Inside this issue USPTA, USTA Work Together for Premier Event – 48 The Trouble with Technique – 52 What do our Adult Students Expect From Us? – 54 Departments: 52 Inside Coaching 42 CEO’s Message 54 Master Pro Corner 44 Vice President’s Message 56 USPTA’s 90th Anniversary 46 USPTA News 58 Career Development 48 USPTA World Conference 60 Member News Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com On the cover: The new USTA National Campus will be the site of a full day of on-court seminars during the USPTA World Conference.
CEO’s Message
Close to Completion
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t was January 2014 at the first USPTA Board Meeting of the year when Thaddeus Seymour from the Tavistock Company and Virgil Christian from the USTA came to our World Headquarters in Houston to inform the board about an incredible project that was planned to build a state-of-the-art tennis complex in a community outside of Orlando, Fla., called Lake Nona. At that time, the presentation was strictly informational with no thought that it would eventually become our new home. Over the course of the next 18 months, the board and our Executive Committee conducted the proper due diligence to understand more thoroughly what exactly this new National Campus would mean to the tennis market and whether or not it would be in our best interest to uproot from our Houston location and set up shop adjacent to this magnificent facility. You may recall that the Executive Committee voted to approve the sale of our building, the purchase of the land from Tavistock, and the design of our new office in Lake Nona during its September 2015 meetings in New Orleans. Fast forward from then to today; we are about to complete the construction of our 10,000-square-foot building and actually begin operations, ending a long and storied chapter of residing in Texas. It is bittersweet that we arrive at this moment in our rich history. While Houston served us well for 2½ decades, we were able to monetize that very smart investment made by the USPTA leadership back in 1990 to pay for what will truly be an inspirational, eco-friendly and tech showcase for the next generation of tennis-teaching professionals. As of this writing, we are probably 60 days from completion, assuming of course that the construction remains on the revised time line that has been charted. When this arrives in your mail box at home, it is my clear hope that
42 www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com
By John Embree our doors will be opening in a matter of days in Lake Nona and we will soon be vacating Houston for good. I have been using ADDvantage to regularly update you on developments and have been posting pictures on our social media outlets to show you how things have progressed since we started to prepare the building site in November of 2016. I cannot wait to be settled into this innovative and collaborative environment with a fresh perspective and an enthusiastic passion for elevating the standards of our association. As we wind up this exhausting but exhilarating process, here are some key milestones remaining for your information: n Interviews for the new staff began in earnest in mid-March. We have to replace almost 75 percent of our team, as only six current staff members have agreed to relocate. Unfortunately, we have lost or will be losing 15 valued and valuable employees, many of whom have worked for the USPTA for many years. I cannot thank Kathy Buchanan (31 years), Vicky Tristan (26 years), Julie Myers (23 years), Kim Forrester (17 years), Melony DeLoach (14 years), Matt Stotts (four years), and Aileen Nacpil (two years) enough for their tremendous dedication and service to our membership. A ton of institutional knowledge goes out the door when their time concludes. They will be sorely missed! n The new team will be in place by May 1. While the loss of our current staff is heart-wrenching, the talent pool that we have been able to attract for our open positions is terrific. I am excited about the prospect of creating a winning culture with a tennis DNA. n Training of our new employees will commence the week of May 15 for two weeks. Pending our certificate of occupancy, our IT infrastructure
will be set up, the office furniture delivered, our sustainable/movable walls installed and carpeting completed. n Unfortunately, I cannot predict the exact dates of our first day of operations in our new digs. As I have come to learn (rather painfully), there are still so many unknowns in construction that I must no longer make any definitive prognostications. We have already had to push back the start date on two different occasions. So many elements have to come together at the same time in order to put the finishing touches on this fantastic structure. I can tell you that the office in Houston will close May 31. The new staff will be operating out of the temporary quarters in Lake Nona. As soon as I get the word from our general contractor as to our move in date, we will let you know. My guess at this point: mid to late June. Keep your fingers crossed… It is hard to believe that this project of three years and six months is finally wrapping up. I cannot wait to be settled into this innovative and collaborative environment with a fresh perspective and an enthusiastic passion for elevating the standards of our association. Remember one last thing: while the new USPTA headquarters in Lake Nona is going to be the seat of our association for years to come, it is your building, your laboratory, your destination. The staff and senior leadership across the country are engaged for one purpose and one purpose only: to serve you, our members. That fact is never lost on me. I hope you will be proud to call Lake Nona our new home and be exceptionally prideful of your association. Thanks to your Board of Directors and the Executive Committee who have brought us to this defining moment. Come see us! As a famous marketing jingle says … “we will leave the light on for you.” h
Construction of our 10,000-square-foot building should be complete mid to late June. Keep your fingers crossed!
