HEARD AROUND ATLA NTA REPORTED BY EMMY POWELL, CORY SEKINE-PETTITE AND JOHN HANNA
Learn & Earn We have all seen some extreme creativity during these crazy COVID-19 times, and that extends to AYTEF, which started an incredible program for kids in the community when the tennis facilities shut down. Executive Director Torrey Hawkins created the AYTEF (Atlanta Youth Tennis & Education Foundation) Learn & Earn Club. Hawkins shipped tennis equipment and education curriculum directly to families in the Washington Park area. The kids were able to track their learning progress with AYTEF to earn a series of summer boxes that support athletic and academic development. Kids wrote essays and after they were submitted, Hawkins delivered a box filled with cloth racquets, summer enrichment workbooks, markers, pencils, balls, arts and crafts, and more. The kids then sent in photos and videos of their progress to receive a second box, filled with pickleball racquets, more athletic equipment, reading books, and other school supplies. The third Learn & Earn box included a tennis racquet, more books, a book about Arthur Ashe, and a gift
AYTEF Golf Tournament Scheduled for October 26 card to get other school supplies to be prepared for the fall school year. Hawkins says they also included activities that emphasize gratitude and says the organization received overwhelmingly positive responses from the participating families. Great job AYTEF!
Concourse Athletic Club Tennis Revitalized As of Sept. 1, 2020 the Concourse Athletic Club in Sandy Springs has rebranded as CAC Tennis. Under its new direction, the tennis program has been fully revamped and energized with a new director and staff. Rob Wilkins has been named director of racquet sports, Corey Matney is now the head tennis professional, Mimi Mitchell is the new junior development coordinator, and Dominic Arbie and Elliot Clowdis are the new tennis professionals on staff. 12
NETNEWS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
All 7 clay courts at CAC Tennis have been under major renovation and are now manicured and ready for new junior tennis clinics, adult drills/clinics, adult team tennis leagues, tournament teams, weekly round robins, and cardio drills. The Junior Program begins September 14, a nd CAC Tennis w i l l host a Halloween Social on October 29. Learn more at wellbridge.com/concourseathletic-club/fitness/tennis.
Be sure to mark your calendar for October 26 for the AYTEF Golf Tournament at the Dunwoody Country Club. This is the second year of this event, which supports the Atlanta Youth Tennis & Education Foundation and is a program supported by the ALTA Foundation. AYTEF was established in 2003 to meet the needs of underserved children in metro Atlanta. Your support provides health, wellness, education, sportsmanship, and tennis programming to kids throughout Atlanta. The tournament opens at 9 a.m., with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The awards reception will follow at 3 p.m. For more information, please contact Pam Porter at 678.772.4230 or pam@magnoliagolfgroup.com. To sponsor or register, visit www. ay tef.o rg /g o l f o r tex t G O L F to 202.952.9883.
TELL US! Send your stories, compliments, complaints and questions to altaeditor@altatennis.org.
