Matt Watson 8407 Crooked Trail Tyler, Texas 75703 matt@hollytreecc.com
EX OFFICIO
Jenny Gray 901 Sonterra Blvd
San Antonio. Texas 78258
512-930-3783 jgray@clubatsonterra.com
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tosha Smith
8003 Greenslope Dr. Austin, TX 78759
512-848-0598 tosha.smith@uspta.org
A Message from President, Mel McRee
Dear RSPA Texas,
I think most of us remember when the red, orange, and green balls were introduced. For me, that is the biggest change to the sport since I have been in the industry. I remember thinking how excited I was to see how much easier it would be for kids to be introduced to the game. It just made sense to have a right sized racquet, a right sized court, and a right sized ball. I feel the exact same way about our association’s recent announcement of our name change from the USPTA to RSPA (Racquet Sports Professionals Association). I support the new RSPA and their entire message about the change. It was very forward thinking, and it would not shock me if you saw other similar organizations following suit.
We have not always been the USPTA, we used to have an “L” in the name, but it was dropped because it was not relevant any longer. Our industry is changing, and our association is adapting to it. I considered myself a tennis pro first and then pickleball became a thing and for me to provide a quality product for my members I needed to get certified and become knowledgeable with the game. I did not want to join another association and pay more dues, and I was thrilled the USPTA offered those services. If padel makes its way to my club, I will do the same with it. Bundling as the insurance companies call it. Tennis will always be at the RSPA’s core but now we offer more services, more educational opportunities, more certifications, all within the same organization for the same dues.
Now that I got that out of the way, RSPA Texas has some great pros who received some recognition at the World Racquets Conference in Rancho Mirage this past September. Jenny Gray received her Master Pro designation, Zachary Williams received the Elevate Award, Ellen Miller won the Tennis Developer Coach of the Year, Kelly Marshall won the Pickleball Developer Coach of the Year, and John Ingram III won the Lifetime Achievement Award. It is a true testament of how great our division is that we routinely win national awards. I encourage you to come to our upcoming conference in Plano, on February 7-9. And speaking of our conference, we are bringing back the buying show. It has been a minute since we had one and it is a great sign for our industry, association, and division. Please stop by the show, buy some merchandise, and support our vendors.
Finally, if you have not heard the news that the World Racquets Conference will be in Kona Hawaii! I hope many of you can join us there. It may be the only time we have it there, so do not miss the opportunity.
I hope you all have a great fall and looking forward to seeing you in Dallas!
RSPA Level 1 Tennis Certification Workshop (San Antonio, Texas)
JANUARY 17 - 19
RSPA Texas State Team Championshps (Houston, Texas)
FEBRUARY 7 - 9
RSPA Texas Annual Conference (Plano, Texas)
Summer Retreat Recap
The USPTA Texas Summer Retreat was held in August at the Waco Regional Tennis Center. The event kicked off on Friday morning with Sarah Flood who spoke on doubles strategy. Peter Farrell followed with a session on understanding who you are teaching. Mel McRee wrapped up the morning with a session on the short game in pickleball. Following lunch, we had a career development panel that included Michelle Stallard, Matt Watson, Jo Keene, and Ernie Abraham. The day ended with a tennis and pickleball social.
The Saturday conference began with a session by Kelly Marshall on pickleball drills and tactics. The Baylor men’s tennis coaches, Michael Woodson and his coaching team of Izak Van Der Merwe and Grey Hamilton presented a session on percentage tennis and shot selection. Zachary Williams presented a session on ladies doubles and the last session of the day was a tennis drill share. On Saturday evening, we gathered for some fun at Top Golf. Thank you to all who attended the summer retreat and to our fantastic lineup of speakers.
Junior Gran Prix State Championships Presented by Fontana Financial
The USPTA Texas Junior Gran Prix State Championships were held at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels on September 7th and 8th. Thank you to Patrick Fontana with Fontana Financial for being the presenting sponsor. We had over one hundred sixty (160) junior tennis players registered for the championships representing eleven (11) areas around the state, including teams from Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, East Texas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Rio Grande Valley, Waco, West Texas, and The Woodlands.
Austin took home first place in the Kangaroo Flight and East Texas came in second place. In The Gorilla Flight, first place went to the Valley with second place going to West Texas (Midland). The Fourth Annual A.C.E. Awards (Attitude, Character, and Effort) were presented to the Waco team from the Gorilla Flight and the Fort Worth team in the Kangaroo Flight. The Second Annual “MVP” Award for the Most Valuable Professional was presented to Claire McFerran from Waco and Justin Hensley from Houston.
Thank you to the tournament staff of Mel McRee (tournament director), Michelle Ash, Michelle Stallard, and Tosha Smith for helping run the tournament. The event would not be possible without our wonderful tennis professionals from around the state along with the parents and players.
Texas Pros attend the World Racquets Conference
Texans Honored at World Racquets Conference
John Ingram III Awarded 2024 USPTA George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award
LAKE NONA, Fla., Sept. 18, 2024 - The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the USPTA George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award to John Ingram III from Granbury, Texas.
For the past 50 years, Ingram has taught tennis at all levels and ages. In 2013, he constructed a lawn tennis court for member play during the Wimbledon Championships. He has served in several positions over the years such as chairman of the USPTA Texas nominating committee, tournament director for the USPTA National Mother-Daughter Hardcourt Championships and as a USTA clinician. Ingram also competed in and held rankings in the USTA tournaments, both as a junior and as an adult.
Jenny Gray Master Professional
LAKE NONA, Fla., Sept. 18, 2024 - The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to name Jenny Gray of San Antonio, Texas a USPTA Master Professional.
Becoming a USPTA Master Professional is the highest rating achievable by a tennis professional. Qualified applicants must hold an Elite Professional rating for 10 years, complete the required number of education hours and fulfill a broad spectrum of industry service. The Master Professional Committee makes the final decision on the review of applicants.
Gray is USPTA vice president and director of tennis at The Club At Sonterra in San Antonio, Texas. She has been recognized numerous times by the tennis industry serving as USPTA Texas President, USPTA Texas Professional of the Year in 2012 and 2020, and USPTA National Alex Gordon Tennis Professional of the Year in 2020. In addition, she has organized and directed USPTA and USTA tournaments.
Zachary Williams Awarded 2024 USPTA Elevate award
LAKE NONA, Fla., Sept. 18, 2024 - The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the 2024 USPTA Elevate Award to Zachary L. Williams from Corpus Christi, Texas.
USPTA Elite Professional Zachary L. Williams is a tennis professional at Corpus Christi Country Club and former collegiate tennis player at Queens University of Charlotte. He serves as the coordinator for Junior Team Tennis in Corpus Christi where he oversees a program with over 100 athletes. In addition, he plays a role in tennis development through his membership with the USTA Texas Junior Team Tennis Committee and the USPTA Texas Membership Committee. Zachary holds a USPTA pickleball certification, teaches lessons and coaches a top 30 ranked professional.
Kelly Marshall Awarded 2024 USPTA George Bacso Pickleball Coach Developer Award
LAKE NONA, Fla., Sept. 18, 2024 - The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to present the USPTA George Bacso Pickleball Coach Developer of the Year Award to Kelly Marshall from Austin, Texas.
Kelly is the director of tennis and athletics at Onion Creek Club. She manages tennis, fitness, pickleball programs and leads a team of 15. Under her leadership, the club has seen a significant growth in both participation and revenue. She also offers low-cost junior tennis events, and a program called "Active U" that introduces tennis and pickleball to beginners. Kelly is one of the only 15 women, amongst 150 members, who is a USPTA Master Professional and promotes tennis programs, workshops and events.
Ellen Considine-Miller Awarded 2024 USPTA George Bacso Tennis Coach Developer Award
LAKE NONA, Fla., Sept. 18, 2024 - The United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. (USPTA) is proud to name Ellen Considine-Miller of Houston, Texas the 2024 USPTA George Bacso Tennis Developer Coach of the Year.
Miller is a USPTA coach developer for the level 1 certification and senior coach developer for the USTA. As previous director of coaching and player development for the Houston Tennis Association NJTL, she trained coaches at over 30 park sites and the created a competitive pathway for players transitioning from park programs to the high-performance Tournament Player Group. She also implemented one of the first comprehensive ROGY programs in the country at the Junior Tennis Champions Center.
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*BASED ON DUNLOP SUPPLYING TENNIS BALLS TO MORE ATP TOUR TOURNAMENTS THAN ANY OTHER BRAND.
