March 10, 2022
By:Faran Fagen
Special to The Palm Beach Post
For 57 years, Marty and Harriet Ross have been a winning team. Throughout their marriage, family, business, and busy lifestyle in Wellington, love has been their greatest weapon.
In fact, their latest collaboration has served love on the tennis courts for the past four years.
In 2018, they introduced the Israel Tennis & Education Centers story to members of the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club in Wellington, via a tennis exhibition to raise funds for the organization.
“We decided to bring to the members of Wycliffe Golf & Country Club this educational, invaluable success story of playing for peace and beyond, for children of all denominations,” Marty Ross said.
As co-chairs of the tennis event, the Rosses are supported by a host committee, local professional and business sponsors, and the Wycliffe community.
“Bringing this program to the members here in Wycliffe has opened their eyes and thoughts, and the members are now sharing this story with their families and friends,” Marty Ross said.
The event, expected to draw a maximum-capacity crowd of 450, will feature an exhibition of tennis prowess as well as testimonies from a small contingent of players who have gone through ITC programs.
The fifth annual program will tale place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. today at Wycliffe’s tennis center. The courts will be set up to provide entertainment and activities for fun, fitness, education, spirit and mentorship.
“Meeting the ITEC ambassadors from Israel and hearing their inspiring stories is an incredible experience,” Marty Ross said. “We encourage people to listen, and share with others, the ITC story of enriching the lives of children, tomorrow’s leaders.”
Ross said the ITEC is one of the largest social service organizations for children in Israel, serving over 20,000 children there every year. It provides comprehensive educational programs and support services to vulnerable children and youths in one of the most conflicted regions of the world.
For more information about the ITEC, go to www.israeltenniscenters.org. The ITC Florida headquarters can be reached at 954-480-6333.
Q&A with Marty Ross
Who is your hero?
Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, J.F. Kennedy.
What are your hobbies?
Working for nonprofit charities and helping people improve and enjoy tennis.
What do you do to get away or take a break?
Meeting up with friends, short visits to Naples, Sarasota and St. Petersburg.
If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be?
My wife.
What is the best advice you ever received?
Be positive, and lead a morally, ethically, loving, life, contributing to society positively.
What is your favorite book?
“The Old Neighborhood” by Avery Coreman.
What is your favorite memory?
Having supporting, loving, encouraging role-model parents.