Terry Wood Tennis Championship benefits cardiac care at Hamilton Medical Center

Published 3:50 pm Monday, July 29, 2024

Members of the North Georgia Tennis Association recently presented a check for $5,112 to the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation, Hamilton Health Care System’s non-profit supporting organization. The gift, to benefit Hamilton’s cardiovascular services, represents proceeds from the 2024 Terry Wood Memorial Doubles Championship held this past April. Since 2015, the championship has supported advancements in cardiac care and services at Hamilton Medical Center. The tournament honors the memory of Terry Q. Wood, a local businessman and avid tennis player who passed away in 2005.

Sponsors and players at this year’s tournament held April 25 through 28 at Dalton Parks and Recreation’s Lakeshore Park helped raise the largest amount to date. Jane Snipes, Whitfield Healthcare Foundation executive director, said “We are grateful to the sponsors and participants in the Terry Wood tournament for providing valuable resources for Hamilton’s cardiac program. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in adults, and is responsible for one out of every three deaths in this region. Every life is important and every life deserves excellence in heart care.”

This year, 107 men, women and junior players took to the courts for the three-day tournament. Deb Wells, the local league coordinator for North Georgia Tennis Association, said “Tennis is a sport you can begin playing as a young child and play for the rest of your life. Supporting Hamilton’s cardiac program is a natural fit for this tournament since tennis improves cardiovascular health and wellness. Tennis also affords a social component where you can play with friends and meet new people.”

The tournament featured doubles play with adult and junior divisions. Winners in women’s doubles were Olivia Puryear and Molly Lambert – 3.0; Lynne Barkeloo and Amy Weathers – 3.5; Tracy Jackson and Jalen Holland – 4.0. In men’s doubles, the winners were S. Brian Chastain and Brian Hammontree – 3.0; Chris Smith and Ashwin Venkatesu – 3.5; Bill Walton and Chris Poirer – 4.0; Garrick Sanford and Jace Sanford – 4.5. Junior singles winners were John Keith – boys; Caroline Johnson – girls; and in doubles Andy Nguyen and Jake Cummins.

Sponsors for the tournament included North Georgia Tennis Association; Niche Graphic Flooring; Love Funeral Home; Dalton Parks and Recreation; Ed and Patricia Johnson; Gary and Dawn Linn; Carl and Dawn Beard; Lisa Douglas; Dick Edwards; Specialty Textile Group; John and Judy Coomer; Scott and Betty Andersen; Alan and Dena Buttenhoff; Mike and Robin Hurtt; Harrell Machinery Sales, Inc.; Scott and Stacy Sorrow; Randy Ellison and Debra Cargal; Awards of Excellence; Ken Ellinger; Rak Outfitters; Stacy Ellen Sorrow, Keller Williams Premier N. GA; and Denise Wood and “the kids.”

Submitted by the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation.