PTR Kids Tennis

Professional Tennis Registry members now will have a new workshop to enhance members’ teaching of kids ages 10 and under. PTR Kids Tennis updates Munchkin Tennis, taking the best from it and adding new elements to create a methodology that ensures success when teaching tennis to youngsters. Sweetwater Tennis Center in Austell, Ga., hosted one of these workshops on June 1. The launch of QuickStart and ITF’s Play & Stay means that tennis teaching pros must have the skills and knowledge to contribute. PTR Kids Tennis is the catalyst that will help teachers better contribute to these programs, and is a perfect complement to them. PTR Kids Tennis Workshop introduces tennis teachers to the key concepts of understanding physical development, communicating and organizing young players, maximizing learning in children, developing key skills like rallying, serving and scoring quickly, as well as using modified courts and equipment. Workshop participants will receive the new PTR Kids Tennis Instructor’s Manual designed to complement the workshop by offering an in-depth resource on setting up courts, understanding how children learn, planning and structuring lessons, progressions for teaching more skills, formats for organizing and running competitions for this young age group, as well as more than 60 drills and games all designed for children. In addition, the manual includes a resource CD with logos and graphics reflecting diversity, certificates to use in any PTR Kids Tennis program, and a tennis-themed coloring page for youngsters. Several PTR clinicians have been trained to deliver the PTR Kids Tennis Workshops and are doing so right now. PTR Kids Tennis Workshops are continually being scheduled around the country and will soon be launched worldwide. Just as children grow, PTR Kids Tennis will grow. At this time, additional supporting materials include a specially designed PTR Kids Tennis T-shirt for the children in a program, and discounted prices from Gamma on everything an instructor will need to properly teach this age group, from mini nets to foam and transition balls. Through PTR Kids Tennis, PTR has produced the tools to help tennis teachers get more young players in the game and, most importantly, keep them there! Another way that PTR helps its members teach kids is through its new partnership with www.CoachingSchool.org. PTR members receive a free email subscription to the CoachingMinute, a weekly 2.5 to 5 minute audio formatted file with world class coaching concepts designed specifically for coaching kids. 6/12/08

 

USPTA Announces Newest Initiative:

Tennis—for the Health of it!

The United States Professional Tennis Association and the American College of Sports Medicine announced an exciting partnership as it relates to each association’s initiatives of Tennis – for the health of it!SM and Exercise is Medicine TM, respectively. The announcement was made on Friday, May 9, during the free Tennis Across America TM clinic with the theme of Tennis – for the health of it! held at Zina Garrison’s All Court Tennis Academy at MacGregor Park in Houston. Jack Groppel, Ph.D., vice president of the USPTA Board of Directors, and Adrian Hutber, Ph. D., vice president of ACSM’s Exercise is Medicine™ program, were in attendance to announce this landmark alliance between the USPTA and ACSM, one of the first of its kind tying together major initiatives from the field of medicine with the arena of sport. Tennis – for the health of it! strives to make the general public aware of the tremendous health, fitness and psychological benefits of tennis and encourage people to get out and play the sport as a part of their regular fitness regimen. The USPTA also strives to encourage and enable people across the nation and world to live a healthy lifestyle through the sport of tennis. In addition, the USPTA and its members are the delivery force through which the public can receive these benefits through lessons and other tennis activities. “Since there exists tremendous scientific support demonstrating that tennis is one of the best activities in which one could participate, and that USPTA has the infrastructure to deliver the game of tennis to all ages and ability levels, this partnership makes for a great match,” said Groppel. “USPTA-certified professionals will deliver healthy activity on the tennis court, supporting Exercise is Medicine™ and physicians in their communities to create healthier communities.” Exercise is Medicine™ has the following guiding principles: Exercise and physical activity are important to health and the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases, more should be done to address physical activity and exercise in healthcare settings, and ACSM and the American Medical Association are making efforts to bring a greater focus on physical activity and exercise in healthcare settings. "If the power of exercise to improve and maintain health is fully integrated into the U.S. healthcare system, it has the ability to dramatically improve the public's health and quality of life in a way that perhaps no single medication can. ACSM is thrilled to be partnering with the USPTA in this common goal. The scientifically proven benefits of a correctly implemented tennis-based exercise program combined with the USPTA's strong network of highly qualified teaching professionals makes this partnership a very natural fit for both organizations, and one that we are confident has huge potential to make a significant contribution to the health of the American public,” said Hutber. This is a great synergistic relationship between the USPTA and ACSM, and the USPTA is the vehicle to deliver exercise programs through tennis that the ACSM is so eager to push for health benefits. Exercise is important to stay healthy, and playing tennis provides a great way to do that. Clearly, tennis is a natural fit for Exercise is Medicine™. Through its network of teaching professionals, exemplified by its nationwide grassroots structure, USPTA is excited to be a vehicle for programs and activities presented by ACSM. For more information on Tennis – for the health of it! visit www.uspta.com. The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 20,000 international, national, and regional members are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine. For a poster outlining 34 reasons to play tennis, visit www.uspta.com.  6/12/08

 

