday with Bud Collins. Here he was after his question and answer session, talking with anyone who would approach, not casually but with vigor. Then after seeing me he stopped and said "Hey Ryan how is Selina doing." I knew exactly why this guy has done as well as he has. Truly genuine. During the question and answer session with Bud Collins and Charlie Pasarell, Alexis Garrett and her mom got a chance to ask a question. It was just amazing the type of access you had.

Alexis Garrett's adventures were just beginning. I had called her and many other kids to come over and take the photo with Andre.

Alexis and a few others did not make it in time, but just as she missed that opportunity, Jan-Micheal Gambill came over and was happy to take a photo with Alexis.

Then there was the FILA STORE, with more tennis apparel and things to buy then you could imagine. Mercedes Benz, The Masters Series Sponsor has their tent, which was where the Saturday fashion show took place with today's top tennis stars modeling designer dresses and suits and tennis apparel. Not to mention the numerous side courts that had big matches on them with fans able to be as close to the action as if it were being played on center court at your own club. These smaller stadium courts held many intriguing doubles matches, singles matches and practice sessions.

In short, it is way more then a tennis match on center court.

I ran into another Ryan I had met at the USTA OPEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS in Las Vegas a few years ago. His team won that year. He was at Pacific Life with a group of kids he trains in California. I talked with him about bringing his players to Vegas to play Las Vegas players. This is the perfect type of event to bring your family, tennis program or club members. Open and inviting, everyone had a great time.

To make it even better, Hennessy had arranged with Harry Fritz and Gordon at Palm Valley Country Club, to play matches between California players and Las Vegas players. Palm Valley Country Club was as nice if not nicer then any Las Vegas tennis club. With 20 courts it was great for over 45+ kids to go and play singles and doubles after a day of watching the pro's. This was one of the highlights of the trip. The pro at Palm Valley, with a few days notice, made it happen, and as life would have it, Gordon at Palm Valley has the same can do, great attitude as a Hennessy or anyone who loves what they are doing. He went on to explain how his tournament is run, complete with a raffle, party for the players, and many of the bells and whistles that Hennessy and I have incorporated into his annual event. It just goes to show that when someone looks to achieve greatness, without even knowing one another, they both came up with the same results, a great tournament. I spoke with him about bringing his kids to Las Vegas to play Las Vegas tournaments and vice versa.

A.J. Bartlett and Krista Damico, both top Intermountain players, were at the event as well. A.J., who trains in Palm Springs, was given the opportunity to warm up some of the players. Spencer Smith and his mom were also there. I noticed them courtside taking photos of Andy Roddick as he walked onto center court.

Then as I heard someone calling my name I looked up a few rows and there was Andy Shankman, a member at The Stirling Club and a big tennis fan. Just overlooking center court he had great seats. But not as good as Mrs. Muterspaw, who found her self in the comforts of a shaded super box, complete with an outside terrace, connected to a living room, fully catered by the Country Club her niece was associated with. Mrs. Muterspaw has been a part of Marty Hennessy's annual trip for many years now. At one time Marty coached her son's, both of which were excellent tennis players in the Intermountain. Both boys passed away at a young age, and Andre Agassi and Perry Rogers, friends of the family, created the Muterspaw National tournament, in memory of the boys. That tournament is coming up soon.

One local pro, Sam Aparicio, was at The Pacific Life coaching a top 20 player Vince Spadea. Click here to see Vince Spadea's web site. Sam has a long history of coaching players on the tour and has shared that expertise with some local standouts. One student, Cameron Parker, won state this year and is a top ranked junior Sectionally and Nationally. Cameron's grades and all around performance in high school got him a coveted early admission into Harvard University. Cameron and his family were down there to enjoy the tennis.

On Sunday, Sheryl Bon won the best journal award, for having documented the trip, her experience and insights into what she had seen. The press conference with Andy Roddick told me one thing, this guy is very good. He is going to be a big presence in tennis. Just the way he handles himself, he could be as big as anything that has ever hit tennis. The way he interacted with the press and fans was interesting to see. After the press conference Roddick asked me a couple questions about Andre Agassi's tennis program for youth. I told him about it's tremendous impact on Las Vegas and he said he was looking to repeat that same model within his own foundation. I predict that Roddick will be bigger then life in tennis. He took a stand in the interview, calling on the Williams sisters to step back into the game and inject more life into the woman's tour.

