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Eddie Herr, Clarence Varner, Gardnar Mulloy and Edward Turville, the founders of the Florida Lawn Tennis Association, now known as USTA Florida, were visionaries. They recognized that competition, especially between the best Florida and international junior players, was a key to tennis success. To foster competition in Florida they oversaw the “Great Secession” of Florida from the Southern Lawn Tennis Association in 1949. In 1951, the FLTA officially gained sectional status following action by the USLTA, now the USTA. In 1945 Eddie Herr founded the Miami Beach Tennis Association. Herr was concerned that his daughter, Suzanne, and other Florida junior players, did not have access to enough tournaments. His answer was to create the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships in 1947, initially played in Miami Beach, which became one of the most important junior tennis events in the world. It is a ‘Grade A’ ITF tournament that features both boys and girls, singles and doubles draws at both ’18 and under’ and ’16 and under’ age groups. Since 2011, it has been held at the Frank Veltri Tennis Center in Plantation, Florida.  According to Harold Solomon, the former Orange Bowl tennis champion in 1969 and 1970 and the 2024 Orange Bowl Hall of Fame Tennis Inductee, the Orange Bowl is the most important junior tennis event in the world. “The Orange Bowl was considered the premiere [junior] tournament in the world. Junior Wimbledon was not that big, and the Australia and the French really were not quite there either. So, this was the tournament that everybody wanted to play.”   Players who have competed at the Orange Bowl include: Andre Agassi; Arthur Ashe; Boris Becker; Bjorn Borg; Jimmy Connors; Jim Courier; Stefan Edberg; Chris Evert; Roger Federer; Mary Joe Fernandez; Steffi Graf; Jusine Henin; Ivan Lendl; Hana Mandlikova; Andy Roddick; Gabriela Sabatini; Monica Seles; Andy Roddick; Dominic Thiem; Guillermo Vilas; and Mats Wilander.  In 1957 Eddie Herr founded the Sunshine Cup junior team competition for boys. In 1976, with Mrs. Frank Jeffert, he cofounded the Continental Players Cup for team play for girls. In 1987, Herr’s grandson, Glenn Feldman, founded the Eddie Herr International Junior Championships in Bradenton, Florida.   Currently, the Eddie Herr International Junior Championship is held at IMG Academy. This invitation-only event welcomes over 2,000 junior tennis players from over 90 countries. Many professionals have won this tournament, including: Maria Sharapova: Jelena Jankovic; Whitney Osuigwe; Miomir Kecmanovic; Michael Mmoh; Andy Roddick and Xavier Malisse.  The Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships began in 1962 in Coral Gables, Florida for boys and girls in the “14 and under” and “12 and under” age divisions. This tournament brings together 800 of the top ranked male and female junior players representing 76 countries.            Tennis legends that have played in the Junior Orange Bowl include: Andre Agassi; Jimmy Connors; Chris Evert; Mary Joe Fernandez; Steffi Graf; Justine Henin; Juan Martin del Potro; Andy Roddick; Monica Seles; Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki.   There are several professional tournaments that have shaped the Florida tennis horizon. Two of those events are the Miami Open and the Delray Beach Open.   The Miami Open is a Masters 1000 event, often referred to as the 5th Major. It is the brainchild of HOF tennis player Butch Buchholz and his brother, Cliff Buchholz. The Buchholz Family Court is named for them at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, the home of the event since 2019.  The first iteration of the tournament was held in February 1985 at Laver’s International Tennis Resort in Delray Beach, Florida. In 1986, the tournament was played at Boca West and then it was relocated to Crandon Park in Key Biscayne in 1987.   This year marked the 39th edition of the event, which was held from March 19, 2024 through March 31, 2024 with prize money for male and female winners of $1,100,000.00. Jannik Sinner was the Men’s singles champion and Floridian Danielle Collins was the Women’s winner. The 2024 Miami Open set an all-time attendance record of 395,683.  Past Men’s singles winners include: Ivan Lendl; Andre Agassi; Jim Courier; Pete Sampras; Marcelo Rios; Andy Roddick; Roger Federer; Andy Murray; and Novak Djokovic.  Past Women’s singles champions include: Martina Navratilova; Chris Evert; Steffi Graf; Monica Seles; Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario; Martina Hingis; Venus Williams; Serena Williams; Kim Clijsters; Vika Azarenka; Sloane Stephens; Ashleigh Barty and Iga Swiatek.   The Delray Beach Open, an ATP 250 event began in 1993 under the stewardship of Mark Baron, the owner and Tournament Director.  The Delray Beach Open has grown into the world’s only 10-day ATP Champions Tour and ATP 250 event.   Coral Springs was the tournament’s site from 1993-1998 and it was initially known as America’s Red Clay Championships. Todd Martin won the first singles title, his first career ATP title. The tournament moved from the red clay of Coral Springs to the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center in 1999. In its first year in Delray Beach, the tournament shifted to a hard-court event. Lleyton Hewitt became the first singles champion in Delray Beach.   Floridian Mardy Fish captured the crown in 2009. That year was also the first Delray Beach Open doubles title for Bob and Mike Bryan. In 2018, 20-year-old American Frances Tiafoe won his first ATP Tour title at the DBO.   In 2020, 15-year-old Coco Gauff won the first women’s exhibition match at the DBO over NCAA Division 1 champion Estela Perez-Somarriba from the University of Miami. 2020 also marked the final match for the Bryan Brothers on the ATP Tour. They won their 6th Delray Beach Open doubles trophy and 119th career title.   The 2024 Delray Beach Open was the 32nd edition of the tournament. It took place between February 12th and February 18th, 2024. A record 65,135 fans attended the 10-day tournament. Taylor Fritz defeated Tommy Paul to claim his second consecutive DBO title.  Past singles champions include: Jan-Michael Gambill; Tommy Haas; Xavier Malisse; Kei Nishikori; Juan Martin Del Potro; Kevin Anderson; Ivo Karlovic; Marin Cilic; Sam Querrey; Jack Sock; and Reilly Opelka.  The founders of the USTA Florida sought to encourage competition amongst Floridians and international tennis players to expand the game and to develop the best players in the world. Florida has had massive success in the junior, adult, senior and professional tournament spaces. Competition has also been the hallmark of USTA Florida Leagues.   The amazing growth of tennis in Florida is the result of solid and forward-thinking staff leadership. And volunteers have been and continue to be the bedrock of the USTA Florida. The staff is extraordinary but can’t do it alone.    Here’s to another 75 years of healthy tennis competition and beyond!   By ML Staff. Content/Image courtesy of USTA Florida. Support the USTA Florida by becoming a member today.

