Grow Tennis New York: KidsFest Takes Over Engineers Country Club

Long Island Tennis Magazine’s second Summer Series event brings fun for all ages

July 1, 2014 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

As part of Long Island Tennis Magazine’s “Summer Series,” kids and parents gathered at Engineers Country Club in Roslyn, N.Y. on June 22 for The Long Tennis Magazine KidsFest.

The event provided kids with a great deal of fun-filled activities, both on and off the court, to enjoy their tennis experience, which, for some, was their first. Long Island Tennis Magazine put together tennis clinics for all ages, outdoor carnival games, a dance competition, an array of prizes, and even a very popular dunk tank. Food and drinks were supplied by Engineers Country Club.

With parents surrounding the courts and taking in the action, more than 100 kids of all ages and abilities took to the outdoor courts of Engineers Country Club to receive lessons and clinics given by top tennis pros from Sportime Roslyn. The pros worked with the kids, fully engaging with them while supplying the necessary insights on the basics of the game. Sportime’s pros spread the kids out by level and worked with them on strokes, while also supplying a Hit for Prizes Court and a Speed Serve Radar Gun Court.

"I played tennis with my daughter for the first time today,” said proud father Lance Cohen. “The event was great, and seeing the great pictures afterwards meant the world to me."

There was something for everyone, as DJ Curtis McCalla kept everybody entertained with music, dancing and prizes. For those who wanted to take a break from the tennis courts, lawn games such as horseshoes, corn hole and ring-toss were a perfect way to get out of the sun and relax.

“I came here with my four-year-old son and he is having a great time,” said attendee Melissa Shamsian. “It is a really good tennis experience for the both of us.”

The biggest hit of the afternoon off the court was the dunk tank, which kept everybody entertained as staffers from both Long Island Tennis Magazine and Sportime continuously dropped into the water as kids nailed the bull’s-eye and enjoyed their accuracy.

“Today was a really good time for everyone,” said Dana Torres, who was on hand with her two children. “Between the tennis and the carnival activities, they were busy all day long.”

Dean Nogrady, Emilie Katz and the staff of Engineers Country Club were fantastic in helping to set up the event, collaborating with Long Island Tennis Magazine to get details in order, working on-court with kids, and making sure the event ran professionally. They have great personal relationships with their club members and were extremely attentive with all the attendees who came in for the day.

"Wow! What an absolute success,” said Engineers Country Club Board President Kal Dolgin. “It far exceeded my wildest imagination and everyone was commenting on it throughout the BBQ we had after the event. Kudos to everyone involved."

KidsFest was the second part of the eight-part Summer Series hosted by Long Island Tennis Magazine and served as a great way to kick off the summer. This was the Magazine's second straight extremely successful and highly attended event, coming off the heels of the Second Annual New York Tennis Expo, with 3,374 attendees on hand at the National Tennis Center, launched the 2014 Summer Series. These events continue to grow tennis in a grassroots way not seen anywhere else in the country, with well-attended events, unmatched press and marketing of our local players, coaches and businesses. The key to it all is the Magazine's great relationships within the tennis community. Hosting these events is a way to get face-to-face with the Magazine’s readership and be on the court with them.

Long Island Tennis Magazine will be back at Engineers Country Club for another segment of its Summer Series, The Long Island Tennis Challenge on Saturday, July 26. Don't miss out!

Credit photos to Calvin Rhoden & Bas Photography

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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