Troon Country Club to Host 10th Annual Special Olympics Tennis Fun Day

Posted on January 22, 2020

Scottsdale, Az. (January 22, 2020) – More than 80 Arizona Special Olympians are expected to participate in Troon Country Club’s 10th annual Tennis Fun Day on Saturday, Jan. 25. Mark Pachtner, director of racquet sports at Troon Country Club is coordinating the event which includes more than 170 volunteers.

During the free Tennis Fun Day, local USTA players will teach basic tennis skills to the Special Olympians. Each athlete will receive a commemorative Fun Day T-shirt, free Head tennis racquet, a RacketPet over-grip and, at the post-event awards luncheon, a gold medal for participation. Athletes and volunteers will also enjoy time to explore fully equipped fire engines and police cruisers, courtesy of the City of Scottsdale, and visit with various rescue dogs including golden retrievers. Festivities will get underway at 8 a.m. and finish upon completion of the awards luncheon at 1 p.m. During the luncheon, City of Scottsdale firefighters and police officers will present the athletes with a gold medal and a Polaroid picture for their participation.

Prior to his tenure at Troon Country Club, Pachtner has developed Fun Day events (since 1999) 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 more than $18,500 at last year’s event. Since its inception, a total of $153,000 has been donated with 1050 athletes and 2500 volunteers participating.

“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.”

For more information on the 10th annual Tennis Fun Day, volunteer openings and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mark Pachtner at (480) 358-7718.