Whether it is high level pro's like Andy Roddick, or local grass roots pro's like Marty Hennessy, when ever you see someone giving it 100%, doing what they know to be right in their life, it is an incredible sight to see. The last two years Marty Hennessy's tournaments have become the largest jr tournament in Utah and Nevada history. More then Silver trophies, Mike Agassi handing out trophies and taking pictures, free food and drinks, the hooded sweat shirts, is the attitude in which it was done.

The best matches on and off the court are those who's participants "never ever quit." That is why the MIKE AGASSI "NO QUIT" award was given the most significant status this year during Hennessy's circuits. Because long after tennis matches are over, all through life you will be faced with the choice to QUIT or NO QUIT. The choice will be yours. The ramifications of a NO QUIT attitude is a self satisfaction that stays with you long after you lose that blistering serve or scorching forehand. It is much deeper then that.

This weekend was a tribute to those players on the grass roots level, that dug in and never quit during all three of Hennessy's junior Circuit tournaments. You earned this perfect weekend.

Thank You to Fran Weaver at The Pacific Life Open for making it possible to bring the Winners of Marty Hennessy's junior tennis circuit to The Pacific Life Open this year.

Below is the article written by VegasTennis.com's junior reporter Selina Brown.

	Pacific Life Open A junior tennis players experience A special article from VegasTennis.com Junior Reporter Selina Brown
Selina Brown and Tommy Haas

On the weekend of March 12-14, 30+ junior players were honored with the chance of attending the Pacific Life Open 2004 along with Ryan Wolfington, Marty Hennesy, and several other adults. The junior players that attended included: Spencer Aguiar, Alicia Cook, James Edwards, Taras Motsny, Andrew Craven, Frederic Prandecki, Gustavo Garbim, Trent Alenik, Brittany Hanna, Aashish Daulat, Max Chesnoff, Jasmine Muhammad, Sheryl Bon, Amelia Martinez, Patrick Kawka, Kamran Linden, Melissa Cowless, Alexis Garrett, Ishmael Gibson, Ramon Montez, Blake Lamberth, Ravi Khilnani, Sarah Toti, Alex Zara, Erica Zara, Cristala Andrews, Shauna Morgan, Tiffany Tavarez, Ozzie Tavarez, and Selina Brown. For many of these people this was a once in a lifetime experience and everyone enjoyed the trip.

The trip to Indian Wells, California consisted of a variety of activities. On March 13th and 14th everyone visited the Pacific Life Open. Even with the scorching 90-degree weather, many people stayed at the tournament for several hours and enjoyed every minute of it. A few of our junior players were even honored to meet several professional players and even take pictures with them. The 30+ junior players that went on the trip not only attended the Pacific Life Open but were able to play a mini tournament while they were there. Ryan Wolfington and Marty Hennesy set the Las Vegas tennis players up to play against junior players from California at Palm Valley Country Club. All of the players played their hardest and had so much fun. Many of the Las Vegas players came out with a victory.

Selina Brown and Taylor Dent

Everyone enjoyed their time in Indian Wells and they all had positive things to say about it. Spencer Aguiar, said, "I liked watching my favorite player Fernando Gonzalez the most." Gonzalez inspired Spencer so much that for the rest of the trip he was seen imitating Gonzalez's shots. Alexis Garrett said, "I got about 20 autograph's." Alex Zara said, " I enjoyed everything about being there." Alex was fortunate enough to stay at the Hyatt hotel where many of the pros like Kim Clijsters and Mardy Fish were staying as well. He was also able to get a picture with Albert Costa who was the winner of the French Open in 2002, Tommy Haas and Nick Bollettieri. I was also given a press pass that allowed me to meet and talk with many players for this article. I took pictures with Mardy Fish, Lleyton Hewitt, Maria Sharapova, Taylor Dent, Nick Bollettieri, Tommy Haas, James Blake, and many more as well.

From another aspect, Frederic Prandecki and Gustavo Garbim said, "We enjoyed just taking naps in the grass. At the end of the day on March 13th all of the Las Vegas people who attended were able to take a picture with Andre Agassi after his 30th career win at Pacific Life. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves throughout the entire weekend!

By: Selina Brown

Leyton Hewitt and Selina Brown