USPTA Southwest Newsletter June 2024

President’s Message

Suk Ong - USPTA Southwest President

Dear Southwest USPTA Professionals,

It was great to see so many of you at the USPTA Southwest Division Conference, where we had a good turnout of over 80 attendees. Everyone was acquainted with each other: USPTA members, Southwest USPTA board members, national board member representative Jenny Gray, USPTA CEO Brian Dillman, Southwest USTA Section staff/board members, as well as the vendors. Congratulations to all the award winners! This includes Chris Howard of Prescott (Proud Award), Nicole Chambers of Flagstaff (Start Award), Andrea Meyer of Clarkdale (High School Coach of the year), Cameron Hamilton of Tucson (Elevate Award), Amy Badger of Albuquerque (Pro of the Year), Ryan Johnson of Paradise Valley (Industry Excellence Award), and Mike Van Zutphen of Mesa (Hall of Fame). All well deserved for what you have done for the sport and the community. If you attended the division conference, please take a moment to fill out the evaluation form; we’re always looking to improve.

The USPTA World Racquets Conference is September 15-19. It will be held at the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa, near Palm Springs. The first day will begin with two specialty courses, followed by the opening party in the evening. Dinner will be provided every night. The trade show and dinner will be on Monday night with a special event, Monday Night Football. Our division party/dinner will be held at the Las Casuelas Nuevas restaurant on Tuesday night with the Southern Division. The restaurant is about 4 miles from the hotel. There is also a networking breakfast on Tuesday morning. If you want to experience cardio tennis, padel, or pickleball play, meet the group on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:00 am. There will be multiple education sessions, on court/classroom offered room 8:00am-5:00pm throughout the

conference. The topics will be posted online soon.

Currently, the conference registration is open and room reservations are only available after you register for the conference. REGISTER EARLY!!! If you register after July 15th, there will be an additional fee. Also, there is a division competition in a variety of racquet sports to claim the Division Olympics Gold Medal throughout the conference. I have confidence that our division will do great! There are scholarships available through the Southwest USTA Foundation and USPTA National, where you can apply.

Any pictures or information on fundraising or social events at your facility, can be sent to Jack Michalko. He will post them on the Southwest USPTA social media sites and use that information for the USPTA Division of the Year Award as well. There is prize money awarded to the winning division which will be used to pay for the division party.

Lastly, summer is just starting and teaching in hot weather conditions can be a challenge. I hope you stay cool and comfortable on the court. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: stay hydrated before and during your tennis sessions, wear light and breathable clothing, use a towel to keep cool, pace yourself, and wear sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. And have a wonderful summer with your students, friends and family!!!!

USTA National Advocacy Handbook

Add this game-changing tool to your tennis bag: the newly-revised USTA National Advocacy Handbook. It’s filled with facts, inspiration and practical advice to help you gain the support of local decisionmakers to expand tennis programming and facilities. Click (USTA.com/advocacy <http://usta.com/ advocacy> ) to become a champion for tennis in your community.

2024 USPTA Southwest Conference In Review!

The 2024 USPTA Southwest Division Conference was held on May 17th and 18th at the Arrowhead Country Club in Glendale Arizona. The two conference co-chairs were Southwest Board members, Greg Prudhomme PhD (Regional Vice President) and Ryan Johnson (Vice President). The USPTA Southwest Division partnered with the USTA Southwest Section in the production of the conference makeing it unique and positive. The USTA Southwest section provides financial support as well as contributes to the roster of speakers. Another highlight of the USPTA/USTA Southwest partnership is the annual breakfast that the two organizations have on the second day of the conference. One of the discussion topics was the possibility of the two organizations co-hosting Red Ball events for beginning adults in each of the 5 districts of the Southwest. The conference included two days of on-court and off-court continuing education seminars that discussed topics such as club programming, player development, health, and planning for the future in the tennis industry. Many thanks to CourtReserve for hosting our Friday night cocktail party and to RacquetDesk for hosting our Saturday Luncheon. Notable speakers included Alex Mouquin, Mike Baugh, Kim Bastable, Jill Davis Todd Ellenbecker and Greg Prudhomme. There were 81 people in attendance that included certified attendees, USPTA Southwest board members, USTA Southwest staff, vendors, speakers and nonmembers. Jennifer Gray, the USPTA Vice President and USPTA CEO Brian Dillman, were also in attendance to provide the USPTA national update. Another highlight of the conference was the awards presentation and the third annual Hall of Fame ceremony. Long-time USPTA Master Professional, Mike Van Zutphen was inducted into this year’s Southwest Hall of Fame.

