USPTA Intermountain Newsletter
August 2024
USPTA World Racquets Conference 2024
Where: Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa - Rancho Mirage, CA
When: Sunday, Sept. 15 - Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024
The historic USPTA World Conference you have come to love is back with an updated name as it is evolving! With a robust curriculum that celebrates all our racquet sports, the highly anticipated return of Battle of the Divisions, and a wealth of networking opportunities, the USPTA's annual conference is offering more ways to celebrate the many sports you teach and play than ever before.
We look forward to seeing you in California. Mark your calendar for our Division Party on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024
The USPTA Intermountain Division is excited to offer conference scholarships. See page 10 for details.
Meet the USPTA Intermountain Board of Directors
KARL JONES - PRESIDENT
My passion for growing tennis was not an epiphany moment, rather a delayed experience over time. It wasn’t until it became about serving others that I truly became ingrained in the fabric of this great sport I have had the distinct honor of being on the receiving end of some wonderful mentorship along my journey Now I’m so excited to play a small part in serving tennis professionals with the tools to grow their careers These tools include mentorship to younger professionals, on court education ranging from on court to management, and the ability to network and form lifelong relationships Thank you to the USPTA for providing this wonderful platform!
LAURIE LAMBERT - TREASURER
I believe that our sport needs educated people delivering the tennis experience, so I wanted to support the USPTA to help educate tennis instructors to be the best that they can be for our players!
ANDY ZODIN - PAST PRESIDENT
Serving on the Board, for myself in particular, has been an effort to contribute to the industry in the most effective ways I know how, as this industry has given me so much Helping Intermountain tennis continue to grow, improve, and evolve with the times has been very satisfying to be a part of. Working with the tremendous people of the USPTA and USTA during my tenure, has been the icing on the cake.
MATT
HELM
- REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
I serve on the USPTA Board because I want to strengthen and support the organization that has impacted my tennis career in such a positive and influencing way.
GINGER PHILLIPS - SECRETARY
Serving on the Intermountain Board is a privilege as I get to work with such a wonderful group of USPTA pros, learn about and participate in Intermountain USPTA happenings, communicate and share ideas and stay involved off of the tennis court.
KAREN SCHOTT - VICE PRESIDENT
Giving back to a sport that has enriched my education, my career and my personal life is a privilege I am excited to strengthen the relationships of tennis and pickleball professionals in our Division and to mentor young pros If I can nurture the development of some dynamic young female pros, whichI feel our sport needs, I will be thrilled
USPTA Intermountain
President
Karl Jones
USPTA Intermountain
Executive Director
Leanne Palmisano
Dear Professionals,
I hope you are all enjoying a summer full of exciting programs for all your students and clients. It is a very exciting time to be part of the USPTA – where aligning ourselves with the industry trends has become a prevalent focus. With the conference being held slightly closer to home, it is great to see that the sign-up numbers for the World Conference are extremely healthy for the Intermountain Division This promises to be a wonderful event, not only from an educational standpoint, but for the direction of the organization as a whole!
The World Conference is September 15-19 at the Westin Rancho Mirage Resort & Spa, Rancho Mirage, California. With the line-up of speakers and wonderful offerings, it promises to be well worth the trip! You are all invited to the Intermountain Division Party on Tuesday, September 17th at Tommy Bahama’s
I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to the professionals in Salt Lake City, Utah Our District President, Michelle Rawstorne, hosted a wonderful drill share with over 50 professionals in attendance. In addition to the attendees, National Board member, Kevin Theos, was also in attendance and I was so encouraged by the strength in the Utah tennis community. The collaboration of coaches on court, the drills shared, and the camaraderie afterwards with dinner was exceptional With the enormous passion displayed by the professionals, the future is bright for the racquet sports enthusiasts of Utah As we strive to offer more in person education and networking opportunities, I’m looking forward to upcoming events in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho for our professionals. Please reach out to your local District Presidents for more information.
On the horizon, one of the Board’s main objectives is to attract quality young people to our industry I am very excited to share that USPTA now offers a new Junior Racquet Sports Apprentice membership category available for ages 14-17 If you have identified young people that show great potential for a career with racquet sports, I strongly recommend involving them with this program. The membership provides education opportunities, subscription to the Racquet Sports Industry magazine, networking opportunities, USPTA conference discounts and much more! (There is no application fee or testing required, just an annual $50 fee)
I wish you all a wonderful rest of your summer, enriching the lives of everyone involved in your racquet sports programs. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the World Conference in September!
