Celebrating 40 Years Of Pine Tree!

Since 2000, a Sportsmanship Award has been awarded each year to a player who has demonstrated qualities of good sportsmanship and who has significantly demonstrated his or her commitment to the cause of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic. 

Paul Kolenich is committed on so many levels to the cause. He has participated in this event for over 10 years. He is consistently one of the top fundraisers for the event, including raising over $4,700 this year. He volunteers his time before, during and after the tournament and organizes his White Bear Lake Boys team to volunteer at the event as well. Paul always has a smile on his face, and beer in his hand, and is what the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic is all about. 

Thank you, Paul!

The Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Fund Board also honors an individual or family who has made an outstanding and long-term contribution to the tournament with the Hall of Fame award. This year’s award was presented on Friday to the Donley Family of Duluth, Minn.

Erik, Meghan, Anne and Kristin have played in over 40 Pine Tree’s and at least one has played since 2000. They have a combined 7 titles between them and 2 sportsmanship awards. Matriarch Liz is always in the crowd watching her kids play while watching the seven grandkids at the same time. Now in 2024, four of their children played in the junior tournament to keep the tradition going. Congratulations to them!

Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen became the latest member of the Pine Tree family, playing in the Masters Division of the 2024 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic with her partner Clay Sollenberger on Thursday night. Lindsay and Clay lost a close match 6-4, 7-5 to Nathalie Odryzynski and Dean Hlushko, but a good time was had by all and many of her loyal fans were able to meet their idol and receive autographs from her.  

Lindsay is no stranger to tennis as she played during her time at Hutchinson High School but was later “sidetracked” by basketball. As we know, basketball became more than a hobby for her. She went on to become a three-time All-American at the University of Minnesota, a five-time All-WNBA player, a four-time WNBA champion, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist before transitioning to coaching. After retiring from basketball last year, she dusted off her tennis racquet and found herself back in the game once again playing USTA League Tennis.