02-21-09
Over 160 players attend "Carton Open 2K9" tennis tournament at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
    On Saturday, February 21, over 160 players from all over the tri-state area, including many from Mount Vernon, participated in the "Carton Open 2K9" tennis tournament held at the brand new Billie Jean King indoor tennis center in Flushing Meadows, home of the US Open.
     The event was sponsored by the Mount Vernon based Carton Tennis Corporation, recently founded by Danielle Carr and Judith Norton.
     As the participants entered the lobby of the impressive facility to register, many were in awe as they looked up at an array of very large color portraits of tennis greats adorning the walls.
     Once registered, the players walked anxiously and briskly towards the locker rooms, where they changed and quickly walked towards the staging area for court assignments and instructions. Each participant knew in advance they would be playing tennis in the premier tennis facility in the entire country.
     Prior to commencing play, many of the players were observed having their picture taken with fellow players, friends and family members, as well as with Mount Vernon Mayor, Clinton I. Young.
     The exciting event commenced at 7:00 PM and included a mixed doubles round robin tournament/tennis party. After play ended, everybody got treated to a great buffet, drinks and music, along with the presentation of trophies.
     The incredible facility features DecoTurf II courts, an expanded fitness center, full-service locker rooms, a Pro Shop, classrooms and lounge areas with excellent views of the courts.
     The two founders of the Carton Tennis Corporation are very dedicated and gifted young ladies. Danielle Carr is a Siena College graduate with a degree in English, and Judith Norton is a St. John’s University graduate with a degree in Biology. Both are excellent tennis players, having played for their schools and in many tournaments, as well as in USTA league tennis.
     Interestingly, both young ladies are better known as Carton, a combination of both their last names.
     The mission of the Carton Tennis Corporation is to service the Mount Vernon community and others by providing exposure to the fundamentals of tennis for the multicultural youth population. Carton also seeks to provide aid within this population to those who have financial struggles in meeting their goals to learn and appreciate tennis. Through fundraising, in the form of financial sponsorship and monetary donations, as well as generating funds from tennis tournaments, which serve as their main fundraising and community building events, Carton aims to give scholarships to deserving youth to further study tennis, whether in college or away at developmental training for a set amount of time.
     The Carton Open 2K9 was the first Carton tournament/fundraiser under the pair's newly formed corporation. Carton is expected to hold six to seven more events between April and August of this year.
     "I would personally like to thank Commissioner of Recreation Floyd Myers at City Hall for his direct involvement and sponsorship of the Carton Open 2K9.  He sponsored eight breath taking glass trophies, water, Gatorade, tennis balls, and publicity through flyers.  Carton would also like to thank Golden Krust Bakery CEO Lowell Hawthorne, CEO of marketing Pauline Bennett-O’Leary, and Mount Vernon franchise owner, Sandra Bryan, for sponsoring the delicious spread of Caribbean delights.  And finally, but certainly not least, Ramel Sherman, CEO of Beneath Your Sole, Inc. for his sponsorship as well.  And everyone else who donated financially," said Carr.
     For information about Carton, call and/or email: Danielle (914-310-2289) dcarr11@gmail.com or Judith (914-602-8571) judnort83@yahoo.com.
    

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