Linda Frazier • DEMOCRAT CORRESPONDENT • May 16, 2009 It’s never too early to think about Christmas and giving.
Candace Bunker wants the tennis community thinking about giving and playing in the inaugural Christmas Connection Tennis Tournament scheduled for June 13 at Forestmeadows. Bunker, who was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities, and her husband Chuck Bunker, are spearheading this first-ever event where the tournament proceeds go to the Christmas Connection. “This is the first tennis tournament we’ve tried for this charity. They already have a golf tournament,” said Bunker, who pointed out that because of the economic conditions, charities are having to get creative in fundraising and are doing things they have not done before. Bunker hit on the idea of a tennis tournament “because of my love for tennis. It’s a way to combine two passions in my life, my passion for tennis and my passion for my faith.” In developing the format for the tournament, Bunker and her husband were “looking for something fun, different, not routine.”
The one-day tournament will include divisions of gentlemen’s doubles, ladies’ doubles, and mixed doubles in 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5 NTRP combinations.