After five days of racing on international sport’s biggest stage, Team USA’s Ian Barrows (St. Thomas, USVI) and Hans Henken (San Francisco, CA)  are bringing home a bronze medal in the Men’s Skiff (49er) event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This is the US Sailing Team’s first Olympic medal in sailing since Rio 2016 and Barrows and Henken’s first Olympic appearance. Ian Barrows and Hans Henken celebrate after winning a bronze medal in the Men’s Skiff event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. © Sailing Energy / US Sailing Team “I’m speechless, I still can’t believe it,” said Barrows. “I’m really happy, especially for Hans as he’s been doing this for a really long time. Our team is amazing and we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of them.”  “We put in so much hard work to get here and to have it all come together in this last race is just amazing,” said Henken. “Ian and I had the goal of having a chance in the medal race – we knew that’s a level that we had. Just to be there felt like an achievement in its own right, and to finish with this bronze medal is really the cherry on top.” For the final race of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the pair started towards the pin end of the starting line, securing their choice of the left side for the first upwind. Their close rivals, Dickson and Waddilove of Ireland, were OCS and forced to return to the starting line, which opened the door for Barrows and Henken to inch closer to the bronze medal position. Staying close to the front of the fleet, Barrows/Henken rounded the first upwind mark in 6th. They put the pedal to the metal on the downwind, playing a great leg and picking up two boats, closing the gap with the Swiss. They stayed close to the Swiss on the second upwind, overtaking them at a close mark rounding and soaring into fourth for the last race of the Paris 2024 Olympics.  “It’s great to see years of hard work, dedication and commitment come to fruition with the team to securing a bronze medal at the Olympics,” said Marcus Lynch, US Sailing Team High Performance Director. “Our recent medal victory, the first since Rio, is a testament to the incredible team atmosphere we’ve cultivated. The cohesion and dedication of the athletes, coaches, and staff were crucial to our success. We’ve focussed on creating a professional, productive and constructive culture for our athletes, putting the right people in place and creating an environment where every athlete can thrive. The USOPC recognized our potential and generously provided significant additional funding to support our athletes on the ground in Marseille. This support, combined with our strong team dynamics, has truly set us apart. Our success is a collective effort, and we are grateful for the unwavering support from the USOPC and the entire US Sailing community.” “It’s been a long time coming and lots of work in the making,” said US Sailing Team 49er Coach Mark Asquith, who has been with the team since 2017. “The messages coming in as it became clear they won the medal were really special. All the support for the guys from the rest of the 49er athletes back home was pretty amazing. It means a lot not just for us, but for the whole squad in this group effort. Ian and Hans always look for the positives, they always look for something constructive in each race and training session, and that’s what’s carried them to where they are now.” “It has been an incredible journey, those two never cease to amaze us,” said Charlie McKee, 49er coach and Sydney 2000 Olympic bronze medalist in the Men’s Skiff. “There was so much pressure on them over the past few days, and they handled it perfectly.” Barrows and Henken are the first Americans to bring home a medal in sailing since Caleb Paine’s Bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Ian Barrows grew up in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where he began his sailing career in Optis. Quickly, he acquired a passion for the sport and transitioned to larger dinghies — 420s, Lasers, and Bytes. He competed nationally in high school competitions and internationally on the youth sailing stage. In 2017, Barrows graduated from Yale with a degree in Economics. While sailing at Yale, Barrows helped lead the team to eight National Championship titles and was named a four-time collegiate All-American and College Sailor of the Year in 2017. After college, Barrows shifted his attention to an Olympic campaign, inspired by his brother, Thomas, who competed in two Olympic Games (2008 and 2016) and coached the Men’s 470 team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. A California native, Hans Henken began sailing at six-years-old in the Naples Sabot. He has competed at the highest levels of the sport since he was a junior sailor primarily racing 29ers, 49ers, the International Moth and most recently the hydrofoiling F50 on the global SailGP circuit.  Henken has spent the majority of his career competing on the U.S. Sailing Team in the 49er class with his goal of competing at the Olympics. From 2011 to 2015, he was a member and captain of the Stanford University Sailing Team and in his senior year was named Stanford Conference Male Athlete of the Year during the Cardinal’s most successful season. While competing with the Cardinal, he earned a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, an invaluable resource to complement his sailing pedigree. Barrows teamed up with Henken in 2021 with sights set on Paris 2024 and secured their ticket to Marseille by winning the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Sailing in Miami in January of 2024. Ian Barrows and Hans Henken celebrate after securing a bronze medal in the Men’s Skiff event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. © Sailing Energy / US Sailing Team Courtesy of US Sailing. Words by Allison Chenard. For event schedules and more visit US Sailing .