2024 SOUTHWEST AWARD RECEIPENTS

Cameron Hamilton Elevate Award

Amy Badger Professional of the Year

Ryan Johnson Industry Excellence Award

Nicole Williams-Chambers Star Award

Chris Howard Proud Award

Andrea Meyer Laurie Martin High School Coach

Mike Van Zutphen Inducted Into the USPTA Southwest Hall of Fame

To say Mike VanZutphen is “all in” when it comes to tennis is an understatement. Mike took his early passion for the game and turned it into a lifetime career of service, coaching, certifying tennis teaching professionals, overseeing hundreds of tennis events, and becoming a well-known speaker, presenter, editorial contributor, television commentator and host of his own show Strokes and Strategies. Mike has been a leader in our Southwest Division Board serving at all levels including the oversight of our annual divisional conference for many years. He also remains a very high-level player. In honor of this dedication and devotion to the industry and sport, Mike has been the recipient of numerous USPTA and USTA awards including fivetime USPTA Southwest Professional of the Year, 20 Years USPTA Southwest Tester of the Year, two-time USPTA Southwest Coach of the Year, two-time recipient of the National USTA Community Service Award, USTA Hall of Fame 2018, and numerous other recognitions throughout his career. Most recently Mike was inducted into the Mesa Community College Hall of Fame where he started his college playing days. As a player, Mike held the #1 USPTA World Ranking Men’s 45 Singles 2000 and #1 USPTA World Ranking Men’s 35 Doubles 1998. Mike is one of only a small recognized few USPTA Certified Master Professionals. Mike has taught and continues to teach all levels. He has coached world wide and with players ranging from the juniors to world ranked. Most notable results of his coaching are five High School 5A Singles Champions, two NCAA Singles Champions, a Junior Wimbledon Champion, several world ranked players and three USTA Women’s Team National Champions. Mike started the first NJTL and Special Olympics tennis programs In Arizona. For this, he was recognized with a Humanitarian award for volunteering for more than 25 years for the Arizona Special Olympics. We are certainly very fortunate and proud to have Mike as part of our Southwest USPTA family and this year’s Hall of Fame recipient.

Phoenix, Arizona

by Eusebio Sarabia

Congratulations to Notre Dame Prep on reaching the State Championships Final against AZ College Prep! Under the guidance of Head Coach and USPTA Elite Pro John Austin, in his inaugural season at the helm, the team has soared to new heights.

Coach John’s approach of embracing a no-cut team roster cultivated a culture of positivity and success. He has not only coached them in the technical aspects of the game but also instilled in them the importance of mental fortitude and selfbelief, essential qualities in overcoming tough matches.

One testament to the team’s spirit is the story of the MVA award bestowed upon a player for displaying exemplary attitude, even in the face of adversity. Despite not being able to compete due to the opposing team’s circumstances, her dedication and joy in being part of the team shine through, reflecting the strong bond Coach John has nurtured.

It’s truly remarkable to witness the incredible achievements of Lesley Banks in just three years since the inception of “For the Future.” As the founder of this nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to tennis in the Phoenix Union School District, Lesley’s passion and dedication have sparked transformative change. From humble beginnings with just 30 students, “For the Future” has flourished, now boasting an impressive enrollment of 170 students for the current school year. The success doesn’t stop there –last year’s summer camp was a resounding triumph, attracting 80 eager participants, and this upcoming summer promises even greater success with a projected attendance of over 100 players. Lesley’s unwavering commitment to empowering youth through tennis has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by her features on Fox 10 and during Women’s History Month. Her vision, leadership, and tireless efforts are an inspiration to us all, and we eagerly anticipate the continued growth and impact of “For the Future” under her guidance.