National Public Parks Tennis Association Launches Website

The National Public Parks Tennis Association is announcing the launch of its new website, www.nppta.com. The site is aimed at increasing tennis participation and awareness of tennis in public parks, while promoting public park tournaments, providing an entry system to the National Public Parks Tennis Championships being held in New Orleans July 21-29, 2008, and creating a history of tennis in the public parks. Tennis Directors in park and recreation agencies can also visit the site to register their facilities to host a public parks tournament in their local area. 6/12/08

 

Reynolds Plantation Takes Top-50 Award Again

Reynolds Plantation’s Lake Club Tennis Center was named a “Top 50 Tennis Resort” by Tennis Resorts Online for the second year in a row. This award is judged by players who visit facilities and rate them in an online survey. The 2008 survey asked players to assess resorts and camps in 20 categories, including all aspects of the tennis experience and such diverse characteristics as the quality of lodging, restaurants, children’s programs and value for the dollar. The Lake Club Tennis Center is on-par with Reynolds Plantation’s five world-class golf courses. Tennis Center Director and GPTA Assistant to the Board of Directors Dave Neuhart states, “It is a great honor to be recognized, as Tennis Resorts Online is one of the major resources that traveling tennis players use to make their decisions on their next destination.” The Lake Club Tennis Center was also named a Top 50 Tennis Welcome Center by the Tennis Industry Association and the U.S. Tennis Association this year. 6/12/08

 

CCR Hosts 30th Anniversary Pro Am

The 30th Anniversary of the Country Club of Roswell Charity Invitational Pro Am to benefit Bert’s Big Adventure featured an Auction Gala and Casino Party, Tournament Play and a free Junior Clinic. This is the third year that CCR’s pro am has given its proceeds to Bert’s Big Adventure, a charity that takes children suffering from chronic and terminal illnesses and their families on a first-class trip to Walt Disney World. Matt Grayson, CCR Tennis Director directed the May 9-11th tournament. CCR members hailed the event as the “best ever.” The highlights of the Live Auction were a $75,000 Signature Collection Wedding from Magic Moments as well as a 12-month package from Jet Golf & Tennis that included a clinic with Robby Ginepri. Magic Moments runs special events facilities Primrose Cottage, Flint Hill, Little Gardens and The Atrium. Other sponsors included Nike, Wilson, North Point Volvo, Coach Matt’s Tennis & More, Signature Tennis Courts, Sweet Apple Village and Infinite Energy. CCR will continue its support of Bert’s Big Adventure by hosting a Bert’s Big Adventure Reunion next month. Pictured: Bert Weiss of Bert's Big Adventure, Matt Grayson and CCR Head Pro JD Hall. 6/12/08

 

GPTA Welcomes New Members

The GPTA is proud to announce its newest members: Meike Babel, Danny Fariss, Patrick Hayes, Nathan Mann, Francisco Nunez, Kevin Riley and Megan St. Clair. 3/9/08

 

Join GPTA Members, Vic Braden at ‘Drills, Drills, Drills!’

The annual USTA Georgia Community Tennis Development Workshop is set for October 12-14, 2007, at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center . GPTA will host a breakout session with an appearance by tennis legend Vic Braden. The session, led by GPTA President Mark Suiter and GPTA Treasurer Kevin Jackson, is “Drills, Drills, Drills!” It is scheduled for October 13, from 4-5:30PM. The workshop reaches out to CTA members, park and recreation professionals, teaching pros, facility personnel and all other tennis movers and shakers. This year’s attendees have the opportunity to learn from Braden, the keynote speaker for this year. Braden is regarded by many as the most knowledgeable tennis coach in the world, and he brings a wealth of experience and credibility to any environment. He is a longtime sports science researcher, licensed psychologist and the founder of Vic Braden Sports Instruction and the Vic Braden Tennis Colleges, which are held nationwide. He has produced 16 instructional videos that incorporate his research and his coaching knowledge. Braden has authored six books, contributed to publications such as Sports Illustrated and continues to author editorials for several publications such as Tennis Week and Tennis Life. In addition, he has appeared on popular television shows including NBC’s Today Show, hosted his own television shows on PBS and ESPN and provided televised tennis commentary for numerous professional events. His lighthearted approach is endearing, and his motto of “Laugh and Win” has helped shape the resoundingly positive attitudes of decades of students. In his books, videos, tennis colleges and speeches, Braden strives to teach effectively and connect with students on a personal level, aiming to uncover the ‘genius to perform’ that he believes rests in every individual. Registration fee: $145.00. Registration forms and information are available at ustageorgia. 10/08/07

 

