News

Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund President Kevin Werwie and its Board of Directors have announced the hiring of Lisa Mushett as the organization’s first-ever Executive Director after serving as the Event Coordinator of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic since 2020. In her new role, Mushett will play a pivotal part in driving the company’s strategic initiatives and fostering continued growth while still overseeing the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic - and its 40th Anniversary celebration - set for July 31-August 3, 2025, at Life Time White Bear Lake in White Bear Lake, Minn. 

“We are so honored to have Lisa as not only our first Executive Director, but our first employee of the Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund,” Werwie said. “Our success over the past 39 years has been based on the tremendous generosity of so many sponsors, donors, players, volunteers and the Children’s Minnesota research team and staff. We have grown to a point where an Executive Director is critical to ensure our continued success. Lisa brings a wealth of professional experience, leadership skills, tennis connections and a team-first approach that makes her a perfect fit for this position. She is passionate about our mission to help these kids impacted by cancer, and I have no doubt that she will continue to lead us successfully for many years to come.”

Mushett brings a proven track record in the marketing, communications and tennis industries to her new position. Since her arrival in 2020, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic and Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund have experienced substantial growth both on and off the court. The tournament has grossed over $2 million during her time, with approximately $1.6 million gifted to Children’s Minnesota for targeted pediatric cancer and research initiatives. The tournament has also expanded its tennis draws in the Masters and Grand Masters Division and has brought back a Junior Division featuring many of the top junior players in Minnesota. The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund has also established two endowments at Children’s Minnesota including the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Research in 2020, and the Hematology, Oncology Point of Care through Survivorship Research Endowment Fund in 2024. 

Prior to her work with the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, Mushett served as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the United States Tennis Association Northern for 15 years and coordinated many of its special events including the Aquatennial Tennis Classic, the Women’s $50K Pro Circuit tournament, the Tennis Festival of the North and the annual Hall of Fame and Awards ceremonies. She is also one of the top junior and college tennis officials in the country, currently serving as the Supervisor of Tennis Officials for both the Big Ten and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conferences and is a member of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s National Officials Committee.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be named Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund’s first Executive Director,” Mushett said. “What started as a local community event made up exclusively of volunteers 40 years ago has grown into an impactful Minnesota 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is truly saving the lives of children locally and around the world … and we are only getting started. I look forward to continuing my work with the Pine Tree family in this new role as we continue to expand and grow in hopes of one day saying ‘Game, Set, Cure!’”

Mushett can be reached directly via email at lisa@ptacf.org or by phone at (612) 804-4008.

Save the Date as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic July 31-August 3, 2025, at Life Time White Bear Lake in White Bear Lake, Minn.!

Since 1986, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic has raised over $8.5 million for childhood cancer research efforts at Children's Minnesota and around the world, and since becoming its own non-profit entity in 2018, Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund which oversees the tournament, has generated almost $2 million. The 40th Anniversary promises to be a celebration for the ages. We hope you can join us! 

Game, Set, Cure! 

Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund President Kevin Werwie and its Board of Directors presented doctors and staff at Children’s Minnesota with a check for $460,000 supporting targeted children’s cancer research and rehabilitation efforts for the largest pediatric cancer and blood disorders program in the upper Midwest. Children’s Minnesota COO Dr. Marc Gorelick and Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer and President of Children’s Minnesota Foundation Jennifer Soderholm, among others, accepted the gift on behalf of Children’s Minnesota.

Funds were raised as part of the 2024 Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic, which took place August 1-4, 2024, at Life Time in White Bear Lake, Minn. Celebrating its 39th anniversary this year, the event raised over $600,000. 

The allocation of the $460,000 will be distributed between three different initiatives including the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders Operating Fund ($160,000) and the Pine Tree Apple Classic Endowment Fund ($150,000) supporting targeted research needs of DICER1 related tumors and coping with the long-term effects of cancer treatment. 

The remaining funds ($150,000) will support a new partnership announced between Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund and Children’s Minnesota in August - the Hematology, Oncology Point of Care through Survivorship Research Endowment Fund. This new endowment funds much-needed research initiatives by nurses and advanced practice practitioners aimed at addressing any stage of a patient’s care journey with a focus on the unique long-term physical, mental and social challenges patients can face months or years after completing cancer treatment. 

“We are thrilled to donate a record amount of $460,000 to Children’s Minnesota this year and not only continue the incredible outcomes being generated from the rare tumor registries and rehabilitation research, but also add a third area of research with the Hematology, Oncology Point of Care through Survivorship Research Endowment Fund,” Werwie said. “We are so thankful to all Pine Tree sponsors, donors, tennis players and volunteers for their continued generosity and support of our mission and these targeted research areas. The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund is proud to partner with Children’s Minnesota and build on its impressive 100-year legacy of exceptional care for children and promise for a better future.”

​Since 1986, the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic has raised over $8.5 million for childhood cancer research efforts at Children’s Minnesota and around the world, and since becoming a non-profit entity in 2018, Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund has generated almost $2 million. 

“The Pine Tree Apple Classic Fund and the tennis tournament continue to amaze everyone at Children’s Minnesota by finding new and innovative ways to make a difference in the lives of the patients and families we serve,” Soderholm said. “We are profoundly grateful for your remarkable decades-long partnership.”

The 40th Anniversary of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic is scheduled for July 31-August 3, 2025, at Life Time in White Bear, Minn. Details about the tournament, and how to get involved in this amazing event, are available at www.ptacf.org.