Jon Hamm Hosts Charity Tennis Event
Featuring Top-Ranked Tennis Pros and Hollywood Celebrities
Benefitting St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
By Brittney Levine
The Desert Smash is known for bringing together some of the biggest names in Hollywood with the world’s most accomplished tennis elite, and this year is no exception as one of Hollywood and television’s most adored leading men is set to kick off the 13th annual event in the desert!
Award-winning actor, Jon Hamm, will be hosting and playing in this year’s notorious Celebrity vs. Pro match for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the leading children’s hospital pioneering research and treatments for kids with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Taking place on Tuesday, March 7th, 2017, at the world-renowned Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California, this year’s annual charity Pro-Am will also be hosted by actor, Boris Kodjoe and benefit Sophie’s Voice Foundation. A portion of the event’s ticket sales will also be donated to local Palm Springs charity, Variety – Charity of the Desert.
“The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa is thrilled to be hosting the Desert Smash for the second consecutive year. Building on the success of last year, we look forward to hosting some of the top tennis professionals in the world along with top Hollywood celebrities in support of Variety of the Desert and Sophie’s Voice Foundation,” said Jim Pedone, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa.
Ryan Macaulay, Founder of the Desert Smash notes, “We’re thrilled to be back for our 13th annual event at the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Golf Club. The resort runs a first class operation and their facilities are second to none. The Desert Smash has always been about accessibility to players and celebrities, and the Westin’s intimate tennis stadium continues in that tradition. We look forward to a full house and a great day raising money for some great charities!”
The Desert Smash Celebrity/Pro-Am Tournament is arguably one of the country’s most prominent charitable set of matches, composed of ranked WTA and ATP Tour players and some of the most notable and recognized celebrity players from Hollywood. Past professional tennis participants include ATP World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, John Isner, Stan Wawrinka, ATP World No. 1 doubles team Mike and Bob Bryan, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka and Eugenie Bouchard.
Each year, this sell-out event attracts both celebrity and tennis fans for a once in a lifetime opportunity to play and rub elbows with the world’s best tennis players. Past celebrity hosts and attendees include Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Kevin Spacey, Rebel Wilson, Joel McHale, Michael B. Jordan, Justin Chambers, Timothy Olyphant, Lance Bass and Boris Kodjoe.
In traditional Desert Smash fashion, the day kicks off with the ultra-exclusive, VIP Pro-Am Tournament and renowned Southern California competitive, high-energy on-court workout, “Tennacity,” also known in some circles as “LiveBall.” Following these fun, interactive experiences is the fan favorite Pro vs. Celebrity Exhibition singles and doubles matches, which will take place on Westin’s Stadium Tennis Court.
Following an unmatched day of tennis and fundraising, The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa will host an evening cocktail party and live concert with a set by DJ Bob Sinclar and surprise celebrity artists. Previous performances included sets by Justin Bieber, Ja Rule, Lifehouse, Nelly, Natasha Bedingfield, RedFoo, Boyz II Men, Skunk Baxter and Gavin Rossdale.
Tickets are available for purchase now!
For more event information, AND TO PURCHASE PLAYING SPOTS AND TICKETS, please visit:
