Summer 2010.indd - USPTA divisions - United States Professional ...

Getting to know your fellow pros!
Randy Kop
What is your name, title, location of your facility and how long have you been there?
My name is Randy Kop and I am currently the Director of Tennis at the Waialae Country
Club on Oahu, Hawaii. I am in my 11th year at this facility.
How did you get started playing tennis?
I came from a tennis family. My grandfather taught all of us how to play tennis. My Dad,
Uncle –who was ranked as high as No. 2 in the Nation in the 16 and under division, Aunt
who was the fi rst person to win the Hawaii High School State Singles Title four years in a row, me and my sister.
I still remember him picking me up every day after school and taking me to the Beretania Tennis Club and me
doing my homework whilw he played his foursome and then after his game it was my turn to hit baskets of tennis
balls. On Saturdays he would pick me up at 9 a.m. Tennis was all I knew in my early years.
How did you get started in coaching tennis?
I was 16 years old when I got my fi rst job as a coach given to me by Blaine and Cindy Comer. They were
the fi rst owners of an indoor facility called the Tennis Factory near the Airport. I worked under Peter Isaak who
was the Head Tennis Professional. After playing division I tennis at the University of Hawaii Manoa, I received
my Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education. I began teaching in the Hawaii Public Schools for 4 years
and in 1987 I was offered a job with USTA/Hawaii Pacifi c Section as their Schools Director. Bringing Tennis
into the Schools was my primary responsibility. After four years with the USTA, I was approached by the Nick
Bollettieri Tennis Academy to run their programs at the Turtle Bay Hilton on the North Shore of Oahu. In 1996
Bollettieri parted with the Turtle Bay Hilton. I was kept on at the Hilton until my departure for Waialae Country
Club. I guess you can say that these were my stepping stones that paved my way into becoming a Teaching
Professional/Coach.
How long have you been a USPTA Professional, has it helped and do you have any personal goals in the
near future?
I joined the USPTA in 1987. That brings it to 23 years. The USPTA has given me the credita\bility and
resources that have allowed me to be successful in this career. I’ve also been able to meet some great people over
the years. One of my personal goals is to get my Master Pro. I am also looking at getting a USTPA Specialist in
Facility Management.
Is there anything that you value the most in being involved with Tennis?
No question! The opportunity to introduce/teach the sport of a lifetime to so many people has been a great
journey; especially working with, my wife, two sons and now my little girl. Whether they take it to the next level
or not, does not matter. The key is they had the opportunity to experience it.
What advice if any do you have for other USPTA Professionals?
You have to enjoy what you do. Have a passion for it and everything will fall in place. Don’t be afraid
to pick up the phone and call another professional to get their feedback. I’ve been so fortunate to have so many
great friends in this business, I especially want to thank Bruce Nagel at Kailua Racquet Club. I can always count
on Bruce. He’ll always give me an honest answer most of the time. Bernard Gusman, Lee Couillard, and Jerry
Cape at Punahou, Ken Nakama at Ihilani Resort have also been great resources for me. I’m sure there are a lot
others that I haven’t mentioned, but they know who they are.Unfortunately, being a USPTA Pro in the islands has
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