Board of Directors Message
Dear Pine Tree Family,
For each of the past 40 summers, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic (PTATC) has been an August gathering you don’t want to miss. A mixed doubles tennis event that started in 1986, the tournament has now raised over $8.6 million supporting groundbreaking outcomes by the doctors and researchers at Children’s Minnesota and over 600 hospitals around the world as they discover better care treatments, and some day, a cure for childhood cancer.
The PTATC’s long-standing tradition is a testament to the power of our Founding Family’s vision, and the steadfast commitment of so many dedicated people over the years - everyone from the players, sponsors, volunteers, donors, staff at Children’s Minnesota, the patients, and more. We are especially grateful for all you do in making this event the premier mixed doubles tournament and fundraiser in the upper Midwest.
The Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic would not be possible without the support of our many generous sponsors and donors including the Peterson Family (our Founding Family), the Jacobson Family Pine Tree Apple Orchard (our Founding Sponsor), Life Time White Bear and Life Time Bloomington South (our Site Sponsor), our Event and Presenting sponsors, and all of our sponsors, donors, tennis players and volunteers who make the PTATC happen.
In 2025, we had our biggest year yet, raising over $600,000 (and still counting) for the cause. We also had 182 players participate in the tournament coming from as far away as New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Illinois. We crowned new Open champions in Annika Munson and Sam Rathmanner, as well as Kelly Buckley in the Masters and Amy Jamieson and Mario De la Torre in the Grand Masters. The food tent was stocked up on apple donuts and turnovers, brats and chicken sandwiches. At the Friday Night Appreciation Party, national recording artist and former White Bear Lake High School tennis coach BeJaxx entertained the masses as part of his national tour!
Off the court, we continue to be amazed and humbled by the dedication of the research team at Children’s Minnesota, whose work not only helps children survive, but also thrive during and after treatment. We are so proud of their work in developing two world-renowned tumor registries, the development of an international prospective clinical trial to translate findings from the lab into clinical care, and the creation of a nationally recognized model of rehabilitation for childhood cancer patients. The team has published countless research papers, delivered numerous presentations on research findings and collaborated on a regular basis with researchers and care providers all over the world to help children with these rare cancers in the hopes of finding a cure.
In 2024, we also announced a new partnership with Children's Minnesota - the Hematology, Oncology Point of Care through Survivorship Research Endowment Fund supporting patients and families from beginning of their journey to well after their treatment is complete by funding research initiatives in support of nurses and other advanced care practitioners in the Hematology/Oncology wing of Children’s Minnesota. Pine Tree founder Ron Peterson also made a lead gift of $100,000 in support of this new $1 million initiative.
The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund Board is enthusiastic about our mission to be a positive force in the health and well-being of kids with childhood diseases and their families and strive in continually making a difference. There is always room for more. If you have an interest in joining this wonderful team of volunteers, please let us know.
Thank you again for being an integral part of this event! We could not do it without you!
Game, Set, Cure!
Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund Board of Directors
Matt Narr, Cheryl Yasis, Lori Yates, Michael Yates, Barry Dobson, Rachel LaTour and Norm Longsdorf
