USTA Eastern Long Island Region Update

High School Tennis Championships

The USTA Long Island Regional Council was pleased to provide a high school individual tournament for the girls in June. Although the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the New York State High School Championships this year, the Council wanted to give players the opportunity to compete as individuals. The tournament allowed Nassau and Suffolk County’s best to compete in singles and doubles.

Celebrating Kids and Tennis

The USTA Long Island Regional Council is excited to announce the return this summer of its Long Island Kids’ Days, held in partnership with Long Island Tennis Magazine. Three Kids’ Days are scheduled in July and August and will feature tennis instruction, games and drills plus other fun activities. The three events are scheduled for: l July 14: LuHi Summer Camps in Brookville l August 2: North Hills Country Club in Manhasset l August 5: The Hamlet Golf & Country Club in

Commack

Children are invited to participate as part of a summer camp or other group. All children must preregister to attend. For information on any of the three events, please contact ustaonlongisland@gmail.com

“Our summer kids’ days are a highlight of the annual USTA Long Island Regional calendar; it’s so gratifying to share our love of tennis with newcomers to the sport who otherwise might not have the opportunity to pick up a racquet,” said Jonathan Klee, USTA Long Island Regional Director (volunteer). “Last year, with the Covid-19 pandemic, we weren’t able to hold these special events, so it is with great excitement that we can safely return to the courts to introduce local kids to tennis. We are grateful to our hosts, LuHi Summer Camps, North Hills Country Club and the Hamlet, and to our partner Long Island Tennis Magazine, for helping us get back on the courts with the kids this summer.”

Recognizing the Best

A global pandemic couldn’t stop tennis players on Long Island from finding safe and fun ways to enjoy their favorite sport during the past year. Now, the USTA Long Island Regional Council is thrilled to recognize the best and brightest at our 31st Annual Awards Dinner.

The sit-down dinner has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 22 at Chateau Briand Caterers in Westbury. Awards will be presented in many categories including for tennis play, innovative programming, community service and much more. A highlight this year will be the inaugural presentation of the Daniel Burgess Sr. Community Service Award, which will be given to an individual, group or organization whose dedication to serving the tennis community is outstanding and unique. The award has been renamed in memory of longtime USTA Long Island volunteer, board member and three-term president Daniel Burgess Sr. Daniel was a fixture on the local courts for many years and devoted his life and career to helping his community through tennis. He passed away in the fall of 2020.

Additional awards include the Hy Zausner Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a lifetime of achievement both on and off the court; the Vitas Gerulaitis “For the Love of Tennis” Award, honoring an individual who demonstrates his or her love of the game through volunteering, supporting tennis programs and helping grow the game; the Arthur Ashe Multicultural Award, given to a tennis player who embraces diversity, serves as an ambassador for the game of tennis, exhibits unmatched sportsmanship and shares his or her love of the game with others; and the Rose Buck Scalamandre Tennis Family of the Year Award, recognizing a family whose members foster the love of the game among new generations.

For information on the awardees and the awards dinner, please visit www.longisland.usta.com or follow our Facebook (USTA Long Island) page and group (USTA Eastern Long Island).

USTA Eastern Long Island Regional Council

Executive Committee

• Jonathan Klee, Regional Director • Michael Pavlides, Past Regional Director • Sunny Fishkind, Vice Regional Director • Randi Wilkins, Secretary