‘Champions Beyond The Game’ Brunch to Honor Kaplan

Florida State University will honor GPTA member Jaime Kaplan (right) as a “Champion Beyond the Game” on October 7, at its annual brunch at the University Center. Kaplan, class of 1983, was the first player in the history of FSU Tennis to qualify for NCAA’s. All current coaches of FSU women’s sports, current female student athletes and donors will be guests at the brunch, now in its ninth year. The brunch is held each year to "honor the past, celebrate the present and promote the future" of women's athletics at Florida State. The purpose of the event is to honor two Florida State graduates for the lifetime successes that they have achieved following their experiences as Florida State athletes. Each year, one former graduate is selected from the pre-scholarship era and one from the scholarship period of Florida State's athletics history. Kaplan, a native to Macon, Ga., attended the University of Georgia from 1979-81 and then attended FSU from 1981-83. While attending FSU, she ranked No. 1 in tennis singles and doubles for two consecutive years. In 1983, she participated in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships, making her the first player in the history of FSU tennis to qualify for the NCAA championships. Following college, Kaplan went on to play in five Wimbledons, four US Opens, four French Opens and one Australian Open. She won five doubles’ titles and also held a World Singles ranking of No. 252 and a World Doubles ranking of No. 91. After an outstanding professional career, Kaplan then became the founder and event manager of the Association for Retarded Citizens and Macon Rescue Mission and has raised more than $1.4 million in 18 years. In 1996, she was selected by the United Way to be the Olympic Torch Relay torchbearer. That same year, she was named among the “Top Ten Influential Sports Figures of the Decade,” by the Macon Telegraph. The following year, she was honored on the list of “Top Ten All-Time Female Athletes.” The honors have not stopped for Kaplan, who in 2005, was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, which includes athletes from all sports. In 2006, she was inducted into the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame. 10/08/07

 

GPTA Members Win at USPTA World Conference

USPTA awarded several GPTA members with awards during the 80th USPTA World Conference on Tennis. Craig S. Jones was awarded the 2007 USTA/USPTA Community Service Award. Jones is the Owner and Director of Tennis at Petersburg Racquet Club in Martinez, Ga. GPTA member and USPTA/PTR Master Professional Ken DeHart (left) was recognized with the Career Development Award Winner for 2006. He had the most continuing education points of the 14,000 USPTA Pros for the year. This is the 3rd year in a row that DeHart has won the Career Development Award. He has been a speaker at several GPTA conferences, USTA, PTR and USPTA National Conferences. He is best know for his drill presentations and mental "tuffness” programs. GPTA Director-at-Large Ben Hestley also took home an award. Hestley won the National Seminar Contest; 17 sections throughout the country were represented. He represented the Southern Section and the GPTA. Each participant had 8-10 minutes to give a presentation of a relevant tennis topic. Hestley’s topic was "Abbreviated Tournaments to Maximize Junior Tournament Participation." He received a cash award of $1,000. This is the second year in a row that a GPTA member has won the National Seminar Contest. Kevin Jackson won the National Seminar Contest in 2006. Hestley is the Head Tennis Professional at Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta. 10/08/07

GPTA Welcomes New Member, Gold Sponsor

Will Fricks is the newest member of the GPTA. Fricks is the head tennis professional at Cartersville Country Club. He is certified by the Professional Tennis Registry, began teaching in 2006 and teaches both adults and juniors. EmbroidMe-Norcross joins the group of GPTA gold sponsors. EmbroidMe-Norcross offers embroidery and garment printing. For more information, visit www.embroidme-norcross.com. 9/08/07

 

Hestley Moves to Druid Hills

With extensive work as Associate Tennis Professional at Dunwoody Country Club over the past two years, Ben Hestley earned the position as Head Tennis Professional at Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta. DHGC has recently finished a $4.5 million face lift to become a premier country club tennis facility. Hestley will assist Druid Hills’ tennis director Jay Bailey in all facets of tennis operations. Hestley’s ultimate goal is to become a director of a large-scale tennis facility, and this is a step in that direction. This past year Hestley was awarded both the GPTA and USPTA Southern Assistant Pro of the Year awards as well as winning the USPTA Southern Seminar Contest. He will be on the Speaker’s Bureau at the 2008 USPTA Southern Convention and will compete in the National Seminar Contest in September. 9/08/07

 

Summer Vacation Notes

Now that school is in full swing, it’s time for that always popular “What I did on My Summer Vacation” essay. Well, what I did this year was worth telling. July was going to be slow at the club, so I took a chance and hooked up with a promoter of events that works primarily in Europe. He offered me a five-week tour for the Bijou Tennis Show! We started in Stuttgart, Germany. Nadal was the first seed and won that tournament. I was lucky enough to be able to do several shows on center court and then a big show the day of the final! I was off the next week and traveled to Frankfort and Paris visiting family and friends. The next week, I was back on tour again with the show in Graz, Austria, the home of Arnold, and did four shows for the promotion of the Grand Masters tournament with Pioline, Muster, Ivanisevic, Gustafsson, Stich and Bruguera, playing matches, and the show was before each final mach of the day. There was a men's challenger at the same time that made for an interesting contrast! The best week was my week in Vale do Lobo, Portugal, with another Grand Masters event with Borg, Bruguera, Muster, Gomez, Leconte, Meligeni and Ivanisevic...man can they still hit a ball! I was well taken care of with a villa overlooking the private pool and ocean view from the balcony. The press was impressed with the different shows I did for the 2,500 people every night! The best one was with a white outfit of the olden days playing all the tricks with a wooden racket! Not easy! I had to put lots of extra hours in that show to get it right! All in all, it was a great five weeks, and it may happen again next year. It is nice being back in Atlanta and seeing everyone at the club again! There were lots of other stories that go along with this, but you will have to ask me personally for that info! by Henri Paul Elkins 9/08/07

