Bryan Bros. Foundation Takes In Nearly $100,000

Written by: Staff on 2nd November 2011

Bryan Bros. Foundation Takes In Nearly $100,000 |

All-Time Winningest Doubles Team Raises Money for Ventura and Santa Barbara Junior Tennis Organizations at Friday Night Gala and Sunday Cool Planet Tennis Fest

The Bryan Bros. Foundation raised nearly $100,000 for the Ventura County Junior Tennis Association and the Santa Barbara Tennis Patrons with a weekend filled with lots of tennis and music Oct. 21 and 23 at the Spanish Hills Country Club.

On Friday, Mike and Bob were honored by the World Affairs Council with the Global Humanitarian Citizens of the Year Award at a Gala Dinner with all the proceeds going to the Foundation. On Sunday at the Cool Planet Tennis Fest, the twins were joined on the tennis courts by friends Mardy Fish, Rick Leach, Ken Flach, Sloane Stephens, Hank Pfister and many others in a celebrity pro-am and exhibition.

“So many people came out to help Bob and Mike and their Foundation raise nearly $100,000 for the Cool Planet Tennis Fest at Spanish Hills,” said Cool Planet Tennis Fest Organizer Dave McKinney. “From our sponsors such as Cool Planet and Merrill Lynch to the pros such as Mardy (Fish), Rick (Leach) and Ken (Flach), to all the restaurants, wineries and businesses in the area, they all came out to support and raise monies for the Bryan Bros. Foundation. It was truly a tennis and community effort enjoyed by so many fans and we hope to see more out next year enjoying the day with us.”

Signed racquets donated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Fish and the Bryan Bros were donated for auction during the weekend.

From Camarillo, the twins traveled to Austria where they recently won their 74th career doubles title, their seventh of the year and first since winning Wimbledon. They will next play at the Valencia Open 500 and at BNP Paribas Masters before ending the season at Barclays ATP World Tour Finals which they’ve already qualified.

“It feels good to get back in the winners’ circle,” said Mike Bryan. “We haven’t won a title since Wimbledon. Hopefully it bodes well for the rest of the indoor season and hopefully we continue playing well and build toward London.”

On Oct. 21, F. Joseph Halcomb III of Camarillo presented the twins with the Citizens of the Year award, and commented: “Mike and Bob are living examples of the ‘True Gentlemen.’ In fact, some would call them giants – both on and off the court – as pro athletes and as human beings.”

He later added: “Success isn’t defined just by winning tennis matches. Success also means giving something back – to their colleagues, their community and to their country… We believe that international diplomacy is not just rattling swords and using strong words in negotiations. It is representing our community and country the way the Bryan brothers have as they reach out to touch others everywhere they go.”

Both brothers said they were touched and honored to be given such a respected award. “It’s important for us to give back to the community,” Bob Bryan said. “To be recognized with this honor is great and we are happy to accept it from the World Affairs Council.”

After the award presentation and dinner, the Bryan Bros. Band played led by father Wayne and Mike on guitar and Bob on the keyboards. Former American Idol contestant Michael Johns sang hits like “With Or Without You” by U2, “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Great Balls of Fire” while Counting Crows member Jim Bogios rocked the drums and and composer James Slater banged away on the keyboards. Even Gimelstob got into the act, coming up and banging the tambourine.

More than 10 area restaurants and a dozen wineries donated food and beverages as part of the food and wine tasting for the event. A USPTA Workshop held as part of Cool Planet Tennis Fest with Hank Pfister and Ryan Krane as speakers.

On Saturday, the twins traveled to the Malibu Racquet Club for more tennis and music in the Slam Jam hosted by Trey Waltke where more than $50,000 was raised.

The Bryan Bros. Foundation supports both the Ventura County Junior Tennis Association and the Santa Barbara Tennis Patrons to financially assist a promising junior player from each area. They also donate to many great local causes and regional charities.

For more information on the Bryan Bros. Foundation see the website at: http://www.bryanbros.com/about-the-foundation.html.