36th Annual Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic * August 5-8, 2021
Pine Tree 2021 In Pictures ...
COngratulations To Our 2021 Pine Tree champions
Open Champions
Hayley Haakenstad/Nick Beaty |
Masters Champions
Brett Morse-Karzen/Marla Zitelman |
Grand Masters Champions
Bryan Biever/Leslie Gale |
Hayley Haakenstad and Nick Beaty claimed their first-ever Open Division titles at the 2021 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic with a 7-6(3), 6-2 win over 2019 champions Tooli Wilkins and Julian Dehn.
Marla Zitelman/Brett Morse-Karzen also won their first-ever Pine Tree championship in the Masters Division with a thrilling 4-6, 6-4, 11-9 victory over the brother/sister duo of Nicki Livingston and Tom Derouin.
In the Grand Masters event, the team of Leslie Gale and Bryan Biever won their second consecutive title with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Danielle Niska and Chris Combs.
Over 100 players participated in the 36th Annual event which raised over $350,000 for targeted cancer research efforts at Children's Minnesota and around the world. The Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic and the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund have raised over $6.3 million for children's cancer research efforts!
Marla Zitelman/Brett Morse-Karzen also won their first-ever Pine Tree championship in the Masters Division with a thrilling 4-6, 6-4, 11-9 victory over the brother/sister duo of Nicki Livingston and Tom Derouin.
In the Grand Masters event, the team of Leslie Gale and Bryan Biever won their second consecutive title with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Danielle Niska and Chris Combs.
Over 100 players participated in the 36th Annual event which raised over $350,000 for targeted cancer research efforts at Children's Minnesota and around the world. The Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic and the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund have raised over $6.3 million for children's cancer research efforts!
2021 Player Bios | 2021 Event Program | 2021 Sponsors | Message From Founding Family | 2021 Honored Angels/Patients
pINE TREE APPLE CLASSIC FUND PRESENTS CHECK FOR $256,000 TO Children's Minnesota
Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund President Kevin Werwie and the rest of its Board of Directors presented doctors and staff at Children’s Minnesota with a check in the amount of $256,000 supporting targeted children’s cancer research efforts for the largest pediatric cancer and blood disorders program in the upper Midwest. Children’s Minnesota President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Marc Gorelick; Jennifer Soderholm, Chief Development Officer and President of Children’s Minnesota Foundation; Dr. Kris Ann Schultz, Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Research; Lynn Tanner, PT, Scientific Director, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinical Specialist in Oncology; and Sara Fabian, Annual Giving Officer, accepted the gift on behalf of Children’s Minnesota.
“We are so appreciative of all our sponsors, donors, players and volunteers who give so generously each year to continue this important work in partnership with Children’s Minnesota,” Werwie said. “The progress made over the past 36 years - and the positive impact of this research to the children and families impacted by cancer - is simply astounding. We remain steadfast in our commitment to Children’s Minnesota in continuing this targeted research until a cure has been found.”
The allocation of the $256,000 will be divided equally between the Pine Tree Endowment Fund and the Children’s Minnesota Annual Research Program Operating Fund supporting targeted research needs of DICER1 related tumors and coping with the long-term effects of cancer treatment.
“We are grateful for all the ways Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund supports childhood cancer research right here in Minnesota and around the world,” Dr. Schultz said. “Rare cancer and supportive care research efforts funded by Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund have true local impact and global reach. Thanks to this amazing organization, we are learning more about how best to treat childhood cancers, and working to develop more effective and less toxic therapies while keeping kids strong and active throughout their treatment journey.”
“This has been a long-standing partnership for over 30 years between our two organizations,” Dr. Gorelick said. “The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund is one of our most important donors and fundraisers for our organization, and the amount of time and effort that goes into that fundraising fueled by the passion they have for our mission is amazing.”
“We are so appreciative of all our sponsors, donors, players and volunteers who give so generously each year to continue this important work in partnership with Children’s Minnesota,” Werwie said. “The progress made over the past 36 years - and the positive impact of this research to the children and families impacted by cancer - is simply astounding. We remain steadfast in our commitment to Children’s Minnesota in continuing this targeted research until a cure has been found.”
The allocation of the $256,000 will be divided equally between the Pine Tree Endowment Fund and the Children’s Minnesota Annual Research Program Operating Fund supporting targeted research needs of DICER1 related tumors and coping with the long-term effects of cancer treatment.
“We are grateful for all the ways Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund supports childhood cancer research right here in Minnesota and around the world,” Dr. Schultz said. “Rare cancer and supportive care research efforts funded by Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund have true local impact and global reach. Thanks to this amazing organization, we are learning more about how best to treat childhood cancers, and working to develop more effective and less toxic therapies while keeping kids strong and active throughout their treatment journey.”
“This has been a long-standing partnership for over 30 years between our two organizations,” Dr. Gorelick said. “The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund is one of our most important donors and fundraisers for our organization, and the amount of time and effort that goes into that fundraising fueled by the passion they have for our mission is amazing.”
JAson Albrecht Inducted into pine Tree hall of fame
It was with mixed emotions that we celebrated Jason Albrecht as the 2021 inductee into the Pine Tree Hall of Fame. Sadly, Jason passed away on November 2, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. The award was accepted by his wife, Carla, and his children Erika, Nicklas and Anneka at the 2021 Appreciation Party on August 6.
Jason’s story is an amazing one and he has a unique connection to Pine Tree. As a 7-year old, Jason was the first person known to be diagnosed with the rare and aggressive children’s cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB). He endured years of major surgeries, chemo, and radiation at Children’s Minnesota – all the while reaching out to other children and families struggling with difficult diagnoses and treatments and bonding with his caregivers. Those years shaped him indelibly to bring compassion, imagination, and innovation to patients, families, and medical professionals alike in his chosen career in the world of pediatric hospital healthcare. Sadly, enduring many lifesaving measures years ago also took a toll on his body that could ultimately not be surmounted.
With his close connection to the PPB registry and passion for making a difference, Jason was a long time volunteer for the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, taking on a variety of roles over the years. He and his wife Carla worked the food tent, led the Volunteer Committee, and organized crafts and games for patient families over the tournament weekend. Jason was also a major contributor to the formation of the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund, the 501(c)(3) that now runs the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic each year. Jason was Secretary on the Board up until his passing. He was passionate about our research efforts specific to PPB and DICER1 and spoke many times at the Player/Sponsor Appreciation Party about his personal experience and importance of this research.
We thank Jason’s family for their years of service to Pine Tree and unwavering support of Jason’s involvement. His legacy will forever be associated with this great event and research and I know he is smiling down on us as we continue our fight. Jason will be dearly missed by our entire Pine Tree family.
Jason’s story is an amazing one and he has a unique connection to Pine Tree. As a 7-year old, Jason was the first person known to be diagnosed with the rare and aggressive children’s cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB). He endured years of major surgeries, chemo, and radiation at Children’s Minnesota – all the while reaching out to other children and families struggling with difficult diagnoses and treatments and bonding with his caregivers. Those years shaped him indelibly to bring compassion, imagination, and innovation to patients, families, and medical professionals alike in his chosen career in the world of pediatric hospital healthcare. Sadly, enduring many lifesaving measures years ago also took a toll on his body that could ultimately not be surmounted.
With his close connection to the PPB registry and passion for making a difference, Jason was a long time volunteer for the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, taking on a variety of roles over the years. He and his wife Carla worked the food tent, led the Volunteer Committee, and organized crafts and games for patient families over the tournament weekend. Jason was also a major contributor to the formation of the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund, the 501(c)(3) that now runs the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic each year. Jason was Secretary on the Board up until his passing. He was passionate about our research efforts specific to PPB and DICER1 and spoke many times at the Player/Sponsor Appreciation Party about his personal experience and importance of this research.
We thank Jason’s family for their years of service to Pine Tree and unwavering support of Jason’s involvement. His legacy will forever be associated with this great event and research and I know he is smiling down on us as we continue our fight. Jason will be dearly missed by our entire Pine Tree family.
Bruce Gullikson Wins 2021 Sportsmanship Award
Congratulations to Bruce Gullikson, who received the 2021 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Sportsmanship Award. Playing in his 31st Pine Tree tournament in 2021, Gullikson has been a long-time tournament promoter in helping find players and encouraging his clients at Life Time Bloomington South to donate and attend the tournament. Gullikson has raised almost $7,500 so far in 2021.
This has been a big year for Gullikson as he recently became a USPTA Master Profession, and he will be inducted in the USTA Northern Hall of Fame in October.
This has been a big year for Gullikson as he recently became a USPTA Master Profession, and he will be inducted in the USTA Northern Hall of Fame in October.