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 43
Vice President’s Message
Tournament Tennis – A Priority?
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By Ken McAllister
ne of the questions asked of me at my first Executive Committee meetings was, “Why do we budget money for USPTA tournaments when they involve so few members?” It was a legitimate question to me as the newly assigned chairman of the USPTA Tournament Committee. I probably answered it, “Huh?”, but I believe it deserves some examination from those whose profession is tennis. I hope you have enjoyed a copy of the newly published history of the USPTA. In it you will note that our 1927 founders were well known and mostly nationally ranked players who had turned to teaching the game. Tournaments were an integral part of all the annual meetings of the association. In fact those events prob- There definitely was value perceived in the camaraderie and competition created ably peaked with the 1970’s and ’80’s among the divisions in previous years. divisional team events during World Conferences. By example, 17 of the first years with an increasing number of this may extend to our decline in the 31 business pages of the 1976 USPTA assistants each year. It was my policy World Conference event. I recall that Directory were devoted to tournament to encourage them to play tournathe World Conference schedule for rankings, results and rules. Thirty ments and get rankings if possible. It many years made certain that seminars years later, there were still 18 pages was my opinion that this made them and events did not conflict with the devoted to tournament information more credible to their students and Division Team Championships play so and 35 pages to other USPTA business. actually increased lessons that made that all could go and cheer. Last year We no longer print our directory, but up for time lost at tournaments. I also at Indian Wells, there was a concern I note that tournaments are not even had base salaries for all full-time asthat the finals of the tennis tournalisted on the top or bottom of our websistants. In addition, I had a hard policy ment conflicted with other events. site. This is a notation, not a criticism. that they could not play in leagues Quite a contrast. There definitely was For the first time in at least 42 years, that involved amateurs. I believed this value perceived in the camaraderie and the Executive Committee approved a was also a credibility issue – still do. I competition created among the divi2017 budget without any money budpersonally continued playing tournasions in previous years. Is this being geted for tournaments. ments and even had a national ranking accomplished in a different way now? Again, this is not a criticism but an for a few years. I also tried to play on Is it necessary for the professional enviobservation. It is obviously the directhe USPTA Texas team, but I was not ronment? Or have tournaments begun tion our leadership believes we should always good enough. to run their course to be replaced by go, and they may be correct. Or are This is a good place to note that we shorter formats and games? we ignoring the adage that “all work all know that there has been a decline in I hope you have found this to be an (study) and no play makes Johnny (or adult tournament tennis since the adinteresting excursion of thought about Mary) a dull boy”? Admittedly, we still vent of USTA Leagues. This has been an tournament tennis. Please share your do a good job of playing at the nightly economic and time issue for the players reactions with your favorite Board parties of the World Conference. who have dropped the weekend-long member, a member of the Tournament I was a Director of Tennis for 17 tournaments. It can be speculated that Committee, or me. h
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USPTA News
$5,000 USPTA Grass Court Championships Set for June
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ver want to play on the sweet grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame? Now’s your chance! The historical tennis center located in Newport, R.I., will be the host of the 2017 USPTA Grass Court Championships. The tournament is scheduled for June 20-23, and is open for registration to USPTA-certified Professionals through June 13. Total prize money for the tournament is $5,000 and feature events in the following categories: men’s open singles, men’s and women’s 35 singles, men’s and women’s 45 singles, men’s and women’s 55 singles, men’s and women’s 65 singles, men’s and women’s open doubles, men’s and women’s 45 doubles, and mixed doubles. The International Tennis Hall of Fame preserves and promotes the history of tennis and celebrates its champions, thereby serving as a vital partner in the growth of tennis globally. In 1881, the Tennis Hall of Fame hosted the first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championships – today known as the US Open. As this year’s host of the USPTA Grass Court Championships, members have the opportunity to play on the historic grass
courts that all of the greatest champions in tennis history have played on. Due to the historic nature of the club and in respect of tennis tradition, players are required to dress in predominantly white tennis attire on the grass courts. Only smooth-soled tennis shoes are allowed on court. Grass court shoes will not be permitted. The use of Setteo, the official club and tournament software platform of the USPTA, allows USPTA members to register for surface tournaments and get quick and easy access to location in-
formation, match times and results. To register, go to www.setteo.com/torneos/ uspta-grass-court-championships/. As a benefit to certified members, the surface championships provide an opportunity to play against other USPTA Professionals, showcase skills, and win prize money. The USPTA Surface Championships are open to all USPTA-certified Professionals in good standing. To see the current rankings or learn more about ranking rules, sanctioned tournaments, and tournament regulations and requirements, go to uspta.com/tournaments. h
Tennessee’s De Zutter Wins Open Singles Title at USPTA Indoor Championships Cedric De Zutter won the men’s open singles division at the 2017 USPTA Indoor Championships on March 17-19, at the Racquet Club of Memphis in Memphis, Tenn. The three-day tournament featured events in four categories and gave USPTAcertified Professionals an opportunity to earn a portion of the $5,000 prize money. De Zutter (Memphis, Tenn.) defeated Michael Pereira (Little Rock, Ark.) in two sets (6-3, 6-4) to win his first open singles title at the USPTA Indoor Championships. De Zutter later paired up with Matt Feury of Bartlett, Tenn., to win the men’s open doubles division title over Memphis duo Duncan Howell and Tom Wride by the means of a walkover.
