WATCH FOR the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Senior World Championships, the world’s largest amateur tennis tournament, to transform Palm Beach County into the center of the tennis universe, April 21-May 4 with approximately 850 tennis matches taking place during team competition and 1,500 matches taking place during the individual competition. In order to accommodate the influx of global tennis players that will be in Palm Beach County, 8 different tennis facilities consisting of 110 total clay courts will be utilized.
The ITF Senior World Championships, which entails an individual and team championship division for men and women, will attract over 1,600 athletes and more than 3,000 worldwide visitors from 38 different countries. The event is divided into the age categories of 35, 40, 45, 50, and over 55. The Team Championships will commence play on April 21 and conclude on April 26. The Individual Championships will begin on April 27 and conclude on May 4.
The ITF Senior World Championships brings widespread impact to Palm Beach County. The event is expected to generate over $2.5 million of direct visitor spending and between 4,000 and 5,000 hotel room nights, countywide. In addition to the significant economic benefits, the ITF Senior World Championships will bring Palm Beach County immense exposure across the global tennis community. The ITF Senior World Championships will boost an impressive portfolio of tennis events for Palm Beach County, which includes an ATP World Tour event, the Davis Cup and Fed Cup, and exclusive collection of amateur championship events sanctioned by the USTA.
WATCH FOR a Florida Museum of History exhibit in Tallahassee, through August, to show how the Sunshine State got hooked on fishing, explore the rise of sport fishing in Florida and how it became such a popular past-time today. More than 100 artifacts, including tackle, trophies and fish mounts highlight significant periods in Florida’s angling history. Stunning paintings by William Aiken Walker and Stanley Meltzoff depict the natural beauty of aquatic life.
Visitors can try their hand at Florida fishing on a Nintendo Wii. Catch The Lure of Florida Fishing at the Museum of Florida History through August 26. Parking and admission are free and the hours are: Monday through Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
WATCH FOR the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau to launch a new branding effort, “Miami Soccer Summer.” and a new website in early May to promote Miami’s soccer culture, Miami’s World Cup connections but also all things soccer — from the city’s growing soccer community to the coming MLS soccer franchise — will be introduced. Miami officials expect approximately 50,000 Morld Cup travelers this summer to pass through Miami on their way to Brazil for the June 12-July 13 FIFA World Cup.
WATCH FOR the White Hot success of the Miami Heat to lead to more Pro Sports license plate sales in Florida. During the month of March, the Heat led all Florida speciality license plates with 951 new sales, topping the Endless Summer plate (935), Sea Turtles (515), University of Florida (508), and Florida State University (505), according to the Florida Specialty License Plate web site.
WATCH FOR a variety of other sports events in the Sunshine State, including events of the 35th Anniversary Sunshine State Games, Florida’s only Olympic-style Sports Festival, at the Florida Sports Calendar on the FSF website.
WATCH FOR the Miami Marlins Giancarlo Stanton and the Toronto Blue Jays Jose Bautista continue their long ball tendencies that began during Florida Spring Training in March. Bautista hit six home runs and Stanton hit five to lead the Florida Grapefruit League. Both have six home runs in 19 games during April to lead their respective leagues.
The Weekly “What to Watch For in Florida Sports,” is compiled by the Florida Sports Foundation, the state’s lead sports promotion and development organization. Follow the Florida Sports Foundation on Facebook and on Twitter #fla_sports. Visit http://www.flasports.com for more information about the Florida Sports Foundation and the vibrant sports industry in the Sunshine State. Florida is Where The World Comes to Play.