About.... ACE™
The ACE Breast Cancer™ Tennis Tournament  The Ace Breast Cancer™ Tennis Tournament originated as a means to help a team member’s sister with breast cancer in 2003.Tennis, like most team sports, is filled with support and camaraderie. Team members will try to move mountains at the prospect of truly alleviating any pain a team member may endure. It was obvious that we, as teammates, couldn’t help with the physical and emotional heartbreak, but we sure could help in other ways, thus a tournament was born! Under the leadership of Joy Morris, fellow teammates banned together to help raise funds for our adopted team sister, Courtney. Over 20 doubles teams from Charleston area clubs participated in the first annual Ace Breast Cancer™ Tennis Tournament. With such a tremendous outpouring of support, over $8,000 was raised for Courtney and her family to help in their personal struggle. With the first tennis tournament being such a big success, it was obvious to everyone involved that this tournament had the potential to grow into something real, something permanent. So, plans for the 2nd Annual Ace Breast Cancer™ tournament were under way. The Second Annual event was graciously hosted by the I’On Club again, over a blustery November weekend. With team spirit in tact, over 150 tournament players showed up in force for a fabulous weekend of tournament play. With the help of dozens of volunteers, a festive weekend was staged, complete with raffles and a silent auction, despite the inclement weather. The community spirit was alive and well with the 2004 tournament with everything needed for the tournament being donated by area businesses and individuals. All of this generosity made it possible to raise nearly $15,000 in proceeds. 100% of this money was kept locally at the Hollings Cancer Center. The Hollings Cancer Center fosters prevention and healing of cancer through discovery and understanding. Their vision is to offer South Carolina and beyond optimal cancer outcomes through research, prevention and multidisciplinary care. With that being said, it is easy to continue with this partnership. Today, Ace Breast Cancer™ hopes to honor all men and women struggling with this fight in hopes of finding a cure through research. A cure can and must be found! The 4th Annual Ace Breast Cancer™ Tennis Tournament was held October 12-15, 2006, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year, and for many years to come, the Ace Breast Cancer™ tennis tournament will have men and women competing for the ultimate prize, a cure for breast cancer, as well as other cancers. Players from many different states coupled with our local tennis support make the voyage to participate. With the help of the Players, Corporate and Individual Sponsorships, more and more proceeds can be raised to help with research at The Hollings Cancer Center. Through these same sponsors, this tournament is supported in its entirety which provides an exciting time for players, sponsors, and spectators alike. In 2006, the Ace Breast Cancer Tennis Tournament donated over $25,000 to the Hollings Cancer Center for research. The 7th annual Ace Breast Cancer Tennis Tournament will be held on October 9-11 2009. The cost for each player is $45.00 for one event, with an additional $15.00 for a second event. I'ON is the home club for the tournament with Players Club and Snee Farm co-hosting court space. |
