PRESS RELEASE

The 34th annual Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy (USA vs. Great Britain) will be held at the West Hants Club in Bournemouth, England from September 25-27, 2008.

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For Immediate Release                                      October 2, 2007

For more information:  (214) 352-7978            Cartennis@aol.com

www.mcbtennis.org          

              UNITED STATES WINS

     MAUREEN CONNOLLY CHALLENGE TROPHY 

Dallas…The United States team defeated Great Britain for the 33rd Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy match  6-5.  The event was held at the prestigious Dallas Country Club in Dallas, Texas from September 27-29, 2007.  Elizabeth Jeffett Norman was the Event Chair.

The Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy is an annual competition between the United States and Great Britain for Girls 16 & under.  Five players play a total of eleven matches over three days. 

The United States leads the competition in victories 21-11.

The United States team members were sponsored by the USTA (United States Tennis Association).  The members were:  Kristie Ahn (Upper Saddle River, NJ), Jacqueline Cako (Brier, WA), Alexandra Cercone (Seminole, FL), Olivia Janowicz (Palm Bay, FL), and Lilly Kimbell (New Braunfels, TX).  The captain of the USA Team was Kimberly Po-Messerli, former WTA Tour player. 

The members of the British team were:  Stephanie Cornish, Hannah James, Tara Moore, Laura Slater and Heather Watson.  The co-captains of the British team were Luke Milligan and Iain Bates. 

Cindy Brinker Simmons, daughter of the late Maureen Connolly Brinker, presented the beautiful silver cup to the U.S. team.  Tony Trabert, former Wimbledon champion and president of the International Tennis Hall of Fame presented the medals to the players at the Awards Dinner.  Stuart Smith, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Great Britain, Nancy Jeffett, president of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation, and Norman Brinker, husband of the late Maureen Connolly Brinker also attended the event.   J. Howard Frazer, past-president of the USTA was also in attendance, as well as Directors and Trustees of the foundation including Ross and Margot Perot, Ralph Belknap, and Ron and Clare McKinney Murphy. 

During the tournament week, the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary.  Nancy Jeffett, president of the Foundation, was honored for her lifetime achievement for promoting junior tennis.  Sir James Harvie-Watt, Chairman of the International Council of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, presented Mrs. Jeffett with the Golden Achievement award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Awards Dinner hosted by the Norman Brinker Family.  Jane Brown Grimes, USTA president and Peachy Kellmeyer, Senior Vice President Tour Operations for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour presented Mrs. Jeffett with a Service to Tennis Award at the Patron party hosted by Ron and Clare McKinney Murphy. 

Dave Perry-Miller & Associates and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/ Fort Worth co-sponsored the event.   This is one of the many events sponsored by the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation to further junior tennis development.                              

     
MAUREEN CONNOLLY CHALLENGE TROPHY
USA vs GREAT BRITAIN
 Thursday, 27 September 2007
  -
USA
Matches
Won
Great Britain
Matches
Won
Match Score
Singles -
Olivia Janowicz (3)
 1
Laura Slater (3)
0
 7-5, 6-4
Singles -
Lilly Kimbell (4)
 1
Stephanie Cornish (4)
0
 7-5, 1-6, 7-6(5)
Singles -
Kristie Ahn (1)
 1
Heather Watson (2)
0
 0-6, 7-5, 6-3
Doubles
 -
Olivia Janowicz (2)
 1
Hannah James (2)
0
 6-4; 3-6; 7-6(5)
Lilly Kimbell (2)
Laura Slater (2)
         
Total Matches Won
4
Total Matches Won
0


 

 Friday, 28 September 2007
  -
USA
Matches
Won
Great Britain
Matches
Won
Match Score
Singles -
Alexandra Cercone (5)
 0
Hannah James (5)
1
 6-4, 7-5
Singles -
Jacqueline Cako (2)
 0
Tara Moore (1)
1
 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
Singles -
Lilly Kimbell (4)
 1
Laura Slater (3)
0
 6-1, 6-1
Singles -
Olivia Janowicz (3)
 0
Stephanie Cornish (4)
1
 6-4, 6-3
Total Matches Won
5
Total Matches Won
3
 Saturday, 29 September 2007
  -
USA
Matches
Won
Great Britain
Matches
Won
Match Score
Singles -
Jacqueline Cako (2)
 0
Heather Watson (2)
1
 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
Singles -
Kristie Ahn (1)
 1
Tara Moore (1)
0
 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
Doubles
 -
Kristie Ahn (1)
 0
Stephanie Cornish (4)
1
 6-3, 7-5
Alexandra Cercone (1)
Heather Watson (1)
         
Total Matches Won
6
Total Matches Won
5

 

 

'
 