You can plan a versatile game room by integrating casino design elements, built-in shelving, an entertainment centre, and adaptable furniture. It will be good for you if you’re a gambler and you like casino non Gamban sites  and other such entertainment. Explore how to maximise your space for the ultimate gaming experience in our upcoming blog. Adding Casino Design Elements for Gamblers Choosing the appropriate card table can convert your game room into a gambler's haven. A robust card table is crucial for accommodating poker nights and other tabletop casino games. Opt for dark, moody finishes for recreating the traditional casino vibe. It contributes to a refined aesthetic and enhances the immersion of your gaming sessions. Integrate neon accents and ambient lighting around the room to replicate the dynamic atmosphere of a genuine casino. Incorporate a scoreboard to monitor victories, adding a competitive edge to each game night. This arrangement enhances your space while also captivates the thrilling nature of gambling right into your home. A suitable card table can make any game night feel like a real casino experience. Utilising Built-in Shelving After adding casino elements , built-in shelving becomes a must-have for any game room. It’s perfect for keeping DVDs, video games, and board games tidy and organised. By mounting gaming consoles on the wall, you can free up more space for arcade games or a pool table. This way, every gamer finds what they need without cluttering the room. Display your game equipment on shelves as decor to make the most of your space. Use these shelves not just for storage but also to show off old-school games or gaming loungers. It creates an interesting visual appeal while keeping your rec room uncluttered and ready for fun at any moment. Incorporating an Entertainment Centre Once your built-in shelving is in place, think about adding an entertainment centre. This becomes a key part of any game room, combining gaming and movie watching. Choose a big screen that suits both intense gaming sessions and film marathons. Make sure it's placed where natural light doesn't cause glare. For the audio, invest in top-notch game room speakers to make every moment immersive. A sound system with clear, deep bass adds excitement to games and movies alike. Include cosy seating facing the screen for gamers and movie buffs to enjoy their time without discomfort. Seats should be easy to move around for when you host gaming tournaments or film nights. Think about adding a foosball table or shuffleboard nearby so there's always something fun within reach. A refuelling station with a bar and food keeps everyone happy during long play periods or films without pausing the action for snacks. Choosing Furniture that Can be Easily Moved Pick furniture on wheels or pieces that are light enough to lift easily. This makes changing your game room layout a breeze. If you get bored with the setup or want to make room for more guests, shifting a gaming chair or dining chair is simple. Aim for versatile pieces like stools that can double as side tables for snacks during an Xbox marathon. Opt for foldable chairs and tables that you can stash away when not needed. This trick keeps your basement game room spacious and adaptable, whether you're working from home or hosting a computer game night. The idea is to have furniture that works hard without taking up too much space, letting you switch from a work area to entertainment zone effortlessly. Designing Around the Screen When arranging your game room, consider hiding the screen behind decorative doors and using a mirrored wall for visual space. This creates an immersive gaming experience while optimising the room's layout. Hiding the Screen Behind Decorative Doors You can make your game room ideas come to life by hiding screens behind decorative doors. Sara Hillery Interior Design suggests using sliding barn doors for this purpose. This method keeps big screens out of sight when not in use, making the space more versatile and tidy. It's a smart way to maintain the style of your interior design without letting technology take over the look and feel of the room. Sliding barn doors are not just practical; they add an element of surprise to your interior design. Imagine opening these doors to reveal a large gaming screen for everyone to enjoy. This feature turns any gathering into an instant gaming session or movie night, blending seamlessly with the rest of your game room's decor. Using a Mirrored Wall to Double the Space Visually After cleverly concealing the screen with decorative doors, consider reflecting the beauty of your game room. A mirrored wall works wonders to visually enlarge the space. It creates an illusion of depth that makes even small rooms look twice their size. This trick is not just about adding a mirror; it's about transforming the feel and dynamics of the room without moving walls. Mirrors reflect both natural and artificial light, brightening up every corner.  The reflections also add vibrancy to colourful art or design elements, like those seen in an open-plan game room by Kendall Wilkinson Design or the airy Florida rec room designed by Maite Granda. Positioning a mirror opposite a window can double the outdoor views brought into your game space, offering more than just gameplay—a view to admire. "A well-placed mirror can transform a cosy corner into a spacious retreat" - Maite Granda Maximising Space in a Small Game Room Maximise the space in a small game room by using a U-shaped sectional for optimal gaming comfort and incorporating a monochromatic scheme for a calming feel. Create an inviting and comfortable gaming area without overwhelming the limited space. Dedicate an Unused Space to Gaming Turn an unused dining room or a front sitting area into a vibrant game zone. For a fresh twist, why not set up a ping pong table where you least expect it? This clever move transforms underused spaces into active gaming areas. It’s all about getting creative with the spots in your home that don’t get much love. Next, consider combining elements like those found in hybrid living rooms by Gray Space Interiors with game-ready features. Bring together cosy seating and smart storage for games and gadgets. Make these overlooked corners or basements your go-to spot for fun and relaxation. Now let's explore how using U-shaped sectionals can enhance gaming comfort. Use a U-shaped Sectional for Optimal Gaming Comfort A U-shaped sectional sofa  brings ultimate comfort to your game room. This kind of couch wraps around the space, making sure everyone has a great view and can easily talk with each other. It fits well in any size room, even small ones. You'll have lots of seating for friends and a cosy place to relax while gaming. Choose a U-shaped sectional that matches your game room's look. Whether it's sleek and modern or more traditional, this sofa will be the centrepiece. It’s perfect for long gaming sessions or watching films after playing games. A good game is made even better by comfortable seating. Incorporating a Monochromatic Scheme for a Calming Feel Incorporating a monochromatic scheme in your game room can bring a calming atmosphere. You may consider using shades of grey, white, or black to create unity in the space. The neutral palette provides a soothing backdrop for gaming and entertainment. Designers like @visionswithvic  advocate for this approach to achieve a harmonious and relaxing ambiance. Utilising a monochromatic scheme ties together different elements in the room while maintaining visual simplicity. Liz Caan & Co. also advocates for this design choice to create an adult-friendly game room with neutral tones and black-and-white accents that exude sophistication. Alternative for Single Play: UK Gaming Tourism Start a gaming adventure with UK Gaming Tourism , exploring the advantages of social gaming and the enjoyment of playing with friends. Find out more by reading on. What Benefits Does Gaming Tourism Have? Gaming tourism benefits the economy by generating revenue and supporting the gaming industry. It enhances leisure options for travellers seeking unique experiences while promoting cultural exchange and exploration. Moreover, it contributes to job creation in the gaming and hospitality sectors, boosts local businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues, and facilitates overall growth in the tourism sector and economy. Social Gaming Transitioning from the advantages of gaming tourism, social gaming is becoming more and more popular as an alternative to solo play. People delight in multiplayer games with friends and family, fostering a feeling of community and shared experience within the gaming world. This trend mirrors the increasing preference for interactive and collaborative entertainment options, demonstrating the longing for connection and involvement in the gaming sphere. Have Fun with Friends Enjoy gaming with friends by setting up a space where everyone can gather and have a great time. Enhance the social aspect of gaming by creating an environment that encourages interaction and fun. Incorporate comfortable seating, multiplayer games, and engaging decor to make the game room an inviting place for friends to hang out. Consider multiplayer video games that allow multiple players to join in simultaneously, fostering a sense of camaraderie and friendly competition. Organise regular game nights with friends to strengthen bonds and create lasting memories through shared experiences. Aim for an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and excited to participate in multiplayer gameplay. To enhance the overall experience, invest in quality gaming equipment such as controllers, headsets, or additional peripherals so that each friend can fully engage in the gaming sessions together. By prioritising comfort and entertainment for all participants, you'll ensure that every gathering yields enjoyable moments filled with laughter and excitement. Conclusion In summary, planning the interior of a game room involves preparing for multiple uses, designing around the screen, and maximising space. Adding casino design elements, integrating an entertainment centre and using movable furniture are just some ways to achieve this. By ML Staff

Miami Beach will play host to a significant event from September 12-15, as fans of the iconic television show Miami Vice  converge for a 40th Anniversary Reunion. The celebration will bring together original cast members, guest stars, and enthusiasts from around the world in a series of events across South Beach. The event, spearheaded by a dedicated fan, has garnered support from the Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami Beach Mayor's Office, and the Ocean Drive Association. These entities have recognized the cultural impact Miami Vice  had on the city, crediting the show with revitalizing Miami Beach and boosting tourism since its premiere in 1984. Attendees can expect a range of activities, including guided tours of filming locations, meet-and-greet opportunities with the stars, and access to a specially constructed Miami Vice  Museum. The museum will feature the largest collection of show memorabilia, including screen-used props, wardrobe items, and the iconic white Ferrari Testarossa. VIP experiences, such as a cigar lounge on Española Way and exclusive dinners with cast and crew members at Miami Beach's "A Fish Called Avalon," will also be available. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Police Officers Assistance Trust, continuing the show's legacy of supporting Miami-Dade Police officers and their families. For more information, visit Miami Vice Events . By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Miami Vice.

