Finest Beat Bravest, But Everyone Wins
YourNabe.com 8/27/09
Tennis
competitors Art Warick of the NYPD (left)
and Ray Santon of the FDNY (right) presented
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. with a pair
of t-shirts at the EmblemHealth Bravest
versus Finest Bronx Open. |
The Police Department defeated
the Fire Department on Sunday, August 23 at the 2009
EmblemHealth Bravest versus Finest Bronx Open in Crotona Park.
EmblemHealth donated $2,500 to the NYPD Widows and Orphans Fund
and the Uniformed Firefighters Association Scholarship Fund.
“It was fun,” 41st Precinct detective and tennis star Art Warick
said. “The score was 5-3 but everybody won.”
Ten police officers and ten firefighters participated in the
mini-tournament, a mix of singles and doubles matches. The
EmblemHealth Bravest versus Finest Bronx Open kicked off the
2009 GHI Bronx Tennis Classic, a top-notch professional
tournament.
“The friendly rivalry is something to watch,” said Jim O’Neill,
acting president of the New York Junior Tennis League. “And is a
great addition to the tournament.”
Fans who attended the Bravest versus Finest Bronx Open were
offered free tennis lessons courtesy of NYJTL. There were also
magicians and balloon performers on hand.
“The [Bravest versus Finest Bronx Open] has always been a
popular part of the GHI Bronx Tennis Classic,” tournament
executive Pam Glick said. “The participants bring their families
and everyone has a good time.”
The NYPD Color Guard and FDNY Bagpipers opened the
mini-tournament. The police officer tennis studs triumphed for
the fourth straight year.
“We put a really good team together,” 41st Precinct police
officer Matthew Rey said.
Frank Branchini, president of EmblemHealth, cheered the Bravest
and Finest on.
“We’re honored to insure so many first responders and are proud
to host the Bravest versus Finest Bronx Open,” Branchini said.
“We wished both teams the best of luck.”
August 23 dawned gray and dreary
but the sun appeared when the NYPD-FDNY competition heated up.
Warick and Rey have already started to plan for next year.
“We networked,” Warick said. “It was a good afternoon. There was
camaraderie. We were like a bunch of big kids playing.”
To learn more about the Bravest versus Finest Bronx Open, and
the NYPD Widows and Orphans Fund, phone (347) 417-8129.
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