MAUREEN CONNOLLY CHALLENGE TROPHY
USA vs. Great Britain
 
Division
 Matches 
Girls 16
 Results
 
TEAM USA
Kristie


Jacqueline


Alexandra

Olivia


Lilly

 		 Hosted by the The Dallas Country Club, Dallas, TX, USA
 September 27 - 29, 2007
Team USA VS Great Britain
Team USA
Kristie Ahn
Jacqueline Cako
Alexandra Cercone
Olivia Janowicz
Lilly Kimbell
Captain: Kimberly Po-Messerli

Team Great Britain
Stephanie Cornish
Hannah James
Tara Moore
Laura Slater
Heather Watson
Captains:Luke Milligan and Iain Bates

History
This competition was inaugurated in 1973 by the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation and Mrs. Frank A. Jeffett, twenty years after “Little Mo’s” Grand Slam in 1953 and four years after her death. The first two meetings were in the United States, but since 1975, play has alternated between the two countries. In 1999, the competition was changed from Ladies 21 & under to Ladies 19 & under, and in 2007, the competition was changed to Ladies 16 & under. The United States leads the competition in victories: 20-11. During its thirty-two years, the Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy has included players like Pam Shriver, Kathy Jordan, Zina Garrison, Amy Frazier and Lisa Raymond for the U.S. and Jo Durie and Sue Barker for Great Britain.

 		 TEAM GBR


Stephanie


Hannah


Tara

Laura

Heather
 

P R E S S         R E L E A S E

 

September 16, 2007                For Immediate Release

For more information:  (214) 352-7978              www.mcbtennis.org

Cartennis@aol.com

    U. S. and BRITISH TEAMS ANNOUNCED  FOR

MAUREEN CONNOLLY CHALLENGE TROPHY

           (USA vs. Great Britain)   

                       The Dallas Country Club                       

      Dallas, Texas   

         September 27 – 29, 2007

Dallas…The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and The Lawn Tennis Association of Great Britain (LTA) have finalized their teams for the 33rd annual Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy.  The event will be held at the prestigious Dallas Country Club in Dallas, Texas from September 27 – 29, 2007. 

The Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy match is an international team competition that features the top five girls from the United States and Great Britain who are 16 & under. 

The players will play a total of eleven matches over three days (9 singles and 2 doubles). 

The United States team members are:  (in alpha order)           

           Kristie Ahn -  Upper Saddle River, New Jersey

           Jacqueline Cako –  Brier, Washington

           Alexandra Cercone  - Seminole, Florida

           Olivia Janowicz -  Palm Bay, Florida

           Lilly Kimbell -  New Braunfels, Texas

           Captain:  Kimberly Po-Messerli from Rolling Hills Estates, California. Kim was a former WTA tour player.

"I am looking forward to coaching this group of hard working and enthusiastic girls in the 33rd Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy match. We are all very excited and honored to represent the United States in this event and anticipate a terrific week of competition in Dallas,” said Kimberly Po-Messerli, USA team captain.   

The Great Britain team members are: (in alpha order) 

          Stephanie Cornish

          Hannah James

          Tara Moore         

          Laura Slater

          Heather Watson

          Captains:  Luke Milligan and Iain Bates.

 This competition was inaugurated in 1973 by the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation and Mrs. Frank A. Jeffett, twenty years after “Little Mo’s” Grand Slam in 1953 and four years after her death.  The first two meetings were in the United States, but since 1975, play has alternated between the two countries.  In 1999, the competition was changed from Ladies 21 & under to Ladies 19 & under, and in 2007, the competition was changed to Ladies 16 & under.  The United States leads the competition in victories: 20-11. During its thirty-two years, the Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy has included players like Pam Shriver, Kathy Jordan, Zina Garrison, Amy Frazier and Lisa Raymond for the U.S. and Jo Durie and Sue Barker for Great Britain. 

Matches will begin on Thursday morning, September 27 at 10:00 am and four matches will follow.  The Opening Ceremony will be held at 5:00 pm before the last match of the day.  On Friday, September 28, there will be four matches beginning at 10:00 am and on Saturday, September 29, there will be three matches beginning at 10:00 am. All matches will all be on held on center court. 

During the event, the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation will also celebrate their 40th anniversary.   The foundation was formed in 1968 by Maureen Connolly Brinker and Mrs. Frank A. Jeffett.  Tony Trabert will be attending the festivities and presenting Mrs. Jeffett with the prestigious Golden Achievement Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame for her exceptional contribution to international tennis, as well as a number of other awards from the international tennis community.  Trabert, current president of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, is a former Wimbledon, U.S. and French Championships winner and former #1 in the world in 1955. 