In recognition of his character, sportsmanship and commitment to charitable giving, nine-time PGA TOUR winner and 2012 FedExCup Champion Brandt Snedeker has been named the 2024 recipient of the PGA TOUR’s Payne Stewart Award presented by Southern Company. Snedeker will be honored on Tuesday, August 27, at the Payne Stewart Award Ceremony in conjunction with the TOUR Championship. The ceremony will be televised live on Golf Channel as part of a “Golf Central” special from 7-8 p.m. ET at the Southern Exchange in downtown Atlanta. “Brandt Snedeker exemplifies everything the Payne Stewart Award represents,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “As one of our game’s most respected players, Brandt has displayed a steadfast commitment to using his platform to better the lives of so many families in his home state of Tennessee. He and Mandy have worked tirelessly to build their family foundation and establish opportunities for children on and off the golf course, and it’s inspiring to know those efforts will continue for years to come.” The Payne Stewart Award is presented annually by the PGA TOUR to a professional golfer who best exemplifies Stewart’s steadfast values of character, charity and sportsmanship. Stewart, an 11-time winner on the PGA TOUR and World Golf Hall of Fame member, died tragically 25 years ago during the week of the TOUR Championship in 1999. Southern Company, the “Official Energy Company of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions,” was the TOUR Championship presenting sponsor the year of Stewart’s passing. A year later, the PGA TOUR created the Payne Stewart Award in his honor, and Southern Company has supported the annual presentation since its inception. Snedeker, 43, is a Nashville, Tennessee, native and has nine TOUR titles to his credit. His remarkable 2012 FedExCup title helped him and his wife, Mandy, launch the Snedeker Foundation shortly thereafter. He and his wife have two children, Lily and Austin. “It’s an amazing honor and privilege to be a recipient of this award,” said Snedeker. “With my family being from Springfield, Missouri, Payne’s hometown, he was my favorite golfer growing up and to have my name on this trophy is unbelievable. When you’re recognized for an award like this, it means not only are you a good player, but you’re a good person. This was one of my dreams and it came true.” Snedeker’s Charitable Commitment In addition to a sculpture by Bob Pack presented to the recipient, the Payne Stewart Award is accompanied by an annual Payne Stewart Award Grant made possible by Southern Company. The $500,000 grant supports several initiatives in Stewart’s name and is distributed as follows: $100,000 to Payne and Tracey Stewart’s primary charity, The Stewart Family Foundation; $100,000 in Stewart’s honor to Payne Stewart Memorial, located in Missouri at Kids Across America, which is affiliated with Kanakuk Kamps; and $300,000 to a charity designated by the recipient. Snedeker has chosen to direct funds to the Snedeker Foundation. For more than a decade, the organization has focused its efforts on supporting youth initiatives on both the social and athletic fronts across Middle Tennessee. Our Kids, one of the Foundation’s most prominent initiatives, provides expert medical evaluations and crisis counseling services in response to concerns of child sexual abuse. Our Kids is one of the largest clinics of its kind in the country, with eight team members providing free 24/7 coverage to 47 counties in Middle Tennessee. Since 1987, Our Kids has evaluated more than 30,000 children with 65 percent of them being age 7 or younger. Another focus of Snedeker’s charitable giving has been geared toward the junior game, where he has helped provide a platform for the next generation of golfers to reach their potential through the Sneds Tour. In partnership with the Tennessee Golf Foundation, the Sneds Tour is a year-round junior golf tour that operates 174 events and makes the game more accessible by providing lower entry and registrations fees. In line with providing support to aspiring golfers, the Snedeker Foundation teamed up with the Tennessee Golf Foundation in December 2023 to fund the creation of a practice facility for Nashville Christian School, which will be used in a collaborative effort between those students and the Tennessee School for the Blind. Additionally, since 2017, the Snedeker Foundation has partnered with Simmons Bank and the Korn Ferry Tour to host the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation, which has raised more than $1 million for charities in the region. The tournament was awarded Korn Ferry Tour Tournament of the Year in 2022. “The philanthropic work Brandt performs on behalf of others – including some of the most vulnerable among us – demonstrates how his values are as meaningful to him as his victories,” said Chris Womack, chairman, president & CEO of Southern Company. “His contributions ensure others feel loved, respected and cared for and make our world a better place.” Snedeker On Course True to his Tennessee roots, Snedeker remained in his hometown to pursue his collegiate career at Vanderbilt University. Over the course of his time at Vanderbilt, Snedeker became one of the Commodores’ most decorated golfers in history. His accolades included being named SEC Freshman of the Year, a second-team All-America selection as a junior and the 2003 SEC Player of the Year and first-team All-American in his senior year. Snedeker added a victory at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in 2003, which earned him a spot in the 2004 Masters Tournament. After turning professional in 2004, Snedeker found success in the professional ranks with two victories on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2006 to earn his PGA TOUR card for the 2007 season. Officially joining the PGA TOUR in 2007, Snedeker collected six top-10 finishes, including his first career TOUR title at the Wyndham Championship, and was later named the recipient of the Arnold Palmer Award as PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year. Throughout his current 20-year TOUR career, Snedeker has earned nine career PGA TOUR victories, including the 2012 TOUR Championship, which secured the season-long title as FedExCup Champion, and was selected to three national teams. His two Ryder Cup appearances (2012, 2016) were highlighted by the only perfect 3-0-0 record in the 2016 matches. Snedeker was inducted into the Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009 and was nominated for the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame’s Male Professional Athlete of the Year Award in 2013. Snedeker is the 27th recipient of the Payne Stewart Award, joining a distinguished group of respected golfers including Gary Koch, who was recognized in 2023, and the inaugural recipients Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer (2000). Other recipients include Billy Andrade (2022), Justin Rose (2021), Zach Johnson (2020), Hale Irwin (2019), Bernhard Langer (2018), Stewart Cink (2017), Jim Furyk (2016), Ernie Els (2015), Sir Nick Faldo (2014), Peter Jacobsen (2013), Steve Stricker (2012), David Toms (2011), Tom Lehman (2010), Kenny Perry (2009), Davis Love III (2008), Hal Sutton (2007), Gary Player (2006), Brad Faxon (2005), Jay Haas (2004), Tom Watson (2003), Nick Price (2002), and Ben Crenshaw (2001). By ML Staff. Content/Image courtesy of PGA

The Miami HEAT will host its annual Red, White & Pink Game presented by Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute Monday, October 7 at 6pm inside the Kaseya Center – an open exhibition showcasing the franchise’s 2024-25 roster. The event is open to the public, tickets are on sale now. Tickets cost $7.00 each with proceeds benefiting cancer care and research at the Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute. Fans can purchase a maximum of eight tickets per transaction. Parking will be available for $5.00 in the P2 Garage. By ML Staff. Courtesy of NBA. For Miami HEAT tickets click here .

