Troon Country Club Host Special Olympics Event
Mark Pachtner, director of racquet sports at Troon Country Club was recognized by the USPTA SW with the Lessons for Life Award several years ago. Prior to his tenure at Troon Country Club, Pachtner had developed Fun Day events (since 2000) with the local chapters of the Special Olympics in Georgia, Florida and California. Tennis Fun Day is also a well-established fundraiser for the Special Olympics Arizona, raising close to $26K+ annually.
Since 2011, Pachtner has coordinated and hosted Tennis Fun Days in January with Special Olympics Arizona at Troon Country Club. Since the event’s inception, more than $220,000 has been raised for Special Olympics Arizona with 1125 athletes and 2,500 volunteers participating. During the free Tennis Fun Day of clinics and exhibitions, volunteers from all over Arizona cover the basics of the sport of tennis and teach certain tennis skills to the Special Olympians. Each athlete receives a commemorative Fun Day T-shirt, free Head tennis racquet and a gold medal for participation during a post-event awards luncheon.
“The Valley of the Sun has clearly embraced this wonderful event, especially the members at Troon Country Club,” said Pachtner. “The pure love and joy on the faces of each of our Special Olympians as they hit the tennis ball brings not only a tear to my eye, but ringing joy in my heart along with the hearts of all of our marvelous volunteers who are the real facilitators of Tennis Fun Day.”
Mark and his team at Troon Country Club embody the meaning of Philanthropy with their outreach to the community in creating an environment open to everyone of all abilities. The 2024 event will be held on January 20th from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Head will be donating 60 racquets to the athletes this year! For more information about the event, to volunteer or donate, please reach out to Mark at MPACHTNER@TROONCC.COM
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