 

GPTA Announces New Executive Director

On August 1st, Jennifer Burns (right) took on the role of GPTA Executive Director. Jennifer is also the Managing Editor of the GPTA's The Pro Approach. She is a two-time recipient of the GPTA President's Award (2003 and 2006). “GPTA Past President Matt Grayson and I highly recommended Jennifer for the position. Please join me in welcoming her to this new role!” said GPTA President Mark Suiter. “I would like to thank George Hovsepian, GPTA’s previous Executive Director for his dedicated service as the Executive Director. George put the GPTA on the national map by setting up the expanded GPTA website. He set up several meetings and developed the GPTA "Benefits" presentation, which helps to promote our membership. Recently, George accepted a position at Auto Trader and has decided to resign from his Executive Director duties. We still will see George as an active member of the GPTA, and we all thank him for his service.” 8/01/07

 

GPTA Member to Enter Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame at 2007 Georgia Tennis Foundation Weekend of Celebration

This Sept. 13-16, event features something for everyone to enjoy: A Women’s Pro Play Day, Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame Celebrity Pro Am hosted by Robby Ginepri, Kids’ One Shot Drop and the 2007 Wheelchair Masters Series. The world’s top tennis professionals return to Atlanta to compete in this wheelchair event. With the world’s largest prize purse up for grabs, this promises to be the hottest stop on the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour. Also part of the celebration is the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame Induction and “Celebrate with the Stars Party.” Congratulations to the 2007 inductees, Tom Gorman and GPTA’s own Randy Stephens! Following the ceremony, guests will enjoy an evening beginning with a celebrity tennis exhibition hosted by Robby Ginepri and Wheelchair Tennis’ best, while enjoying cocktails, lavish food, and a fabulous silent auction! For Information: Call 404-323-0625 or email nelllong123456@aol.com.8/13/07

 

GPTA Welcomes New Member

Greg Fricks is the newest member of the GPTA. He lives in Rome, Ga. Please join the GPTA Board of Directors in welcoming Fricks. 7/13/07

 

GPTA Members, Sponsors Participate in Charity Events

Atlanta Athletic Club is hosting its annual pro-am tournament to benefit CURE Childhood Cancer and the AFLAC Cancer Research Center October 27 and 28; the kickoff party is on October 26. The proceeds from this three-day extravaganza will be donated to CURE Childhood Cancer; a non-profit organization dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Growing up is hard enough without cancer™ and more than half of CURE’s financial resources are devoted to research. CURE Childhood Cancer is a 501(c)(3) charity. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Brian Marcus, 770-368-7740 or bjm@aac1.org.

The Country Club of Roswell held its 29th Annual Charity Pro-Am Tennis Invitational to benefit Bert’s Big Adventure on May 11-13. Under the direction of Tournament Director and GPTA Past President Matt Grayson, CCR has donated approximately $80,000 to this worthy charity due to the success of the 2006 and 2007 tournaments. In addition to the tournament, the weekend event included a sponsor-pro round robin and luncheon, junior clinic and cookout, live and silent auctions and a casino party. This year, The Atlanta Academy presented the junior clinic and cookout, with a record turnout of kids from the area and the school, which is moving to Roswell. Other event sponsors included Coach Matt’s Tennis & More, Wilson, Head/Penn, Prince, Jim Ellis Audi Atlanta, Wells Fargo, North Fulton Regional Hospital, North Point Volvo, Nike, Jet Golf & Tennis, AirTran, Coca-Cola and many others. The following GPTA members participated in the production of the tournament: Jennifer Burns, JD Hall, Rob Leventhal and Andrew Minnelli.

Coach Matt’s Tennis & More will host it’s 4th Annual Charity Tournament to benefit Special Pops Tennis on November 10-11at Country Club of Roswell. This is an amateur doubles tournament. 7/13/07

 

Silvia Tennis Academy News

Bill Osterhold—GPTA secretary and vice president of operations for Silvia Tennis Academy—has been appointed to the National Cardio Tennis Speakers Team. He joins fellow STA staff members Heather Silvia, owner, and Carmen Garcia, director of tennis, on this prestigious team of only 20 teaching professionals. Garcia already has established herself as a recognized teaching professional on a national level as a member of the National Cardio Tennis Speakers Team. To add to her many accomplishments, Garcia recently was published in the industry publication ADDvantage. The article provides insight into how Cardio Tennis can be included in any special event. 7/13/07

 

GPTA Board of Directors News

GPTA President Mark Suitor officially announced the addition of two presidential appointees: Ben Hestley and Larry Holmes. “We look forward to their input and support. Welcome aboard!” Holmes is the CEO of Tennis Professional International out of Cumming, Ga. Since being transferred to Atlanta from California in the early 1970s, he has been active in ALTA and USTA, both playing and coaching. He played competitive tennis in California, Florida and Georgia at WCT. He also competed in state, regional and national tournaments. Before starting TPI, Holmes acquired his management knowledge and experience while being employed as a computer marketing executive for Rockwell International, Digital Equipment Corp. and Hewlett Packard. Furthermore, he had his own software consulting and project management company. He is a U.S. Air Force Veteran, Georgia realtor, husband and father. Hestley is an associate teaching professional at Dunwoody Country Club in Atlanta. For more information on Hestley, read this month’s “The Pro File” on page 5. We’d also like to announce that Suiter has moved from Dunwoody Country Club to Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, Ga., where he is the new Director of Tennis. 7/13/07

Hestley Wins at USPTA Southern Convention in Tuscaloosa

The USPTA Southern Section honored GPTA pro Ben Hestley at its convention in Tuscaloosa, Ala., last month, on May 17-19. Hestley won the USPTA Southern Assistant Pro of the Year and the USPTA Southern Seminar Contest. As a result, he will move on to the National Contest at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa in September and be slated as a speaker at next year’s Southern Convention. Hestley also receives $100 from the GPTA, $300 in expenses to Nationals and the $200 entry fee into the National contest. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and business administration from the University of North Alabama, where he played two years for the Lions. Before that, he played at Central Alabama Community College where he was a 2000 Southeast Regional Doubles Finalist. As a teaching professional, Hestley has coached four Atlanta City Championship teams and numerous Southern Sectional Ranked junior players, including a 2003 Alabama State Junior Champion. As the Associate Tennis Professional at Dunwoody Country Club in Atlanta, he coordinates a highly active junior program in addition to teaching several men's and women's ALTA and USTA teams. Hestley also acts as the head stringer and runs maintenance operations for DCC. In 2006, he was GPTA’s Assistant Pro of the Year. He is pictured, above (sixth from left), with other GPTA pros attending the convention: Kip Layman, Paul Bartholomai, Heather Silvia, Henri Paul Elkins, Dave Dvorak, Hestley, Darryl Lewis, Viola Madej and Mark Suiter. 6/08/07

 

Reynolds Plantation Named to Top-50 List

An award-winning tennis program featuring 12 courts and state-of-the-art features has garnered GPTA sponsor Reynolds Plantation a “Top 50 Tennis Resorts Worldwide” recognition by Tennis Resorts Online. A recognition made possible thanks to players who visited and reviewed the tennis resorts, the listing ranks tennis centers in 16 different categories. Those categories include “all aspects of the tennis experience—from game matching and teaching staff to tournaments and round robins—and such diverse characteristics as the quality of the lodging, restaurants, children's programs and value for the dollar,” according to Tennis Resorts Online. Those reviews then comprised a numeric ranking system. To be eligible, resorts had to have a minimum of six tennis courts and receive a minimum of 10 credible reviews over the past year. Reynolds Plantation placed a solid No. 44 in the top 100 tennis resorts worldwide, earning a silver medal position given to the resorts ranked 26-50. This marks the newest recognition for Reynolds Plantation’s tennis program, led by 2000 Peter Burwash International Instructor of the Year Dave Neuhart. Other accolades include the 2006 PBI “Tennis Site of the Year” and the Tennis Industry Association/U.S. Tennis Association’s2007 “Top 50 Tennis Welcome Center” recognitions. Helping drive these awards are state-of-the-art features like The Lake Club Tennis Center’s four Har-Tru Hydro Courts, stadium seating, lighting for night play, tournament-ready courts, pro shop, Dartfish video stroke analysis software and computerized ball machine. Reynolds Plantation also offers its members four hard and clay courts at Plantation and Great Waters.“Reynolds Plantation is bringing tennis on par with our championship golf with programs like those at The Lake Club Tennis Center,” Neuhart said. “We’re excited to be able to offer one of the best tennis experiences in the world to avid players and spectators alike, and we continue to look for ways to improve an already world-class program.” 6/08/07

GPTA Members, Sponsors work Toward Renovation of Atlanta’s ‘Grand Lady’

Bitsy Grant Tennis Center is named for Bryan M. Grant Jr., nicknamed “Bitsy”

because of his 5-foot, 4-inch frame. He became one of the world's most illustrious tennis