Soap opera star and polo player Douglas Stuart “Doug” Sheehan has died at the age of 75. The cause of death was not revealed, however the Kane Funeral Home in Big Horn, Wyoming, announced that he had passed away peacefully at his home on June 29, with his loving wife at his side. Sheehan was born in Santa Monica, California, on April 27, 1949. He attended Mesa College in San Diego and served in the U.S. Army. “Doug was one of those truly unique people that just don’t come along often. He had movie star good looks, was a gifted actor, writer, composer and a wonderful musician that could play many instruments--he even played the bagpipes!” said friend Dr. Mike Manno, who serves on the USPA board. He began his acting career in 1976 with the National Shakespeare Festival in San Diego, reportedly making $65 a week before making his on-screen debut in a 1978 episode of “Charlie’s Angels.” A year later, he joined the cast of “General Hospital.” He was a series regular from 1979 to 1982 and earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in a Daytime Drama Series. Following his run on “General Hospital,” Sheehan joined the cast of “Knots Landing,” appearing in over 100 episodes from 1983 to 1988. That role led to a Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for outstanding lead actor in a primetime show in 1988. Earlier, it earned him a Soap Opera Digest readers’ poll award in 1984 for exciting new actor in a primetime soap opera and in 1986 for outstanding supporting actor in a primetime serial. It also led to a lucrative promotional deal for Aramis men’s cologne, with Sheehan as the Aramis Man. Sheehan also appeared in television movies, including “Stranger In My bed” in 1987 and “In the Line of Duty: The F.B.I. Murders” in 1988. He went on to star in the sitcom “Day by Day,” which ran for two seasons on NBC. In the 1990s, he appeared in the “Clueless” television series and made appearances in “Crash: The Mystery of Flight 1501,” “A Mom for Christmas” and “Columbo: It’s All in the Game.” He appeared in episodes of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” in 1999 and 2003, guest starred in “Diagnosis: Murder” and “That Was Then” before his last on-screen appearance in an episode of “What I Like About You” in 2003. Sheehan made three film appearances over the course of his career. He played a police officer in the 1979 movie “10,” a dancer in the 1982 film “Victor/Victoria,” and Bert Rogers in the 1995 film “Cops n Roberts.” Sheehan took up the sport in 1984 and traveled extensively as captain of the Chukkers for Charity team that raised funds for many charities around the world. Photo courtesy of Dr. Mike Manno. Sheehan was an avid polo player and a founding member of the San Diego Polo Club. He played there in the summers and at Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, California, in the winters. His wife Cate was a photographer and could always be found on the sidelines, taking polo photos. “I first met Doug about 30 years ago, during the heyday of the San Diego Polo Club. Doug and I had a lot of common interests, such as hunting, fishing, sports and of course, horses and polo,” said Manno. “We played a lot together on his Angler’s Rest polo team, which was always made up of friends.” Sheehan took up the sport in 1984 at the urging of actor Bill Devane. In a 1986 interview, Sheehan said that he was playing or practicing every weekend at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center and had three polo horses: Seumas, Estrella and Wildfire. In a 1987 interview with the L.A. Times, he joked, “I first saw polo played at Great Gatsby Day, a charity benefit they had at Will Rogers Park a couple of years ago, and I was such a sucker for the antique Rollses and the English boots I went out and signed up for polo lessons the next day.” In the mid-1980s, Devane put together a small celebrity polo team that often played indoors at the LAEC. It included Devane, Sheehan, Alex Cord and Pamela Sue Martin. It was sponsored by Piaget and later, by Cadillac. Sheehan also traveled extensively as captain of the Chukkers for Charity team that raised funds for many charities around the world. “I am the captain of the Cadillac celebrity polo team. And what we do ... we fly around the country using polo ... and we play for charity, and we use our celebrity and the sport of polo to bring people to see the sport that have never seen it before and raise money for various charities. In the last three years, we’ve raised over $2 million for various charities around the country,” Sheehan told Arsenio Hall in a 1989 interview. “Polo has lost one of its greatest ambassadors as he promoted the sport nationally and internationally,” Manno said. In 2005, he wrote and composed a musical titled “The Lost Player’s Rapunzel,” which ran at the 550-seat Lyceum Theatre in downtown San Diego for four weeks. He also starred in the play. “He was so well known for his acting, but he was also a great musician,” said friend and former USPA CEO Bob Puetz. “There was always music around with Doug. ... We used to play piano when were together.” That same year, a wildfire destroyed his ranch in Julian, California, where he lived and housed all his acting awards. At that point, he decided to move out of California and purchased a ranch in the polo community of Big Horn, Wyoming, next to close friends Rosie and Tommy Wayman. He retired and enjoyed a quiet, low-profile life. He and his