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2017 USPTA Indoor Championship Results Men’s Open Singles – Cedric De Zutter (Memphis) def. Michael Pereira (Little Rock, Ark.) 6-3, 6-4 Men’s Open Doubles – De Zutter / Matt Feury (Bartlett, Tenn.) def. Duncan Howell (Memphis) / Tom Wride (Memphis) WO Men’s 45 Singles – Kevin Gillette (Meridan, Miss.) def. Rob Horsch (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) 6-2, 6-0 Men’s 35/45 Doubles – Horsch/ Gillette def. Patrick Fontana (Dallas, Texas) / M.J. Garnett (Collierville, Tenn.) 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 Kevin Gillette (Meridan, Miss.) cruised to the finals in the men’s 45 singles division and defeated Rob Horsch (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) 6-2,6-0. For the second consecutive year, Horsch returned to take home a win in
the men’s 45 doubles division alongside teammate Gillette by defeating Patrick Fontana (Dallas, Texas) and M.J. Garnett (Collierville, Tenn.) 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. For more information visit uspta. com/tournaments. h
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USPTA World Conference
USPTA, USTA Work Together for Premier Event
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e’re changing up the USPTA World Conference this year and holding it in conjunction with the USTA Tennis Development Workshop. The event will be held at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, Oct. 11-15, slightly later than our usual September dates, but one month earlier than the traditional USTA TDW dates. Join us in Orlando for a fantastic event showcasing our new World Headquarters and the USTA National Campus. Details are still being finalized and will be published in the July issue. The theme for this year’s conference will be Next Generation and will have four different education tracks: l
Net Generation (youth tennis)
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USPTA Courses
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USTA University
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Community Tennis
Join us in Orlando for a fantastic event showcasing our new World Headquarters and the USTA National Campus Certification, Upgrading Available at Conference
– SCHEDULE –
Need to take the Certification Exam or upgrade? The PTCA I and Certification Exam will be offered at the World Conference. Contact the Membership Department at membership@uspta.org or 800-877-8248 for more information or to sign up. h
Wednesday, Oct. 11
Specialty course Opening reception by the pool (College tennis theme, so wear your college colors)
Renaissance Renaissance
Thursday, Oct. 12
On-court sessions Tour USTA National Campus and new USPTA World Headquarters USPTA Buying Show and dinner
USTA National Campus
Friday, Oct. 13
General Session on NET Generation Hall of Fame panel discussion moderated by Todd Martin USPTA/USTA Awards Luncheon Educational seminars
Renaissance Renaissance Renaissance Renaissance
Renaissance
Saturday, October 14 Educational seminars Division parties
Renaissance TBD
Sunday, October 15 Education
Renaissance
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USPTA World Conference Oct. 11-15 Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld® Orlando, FL
S av e the D at e !