As Coach John reflects on the season, he expresses confidence in the future of these exceptional young ladies. Their resilience, determination, and camaraderie bode well for the seasons to come.

Best of luck to Notre Dame Prep and Head Coach John Austin in the future years ahead.

We are thrilled to announce that Corona del Sol HS clinched a spot in the final four against Desert Mountain HS this May, under the exceptional leadership of Head Coach Carol Sandvig.

The Corona Squad has once again showcased their prowess on the court, marking their 23rd qualification for the state champions out of 25 seasons under Coach Carol’s guidance. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of both the players and coaching staff.

Coach Carol’s commitment to community outreach and player development from grassroots levels has been instrumental in shaping the team’s success. Her emphasis on fostering a strong team culture and instilling a passion for the game has undoubtedly inspired her players to excel both on and off the court.

Beyond their athletic achievements, the Corona Squad exemplifies excellence in academics, with many of the players maintaining honor student status and achieving remarkable 4.0 GPAs. This holistic approach to studentathlete development reflects the core values instilled by Coach Carol.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Coach Carol Sandvig, the Corona Squad, and the entire Corona del Sol HS community on this astounding accomplishment. Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off! Go Corona!

Southern New Mexico & El Paso

by Alex Mouquin

Hello all from the Sun City, the beautiful El Paso, Texas. Spring is in full force and the summer is approaching. The beautiful and longer days bring more people to the courts to play our great game. The Southern New Mexico and El Paso areas are seeing the implementation of numerous well needed entry level tournaments for juniors, especially in the 10 and under space, as well as free tennis classes programs for adult beginners to help them get in the game.

These events are happening with the help and great leadership of two of our local USPTA members, Nicole Fintell and Trevor Rivera. Both continue to strengthen the relationship between the USTA Southwest section and our USPTA Southwest division. They also organize development and match play camps for the local players to emulate a higher level of play in the area. Our district is lucky to have such passionate professionals leading the way to grow the game and get more players on court.

Pickleball Workshop Dates:

Friday, September 13 | Noon-4pm

Paradise Valley CC

Friday, October 18 | Noon-4pm

Paradise Valley CC

Friday, November 8 | Noon-4pm

Paradise Valley CC

Saturday, December 14 | Noon-4pm

Paradise Valley CC

Southeastern Arizona

by Cameron Hamilton

Over at Skyline Country Club, USPTA pro David Fink has been growing the games of tennis and pickleball! David Fink Tennis Academy at Skyline Country Club hosts a variety of events from Junior singles/doubles tournaments to social events for both tennis and pickleball. In addition, two of their clay courts have recently been converted into artificial turf courts. The games of tennis and pickleball truly are flourishing over at Skyline Country Club.

At La Paloma Country Club, Director and USPTA Professional Eric Styrmoe is retiring after 40 years of teaching tennis. Eric has been growing the game of tennis in Tucson for the entire duration of his career on court. Thank you for your contributions to the game Eric!

SOUTHWEST OFFICERS

President

Suk Ong 602-881-0467

sukong.uspta@gmail.com

Regional VP

Greg Prudhomme 602-301-1394

pruperformance@gmail.com

Vice President

Ryan Johnson 480-267-0725

m.ryanjohnson@gmail.com

Secretary

John Perry 520-403-8290

jptennis25@gmail.com

Treasurer

Leslie Banks 419-302-7663

lesliealison16@gmail.com

Past President

Amy Badger 505-379-6728

badgertennis505@gmail.com

Executive Director

Jack Michalko 602-740-0126

jack.michalko@uspta.org

SOUTHWEST COORDINATORS

Northern New Mexico

Dick Johnson 505-507-6795

lctenniscamps@gmail.com

Phoenix

Eusebio Sarabia 310-292-2788

eusebio.sarabia@gmail.com

Southeastern Arizona

Cameron Hamilton 480-276-1123

chamilton8815@gmail.com

Northern Arizona

Andrea Meyer 928-300-4352 andreameyertennis@gmail.com

Southern New Mexico & l Paso

Alex Mouquin 575-571-0389

frenchtouchtennis@hotmail.com

Tennis Coach Developer

Greg Prudhomme 602-301-1394

pruperformance@gmail.com

Pickleball Coach Developer

Ryan Johnson 704-281-1713

m.ryanjohnson@gmail.com

The Southwest Magazine is the official Publication of the USPTA Southwest Division of the United States Professional Tennis Association.

Northern New Mexico

by Dick Johnson

Hi everybody!

What a week. I announced my 35-year tennis coach retirement from La Cueva High School last month and it has been a “wild ride” over the past two weeks.

My boys won the regular season with a perfect 4-0 District record and overall,

John Daamgard

SFHS Rogers retires as Boys Doubles wins State Title and Girls 3 peat at District.

Head Coach Bonnie Rogers is retiring after 18 years as coach of the Santa Fe High School Demons.

Humza Mahmood and Carlos Flores won State 5A Boys Doubles over Tyler Kim and Taaj Bhardwaj from La Cueva 6-4, 6-3 for the State Title.

Yasmin Verasteque-Palomino and Carmen Valentino won 3rd place at State after defeating their own teammates in the finals of District and then having to play them again in the quarter finals of State. In the State Semifinals Yaz and Carmen lost to the number one seed of Corley and Arndt ELD 6-1, 6-3. Yaz and Carmen then defeated Lopez and Westover ALA 6-1, 61 for 3rd place.

Etsuko Yamaguchi SFHS lost to #2 seed Cameron King LAC and Chloe Anaya after winning her first round over Lexi Sanchez HOB 6-2, 6-2 lost to #1 seed Vivica Corley ELD who defeated Cameron King LAC in a thrilling final 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (5).

Mariella Rigales St Michael’s finalist lost to Goddard’s No. 2 seed Avery Williams who had defeated Santa Fe Prep’s Andrea Voinescu 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

12-1 record. We placed first in boys singles and boys doubles with a third place in both events and received a “wild card” in boys doubles. In State individuals we were second in singles and doubles.

In the State team event that finished on May 10, we had victories all the way to the finals and won the championship after three rain delays over Albuquerque High School 5-2. It was a spectacular moment and it was announced that my lifetime High School record was: 406 wins and 60 losses. It also is the State record with 13 State team titles by a High School Coach in New Mexico. I was so honored and so humbled by the presentation by Joe Butler of the NMAA.

I hope everyone has a great summer and I also hope that I will see many of my colleagues at our 2024 USPTA Southwest Conference.

Jackson Friedland and Henry Kaufman SF Prep #1 seed lost to Albuquerque Academy Adrian Hanna and Astin Curtis 6-4, 6-4.

Bonnie Rogers is not leaving tennis behind her yet as there is, in the works, of having a program out of ATC or rejuvenating the Bernalillo program. Also: Bonnie will be continuing her work with the First Serve Academy out of the new Forked Lightning Racquet Club in Santa Fe to open next spring.

It has been a pleasure to serve as an assistant with Bonnie at SFHS and I, John Damgaard, am looking forward to new ventures with her and others here in Santa Fe.

The Albuquerque Academy charger girls have just completed another successful season. We captured the state individual doubles title and had a magnificent come from behind victory in the state team championship match. Incredible performances by the entire team. In other news, the Albuquerque Academy has been awarded 175K from the USTA national catalyst

fund program. I have been part of a team that has been working tirelessly on our vision to open our beautiful facility to the community with managed programming. We could not have accomplished this without our current school leadership sharing this vision. I am beyond thrilled to continue working with this great team in place and the USTA to bring this initiative to life in 2024.

Congratulations to Dick Johnson on a tremendous high school coaching career. He’s made a big difference in our community and in the lives of so many boys and girls.

Northern Arizona

by Andrea Meyer

USPTA Instructor Grace

Hakopian is only 19, but she’s already newly settled into her dream job: Tennis Pro at Sedona’s prestigious Enchantment Resort. “My family vacationed here when I was 15. I remember looking up at the red canyon walls and thinking wouldn’t it be incredible to live here?” Grace’s family also fell in love with Sedona, pulled up stakes in California, bought land, and built a home.

Once in Sedona, Grace and her younger brother, George, both elite juniors, began working under the tutelage of Elite Pro Jake Worseldine at Poco Diablo Resort. Grace achieved a top-50 national ranking in girls’ 18’s before recently aging out.

In her office, Grace’s bulletin board is pinned with enthusiastic TripAdvisor reviews attesting to her efficiency, knowledge, and positive approach. “It’s better even than the competitive thrill, seeing someone’s eyes light up when they get it, when you’ve shown them something and it transforms their shot!” For someone who’s had a host of wins at level 1 and 2 junior tournaments, that’s high praise for our teaching profession. And it’s high praise for Grace. Her tennis guests have so many other spectacular things they might remark on (a luxurious spa, a breathtaking canyon, exquisite dining), but what they really go on about is Grace’s teaching.

Enchantment has converted some of the resort courts to pickleball, so Grace gives instruction in that sport, as

well. Recently, she beat a pro on the pickleball circuit who was vacationing at Enchantment. Her passion, though, is tennis. “We teach some pickleball, but what we really love as pros is to promote this really challenging game of tennis.”

In Flagstaff, Forest Highlands Golf Club will be launching their new tennis facility on May 16. The expansion has been long waited for by this private golf club community, ranked #2 in Arizona. Tennis additions include new restrooms, proshop expansion, a large viewing patio, and the expected addition of two more tennis courts in 2025. Forest Highlands also opened a 4- milliondollar 8- court pickleball facility in July of 2023. Together with the tennis expansion, the club has funneled 5.8 million into racquet sports, making it the premier private community jn NAZ, and proving that racquet sports are thriving in NAZ.

Director of Racquet Sports Nicole Chambers, USPTA Elite / IPTPA Professional, will be a guest panelist at the SWUSPTA Conference May 16-18. She will also be honored with the USPTA Star Award for her dedication and contributions to tennis in Flagstaff.

Clarkdale Pro Andrea Meyer will also be recognized at this year’s conference as High School Coach of the Year for leading her Mingus Union HS varsity and jv teams. Her innovations include incorporating signals and the “I” and Aussie doubles formations and her team’s use of match logbooks. Andrea has most recently been working with a special education self-contained classroom of first and second graders. Their young lives have been marred by severe trauma. Andrea focuses on cooperative tennis games, sharing glory with classmates, gracious responses to loss, and rewarding perseverance.

Sedona Master Professional Larry Lineberry has been instrumental in moving the Oxendale Auto Group Championships to a new location and level. The Oxendale is now a level 4 tournament, moving from Cottonwood to NAU’s indoor and outdoor courts, August 1-4.

A Publication of the USPTASouthwest Division

Jack Michalko / editor

77 East Missouri Avenue, Suite 62, Phoenix, AZ 85012 602-740-0126 / e-mail: jack.michalko@uspta.org

The Southwest Magazine is published quarterly by the Southwest Division of the United States Professional TennisAssociation. The opinions expressed in the Southwest Magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Southwest Magazine or the USPTA Southwest Division.

Copyright© Southwest Division/United States Professional TennisAssociation, Inc. 2024. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this newsletter is not permitted without written permission from the USPTA Southwest Division. Advertising information: All ads must be camera ready and in color if possible. Prices are per issue.