wife were often on the sidelines at the local polo club. In 2008, he joined Devane again for a celebrity polo match at the 25th anniversary of polo at the LAEC. It had been more than 10 years since they had played together. Very affable and with a great sense of humor, Sheehan later served as emcee for the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame induction ceremony for several years. “Over the years, I was lucky to get to know him and his wife Cate, and the friendship that developed was truly one that changed my life for the better,” said Manno. “He was so funny and would always be the life of any party… His presence will surely be missed by so many, especially me. I was fortunate to call him a good friend.” Sheehan is survived by his wife Cate, whom he married in 1981. By ML Staff. Content/Image courtesy of United States Polo Association

An authentic Italian restaurant on the ground floor of the historic St. Michel Hotel in Coral Gables, Zucca  serves authentic Italian cuisine to pair with a wine list of more than 2,000 varietals.  This year for Miami Spice, the restaurant will serve discounted menus for lunch and dinner, as well as a list of Miami Spice cocktails. Lunch highlights include Beef Medallions with Crispy Polenta, Tempura Prawns served over a black lentil salad with burrata cream, and Homemade Limoncello Tiramisu ($35). For dinner, guests will indulge in specialties like Seared tuna with marinated watermelon and cucumber mint broth and Open Grilled Seabream, served with fennel and orange salad ($60). The list of special Miami Spice cocktails includes Spicy Margarita mixed with agave, tequila, lima, and chili pepper, and a refreshing Watermelon Spritz, mixed with lime juice, watermelon juice, and Prosecco. Miami Spice Lunch Menu  ($35 per person/Three Courses) *Monday through Saturday  Appetizers  (choice of one) Crudo di Pesce - fresh raw fish marinated in a lemon vinaigrette Tempura Prawns - served over a black lentil salad with burrata cream  Romaine Lettuce Salad - mixed with grilled peach, yogurt and feta cheese  Zuppa del Giorno - (Soup of the Day) Entrees  (choice of one) Agnolotti di Ossobucco con Salsa Allo Zafferano and Gremolata Limonese - tossed with saffron sauce, parsley and orange zest gremolata  Tagliata di Filetto di Manzo con Polenta Croccante - beef medallions with crispy polenta,  Desserts  (choice of one) Homemade Limoncello Tiramisu  Pecorino cheese with honey  Coffee Miami Spice Dinner Menu  ($60 per person/Three Courses) *Offered Sunday through Thursday  Appetizers  Zuppa del Giorno - (Soup of the Day) Wagyu Beef Carpaccio - with white beech mushrooms, grana padano cheese and summer truffles Fiori di Zucca - light fried zucchini flowers stuffed with prawns and stracciatella Palline di Patate Croccante su Salmone Marinato - crispy potato balls with parmigiano cream, prosciutto crudo and truffled eggs Seared tuna - with marinated watermelon and cucumber mint broth.  Entrees  Bucatini with Lamb Ragu and Pistachios  Open Grilled Seabream - served with fennel and orange salad Agnolotti Ripieno di Agnello - agnolotti pasta filled with lamb, artichokes and mint crema Flat Iron Steak - accompanied by potato croquettes, gorgonzola cheese and cherry tomatoes.  Desserts  Homemade Tiramisu  Ice Cream of the day  Coffee  Miami Spice Cocktails ($11 each) Spicy Margarita with agave, tequila, lima and chili pepper  Watermelon Spritz mixed with lime juice, watermelon juice and Prosecco  White Wine Spritz with house white whine, lemon and Prosecco  Green Twist Spritz with housemade limoncello, cucumber and Prosecco  By ML Staff. Image Courtesy of Zucca

Miami HEAT announced that they have signed guard Zyon Pullin. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Pullin recently appeared in all nine Summer League games (two starts) with the HEAT, including three during the California Classic in San Francisco and all six while helping Miami capture the championship in the NBA2K25 in Las Vegas. He averaged 5.9 points, 1.9 assists and 1.2 rebounds while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 75 percent from three-point range. He scored in double-figures twice and shot perfect from the field two times, including perfect from three-point range on three occasions. Pullin, named to the All-SEC First Team, appeared in 33 games (27 starts) as a graduate transfer at Florida last season and averaged 15.5 points, 4.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 33.5 minutes while shooting 44.4 percent from the field, 44.9 percent from three-point range and 84.7 percent from the foul line. He set a single season school record 3.77 assist-to-turnover ratio and began the campaign scoring in double-figures in 23-straight games, the longest streak to begin a Gator career in school history. He finished the season with 512 points, becoming part of the first trio in Florida history to each score at least 500 points in a single season, joining teammates Walter Clayton Jr. and Tyrese Samuel. Pullin recorded at least 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in consecutive games on January 27th and 30th, becoming one of only two Gator players to accomplish the feat multiple times in the same season since 1996. Additionally, he led the team in assists and free throws made and finished second in points and minutes and third in field goals made and three-point field goals made. By ML Staff. Courtesy of NBA. For Miami HEAT tickets click here .