Highlights Wednesday, Oct. 11 Opening Reception Thursday, Oct. 12 Day at the USTA National Campus USPTA Buying Show Friday, Oct. 13 Awards Luncheon
SeaWorld rlando at
®
ce O
Renaissan
USTA National Campus, Orlando, FL
Inside Coaching
The Trouble with Technique – How to Improve Junior Development By Dan Beedle, USPTA
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hen a young junior student shows up for her first lesson, it is typical for the pro to hit with her a bit to see how she is hitting the ball. Then the pro will go over how to hit a forehand and proceed to feed balls to the student to let the individual practice the technique that the pro was demonstrating. Weeks go by of lessons and the student makes progress by correcting her technique and may even develop the ability to produce topspin. Months go by and perhaps the student has developed relatively good technique. The parents are happy, the student is happy. The student has been taking lessons learning how to hit the ball. It is now time to attend a one-day tournament or low level junior event. If the
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student is lucky perhaps she wins a match but has lost three or four. The parents go back to the pro and say their child was not able to keep the ball in play and missed too many forehands and/or backhands. The pro goes back Tennis matches are not won on perfect technique. Matches are won based on a player’s ability to construct points and put the opponent in a situation that he does not want to be in. to making technical corrections and smoothing out the strokes with fed balls and cooperative rallying. Another one-day tournament or beginner level tournament comes around and again the student has lost all two or three matches (depending on the format).
The pro continues to help the student try to perfect the technique. What will happen to the student if this trend continues? The student may continue because it is something her parents want her to do, or she will become frustrated with her lack of success and may no longer play this great sport. What happens to this pro? The student may leave for another pro looking for better results, in which case, the pro needs to replace this lesson or lose income. This has happened countless times and will continue to happen until we as pros look beyond the pursuit of perfect technique and focus more on playing the game of tennis. Tennis matches are not won on perfect technique. Matches are won based on a player’s ability to construct points and put the opponent
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in a situation that he does not want to be in. This is not to say that technique should not be taught, but rather that more focus should be put on point construction and hitting specific targets that will allow a player to control the point. As I entered the tennis industry, I was overly focused on perfecting the player’s technique. Through the many conferences I have attended, I have learned one important fact about teaching and playing tennis. As Craig O’Shannessey of Brain Game Tennis says, “How you hit the ball matters, where you hit it matters more.” When teaching technique, pros will feed a controlled ball right to the student’s strike zone for him to achieve success. Once the student gets out of that controlled environment and into the match play arena, the technique typically breaks down rapidly. How can we counteract this inevitable struggle? Receiving and shot selection Once a student has a grasp of the basic swing path, then the focus of the lessons can shift to more important matters. Receiving the ball and shot selection are possibly the two most important areas of junior development. When teaching players, we need to place more emphasis on how they receive the ball. Are they able to adjust to a change in direction and hit the ball when moving? Can they move in a way that allows them to receive the ball in their strike zone? I was once running a 10 and Under clinic with 12 to 15 kids. We would go over technique and have the kids play doubles points champ-of-the-court style. Frustration was building because the kids could not get the ball in play after the feed. The next week we spent half the lesson working on receiving the ball. We divided the court into different zones, and based on where the ball landed, the player needed to be in the appropriate zone. After covering this we sent them to play champ of the court and the results were unreal. The kids were rallying and playing tennis. The kids began to love playing and competing. We spent little time teaching technique yet they made such a drastic improvement simply because they were able to receive the ball properly.
Once the basic technique is established, movement/receiving the ball and hitting to appropriate targets (shot selection) are critical to create better tennis players.
Hitting to the target The next issue to focus on is the ability of the player hit to the necessary target. For too long, lessons and clinics have focused on “playing catch.” As teaching pros, we want the players to hit lots of balls to make their time on court worth it. Players are sent on court with the goal of hitting 10, 20, 50 balls in a row without missing (depending on the level). Consistency is important but according to O’Shannesey’s research, we know that the average point in tennis lasts four shots or less. Best-selling author and international speaker Frank Giampoalo describes tennis as a game of “keep away” not “catch.” What patterns of play can a player use to create an opportunity to end the point? How can the player use his better shot to hurt his opponent? In our red ball group during this winter session, our focus was on hitting to specific targets and playing keep away from the opponent. We went over technique for about five minutes at the beginning of the class, and then it was all about hitting to a certain area. The kids were rallying and constructing points by the second or third
class. Could their technique have been better? Absolutely, but they were playing real tennis. When do we start this process of playing tennis rather than just perfecting strokes? As mentioned before, once the student has a grasp of the swing path we can incorporate movement/receiving the ball with hitting to specific targets or areas of the court. The age of the student does not matter in this process. Kids don’t want to hear about forearm pronation or racquet acceleration; at the younger ages the kids don’t know what those terms mean. If you can get them to receive the ball and hit it with direction they can begin to play real tennis. As pros we give lessons to help students enjoy playing the game, not just enjoy hitting a ball. To summarize, teaching pros need to help the student establish good technique but not spend the entire lesson on it. Once the basic technique is established, movement/receiving the ball and hitting to appropriate targets (shot selection) are critical to create better tennis players. There are good ball strikers and then there are good tennis players. h
Dan Beedle is a graduate of the Professional Tennis Management program at Ferris State University in Michigan. He is Assistant Head Pro at Windyke Country Club in Memphis, Tenn. Beedle has been USTA Louisiana and Southern Pro of the Year, USPTA Southern Assistant Pro of the Year, USPTA Top 10 Education credit achiever, and is a National Cardio Tennis Trainer.
