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Page 8 Volume 11 Issue 4
Alabama
Thank you so much for allowing me to be your
USPTA AL President for 2 years. I have met
many wonderful people, learned a great deal,
and had fun attending conventions and workshops. But now, it is time to pass
the gavel. Kevin Theos, TSR for USTA AL and Birmingham resident has
accepted to become the 2011 USPTA AL President. Please help Kevin make
our organization better by serving on a committee, attending conventions and
workshops, and / or contacting him with your ideas.
We had a fantastic USPTA ALA State Workshop held October 22-23, 2010, in
Orange Beach, ALA, at the City of Orange Beach Tennis Center. The Speakers
were treated to dinner, Friday night, at Cobalt Restaurant. Saturday featured
speaker, Mark McMahon, who spoke about marketing and XPoint tennis
leagues. USTA AL President, Jeff Nichols, and Eleanora Mauritson, pushed the
personalized license tags agenda that USTA AL wants to get players to purchase
them in order to increase funds for disadvantaged kids to play tennis.
Other speakers included Dani Leal, Keith Swindoll, Donnie Ellis, Clint Butler,
Neil Witherow, Bill Riddle and MJ Garnett. Finally, members and their families
were invited on a 1.5 hour dolphin cruise. Mr. Donnie Ellis was awarded the
2009 USPTA AL Pro of the Year for his outstanding contribution to Alabama
tennis.
Arkansas
I want to start by saying the quality of tennis in
Arkansas is not too bad. Congratulations go out
to Fayetteville's 2.5 ladies and Little Rock
Athletic Clubs 3.5 ladies. They both took the southern titles and then went on to
capture the national championships. There has been a lot of change in the pro
ranks in Little Rock. Eric Korita has left the Little Rock Country Club. Good luck
to Eric in whatever path he choses. Welcome new member Edgar Newlin of Fort
Smith. Also Welcome Jeff Brack, who comes to Burns Park by way of Tucson, AZ.
USPTA certification test was given in Hot Springs October the 10th and there is
a test in Memphis on November the 14th.We are currently working with Fred
Burdick to put together a one day conference on December 19th. Watch your
mail and e-mail for details.
Georgia
There is a lot to be excited about in the last quarter
of this year for USPTA GA. Thank you to all
who recently attended the USPTA Specialty
Course “Equipment Customization” with Dave Bone, Executive Director of
United States Stringers Association. Dave’s course explored how the specifications
of racquets and strings influence the playing characteristics players feel
when using equipment. The USPTA Georgia Board has been determined to
offer you the most dynamic speakers in the country for the Annual Winter
Workshop – December 3 and 4 at Atlanta Athletic Club. What’s new this year is
that we will be offering two USPTA specialty courses led by Ken DeHart and
Gregg Patton. Our other keynote speakers include renowned junior coach
Torrey Hawkins and there will be Round Table Discussions- QuickStart, High
school coaches, and a career development discussion. We are looking forward
to seeing many of you in attendance as it will be a great opportunity to gather
new ideas for 2011.
Congratulations to BOB LOVE. He is being
Kentucky
inducted into USTA Kentucky Hall of Fame in
January 2011. Bob has been a member of the
USPTA since 1971, and in 1983 was one of 18 teaching professionals designated
as the first Master Professionals. He has served as the President of the
USPTA-Kentucky division, a member of the USTA Kentucky Executive Board,
and the KHSAA Tennis Committee and All-State Selection Committee. Mr. Love
has coached five NCAA All-Americans during his time as a teaching pro. He
has presented at over 80 coaching workshops since taking up residence in
Kentucky in 1984, as well as numerous divisional and national events.
It’s been another successful season for the USPTA-Kentucky Jr. Grand Prix!
Over 120 Boys and Girls participated in 8 tournaments across central Kentucky.
The All Stars were given plaques for their achievements at an awards banquet
on November 7 in Columbia. A Recreational Coaches workshop was held in
Campbellsville on Saturday, September 11. USPTA-KY Vice President Jason
Miller trained over 20 participants at the event, hosted by Kyle Caven at
Campbellsville University.
Louisiana
The USPTA World Conference at La Quinta
resort was a great educational experience and
several Louisiana pros took advantage of the
beautiful Palm Springs location and the edifying classroom and oncourt sessions.