Join Frost Science during Summer Camp for a new, Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program that invites middle school students to gain leadership skills, learn about various science disciplines, and create a scientific resource or community action project under the guidance of a mentor. CITs will explore their interests in science, build their resumes, become young leaders in STEM, gain community service hours, and receive a recommendation letter for their time as a CIT. During Summer Camp, CITs will develop a science-based activity for Frost Science campers, aligning to the theme of the week or to a science topic of interest to the CIT. At the end of the week, CIT’s will lead and facilitate the activity they developed to a group of campers. Location Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science 1101 Biscayne Blvd Miami, FL 33132 Time and Date August 5 - 9, 2024 By ML Staff. Courtesy of Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

The Betsy Hotel , located within the South Beach Art Deco District and celebrated for its innovative arts and culture initiatives, is delighted to announce the 10th Annual Escribe Aquí/Write Here Festival. Running from August 3-29, 2024, this year's festival offers a dynamic blend of literary events and artist residencies that reflect Miami's rich cultural diversity. The festival began on August 3 with a lively opening event, drawing an enthusiastic crowd eager to engage with celebrated poets Caridad Moro-Gronlier, Miami-Dade County’s poet laureate and Kai Coggin, poet laureate of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The public opening set the tone for the month-long celebration of literature and culture. The Betsy’s Escribe Aquí/Write Here honors artists who ‘do their creative work’ at the intersection of arts, culture and identity and gives a special nod to those working in Miami, where over 70% of residents live in multilingual, culturally diverse, homes. Escribe Aquí was created in 2015 at The Betsy with support from The Knight Foundation by Cuban-American writer Pablo Cartaya (pablocartaya.com) and Pedro Medina Leon (PedroMedinaLeon.com), Peruvian writer/founder of SoFla publisher, Suburbano Ediciones. New programming partners for 2024 are the FIU-Wolfsonian Humanities Lab and the Iris Photo Collective and the new lead funding partner is the Perez CreATE program. Throughout August, eight distinguished writers will reside in The Betsy's historic Writer’s Room , a working studio space reminiscent of pre-war hotel writing rooms, where guests penned their memories and stayed connected to home. The festival includes "Cafecito" coffee conversations that provide an intimate setting for attendees to engage with the writers and discuss their work. The festival will conclude on August 29 at 7 p.m. with a virtual closing event hosted by Caridad Moro-Gronlier. This free public event, held on Zoom, offers a global platform for celebrating local literary talent and marks the culmination of a month filled with creative exchanges and community engagement. Guests are encouraged to RSVP to the Closing Event on Eventbrite . Join The Betsy in celebrating ten years of literary excellence and community involvement right in the heart of South Beach. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of The Bestsy Hotel

Durée & Company  – an award-winning full-service public relations and marketing firm founded in 1999 in Fort Lauderdale – was awarded Fort Lauderdale Magazine’s Best PR Agency of 2024 award in the gold category for the second consecutive year.    Fort Lauderdale Magazine polls the local community to select the best businesses and organizations in the area. More than 35,000 votes were cast to determine the winners of the  “Best of Fort Lauderdale 2024”  winners. Durée & Company is recognized in a  special print  and  online section  of Fort Lauderdale Magazine’s August edition. The award reflects Durée & Company’s deep roots in the Fort Lauderdale community, its commitment to serving its clients with the highest standards of PR excellence and its exceptional work in public relations.     With over 200,000 monthly readers,  Fort Lauderdale Magazine  is a reflection of the people, places, events, issues and concerns that shape residents’ lives, influence their decisions and provide for a vibrant existence in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale Magazine informs, challenges, delights and inspires the people who live, work and play in the city.   With strong connections in the area and extensive local knowledge, Durée & Company has been a pivotal force in the Fort Lauderdale story, assisting businesses and spearheading initiatives. The firm’s understanding of the community's pulse and its invaluable network of local connections have enabled it to create compelling PR campaigns that resonate.    Founded by  Durée Ross , who was born and raised in South Florida, the firm comprises a team of seasoned professionals who understand clients’ needs and deliver impactful campaigns, taking a hands-on and strategic approach.   “It’s an incredible honor to win gold for Fort Lauderdale Magazine’s Best PR Agency award for the second consecutive year,” said Ross. “No one knows Fort Lauderdale better than the people who live, work and play here. Receiving this accolade from the Fort Lauderdale community is exceptionally special because it's not just an award; it's a testament to the community that we proudly serve. This wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated team who share a passion for our clients, our work and our results.”    Durée & Company’s practice areas include real estate, nonprofit, hospitality, business, lifestyle, health and wellness, legal, yacht and marine as well as cannabis, psychedelics and other emerging industries. While the firm’s longtime headquarters is in Fort Lauderdale, it also maintains a satellite office in Aspen, Colorado.    In 2023 alone, Durée & Company received two awards for its work with international on-water assistance provider Sea Tow. The firm’s meticulous work was celebrated with a  Bulldog Bronze Award  for outstanding crisis communication. As a further testament to its excellence in communication, Durée & Company also received an Honorable Mention in the Public Relations Campaign category at the Marine Marketers of America’s  2022 Neptune Awards . The agency also won a Cannabis Marketing Association Seven Award for “Best Use of PR.” Ross was named a winner of the  2023 PRNEWS People of the Year  national awards in The Crisis Managers category. In 2024, Durée & Company was recognized with an Honorable Mention in  PRNEWS Experiential and Events PR Awards  in the Best Overall Event PR Event/Experimental Campaign B-to-B category for its work with PORT 32 Marinas.    For more information about Durée & Company’s services, visit  https://dureeandcompany.com/  or call the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office at 954-723-9350. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Durée & Company