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Master Pro Corner
What do our Adult Students Expect From us? By Feisal Hassan, USPTA Master Professional
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s tennis pros, we need to be very understanding and empathetic of the adult players we teach and coach. Our adult students expect the following from us: 1. Commitment to lifelong learning – Lifelong learning is a hallmark of a profession as a whole and a professional. What if your auto mechanic didn’t continue to learn? Chances are your newer high-tech automobile couldn’t be serviced. What if your doctor or surgeon didn’t continue to learn? Chances are you wouldn’t get the newer laparoscopic or robotic procedure. We should hold ourselves to a standard of lifelong learning as our game of tennis continues to evolve, and we need to continue to evolve with it and continue to learn. 2. A great learning environment – Dr. Dorothy Billington conducted a four-year study to see which factors in adult learning environments best facilitate adult growth and development. Her results concluded to seven factors found in learning programs that stimulate adult development*. The environment needs to be one that: • Is safe and supported, where individual needs and uniqueness are honored. • Fosters intellectual freedom and encourages experimentation and creativity. • The coach accepts and respects adult students as intelligent, experienced adults whose opinions are listened to and appreciated. • Creates self-directed learning, where students take responsibility of their own learning. • Challenges players just beyond their present level of ability. • Has students and coach interact and dialogue.
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• Has regular feedback where students tell coach what works best for them and what they need to learn. 3. Treated and trained in a positive manner – Working with P.J. Simmons, founder of the Tennis Congress, and based on our experience and feedback received from adult players, here are some recommendations: • Students like to be called “athletes.” Players invest a huge amount of time, money, and emotional and physical effort into trying to achieve their personal best. When you call them “athletes” and “tennis players” (as opposed to labels like “average recreational players”), it makes them feel great and inspires them to work even harder. • They love it when you reinforce what they’re doing well. Some adult players are among the most self-critical people you’ll ever meet, often acutely aware of what they’re doing wrong—the issue usually being they don’t know how to fix it. In the process of trying to make changes, sometimes they lose sight of (or may not realize) important things they’re actually doing right. You can help them retain “the good stuff” and keep their confidence up by reminding them of those things while also coaching them on how they can improve. • Yes, they can learn new tricks! The majority of adult players are open to trying new things and making new discoveries that will help them unlock their potential over the long term. If necessary, most of them are willing to take one step back today in order to take two steps forward tomorrow. • Assume you can train them like highperformance juniors and aspiring pros in intensity and methods. Many of them aspire to experience the feeling
of hitting and moving in ways that resemble the pros. They may occasionally need a reality check in terms of what they’re physically capable of (although sometimes they might surprise you when given the chance!). In cases where you think they need a reality check, it’s helpful for them to hear it phrased positively, such as: “For just about every tennis player other than those at the very highest professional levels, I recommend...” • Help them build their capacity to keep learning by emphasizing the “WHY” and “HOW,” not just the “what.” As you plan your classes, consider how you can help the adult player “learn how to learn” and practice better once they leave the court. For instance, when you introduce a drill, tell them why they’re doing it, then tell them why the adjustment will help them unlock their potential, and how they can practice to achieve the desired result. • Review the most important takeaways – and give them “on their own” work! Take at least five minutes at the end of your class to invite them to grab their smartphones so they can capture you summarizing key things you want them to remember. Remind them which drills or exercises they could do at home “on their own” or with their teammates. Focus on these expectations and the athlete will have fun learning and improvement will drastically occur. h * (Reference: Billington, Dorothy D. (1998) Ego Development and Adult Education. Doctoral Dissertation, The Fielding Institute) Feisal Hassan is vice president on the USPTA National Board and holds USPTA specialist degrees in Competitive Player Development, Facility Management, Sports Science and 10 and Under Tennis.
