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

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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 continued on next page Pro 12Network
its drawbacks. There are just not enough great jobs to support all the Teaching Professionals here in the islands. Whether it’s the Resorts, Private Clubs, Schools, Military Bases or at the Public Parks, you need to get started and get your foot in the door. Be patient and keep networking. If you had a chance to do something to improve Tennis in Hawaii, what would that be? I’d always envision a First Rate Tennis Facility that has all the amenities’ to support and develop aspiring talented junior players. A facility that brings together all the top players on the island. Allow independent teaching pros to rent out courts and teach at the facility. It’s been my belief that if we could ever get a player from Hawaii to be in the top 100, tennis would just boom here on the islands. We need that role model. Hopefully that will happen one day. In closing, I just want to say that I have been very fortunate to be in the position I am in. A big Mahalo to my independent Teaching Staff, Terry Juchartz, Margie Katras and Rie Bryant. The offi ce staff of Joanna Kappel, Carolyn Fujimoto, Reyn Sugimoto, Brendan Pacarro for their dedication and assistance over the years. Finally, my General Manager Allan Lum, for his support and trust in me over the years. Joe Curcio What is your name, title, location of your facility and how long have you been there? Joe Curcio, Head Tennis Professional, The Oahu Club, Honolulu, HI 96825, (808) 368-6308: (jscurcio@hawaii.rr.com). I started working for Henry Somerville, Tennis Director and Assistant Club Manager, over 6 years ago. I have coached Adult and Junior USTA Team Tennis for the Oahu Club where I give private and group lessons. Check our website: (http://theoahuclub.com) How did you get started playing tennis? I started playing tennis in high school at Seton Hall Prep School, South Orange, New Jersey in the late 50’s and have been playing tennis for over fi fty years. How did you get started in coaching tennis? I had been the Chairman of Credentials for the International Tennis Tournament in Miami when the Stadium was built in the 80’s for 6 years. I played Club and Team Tennis in Florida. I became much more interested in Tennis and attended Bollettieri Tennis Academy and seriously thought about teaching tennis. How long have you been a USPTA Professional, has it helped and do you have any personal goals in the near future? The Professional Tennis Registry, Hilton Head, South Carolina, Certifi ed me as a Tennis Instructor in 1998. I worked as a Staff Pro at Shadow Wood Country Club in Bonita Springs, Florida. I was certifi ed by the USPTA in Hawaii in 2007. This was an important step for me. I am a USTA/ITA Certifi ed Offi cial and offi ciate at Adult, Junior and College events. Is there anything that you value the most in being involved with Tennis? I have a special place in my heart for children and have devoted most of my professional tennis career in young tennis player development. The best feeling in the world is experiencing how quickly children learn, and become successful competitively. Tennis love is addictive. Everybody enjoys winning as well as playing tennis. Together with Coach Henry, we developed The Oahu Club Tennis Academy program and accommodate novice entry level to 4.0 Tournament competitors. I am the Club’s Junior Team Tennis Administrator, Tournament Chairman and Head Referee. The picture I have included shows me with a rising Tennis Star about 4 years old, continued on next page
Page 1 and 2: The official voice of Hawaii’s US
Page 3 and 4: continued from previous page attest
Page 5 and 6: The Nominating Committee of the Uni
Page 7 and 8: USPTA T-shirt program is back! USPT
Page 9 and 10: Scorer 1 9 feet Scorer 2 9 feet 2 1
Page 11: AN OPEN MIND - THE KEY TO LEARNING
Page 15 and 16: Continued: Getting to know your fel

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