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
It has been an exciting six months as your Executive Director
It’s been great to connect with our Districts and hold numerous networking and drill and share opportunties
I am eager to connect with you If you have any news you would like to share with the division, such as job postings, promotions, tennis/pickleball tips, or upcoming events, please send the information to me at leanne palmisano@uspta org And don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date with our latest news and events.
USPTA Intermountain District News
Colorado proudly hosts the USTA's third-largest tournament in the country The Denver City Open (DCO) attracted over 650 competitors across 40 divisions at the Denver Tennis Club this past June.
The DCO even had friends making the trip from Wyoming (good seeing you, Josh!), neighboring states, and across the country to compete in this event Events such as this are a great opportunity for pros and/or directors to connect with players of all levels and other professionals in the industry
We're right in the middle of summer The temperatures are in the triple digits And yet, it's another great year for tennis. In Idaho, our junior tennis has seen a big increase in tournament participation from last year. Our adult teams are also flourishing this summer Eastern Idaho teams are stronger than ever We will see which teams will represent Idaho in sectional competition later in August after the district playoffs.
Jess Oliveria is bringing back the infamous Labor Day Tournament to Sun Valley, Idaho. Sun Valley is a beautiful and historic place to visit Idaho is a wonderful state to live in It's also a great place to be part of the tennis community
Unfortunately, the Watson Children’s Pro-am for 2024 has been canceled due to a change in the shelter’s event schedule and internal re-organization Although this year's event is not happening USPTA Montana president and other USPTA Pros in Missoula, Devon Sikora, Zen Mottershead, and Ethan Vaughan will help former Touring professionals, Mats Wilander, Robert Kendrick, Luke & Murphy Jensen, Brenda SchultzMcCarthy and Jesse Witten in a Fantasy Tennis Camp Sept 27-29 The Camp will include 10 hours of coaching from these pros, lunch, dinner, and a world team tennis event on Friday Night
The money raised from this event will help grow the game of tennis across the state of Montana, with the Montana Youth Tennis Foundation being the charitable cause for 2024 Details are being finalized by August 1. Only thirty spots are available for the camp at $1,000/person. For more information, please contact Scott Potter at 406-581-9593 or at scott@peakmissoula com
USPTA Mission Statement
The purpose of USPTA shall be to elevate the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches.
USPTA Vision Statement
The USPTA will be the world's leading trade association of certified tennis-teaching professionals and coaches, viewed and highly respected as an organization of knowledgeable experts and specialists, industry innovators, and as an indispensable business partner. The USPTA will deliver the highest level of educational tools and programs that enhance the livelihoods of its members, create career opportunities within the tennis industry, and promote the sport of tennis.
Colorado District President Damon Gillette
Idaho District President John Armstrong
Montana District President Scott Potter
Summer Tennis Buzz: A Season of Camps, Competitions, and Community Spirit
As the summer sun shines brightly over Utah, the local tennis scene is buzzing with activity and excitement From junior camps to adult clinics, tournaments, and special events, tennis enthusiasts of all ages are enjoying a season filled with learning, competition, and camaraderie.
Camps and Clinics: A Summer of Learning
Clubs across Utah have been bustling with activity, offering a variety of camps and clinics for both juniors and adults Advantage Tennis has introduced several new programs this summer, including specialized camps for ladies and mixed doubles sessions for couples. These sessions have been a hit, providing participants with an opportunity to improve their skills and enjoy some friendly competition. After the mixed doubles sessions, couples have been treated to a delightful dinner, allowing them to socialize and connect off the courts.
Junior Tournaments: Gaining Match Play Experience
The tournament scene has been vibrant, with juniors eagerly participating in various events to gain valuable match play experience. This experience is particularly important as the girls in the area gear up for the upcoming high school tennis season. These tournaments not only help players hone their skills but also foster a sense of community and sportsmanship
"OF Love" Tournament: A Summer Finale
As the summer season draws to a close, the much-anticipated "OF Love" tournament is set to be a highlight. This favorite event is known for its fun and competitive spirit, drawing players and fans alike One of the standout features of the tournament is the "Facility Team Challenger," where players and coaches from different facilities form teams to compete for a prestigious trophy The winning facility gets to display the trophy for the year, making it a coveted prize. This year, all eyes will be on Sunpro Tennis and Pickleball Club, the defending champion, as they attempt to retain their title.