USTA Louisiana President and New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club Tennis
Director Brett Schwartz was one of only 4 professionals to attain the status of
Master Professional. The Southern Division's First Vice President Bill Phillips
was one of the top 10 point earners in the USPTA's continuing education program.
The 2010 Louisiana Chapter Workshop will be held on Friday, December 2, at
the City Club at River Ranch. Once again USTA Louisiana is covering the hotel
expenses of those who are also attending USTA Louisiana's Tournament
Director's Workshop the next day - also at the City Club. Craig Jones will be
delivering a classroom module on the business end of QuickStart and how to
implement it at facilities - both private and public. He will also offer an oncourt
presentation on how to determine skill levels and markers to move kids from
36 foot courts to the 60 foot court and then finally to the full 78 foot court.
Congratulations to Chris Dazet on his selection as the LA USTA Pro of the Year
Mississippi
We had our USPTA MS State Workshop
at River Hills in Jackson on November
12-13. Congratulations to all of our pros
that attended, and a big thank you to all of our speakers: Pat Whitworth,
Tommy Wade, Julio Godreau, Russell Dendy, Kevin Jackson, Bill Riddle, MJ
Garnett and Walker Sahag. Some of the on-court and off-court seminars were
truly world class. Congrats to Scott Pennington for winning our Cardio
Shootout competition at the Workshop.
Congratulations to our awards winners for 2010. Bo Gard (who just moved to
Laurel Country Club to replace Johan Gedlitschka, who moved to Alabama)
was our Assistant Pro of the Year. Carolann Leasure from the coast was our
Rookie of the Year. Billy Chadwick of Ole Miss is our Coach of the Year. Neil
Witherow is our Pro of the Year. Steve Pennington and Billy Chadwick will both
be inducted into the USTA MS Hall of Fame in January.
I would encourage all of you to enter any charity event that you did this year,
no matter how small or large, in the Lessons for Life part of the USPTA web
site.
I will be stepping down as president next year after 4 years in that position, and
Kevin Jackson, who is new to Tupelo Country Club from Georgia, will take over
as President. The new Board consists of Bo Gard, Scott Pennington, Matt
Whiteside and Steve Pennington, and they look forward to meeting your needs.
N. Carolina
It has been another successful year in
our state. We started with a great workshop
at Pinehurst followed up by the
southern convention in May. Some of you were able to attend the world conference
in September marking a full year of educational and networking opportunities.
Our national initiatives have been supported in our state. For example the lessons
for life event “Pink Tennis Day” at Prestonwood Country Club raised $2K
for the Susan B. Komen foundation. Thanks to others for submitting your news
and events.
For those looking to test or upgrade, the Country Club of the Carolinas will be
the host on Saturday, December 4th starting at 8:30 a.m. Stroke analysis will
be offered followed up by stroke production and private and group lesson testing.
Check the national site for more information.
It has been a pleasure serving the state organization for the last four years. We
will welcome in a new board in January to help build on our momentum.
S. Carolina
USPTA South Carolina has experienced
some difficult times. Our president, Clint
Van Aswegen, has resigned from service
due to various commitments and workloads. None of the other board members
were able to assume his position. His time of service is appreciated, and we
wish him the best for the future. Sophie Woorons-Johnston and Jorge Andrews
chaired the nominating committee and have slated a new board for 2011.
Please help our new board members as they move forward in 2011.
Tennessee
2010 has been a terrific year for USPTA
Tennessee. We hosted the Southern
Division Winter Conference at the Racquet
Club of Memphis in February. Approximately 20 new professionals became
USPTA certified. USPTA member Tony Cherone was recognized as 2010 USTA
Tennessee Pro of the Year, primarily for his accomplishments in Junior Team
Tennis.
Looking ahead to 2011, I want to encourage each of you to support our state
events, including the Winter Conference and State Workshop, promote our
organization to new professionals and to the tennis community, and strive to be
leaders in new tennis initiatives. We should be the best and most knowledgeable
tennis service providers in the industry!
Finally, I want to thank each of you that participated in USPTA over the last
three years. I have enjoyed working with you while serving as state president. I
have benefited tremendously from the experience. I look forward to 2011 and
the leadership of our new state officers.
Contact info for all officers at www.usptasouthern.com/contact.php