USPTA’s 90th Anniversary
USPTA Presidents (1984-1997) Mike Eikenberry (1984-86) has been a USPTA member for 45 years and he earned the George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. As president, it was his recommendation that USPTA investigate the use of computers by the national office. Jim Reffkin (1986-88) was the director of tennis for the city of Tucson’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Reffkin Tennis Center (renamed in his honor in 2009) for 40 years. He was named USPTA Professional of the Year in 1996 and he was inducted into the USTA Southwest Section Hall of Fame in 2005. Rod Dulany (1988-90) became director of tennis at Washington Golf and Country Club in 1972 and served in this capacity for 30 years. He was the first Junior Tennis Council Chair for the USTA/Mid-Atlantic Section, and later served as the section’s president and delegate to the USTA from the 1991-1998. Dulany was president of the USPTA/Mid-Atlantic Division from 1977-1980 and served on the USPTA Executive Committee from 1976-1996 and the national USPTA Board of Directors from 19841992. He was named the USPTA Professional of the Year in 1980. Jack Justice (1990-92) has been a USPTA member since 1969. He also served as president and secretary of USPTA’s Southern Division, was on the USTA National Junior Tennis League Committee, and was a USTA clinician and umpire. In 1988, Jus-
tice co-authored USPTA’s “How to Hire a Tennis Professional,” an employment assistance manual that outlines ten important steps in the hiring process. Gordon Collins (1992-94) has been a USPTA member since 1976. He served as president of the Northern California Division from 1981-83 and he was the division’s Professional of the Year in 1980, 1981 and 1983. Collins is the tennis director at Bay Club Courtside in Los Gatos, Calif. He also serves as a director on the USTA Norcal Board. Kathy Woods (1994-96) has the distinguished honor of being the first and only woman to serve the association as national president. She was the director of tennis at the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg, and has been a certified teaching professional for nearly three decades. In 2016 she was named Director of Tennis at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. In 1996, Woods was honored with the prestigious Educational Merit Award by the International Tennis Association for outstanding service to tennis at the national level. Kurt Kamperman (1996-97) is the USTA’s chief executive for community tennis and he has led the USTA’s efforts to increase tennis participation in the United States. He previously was president of the Tennis Industry Association. Kamperman is a USPTA Master Professional and has been a member for more than 30 years. h
Master Professionals Larry Abrams Lee Adams Janet Adkisson Greg Alexander Bob Anderman Kirk Anderson Jorge Andrew Jim Annesi George Bacso * Mike Baldwin Rosie Bareis Jack Barnaby * Van Barry Sanford Baruch * Sheryl Behne Craig Bell Lorenzo Beltrame Marvin Benzing Jay Bewley Nick Bollettieri Bill Bond * Donnia Bondallian Chip Brooks
Dave Brown Bunny Bruning Fred Burdick Harry Burrus * Peter Burwash Shelly Caldwell * Jorge Capestany Allan Carvell * Mark Centrella Manuel Cervantes Michael Chamberlain Howard Chodak Holly Chomyn Chris Chopra Will Cleveland Steve Contardi Jim Cox * Alan Cutler Tom Daglis Jim Davies * Jim Davis Robert Davis
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Ken DeHart Rosemary DeHoog Becky Desmond Kim Dillard Joseph Dinoffer Rod Dulany Larry Dupleich David Dvorak Fred Earle III Fred Earle Jr. * Todd Ellenbecker Doug Eng John Foley Dexter Fong Jack Foster Ty Fuller Ed Garcia David Gary Florin Giuglescu Barry Goldsmith Sylvia Gothard Tommy Gray Ian Griffin
Jack Groppel Spike Gurney David Hagler Jay Hardman Feisal Hassan Jeff Hawes Tim Heckler * Allan Henry * Don Henson Will Hoag Bob Holm * Gary Horvath Glen Howe John Ingram Dean Ives * Gordon Johnson Jack Justice Kurt Kamperman Leo Katz Dick King Dave Kozlowski Jim Krimbill Chuck Kuhle
Jo Ann Kurz Anna Kuykendall Ron Lague Phil Lancaster Don Leary * Darryl Lewis Larry Lineberry Jim Loehr Les Longshore Jr. * Angel Lopez Bob Love Charles Lundgren * Rick Macci Doug MacCurdy Paul MacDonald Paul Marcum Patrick Mason Jay Massart Ken McAllister Tom McGraw Mark McMahon Ed McQuillin Luis Mediero