players, a "giant-killer" on the courts. Before his death in 1986, he was a fixture at the center, always ready for a match and a champion of the center's "everyone can play" credo. The clubhouse was built in 1952, and the architect received an architectural award in 1954. In recent years, the tennis center has shown signs of wear. Today, the 60-year-old plumbing, heating and electrical system need a complete overhaul. The locker rooms are substandard. Lord, Aeck and Sargent, a local architectural firm, designed a complete renovation for the clubhouse. Recently, GPTA member Betty Wolfrom took the time to outline the progress and needs of Atlanta’s Bitsy Grant Tennis Center. “Maybe this information will help GPTA members understand the renovation of Bitsy Grant Tennis Center. Perhaps, some member or members may know how to get this project completed. It is a long range plan to be done in five phases.” According to Wolfrom, one of the questions frequently asked is, “This is a public park;, shouldn’t the City of Atlanta pay for the renovation?” The City of Atlanta has already made an investment of almost $2 million in the project. The tennis courts have been restored, which are state of the art, and major improvements to the parking lot also have been completed. Combining their investment with building renovation makes this a $4 million project. According to the City of Atlanta, says Wolfrom, there is no money for the renovation of the clubhouse. The City of Atlanta completed phases I and II; phase III is the lower level that houses the locker rooms; phase IV is for offices; phase V is for the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame that will be upstairs. GPTA Founder and Hall of Fame member Peter Howell has worked hard toward this end as well. In March of 2006, GPTA reported that Howell, as president of the Bitsy Grant Tennis Association, Inc., applied for and received a $100,000 grant from the United States Tennis Association’s Tennis in the Parks Program to renovate the Historic Bitsy Grant Center. It is the largest grant awarded by USTA, a GPTA sponsor. The 10 hard courts have been resurfaced completely in “USTA Blue,” and the 13 clay courts have been rebuilt with the new hydrocourt underground watering system. New lights were installed on six clay courts. This was done at a cost of about $900,000. The building is the last piece of the puzzle to return Bitsy Grant to its place as a premier tennis center in the countryPhases & Costs Breakdown: Phase I: Parking lot and drainage improvements—$960,000 CompletedPhase II: Rebuild courts and add lighting—$946,000 CompletedPhase III: Renovate clubhouse, lower level locker rooms—$800,000 and $179,000 (plus approximately $5,000 in Spring donations from ALTA teams)Phase IV: Renovate clubhouse upper level—$900,000Phase V: Renovate the Hall of Fame exhibits—$394,000 Corporations, foundations, individuals and other tennis associations have been approached, says Wolfrom. Spring 2007 was a first step in asking all captains of ALTA and USTA teams for their support. There are 110 teams that play out of Bitsy Grant. If each team contributed $1,000, then Phase III would have $110,000. “I am very proud to say that our team has donated approximately $2,200,” she added. Other than Wolfrom, the AA3 Spring Team includes Claire Ansley, Rita Barton, Ellen Boykin, Cindy Brady, Carla Brown, Jan Cochran, Barbara Dovin, Eleanor Effinger, Judy Fowler Otley, Mary Ann Hart, Val Herendeen, Stacey Irwin, Cheryle Luchene, Andi McCarthy, Merrie Ann Park, Jeannette Ranero, Beverley Shields, Eleanor Swann and Linda Waitsman. Bailey Brown coached this team, and it advanced to the AA-3 playoffs.Wolfrom adds, “Please make any gift no matter what the amount to help the grand lady of Atlanta’s Tennis Community to be a great facility again!” Tax deductible gifts are payable to: The Georgia Tennis Foundation, Inc. for Bitsy Grant Tennis. Mail to: Friends of Bitsy Grant Tennis, 1266 West Paces Ferry Road, Box 113, Atlanta, Ga. 30327 6/08/07

 

GPTA Welcomes New Members

Henri Elkins and Donovan Goodman are the newest members of the GPTA team. Elkins runs Entertaining Tennis out of Alpharetta. He has been a club tennis director for the past 10 years. His expertise lies in planning, coordinating and directing tennis programs and events involving multiple entities. He has presented at United States Professional Tennis Association conventions, Professional Tennis Registry events and United States Tennis Association teacher conventions, and he has coached several World Tennis Association, ATP players and nationally ranked juniors. Goodman runs Goodman Tennis out of Suwanee, Ga. 5/07/07

 

Tennis Community Mourns Cohen's Passing

The GPTA and it's members share with sympathy the news of the passing of Natalie Cohen, 94, of Atlanta. She died February 7, 2007, and was preceded in death by her parents, Dewald and Meta Cohen. A member of the GPTA Hall of Fame, Ms. Cohen also was inducted into the Southern Tennis Association Hall of Fame, the Georgia Tennis Association, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the Georgia Jewish Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1991. She was a well-known tennis player and tennis official, winning many championships. She was an asset to the Atlanta tennis community, and her presence will be missed by all. 2/14/07

 

GPTA Welcomes New Members

Ashlea Bowen, Kevin Brandalik (right) and Aziz Hoosenally are the newest members of the GPTA. Bowen is tennis pro at Indian Hills Country Club in Marietta, Ga. Brandalik and his family are looking to move to the Atlanta area this spring. He is a USPTA P-1 professional, USTA High Performance Coach and previously coached on theWTA Tour and ITF Tour when based out of Tampa. He is a recent winner of the 2005-2006 USPTA/Midwest Junior Coach of the Year, has owned several academies in Virginia, Florida and North Carolina, has been active in the USPTA/Southern Section as president of the USPTA/North Carolina Chapter and board member of the USPTA/Southern Section, and he was awarded the 1993 USPTA/North Carolina Pro of the Year award. His wife is a school teacher, and he has three daughters that are all tournament-level players. His oldest daughter just recently signed with James Madison University in Virginia on a full tennis scholarship starting in the fall of 2007. Hoosenally is a tennis pro at North Olmsted recreation Center inWestlake, Ohio. He began his teaching career in 1993. 2/5/07

 

