News

December 19, 2025

PTACF Celebrates 40th Anniversary with $420,000 Gift To Children's Minnesota Foundation

The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund proudly concluded its 40th Anniversary celebration of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic today by presenting a year-end gift of $420,000 to the Children’s Minnesota Foundation in continuing its longstanding tradition of supporting the groundbreaking work at Children’s Minnesota. This gift will continue advancing critical research initiatives in rare tumor cancer, rehabilitation, and point-of-care/survivorship programs at Children’s Minnesota.

“For four decades, our community has rallied together through tennis, generosity, and shared purpose to support Children’s Minnesota,” said Matt Narr, President of the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund. “We are thrilled once again to support the incredible research efforts happening there with this $420,000 gift. We are so thankful to all Pine Tree tennis players, sponsors, donors, and volunteers for their continued generosity and support of our mission. The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund is proud to partner with Children’s Minnesota and build on its incredible legacy of exceptional care for children and promise for a better future.”

Allocation of Funds

The $420,000 contribution will support four key initiatives at Children’s Minnesota:

• $160,000 – Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Operating Fund
• $135,000 – Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Endowment Fund supporting targeted research needs of DICER1-related tumors and long-term effects of cancer treatment
• $100,000 – Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund Hematology/Oncology Point-of-Care through Survivorship Research Operating Fund which supports research by nurses and advanced care practitioners aimed at addressing any stage of a patient’s care journey with a focus on the unique long-term physical, mental, and social challenges patients can face after completing cancer treatment. 
• $25,000 – Hematology/Oncology Point-of-Care through Survivorship Research Endowment Fund

A Milestone Year of Celebration and Impact

Funds were raised as part of a year-long celebration marking the 40th Anniversary of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, held July 31–August 3, 2025, at Life Time White Bear Lake in White Bear Lake, Minn., and Life Time Bloomington South in Bloomington, Minn.

Since its founding in 1986, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic has raised more than $8.5 million for childhood cancer research at Children’s Minnesota and around the world. Since becoming a nonprofit organization in 2018, the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund has generated over $2.5 million in support of these efforts.

Looking Ahead

Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund will be busy raising funds again in 2026 with its three signature events including the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Spring Fling for NTRP Players April 10-12, the Game, Set, Cure Luncheon on April 30 at Town & Country Club in St. Paul, Minn., and the 41st Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic August 6–9 at Life Time White Bear Lake and Life Time Bloomington South (junior event). More information about these events, opportunities to get involved and how to donate can be found at www.ptacf.org.

December 1, 2025

PTACF Announces 2026 Board of Directors

The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund is proud to announce our 2026 Board of Directors - a dedicated group of leaders who will guide Pine Tree into its next chapter of impact, innovation, and community support.

2026 Board of Directors

President: Matt Narr

Secretary:  Cheryl Yasis

Treasurers: Michael Yates & Lori Yates

Directors: Barry Dobson, Rachel LaTour, Norm Longsdorf & Tobias Wernet

Leadership Transitions and Appointments

Matt Narr has been elected President after serving as Secretary the past 3 years. A tournament player and fundraiser since 2008, Narr has also contributed as Event Co-Chair and Tournament Director responsibilities. With nearly two decades of experience as a teaching professional, he currently serves as Racquet Sports Director at Life Time White Bear Lake - home of the annual Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic.

Cheryl Yasis moves into the Secretary role following 5 years of service as a Director. A Mahtomedi resident and retired global marketing leader, Yasis brings over 30 years of experience across healthcare, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. Her career includes leadership positions at Fortune 100 companies and MedTech startups, where she drove strategic, data-informed commercialization initiatives. She is also the mother of a pediatric cancer survivor and an avid tennis player.

Long-time volunteers Michael and Lori Yates of New Brighton, Minn., will transition into the co-treasurer capacity after serving as Directors. Mike is a retired CPA and MBA who spent over 30 years in the financial industry, while Lori began her career as a CPA at a national public accounting firm before transitioning to the insurance/financial services field as a financial and regulatory reporting specialist for over 30 years. The Yates' have supported Pine Tree in numerous capacities the past 20 years including donor, player sponsor, photographer/videographer, volunteer coordinator, trophy designer and anything else asked of them. Their daughter, Mel, was also multiple time Pine Tree player earning finalist honors.

Barry Dobson, a retired business leader from Vadnais Heights, Minn., returns as a Director. A long-time supporter of Pine Tree, Dobson is the architect behind the organization's Volunteer Give Back program, which engages local high schools and college programs in service, as well as the Game, Set, Cure Luncheon. When not on the tennis court, he enjoys traveling and cooking and spending time with his family and five wonderful grandchildren. Barry looks forward to contributing his experience and energy to the board.

Rachel LaTour of Edina, Minn., brings more than 25 years of non-profit board and committee experience. Pine Tree allows her to combine her passion for tennis and community service with her professional background in Human Resources. For the past 3 years, she has successfully led the Pine Tree Junior Tournament, raising more than $100,000 for the cause.

Norm Longsdorf of Osceola, Wis., a retired financial leader and avid tennis supporter in the community, enters his second term as a Board Director.

Tobias Wernet of Edina, Minn., serves as Customer Success Leader, Cloud + AI at Microsoft, driving strategic initiatives across a $4B+ enterprise customer business with a focus on performance frameworks and business transformation. A long-time supporter of Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund, Wernet has contributed as a player, player liaison, and advocate for expanding donor engagement for many years. He played college tennis at the University of Minnesota.

Thank you to each of these incredible individuals for lending their time, talent, and passion to our mission. Game, Set, CURE!

August 15, 2025

2025 Tournament Raises Over $600,000!

40-LOVE!!! We did it! $601,000 raised and still counting! 

What an incredible year and a wonderful way to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic. THANK YOU to our amazing players, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and everyone who supported the cause! We crushed our 2025 goal of $540,000 by raising over $601,000 this year — the most in Pine Tree history! 

These funds go directly to lifesaving pediatric cancer, rehabilitation and point-of-care research initiatives and care at Children’s Minnesota, helping kids and families where they need it most.

From cheering on the great tennis to grabbing an apple treat at the food tent, every bit of energy, generosity, and support added up to this record-breaking total. We are so grateful for each of you who make the Pine Tree community so special and help us make a real difference. 

Thank You & Game, Set, Cure!

Lisa Mushett, Executive Director & 

Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund Board of Directors

2025 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Final Results