Michael Mercier David Minihan Bal Moore Gardnar Mulloy * Avis Murray Jack Newman Dan O’Connell Mike O’Connell Stan Oley Desmond Oon Ajay Pant Jim Parker Guy Parks Jimmy Pitkanen Joseph Pizzat David Porter Dave Power Ben Press * Warren Pretorius Hank Quinn * Adrian Rattenbury Mark Rearden Ron Rebhuhn *
Jim Reffkin Allie Ritzenberg Albert Rogers * Hans Romer Raul Saad Emilio Sanchez Vicario Mark Savage Paula Scheb Brett Schwartz Diane Selke Ed Serues * James Shaughnessy Len Simard Dave Sivertson Sean Sloane Dean Snyder Randy Stephens Tom Sweitzer Keith Swindoll R.J. Tessier Joseph Thompson John Trinity
Gary Trost Bill Tym Mike Van Zutphen Fernando Velasco John Verde Rick Vetter Tommy Wade Betty Walsh Russ Warner Hugh Waters Doug Welsh Pat Whitworth Glenn William Ted Withall Ron Woods Ron Woods Rod Workman Paul Xanthos * David Zeutas-Broer *Deceased
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Career Development Exams, Upgrades Cardio Tennis & PTCA I
Conferences/ Activities
(4 credits for PTCA I segment)
(Division Conferences – 6 credits)
June 10
June 1-2 June 1-2 June 3 June 3 June 3-4 June 3-4 June 3-4 June 4 June 5 June 5-6 June 8-9 June 9-10 June 10-11 June 15 June 16 June 17-18 June 26-27 July 8 July 8-9 July 9-10 July 10 July 15
McMinnville, Ore. Naples, Fla. Richmond, Va. Rome, Ga. Aurora, Ill. San Antonio Portsmouth, R.I. Hilton Head Island, S.C. Carlsbad, Calif. San Francisco Minneapolis Missoula, Mont. Atlanta Des Moines, Iowa Nichols Hills, Okla. Raleigh, N.C. Orlando, Fla. Indianapolis Boca Raton, Fla. Garden City, N.Y. Vienna, Va. Boston
Level 1 Training Course
Edgewood Country Club; Pittsburgh
July 15
Level 1 Training Course
Princeton Racquet Club; Princeton, N.J. July 16
Level 2 Training Course
Princeton Racquet Club; Princeton, N.J. Sept. 8
Level 2 Training Course
June 2 Aug. 18 Oct. 11
Crooked Creek Country Club; Alpharetta, Ga. Sept. 16
Level 1 Training Course
Oct. 22
Preakness Hills Country Club; Wayne, N.J. Oct. 22
Level 1 Training Course
Nov. 9
Methodist University; Fayetteville, N.C. Nov. 5
Pacific Northwest Convention McMinnville, Ore. Midwest Division Convention Mason, Ohio 2017 USPTA World Conference Orlando, Fla. Hawaii Division Convention Honolulu Middle States Convention Philadelphia
TRX Training Course Park Crossing Swim and Racquet; Charlotte, N.C.
Nov. 11
Level 1 Training Course
Ferris State University; Big Rapids, Mich.
Webinars (.5 credits)
Watch all recorded webinars at tennisresources.com.
* This course is held at the USPTA World Headquarters. Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an exam, upgrade and PTCA I unless noted. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly.
For more information visit uspta.com/Education.
Please visit www.cardiotennistraining.com to register.
Applicant: late cancellation fee – $95; failure to cancel – application fee is forfeited. Certified members: late cancellation fee – $25; failure to cancel – $25 plus the upgrade fee is forfeited. Registration for another exam will not be accepted until cancellation fees are paid.
Accredited Professional Coach Register your Accredited Professional Coach (APC) and specialty course credits earned with the USPTA SmartCode Education System. This uses your smartphone to instantly register your attendance to all seminars and specialty courses earning APC. To use the system at a seminar, general session or specialty course, you must scan two QR codes. One QR code is on your conference badge. The second QR code will be in your conference notebook and cannot be scanned until the end of the session or the beginning of the next session. If you do not have a smartphone, you may use someone else’s. Forms are available upon request.
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Education requirements All USPTA-certified Professionals must earn 6 education credits in a three-year period to remain current. Go to USPTA.com/Education for a partial list of eligible activities. Please send verification (email, letter, certificate, receipt, etc.) that shows you attended the event/activity and submit it along with the date and agenda to education@uspta.org to receive your credit. (International members, Recreational Coaches and those over the age of 65 are exempt.) Questions? Write to education@uspta.org or call 800-877-8248, ext. 147.