Pro-Am Fundraiser and Hall of Fame Induction
The Cottonwood Club recently hosted a pro-am event, bringing together local pros and amateurs for a day of friendly competition. This event was not only a fun gathering but also served as a fundraiser, supporting local tennis initiatives.
In addition to the bustling summer activities, the community is also celebrating a significant milestone. Lindsay Rawstorne, a beloved local pro, will be inducted into the USTA Hall of Fame at the end of July This prestigious honor recognizes Lindsay's outstanding contributions to the sport, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved achievement
Tennis Thriving in Utah
It's truly heartening to see tennis thriving in Utah, with a wide range of activities bringing together players, coaches, and fans Whether through camps, tournaments, or special events, the sport continues to foster a strong sense of community and shared passion
As we look forward to the rest of the year, there's no doubt that the Utah tennis community will continue to grow and thrive, united by a love for the game and the friendships it fosters Here's to a fantastic end to the summer season and an exciting future for tennis in Utah!
Utah District President Michelle Rawstorne
USPTA Intermountain District News
“Local Rivalries”
Every year adult recreational tennis players compete for a chance to travel to nationals to compete at the highest level These tennis enthusiasts will sometimes play on over 10 teams to increase their chances of punching their ticket to nationals. The first step on this journey is to win their local district tournament.
The energy of districts is extremely different compared to nationals and sectionals. The local level of districts has more external factors that galvanize the competition For example, your opponents at districts could be a team member on your mixed doubles teams or even a player that left your team to join a “super” team. The national and sectional level is more exciting in an internal way The first step in the journey has been completed, but the opponents ahead are likely unknown to the teams beyond their home cities.
With that, Nevada just hosted their District tournament at the beautiful Darling Tennis Center Mary Maragos hosts this event every year and has it down to a science. With teams playing from multiple divisions, all the top local tennis players are all in one location, making it the who’s who of local tennis This weeklong event, that sometimes runs until till 10:30 at night, makes for some great stories. Stories that all the tennis players want to hear. If you run into another tennis player during the day, the first question everyone asks is “Were you at districts last night?” Mary also keeps everyone up to date with her social media posts She also posts the sportsmanship winners, a great reminder of what these leagues are all about.
As with any competition, the victors continue in the spotlight while the losers are left to cheer them on. However, losing at districts is hardly the end for any team. The captains are already forming new teams for their chance to compete in districts next year.
Summer in Wyoming is a two-and-a-half-month window for tennis lovers to enjoy outdoor tennis This summer is no different The courts are all full, and Wyoming players and coaches are busy playing and working to keep it that way In Casper, Tim Hough has offered 3 extra tournaments to play after a long hiatus of USTA play Jackson has taken their diabetes event online for the first year ever Getting these extra play opportunities has been a huge boost for players and coaches. Cheyenne completed hosting its summer L5 district Cup, which attracted players from New Jersey to Hawaii with over 10 different states represented. The event was a success and a good representation of the strength of our local community.
Wyoming players were also invited to compete at the Impact Team Tennis Junior Nationals event at USTA National Campus. While they were competing, the 3 boys and 3 girls made time to take a personalized tour of USPTA Headquarters and learn about careers in tennis from USPTA Staff
Wyoming HS school coaches spent 2 days training on court with Hall of Fame Coach Greg Patton. USPTA Member Peg Connor worked on many of these projects to make them happen. I will run the Adult and Junior Governor’s Cup the first two weekends in August leading us up to the HS season.
Nevada District President
Chris Painter
Wyoming District President
Josh Cossitt
USPTA Announces Provisional Accreditation by USTA
LAKE NONA, Fla , March 29, 2024 The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), Inc is pleased to announce it has received provisional accreditation by the United States Tennis Association (USTA)
The USTA Accreditation Program is focused on raising the standards for the way in which tennis is delivered in the U S Recognizing that certified teaching professionals deliver the majority of tennis programs in the U S , one of the goals of the accreditation program is to increase the quality and quantity of certified teaching professionals in the country
In spring of 2019, the USPTA became the first USTA-accredited tennis-teaching organization. Though the USPTA elected not to reapply for accreditation in 2022, the association is confident both organizations are aligned on the value of being a certified professional from an accredited organization and the importance of elevating the standards required from teaching professionals and from hiring institutions.
