The seventeenth annual USCTA Dinner and Auction was held on the Friday of the Whitney Cup weekend in New York. A packed house gathered for an evening of conversation and awards, capped off by a live auction to benefit the Charleston Court project. A silent auction was held during the cocktail hour.
USCTA President – Jeremy Wintersteen – presented the 2014 USCTA Awards during the dinner. Ranging from sportsmanship to literary achievement, the awards are the highest honor the Association presents on an annual basis. This year’s award winners are listed below.
George Plimpton Award (for Literary and Artistic Achievement) – James Bruce
Most Improved Player – Tom McGinnis
Most Improved Junior Player – Noah Motz
Boenning Award (for sportsmanship) – Steve Hufford
Hughes-Slater Cup (for outstanding service to the USCTA) – Greg Van Schaack
Goodyear Award (for exemplary hospitality) – Ally Bulley
Professional of the Year – Tony Hollins
Following the awards, Brook Hazelton opened up the live auction. The auction proceeds were for the benefit of the Charleston Court project. The bidding got off to a frenzied start as the first item was a set of tennis balls in a display case. The balls were machine –embroidered with the logo from each of the active courts around the world. Adrian Camacho of Prince’s Court designed the set, which was by far the highest auction item of the evening. Bidding continued on items ranging from golf to racing to lodging around the world. After the bidding was completed, the proceeds were tallied and a new USCTA Auction record was set as over $100,000 was raised!
The evening was a complete success – thanks to the efforts of dinner and auction chairs – Brian Owens and Dan Laukitis. Thanks also to all of the auction donors and lucky winners for making the auction a huge success. Congratulations to all of the award winners.
