Junior Orange Bowl Tennis Committee Hosts Kickoff Reception

The Junior Orange Bowl Tennis Committee hosted its International Tennis Championship Kickoff Reception on November 1st at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. The event marked the beginning of what should prove to be a memorable year for the JOBC Tennis Committee as they celebrate the tournament’s 50th anniversary.

The event was attended by a who’s who of South Florida tennis icons including tennis legend, Wimbledon Champion, and honorary chair of the reception, Gardnar Mulloy.

Other notable South Florida tennis greats in attendance were Bobby Curtis and Butch Buchholz. Curtis worked for USTA Florida and has been involved in virtually every tournament and aspect of Florida junior tennis over the last 30+ years. Butch Buchholz, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, is a former professional tennis player who founded the Miami International Masters Series. The tournament, currently sponsored by Sony Ericsson, is held yearly on Key Biscayne and is considered a premier event on both the men’s and women’s tours.

The Junior Orange Bowl Tennis Committee was honored with a proclamation from the City of Coral gables by Mayor Jim Cason, who spoke at the event. The City of Coral Gables was also represented by Vice Mayor William Kerdyk and tennis director Robert Gomez.

The JOBC would like to thank the City of Coral Gables, the Biltmore Hotel, Bacardi, IMG Tennis, and Blooming design for their contributions to the kickoff reception.

The 50th Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships will be held on December 14-23 at various locations in Coral Gables and Miami. For more information, visit www.jrorangebowl.org/tennis.