GPTA Members Share and Win at USPTA Workshop

Several members of the GPTA shared their talents and insight into the tennis teaching industry at the annual United States Professional Tennis Association Workshop on December 8-9. More than 100 tennis professionals gathered at The Standard Club in Duluth, Ga., for this event. GPTA  members Ken DeHart (of San Jose Swim and Racquet Club) and Dave Dvorak (of Dunwoody Country Club) shared their drills and information during the two-day event. GPTA Treasurer Kevin Jackson (far right) of Dunwoody Country Club won the USPTA Pro of the Year Award, and GPTA Director-at-Large Darryl Lewis (right) of Tournament Players Club at Sugarloaf won the Higher Education Award. Several GPTA members are serving on the 2007 USPTA Board: First Vice President Dave Gary (of Peachtree City Tennis Center), Second Vice President Kevin Jackson and Treasurer J.D. Hall (of Country Club of Roswell). 2/5/07

 

Pachtner Joins Tuscawilla

Tuscawilla Country Club in Winter Springs, Fla., recently named GPTA member Mark H. Pachtner (right) as its new director of tennis. The facility is owned and managed by RDC Group, Inc. The club features 12 tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, swimming pool, club house, sports bar and grill and 18-holes of golf. Pachtner previously was the Director of Tennis at the Athletic Club at Weston in Weston, Fla., and at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif. From 2000-2003 Pachtner served on the GPTA Board. In 2002, he received the GPTA Head Pro of the Year Award. As a professional, he says he enjoys being in contact with a broad range of people. "I like to pass on my enthusiasm about tennis and sports to children, juniors and adults. In my 20 years of coaching and teaching, I developed my own unique style of teaching children and adults, that is grounded in having fun first, followed by learning." 2/5/07

 

GPTA Welcomes New Members and Sponsors

Naomi Borland, Holly Chomyn and Cary Collins are the newest members of the GPTA. Chomyn (right) began her teaching career in 1989. A native of Columbia, Mo., she is a 1987 graduate of Auburn University with a degree in exercise physiology where she was a three-year member of the Tiger tennis squad, advancing as high as no. 6 singles and no. 2 doubles. Still active in tennis, she played in Challenger Tournaments in Atlanta after graduation and ranked no. 1 in doubles in the state of Delaware and no. 2 in Middle States from 1992 until 1994. Collins is the Director of Tennis at Dothan Country Club in Dothan, Ala. He began teaching in 1987. PGA Tour Superstore joins the GPTA as its newest platinum sponsor. Members who purchased tickets to the GPTA Reverse Raffle last month also received a $25 gift card for the PGA Tour Superstore. Its tennis center features equipment and designer-name tennis wear, including shoes by Nike, Adidas, Wilson, Prince, Reebok, Fila, K-Swiss and New Balance; apparel by Jamie Sadock, Adidas and Tail; and racquets by Wilson, Head, Prince, Yonex, Fischer and Dunlop. The store also offers an assortment of string, bags and accessories as well as a fast-serve hitting lane to demo the products. K3 Tennis also joins the list of GPTA sponsors as the newest gold sponsor. The founder and president, Yatin Shelar—a former teaching professional and father of three tennis players—designed K3 Tennis balls to answer the search for an affordable ball that was long lasting and precisely pressurized for match play. The balls are approved by both the USTA and the ITF. 1/8/06

 

 

GPTA 2006 Award Winners

• Member of the Year: Dave Dvorak (right)
• Facility of the Year: The River Club
• Assistant Pro of the Year: Ben Hestley
• Player of the Year: Kip Layman
• Senior Player of the Year: Bobbie Campanaro
• Retailer of the Year: Coach Matt's Tennis and More
• Head Pro of the Year, Small Facility: Tim Dutton
• Head Pro of the Year, Large Facility: Kevin Jackson
• Independent Pro of the Year: Danny Thiets
• Event of the Year: USTA Georgia Community Tennis Development Workshop
• Sponsor of the Year: USTA Georgia
• Pro Am of the Year: TPC Sugarloaf
• Program of the Year: Country Club of Roswell
• Director of the Year, Large Facility: Kip Layman
• Director of the Year, Small Facility: Alan Hartley

 

GPTA Members Honored at USPTA World Conference on Tennis

The USPTA held its World Conference on Tennis in Las Vegas, September 18-23. USPTA presented GPTA’s Ty Fuller (right), owner of Dunwoody Tennis School in Atlanta, with an award for his 40 years of service. He was one of 11 tennis professionals in the world to achieve this honor. The USPTA Southern Division received the Most Improved Division of the Year Award at the Conference. GPTA Past President Dave Dvorak (bottom right, pictured with GPTA President Matt Grayson) is the President of the Southern Division. GPTA member Joe Dinoffer, owner of Oncourt Offcourt Inc., received the Industry Excellence Award, which is sponsored by the Tennis Industry Association and supported by Tennis Tutor ball machines. 11/6/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Junior Development Meeting Draws Eager Crowd

On Wednesday, June 21, GPTA members turned out to learn more about junior development, from the beginner to the advanced player. Mark Suiter, Ty Fuller, Tory Hawkins and Hafeez Fazal shared their experience and knowledge at The Sporting Club at Windy Hill. On-court drills followed the discussion. A key theme, especially for beginners, was make it fun. Ty Fuller, one of USPTA’s Children’s Tennis Specialists, has been running his program, Tennis for Tykes, since 1983. He specializes in the 4-12-year-old age group and maintains that small courts and foam balls are the way to begin. All those on the panel agreed, and the emphasis also was on teaching the volley first. Ty also is an advocate of the ball machine and keeping the kids busy.  GPTA First Vice President Mark Suiter agreed, adding that incentives and using words and ideas that kids can understand are keys to success. For example, he says, “Tell them ‘to pet the turtle and feed the giraffe,’ rather than simply telling them to go low to high. Use words that they can identify with.” Hafeez Fazal, the Tennis Director at The Sporting Club at Windy Hill, also lives by the fun equals success creed for the beginner. He adds that you must provide pictures at your camps to keep them coming back. The parents want to see what their kids are doing, and this memento is key.  But for the junior who is advancing, Hafeez says that a coach can tell at an early age if a player is going to be competitive. It’s inherent to his or her personality, and rarely do you see a change to an ultra-competitive nature later in life. Tory Hawkins touched upon the aspects of the advanced player. He stressed the importance of a roadmap or plan for success. Use player-preferred grips and swing paths and “teach whatever the kid’s natural swing is.” He added, “Teaching professionals need to get back to teaching the game of tennis, not the strokes of tennis.”  7/01/06

 

Hall of Famer Earns National Ranking
Congratulations to Peter Howell! Peter (right) is ranked nationally no. 39 in USTA Men’s 55 doubles. He was a founder of the GPTA in May of 1977, and he has been coaching the men's and women's tennis teams at Oglethorpe University since 2004. At Oglethorpe, Peter is in the process of renovating and building a new tennis center. Oglethorpe’s alumni donated more than $250,000 to make this project possible. Construction on six new courts and a gazebo will start next month, after Oglethorpe’s last home match. Following the tennis season, Peter plans on returning to limited teaching, and developing the Oglethorpe Tennis Club. 3/10/06
 

2005 GPTA Annual Awards

On December 14, GPTA members and guests congratulated the nominees and winners of the 2005 GPTA Annual Awards. The annual banquet and awards party was held at Country Club of Roswell. In addition to the awards, there was a silent auction and raffle to raise funds for the organization. The 2006 Board of Directors was announced as well. A list of award winners follows:

    Member of the Year: Paige Miller (right)

    Facility of the Year: Atlanta Athletic Club

    Assistant Pro of the Year: Ana Friganovic

    Male Player of the Year: Harlon Matthews

    Female Player of the Year: Marcy Hirshberg

    Senior Male Player of the Year: Hugh Thomson

    Retailer of the Year: Coach Matt's Tennis and More

    Head Pro of the Year: Beth Clay

    Independent Pro of the Year: George Hovsepian

    Event of the Year: The Thomasville Collegiate Invitational

    Volunteer of the Year: Cheryl Luchene

    Sponsor of the Year: USTA Georgia

    Pro Am of the Year: TPC Sugarloaf

    Program of the Year: Ansley Golf Club

    Director of the Year, Large Facility: Darryl Lewis

    Director of the Year, Small Facility: Paul Bartholomai

Georgia Tennis Community Mourns Loss of George Amaya

Tennis took George Amaya out of South America and made him a collegiate national champion and world top-200 touring professional. Sportsmanship took him further. The long-time tennis director of Cherokee Town and Country Club in Atlanta got his biggest break in tennis after a match he lost.  Playing in 1980 at what is now Racquet Club of the South in Norcross, Amaya drew a college player named Bud Cox. Amaya lost the match but impressed a spectator when he gave Cox a line call that the umpire had ruled in Amaya's favor. Six months later, the spectator  Bud Cox's father, Charlie, a Cherokee member and later a Georgia Tennis Hall of Famer himself--called Amaya and told him that he was the kind of player and sportsman that Cherokee needed. 

Amaya was instantly popular at the prestigious Buckhead club and has became one of the most respected teaching professionals in the city, a former director and player of the year, as well as president, for the Georgia Professional Tennis Association.

Amaya was born in Weymouth, Mass., and lived in New England until his father, Jaime, took his family to his native Colombia when George was five. Amaya would become become the No. 2 junior player in the country with little formal training, just a love of tennis that he shared with his father and six siblings. "We used to be more like students of the game," Amaya said. "Any time there was exhibition, like Rod Laver and Fred Stolle came to Colombia, us kids would just kill to go and watch them and take notes and try to emulate how they played." One of Amaya's fondest memories as a teenager was working as a volunteer lines judge in the singles final of a circuit event that came to Colombia. The finalists were Tony Roche and John Newcombe.

Amaya followed brothers Jim and Juan to Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C., and won the NAIA singles and doubles titles in 1971. He spent two years in the military and two in coaching before attempting the pro circuit age 25. In his first pro event, he made the semifinals of singles and finals of doubles in New Zealand. "For the doubles prize money, I got an envelope with a receipt that said, 'Prize money $5, Entry fee $4.50;' Then there was a 50-cent coin," Amaya said. "That's when I realized the circuit was going to be tough." 

Amaya got as high as No. 170 and played the U.S. Open three times. After retiring, Amaya remained one of Atlanta's elite players, competing in ALTA's highest flight, AA-1, into his 50s. He was a four-time singles champion and six-time doubles winner of the Atlanta Senior Invitational, which attracts more senior national champions than any other tournament in the U.S.