 “On behalf of the MCB Tennis Foundation, we are extremely pleased with the tremendous response the event is receiving from the international tennis community and the City of Dallas, and we are pleased to have the support from the Dallas/Fort Worth World Affairs Council,” said Elizabeth Jeffett Norman, Event Chairman. 

Through encouragement, financial assistance, training and opportunities offered to young players each year, the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation helps meet its goal in promoting the sport of tennis in a manner that has made a fitting tribute to one of the all-time tennis greats – Maureen “Little Mo” Connolly.

 For ticket information, call the MCB office (214) 352-7978 or email:  cartennis@aol.com         

Event Chairman:  Elizabeth Jeffett Norman – (214) 673-6516  or email:  jeffett10@aol.com 

 

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        P R E S S   R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release                                              March 26, 2007 

    33rd Annual Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy & 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation

 Dallas Country Club    *     Dallas, Texas                  September 27-29, 2007                 

Dallas…The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation  is pleased to announce the 33rd annual Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy (USA vs. Great Britain) will be held at the prestigious Dallas Country Club in Dallas, Texas from September 27-29, 2007. Elizabeth Jeffett Norman is the Event Chairman and Adi Kourim is the Director of Tennis at the Dallas Country Club.

The match features the top five Girl’s 16 & under from the United States and Great Britain.  This will be the 33rd year of this competition between the two nations and the format is the best of eleven matches played over three days.  The United States leads the competition: 20-11. (The event was not held in 2001 and 2006.)  This is an officially sanctioned event by the USTA and The Lawn Tennis Association of Great Britain. 

During the Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy, the Maureen Connolly Tennis Foundation will also celebrate its 40th anniversary.  The foundation was founded by the late Maureen Connolly Brinker and Mrs. Frank A. Jeffett in 1968.  The foundation continues to promote junior tennis development worldwide through a myriad of programs and activities such as the BonneBell Cup (USA vs. Australia for girls 14 & under), the “Little Mo” Road to the Nationals and International Open (for boys and girls 11 & under) and the MCB Girls’ 14 Nationals.  The foundation also gives sportsmanship awards and travel grants to deserving players.   

The "Official Hotel" is the Warwick Melrose Hotel, Penn is the “Official Ball” and the LBH Group, Ltd. is be the “Official Warm-Up” for the U.S. Team.  LBH, Ltd. is the manufacturer of LILY’S of Beverly Hills worldwide and of WIMBLEDON tennis apparel in the United States and Canada.   

This is one of the many tournaments presented by the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation to further junior tennis development in the United States and around the world.      

   click here for: Dallas Country Club website     

Hotel Reservations:  (214) 224-3159   Rate: $129 per night
(Mention: MCB Tennis Group to receive special rate.)
*  Email: Ssherman@warwickhotels.com

                Warwick Melrose Hotel
                  3015 Oak Lawn Avenue
                                          Dallas,Texas  75219                                

For More Information: Elizabeth Jeffett Norman - Event Chairman

(214) 673-6516     Email:  Jeffett10s@aol.com

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September 1, 2006:   The Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy (USA vs. Great Britain) has been postponed to September 27-29, 2007 at the Dallas Country Club in Dallas, Texas

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Press Release- October 3, 2005

  UNITED STATES WINS

       MAUREEN CONNOLLY CHALLENGE TROPHY 

Dallas…The United States team defeated Great Britain for the 32nd anniversary of the Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy match 8-3.  The event was held at the beautiful Coral Beach & Tennis Club in Bermuda from September 29 – October 1, 2005 and was hosted by George and Claudia Wardman, owners of the Coral Beach & Tennis Club.

The Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy is an annual competition between the United States and Great Britain for Ladies 16 & under.  Five players play a total of eleven matches over three days.  The United States leads the competition in victories 20-11.

The United States team members were sponsored by the USTA (United States Tennis Association).  The members were:  Sarah Guzick (Greer, SC), Joanna Mather (Duluth, GA), Nelly Radeva (Costa Mesa, CA), Daisha Hill-Hurtado (Ann Arbor, MI), and Kathryn Talbert (Mooresville, NC).   The captain of the USA Team was Robin White, former WTA Tour player.

The members of the British team were:  Caitlin Steel, Hannah James, Stephanie Cornish, Naomi Cavaday, and Naomi Broady.  The co-captains of the British team were James Davidson and Eve Langley.

Brenda Brinker Bottum and Cindy Brinker Simmons, daughters of the late Maureen Connolly, presented the beautiful silver cup to the U.S. team.  Charles Trippe, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Great Britain, Nancy Jeffett, president of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation, and Norman Brinker, husband of the late Maureen Connolly Brinker also attended the event.   Bumpy Frazer, past-president of the USTA was also in attendance, as well as Directors and Trustees including Ross and Margot Perot, Betty Harlan, Ralph Belknap, Judge and Patty Mason and Elizabeth and Larry Norman. 

The LBH Group, Ltd. was the “Official Clothing” sponsor of the U.S. Team.  LBH is the manufacturer of Lily’s of Beverly Hills worldwide and of Wimbledon tennis apparel in the U.S. and Canada.  Wilson was the  “Official Ball”.  The Coral Beach & Tennis Club in Bermuda and Bonne Bell are also sponsors of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation. 

This is one of the many events sponsored by the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation to further junior tennis development. 

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For Immediate Release
October 4, 2004

  GREAT BRITAIN WINS

 MAUREEN CONNOLLY CHALLENGE TROPHY

Dallas…The Great Britain team defeated the United States for the annual 31st Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy match:  7-4.  The event was held at the West Hants Club in Bournemouth, England from
September 30 – October 2, 2004.   

The Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy is an annual competition between the United States and Great Britain for Ladies 18 & under.  Five players play a total of eleven matches over three days.  The United States leads the competition in victories 19-11.

The United States team members were sponsored by the USTA (United States Tennis Association).  The members were Jessica Nguyen (Chatsworth, CA), Sarah Fansler (Laguna Niguel, CA), Lauren Albanese (Coral Springs, FL), Catherine Newman (Greensboro, NC) and Eleanor Peters (Washington DC).  The captain of the team was Lori McNeil, former WTA Tour player. 

The members of the British team were Hannah Grady, Katie O’Brien, Holly Bagshaw, Natasha Khan and Julia Bone.   The captain of the team was Nick Brown, former ATP Tour player. 

Brenda Brinker Bottum, daughter of the late Maureen Connolly presented the beautiful silver cup to the British team.  Alan Schwartz, president of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Charles Trippe, president of the Lawn Tennis Association attended the event.   

Smacker’s (a Bonne Bell product) was the “Official Lip Balm and Cosmetics” and the LBH Group, Ltd. was the “Official Clothing” of the U.S. Team.  (LBH is the manufacturer of Lily’s of Beverly Hills worldwide and of Wimbledon tennis apparel in the U.S. and Canada.)  The Coral Beach & Tennis Club in Bermuda is also a sponsor of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation and will be the host of the 2005 Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy next year
(September 29 – October 1.) 

This is one of the many events sponsored by the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation to further junior tennis development. 

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USA Wins 2003 Challenge Trophy
Click here to see photos from event

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U.S. AND GREAT BRITAIN TEAM MEMBERS ANNOUNCED FOR
30TH ANNIVERSARY MAUREEN CONNOLLY CHALLENGE TROPHY MATCH

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INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
October 2-4, 2003

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September 20, 2002                                                For Immediate Release

U. S. TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR      MAUREEN CONNOLLY CHALLENGE TROPHY
(U.S. vs. Great Britain)
October 3-5, 2002
 Bournemouth, England

Dallas…The United States and Great Britain teams have been finalized for the 29th annual Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and The Lawn Tennis Association of Great Britain (LTA).  The event alternates countries each year and this year, the event will be held at the West Hants Club in Bouremouth, England from October 3-5, 2002.  (The event was cancelled last year due to the tragedy of September 11.)  British Car Auctions will be the “Presenting Sponsor” and the LBH Group will be the “Official Clothing” for the U.S. Team.  The Coral Beach & Tennis Club in Bermuda is a sponsor of the MCB Tennis Foundation and was the host of the event in 2000.

The Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy match features five of the top girls from the United States and Great Britain.  The players are 19 & under and will play a total of eleven matches over three days.  The United States leads the competition in victories: 17-10 with the match in 2000 ending in a tie.

The United States team members are;

  1. Alexandra Podkolzina – Concord, California

  2. Tanner Cochran – Dublin, Georgia

  3. Shenay Perry – Coral Springs, Florida

  4. Kristen Schlukebir – Kalamazoo, Michigan

  5. Riza Zalameda – Los Angeles, California

The Great Britain team members are:

  1. Elena Baltacha

  2. Anne Keothavong

  3. Jane O’Donoghue

  4. Anna Hawkins

  5. Melanie South

The # 1player, Alexandra Podkolzina, was the recent USTA Girls’ 18 National Champion in August.  The captain of the United States team is Mervyn Webster, USTA Girls’ 18 National Coach.  The British team captain is Nick Brown, a former ATP tour player.

 This is one of the many events sponsored by the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation to further promote junior tennis development.


US Team Wins! 7-4


Alexandra Podkolzina



Tanner Cochran


Shenay Perry


Kristen Schlukebir


Riza Zalameda

 


2000 Maureen Connolly Challenge Trophy
US and Great Britain Teams
with Margot and Ross Perot
at the Coral Beach Club
in Paget, Bermuda