Well, even if I had the money to go to this, I probably wouldn't be connected enough to get in. It's like a secret society:
http://www.danshamptons.com/content/...1_2007/60.html
Issue #21, August 17, 2007
The Best Kept Secret In The Hamptons
For more than 20 years, the Huggy Bear Invitational, known as tennis' "best-kept secret," according to Tennis Magazine, has been one of the world's most popular five-day, 32-team, professional and amateur doubles events. Even if you are one of the Hamptons' most popular socialites, it is quite probable that you have never heard of the Huggy Bear. And you are not alone. For many years, the Huggy Bear has been kept as an in-the-know event. The press was not permitted to enter the concealed doors of the tournament, and thus, little is known about it.
The Huggy Bear is held every year by the Forstmann family and other wealthy philanthropists to raise money for children's charities all over the world. Started in 1985 by Tony Forstmann with his friends and local tennis pros in the backyard of his Hamptons' residence, they named the grounds Camp Huggy Bears (which is supposedly a reference to Tony's nickname - he is quite the hugger). A few years later, brothers Ted and Nick Forstmann got involved in the tournament, and it was during this time they decided to turn it into a charity event. Matches were played at Camp Huggy Bears, Ted's Southampton estate and other private courts in the area with a highly exclusive guest list. Dividing the tournament into two sections, one for professionals and amateurs and the other for professionals and ex-professionals, many of the sport's biggest names were attracted. Each year, the top doubles players in the world come to the Huggy Bear the week before the U.S. Open. Players such as Ken Rosewall, John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova have all participated in the tournament.
It may seem unlikely for touring tennis professionals to feel an urgent need to participate in such a tournament, but this is not the case. Not only do entrants compete for the opportunity to receive a large cash prize, but the system set up for the Huggy Bear also encompasses a bisque system - a chance to use one or more free points at any time during a match. Each team in the tournament is given a different bisque handicap, which is designated by Ted Forstmann and the Tournament Director, Tom Annear. This system creates a great deal of hype and excitement for the players.
Not only are there intense tennis matches at the Huggy Bear, there is also an elegant party on the Saturday night of the tournament. In 2006, located outside the Southampton Hospital, a tent was pitched to accommodate the hundreds of people who attended the annual benefit dinner. Celebrities such as Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, The Temptations, Roger Waters and Ray Charles are among the entertainers who have performed at the event. In addition, Gwen Stefani attended the 2006 dinner with her husband, Gavin Rossdale, who also participated in the tournament.
Since its inception, the Huggy Bear has raised almost $30 million for numerous charities, including The Hole in The Wall Gang, a camp started by Paul Newman for children with cancer and other chronic diseases and Friends of Nick, a charity started in memory of Nick Forstmann, who died of lung cancer in 2001, that awards scholarships to inner-city students.
After Nick died six years ago, the Huggy Bear's chances of continuation were slim to none. Nevertheless, after a long period of lobbying by supporters, Forstmann agreed to host the Huggy Bear for one more year in 2005, and then agreed to extend the tournament until it reaches its 25th anniversary in 2009.
The
2007 Huggy Bear Invitational will be held from August 22-26. The celebration dinner on Saturday night will include cocktails, dinner and a
special performance by Stevie Nicks. This year's tournament will help to benefit charities including, Keep a Child Alive, ACE Africa, Friends of Nick, Southampton Fresh Air Home, United Friends of the Children, Hollygrove, Vijay Armitraj Foundation and National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship.
- Evie Salomon