Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Tennis great becomes Stirling Club tennis director

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2002 | 8:29 a.m.

Marty Hennessey, a beloved fixture in Las Vegas for nearly 30 years, celebrated his new association with the Stirling Club last week as its first director of tennis.

A six-time U.S. Tennis Professional Association champion who has shared the court with such tennis greats as Andre Agassi and Jimmy Connors, Hennessey served as director of tennis for the Desert Inn for 27 years.

At the Stirling Club he will enjoy full use of the city's first clay courts and offer instruction on this kind-to-the-body surface to players of all ages and abilities.

Early festivities at his welcome party included a bit of exhibition court play by Christian and Catrina Thompson, students at Bishop Gorman High School, who are ranked No. 1 in the United States by the USTA for age 18-under doubles. Present as well to support their favorite coach were Jennifer and Kristina Pelletier of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, also rising tennis competitors.

In the crowd were Hans Riehemann, pro at Spanish Trail Country Club, Bob Randolph, who will serve as tournament director for the 2002 Las Vegas Senior Open, and Australian Dave Mitchell, a retired champion who has recently chosen to live in Las Vegas.

Toasting the green clay courts and Hennessey's announcement of additional tennis facilities at Stirling Club were George Morrissey, Randy Gross, Rhonda Muskin, David and Candy Atwell, and Blaine Banker with her son Jonathan and her parents Lem and Debbie Banker.

Champagne and tennis stories abounded as the party moved inside to the Stirling's nightclub with Ernie Daulman, Gordy and Helen Margolis, George Powell, Shelly Geba, Judy and Jenny Sanford, Bob and Mary Thompson, Paul King and Courtney and Carley Richardson in the crowd.

Flying high

Joyous, elegant and filled with all the exotic luxury of the Asian and Pacific Rim cities it serves, the launching party to mark the opening of Singapore Airlines' Las Vegas flights to Hong Kong and Singapore was a celebration of the finest caliber.

The opening reception, graced by Mayor Oscar Goodman and many Singapore Airlines' leaders, drew hotel executives, travel and tourism innovators and business owners. Pleased to have the new airline present in our community were a bevy of welcoming officials from the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority, led by Manny Cortez with Rossi Ralenkotter and Rob Powers.

Joining in the spirit of the evening as well was Randall Walker, Director of Aviation for McCarran International Airport. Rep. Shelley Berkley, who took part in the ceremonial dotting of the eye to awaken the lion (of business) for prosperity in this new venture, was among those enjoying the graceful beauty of dancers in their native costumes and the almost magical movements of the dragon dancers.

Adding his own sparkle to the evening was a lengthy performance by Clint Holmes, headliner at Harrah's. Actor-singer Brenda Epperson, well-recognized for performances on "The Young and The Restless," served as emcee for the dinner at Four Seasons. The evening opened with a lushly beautiful video of the airline's travel destinations, with Las Vegas now their seventh international gateway to 60 cities in 30 countries.

Escorted to their seats by Singapore hostesses attired in uniform were Van and Joan Heffner, Mark Suman with Luis and Rose Dominguez, William Mahaffey, Elainia Bhattacharyya, Dr. Larry Lehrner, Tom Kaplan and Julie Shaefer.

Dining with pleasure was Daniel Shumny, vice president of the Golden Nugget, one of the evening's lucky winners of a Singapore luxury vacation. Nearby Kara Kelley, Farrow Smith, Jay Kornmayer and Jerry and Lou Emmert discussed their own travel plans with an eye to destinations now offered by Singapore Airlines. Seen at the party were Cam Usher, Roger Peltyn, Claudine Williams, Kitty Rodman, Andrew Doran, Kelly Sawyer, Robert Vannucci, Tom Boozer, Kenneth Feng, Steven Len, Paulette Simpson, Bob Shrewer and Manual Diaz.

End results

Ever wonder how an event turned out? In a city of generous citizens and many needs, AFAN (Aid for AIDS of Nevada) recently raised $147,000 at its 2002 AIDS Walk.

An annual fund-raising event that helps ensure people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS have a place to turn for help in our community, this single effort drew upon the strengths of 3,000 supporters. Top honors for individual efforts went to Andrea Marnell, Barbara Briscoe and Ron Wrubel, while recognition for team efforts were won by Macy's, OUT Las Vegas, Armani Exchange and United Airlines.

Proceeds generated from AIDS Walk will fund AFAN's efforts with case management, housing and emergency assistance and transportation services, as well as nutritional counseling by a registered dietician, daily hot lunches, meal delivery to homebound clients and nutritional supplements.

And on a similar note, Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas raised an impressive $101,472 for the UNLV Cancer Institute. Executives from Four Seasons presented a check to the UNLV Foundation that will be used for research at the UNLV Cancer Institute.

The gift represents the proceeds from the second annual Terry Fox Gala and 5K Fun Run and Walk held late last year. More than 200 attended the gala and silent auction, while 247 participated in the 5K run and walk.

Every year, each of the 50 Four Seasons hotels and resorts in 19 countries hosts a run in honor of Terry Fox, a young Canadian who lost a leg to cancer when he was 18 years old. In 1980 Fox ran his first Marathon of Hope to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

The late Fox is honored in remembrance by these ongoing efforts. The gala with its travel-oriented silent auction and the 5K run and walk raised nearly $100,000 for the UNLV Cancer Institute last year as well.

Tee time

Incredibly, the heat of summer will soon give way to the glories of autumn and find us ready for more outdoor activities. On Oct. 2 the Boulder Dam Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America will present their 12th annual Boy Scout Invitational Golf Tournament, this year at Stallion Mountain Golf Club, 5500 E. Flamingo Road.

Organized to concurrently use both the north and south courses, the tournament will begin with registration and a barbeque lunch at noon, and a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. Following a four-person scramble format, tournament competition will include prizes and awards for the longest drive, premier hole-in-one and other categories.

The grand prize includes an all-inclusive trip for four to the 2003 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Tournament. Tony Romo (736-4366) has all the details and registration information.

Established in 1944, the Boulder Dam Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America serves the youth of Clark and Mohave County and the Colorado River communities, and is dedicated to helping youth prepare and make positive, ethical choices.