“We are excited to once again partner with the USTA and their accreditation program,” said USPTA CEO Brian Dillman. “We are continually looking to improve our quality of certification and education to help train the next generation of career tennis professionals. We will be rolling out new Level 1 and 2 certification courses shortly around the country in our 17 divisions. Keep watch on our website or social media for dates and locations.”
The USPTA will also continue to enforce Safe Play compliance requirements to maintain member certification and encourage its members to be vigilant to maintain their USTA Safe Play Approved status. Safe Play is the comprehensive athlete safety program consisting of education, screening, reporting tools and policies for appropriate conduct in tennis The organizations will collaborate to raise the standards of tennis-teaching professionals nationwide, increase hiring opportunities for certified professionals and promote the growth of the profession USPTA anticipates that it will receive full accreditation by the end of 2024
About the USPTA: Founded in 1927, the USPTA is the global leader in tennis-teacher certification and professional development With more than 14,000 members worldwide and 17 divisions nationwide, the Association's mission is to raise the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches and to promote a greater awareness of the sport Learn more at USPTA com
USPTA Intermountain Pickleball Coach Developer Mark Chomko
Pickleball
Intermountain Pickleball News
Pickleball Pro Match Play and Networking Event
On June 19 we held our first pickleball match play and networking event at Third Shot Pickleball in Wheatridge, CO. After a couple hours of spirited play we came together to have pizza and share ideas on how to grow our pickleball programs at our facilities. We hope to conduct a couple of these events each year. Keep an eye out for future events like this.
New Training and Testing Protocol
The USPTA has completed a comprehensive overhaul of our training and testing protocol. In addition, we will now be accepting applications for pickleball certification from non-members who want to join the the USPTA as pickleball professionals. The new pathway and process are exceptional and will give new applicants a solid level of knowledge. Applicants will now be classified as either instructor level or professional level based on their test results At the rate pickleball is growing, this new option for non-members should have a positive impact on the growth of our organization’s membership numbers
The pickleball workshops will be offered nationwide through all 17 USPTA divisions
Pickleball Certification Steps
For specific course information, click here: Pickleball Certification Requirements
For information on membership benefits, click here: Member Benefits
New to USPTA: Apply Now
USPTA Members: Register for a Workshop
TENNIS TIP
Andy Zodin USPTA Board Member
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING FROM CARLITOS?
So much of what makes Carlos Alcaraz tick is clearly God-given and, therefore, difficult to teach any other player to try to emulate That said, what we CAN teach our students to emulate is the smile that is almost always on his face Playing happy and being extraordinarily positive is simply Carlitos' way, and he truly seems to be "on to something". Many great champions, both in and out of tennis, have been successful because of their seething hatred of losing Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, and Tiger Woods all come to mind. Alcaraz, on the other hand, doesn't seem to "hate" anything. He loves to play, loves to perform, loves to win, and loves to be an athletic freak of nature By not "hating losing", Alcaraz plays incredibly free and seemingly without fear In a sport where love means nothing, Carlos Alcaraz seems to not get it. To him, love means EVERYTHING, and THAT is the lesson. He's the one that actually does get it! Pretty wise dude for 21, if you ask me
USPTA Intermountain Happenings
The USPTA Intermountain Division announces World Racquets Conference Scholarships Six scholarships are available, one per district. The scholarship will cover the conference registration fee for the USPTA World Racquets Conference. The conference will be held September 15-19, 2024, in Rancho Mirage, CA. Through the scholarships, USPTA Intermountain hopes to create greater opportunities for tennis-teaching professionals to enhance their professional development and deliver better instruction and programming at their respective facilities. The applicant must be a USPTA-certified teaching professional in good standing, including Safe Play compliance and background screening. Apply Here
Level 1 Workshops
Visit the USPTA for a list of Level 1 Virtual Workshops
Level 2 Workshops
Visit the USPTA for a list of Level 2 l Workshops
Tony Baker, Loveland, CO
Pickleball Workshops
Visit the USPTA to register and for a full list of the Workshops
Welcome New Members
Mark Bassistone, Henderson, NV
Cody Curtis, Golden, CO
Nicolas Gonzalez, Denver, CO
Kirk Hansen, Vail, CO
Jack Hogan, Las Vegas, NV
William Johnson, Helena, MT
Ken Kawakami, Fort Collins, CO
Brandon Keller, Grand Junction, CO
Padel Workshops
Visit the USPTA to register and for a full list of the Workshops
Kurt Kennedy, Centennial, CO
Maximo Lawlor, Denver, CO
Elly Lloyd, Salt Lake City, UT
Patrick Martin, Lakewood, CO
Evelyn Oltmans, Arvada, CO
Robert Pine, Littleton, CO
Robert Scofield, Birmingham, AL
Natalia Smith, Littleton, CO
Calder Vladika, Golden, CO
MORE... USPTA Intermountain Happenings
The USPTA Intermountain hosted a Level 2 Workshop from June 7-9 at the Denver Country Club in Denver, CO.
Fasiel Hassan, the USPTA Coach Developer, conducted the three-day workshop. All of our USPTA applicants gained a lot of knowledge!
We w journey to becoming a Coach Developer.
We welcome Cody, Hayley, Jon, William, and Zachary to the USPTA family.
GRASS TENNIS COURTS AT THE DENVER COUNTRY CLUB
The DCC grass courts have become a wonderful tradition each summer for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day Director of Racquet Sports Matt Helm, along with the Grounds Department, set up two courts on the lawn bowling and croquet lawn for about two weeks at a time during these three special holidays Members may join in the round robins hosted by the club professionals, or make their own reservations and it is game on! This year the courts were open during the same two weeks as Wimbledon What a great tournament it was and what a great two weeks on the grass at the DCC!
Matt Helm Regional Vice President
USPTA and USTA Partnership
USPTA Intermountain members had the opportunity to attend a Coaches' Workshop hosted by USTA Intermountain and Francisco Montoya-Velez from USTA Player Development The event was hosted at Randy Ross Tennis Center During the interactive classroom session, coaches delved into the Player Development Coaching philosophy and learned from each other. Then, they headed to the courts and reviewed effective drills It was also a great way to network with other coaches
The 2024 USPTA/USTA Intermountain New Player Incentive deadline for entries was July 15, 2024.
This initiative is intended to reward those directly engaged in the recruitment and management of 2 5 Women or 3 0 Men’s level players More information on the initiative can be found here
Thanks to all the pros who participated in this year’s program! Five new pros who haven’t previously participated submitted information, and four of six Intermountain districts were represented. The participants recruited over 60 new players to play on either Women’s 2 5 or Men’s 3 0 teams
In addition to supporting new players and teams at the Men’s 3 0 or Women’s 2 5 levels in the USTA Adult 18 & Over League, we again offered reimbursement for new 2 5 Women or 3 0 Men’s individual players ($25 per player!) that are registered on any team in Tennislink and $400 for new teams.
With this opportunity members were entered in random drawings - one for a trip to the 2024 US Open and another to the USPTA World Racquets Conference!
Thank you to the USTA for partnering in this incentive!
USPTA Fun
USPTA Utah Drill and Share at Salt Lake Tennis and Health Club.
Denver City Open is the 3rd Largest Tournament in the nation!
Board of Directors
President
Regional VP
Treasurer
Secretary
Vice-President
Past President
Karl Jones
Matt Helm
Laurie Lambert
Ginger Phillips
Karen Schott
Andy Zodin
District Presidents
Colorado
Idaho
Montana
Nevada Utah Wyoming
Executive Director
Leanne Palmisano
Damon Gillette
John Armstrong
Scott Potter
Chris Painter
Michelle Rawstorne
Josh Cossitt
KJones@theclubatrollinghills.org
mhelm@denvercc.net
llambert@utahtennis.com
gingervalephillips@gmail.com
kschott@broadmoor.com
arzodin@aol.com
damon@denvertennisclub.com
johnarm12@hotmail.com
Scott@peakmissoulacom
Cpainter@redrockcccom
michelle.advantagetennisutah@gmail.com
farnorthtennis@gmail.com
leanne.palmisano@uspta.org
usptaintermountain.com