Member News • Florida Section USPTA Professional Kathy Foulk has been elected as the 2017-2019 National • Larry Abrams has been inducted into the Senior Women’s Tennis Association President. Foulk took the helm of the 1,000-member associaUSPTA New England Hall of Fame. He was tion during the annual meeting at the Houston Racquet Club and the 47th recognized at the annual USTA National Senior Women’s Clay Court Championships in Houston, division’s annual Texas, March 2017. The NSWTA is a non-profit organization of tennis advocates convention May 2, that began in 1977 with three forward-looking women, Nancy Reed, Betty 2016 in Norwich, Pratt and Charlene Grafton. Now with 1,000 men and women ranging in age Ct. Unlike the from 30 to 90-plus, they strive to raise the standards of age-level match play, International Tenfitness and sportsmanship in both individual and team competition. They are a nis Hall of Fame growing network of competitive members who actively interact with the USTA, sponsor national that recognizes tennis tournaments, promote women’s tennis abroad, and provide local support to tennis comtop tennis profesmunities in the United States. Foulk has been an avid supporter of age-level match play, a 28-year sionals worldUSPTA Elite Professional and a long-time competitive player. She has held USTA individual rankwide, the USPTA ings since she was playing in the 35s. She still strongly competes at 60 and encourages league includes not only tournament players but players to join the fun of individual match play. also teaching professionals, coaches, and resort/facility managers. Abrams was the head professional and director of racquet • In recognition of more than 30 years of committed service to the sport of tennis, USPTA Professports at the Sugarbush Resort in Warsional Delaine Mast of Lancaster, Pa., has been honored by the ren, Vt. He was the New England Division International Tennis Hall of Fame with the Tennis Educational Merit President for four years, an eight-year Award. Mast has served tennis for more than 30 years, wearing member of the National Executive Commitcountless hats including high school and college coach, mentor at tee, two-time division Professional of the inner city youth programs, and National Director for WorldTeam TenYear, and achieved Master Pro status. He nis Recreational Leagues, among many others. She was a co-founder was recognized in the International Tennis of the Junior Tennis Corporation of America, which has provided Hall of Fame with the Joseph Dietz award national, coed team tennis programs and free instruction for more for outstanding service, and spent four than 1 million players. Over the years, Mast has served on nine USTA years as division convention chairman. As national committees or task forces. Among her colleagues, Mast is heralded as an agent of a player he was co-ranked No. 9 nationally change who has helped to build communities, boards, partnerships between organizations, in the 40-and-over singles and ranked No. and programs. Currently, Mast is serving on the USTA High School Task Force. 3 in New England Mixed Doubles. Abrams was assistant to Tournament Director Jim • USPTA Master Professional Jorge Andrew was honored by the International Tennis Hall of Fame Westhall for the ATP Volvo International with the Tennis Educational Merit Award. Andrew competed on the ATP World Tour for more than Tennis Tournament at Stratton Moun10 years, and he was a player and captain for the Venezuelan Davis Cup tain, Vt. He’s been published in Tennis team. After retiring from his playing career, Andrew settled in Lexington, magazine, Tennis Directory, and Raquetball S.C., where he has been an integral part in the tennis community. Today Illustrated. Abrams also ran successful prohe is the Director of Tennis Operations for the Lexington County Recregrams and competed in St. Croix, US Virgin ation Commission with 51 courts in two large facilities. He has brought Islands, and Pebble Beach, Calif. numerous notable tournaments to the area including junior, high school, and collegiate events. He has served on USTA committees for more than NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS 15 years, and is currently a member of the USTA Hispanic Task Force. He is also a USTA Master Trainer for 10 & Under tennis. Andrew is the Immediate President Chuck Gill Past President of PTR, and remains highly engaged in the organization’s activities. He has taught First Vice Gary Trost well over 100 tennis teacher workshops in 25 states and 11 countries, in both English and Spanish. President Vice Presidents Past President CEO Legal Counsel
• Brenda Gilmore, USPTA, going through her Wheelchair Certification with National Head Tester, Sid Newcomb at the USTA National Campus.
ADDvantage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite 202 Houston, TX 77042 Phone – 713-978-7782 / 800-USPTA-4U Fax – 713-358-7794 email – magazine@uspta.org
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Managing editor Circulation
Kimberly Forrester Kathy Buchanan
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.
Alan Cutler Feisal Hassan Ken McAllister Jack Michalko Diane Selke Tom McGraw John Embree George Parnell
The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the USPTA. Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA.