The Adoption Guild of Southern California celebrated their 60th annual tournament at the Roy Emerson Adoption Guild Tennis Classic over the Memorial Day Weekend and raised over $30,000 for programs at HFS. This 5-day event was hosted by Palisades Tennis Club in Newport Beach, with play also held at the Newport Beach Tennis Club, Mesa Verde Country Club, and Costa Mesa Tennis Center. Prize money for all Open Divisions was proudly sponsored by The Orange County Breakers. Co-Chairs, Chris Garber, and Katie Richardson and Tournament Director, Drew Arbeiter reported that the tournament attracted over 480 players.
The tournament is named after Australian-born tennis champion Roy Emerson. A two-time Wimbledon victor in 1964 and 1965, Emerson, along with his tennis-pro wife Joy, have fronted the Adoption Guild Classic for more than two decades. “It’s a labor of love,” says the long-time Orange County couple, adding “We believe in the fine work of the Adoption Guild in support of HFS. What’s more important than caring for children?”
During the tournament, attendees were tempted at the raffle booth, which featured numerous high-end items, including a stay at the Balboa Bay Resort, a Dine-out package, a shopping spree, tennis lessons, artwork, and two Grand Prize Packages – Disneyland and the BNP Tennis Tournament in Indian Wells. Saturday night marked the return of the popular “Players’ Party.” Sponsors Meyer Natural Foods, Sabatino’s, Sapori Ristorante, Blue Water Grill, and Hi-Time Wine Cellars, provided the food and beverage for the event.
On Finals Day, Monday, May 30th, guests enjoyed a full day of finals matches, watching Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles battle on to victory. During the lunchtime ceremony, Steve Wilburn spoke about the importance of Memorial Day and AG President Chris Garber shared information about the Guild’s hard work to support Holy Family Services Adoption & Foster Care. To close the ceremony, Roy Emerson shared words about his tennis career and dedication to the Adoption Guild.
About The Adoption Guild of Southern California
The Adoption Guild is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization composed of approximately 50 members based in Orange County. For over 60 years, the Guild has raised funds to financially support HFS (Holy Family Services), a foster and adoption agency in Southern California, which provides critical resources and counseling for children, birth parents, and adoptive families within the community.
With the hope of giving every child an opportunity to have a loving family, each year in the spring the Guild hosts the fund-raising event, the Roy Emerson Adoption Guild Tennis Classic. All proceeds from this event directly benefit HFS.
To learn more, please visit www.AdoptionGuild.org. Donations may be made online or mailed to Adoption Guild, P.O. Box 95, Corona del Mar, CA 92625, or through the website.