USPTA Southern Division: Where Excellence is Standard
October 2023
Volume 24 Issue 3
Inside Pg 4-6 World Conference Highlights Pg 9 Best Ideas from the World Conference Pg 11 Finding the Next Generation of Coaches Pg 12 Doubles Lesson Plan
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President’s Message
By Tom Parkes
In closing, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve as your presiSecond, I would like to thank all the dent for the last 2 years. I would like to state presidents for their hard work and say board members come and go but dedica on to educa ng the up and This is my last the backbone of USPTA Southern is Pat USPTA Southern communica on as the coming tennis professionals and the Whitworth. He is our Execu ve Direccommunity service hours that you give tor, and he handles the day to day operpresident of this great and innova ve back to your communi es. Without division of USPTA. I want to thank all a ons of USPTA Southern and so much the board members for their dedica on your dedica on to excellence and love more. Pat, thank you for being our rock, for tennis, our sport would not con nue and without your dedica on, we would to moving the bar on making USPTA to grow. Southern the premier division of the not be the USPTA division that everyUSPTA organiza on. We may not win one looks up to! For the members of USPTA Southern, the awards that others do, but we are please con nue to grow the sport you the innovators advancing the message love, give back to your communi es, that tennis is a game for life and it and please get involved with your state doesn’t ma er about your age or abil- USPTA organiza ons. We need everyity. Our members give back to their one to improve the sport we love.
Dear USPTA Southern members:
communi es in spades.
Welcome to Your 2024-2025 Southern and State Board of Directors Southern
Georgia
North Carolina
President Ken Andriano 1st VP Allan Jensen VP Jason Hazley Sec/Trea Bill Riddle
President Rick Wille 1st VP Liam Vilente 2nd VP Carmen Garcia Secretary Rod Slack Treasurer Michael Pereira
President Chris Hoshour 1st VP Alec Moore Secretary Francie Barragan Treasurer Jarrod Liston
Alabama President JC Freeman 1st VP Jeff Barrera Others TBD
South Carolina Kentucky President David White 1st VP Chuck Brown Others TBD
Arkansas President Chris Stuart 1st VP Gail Nankervis 2nd VP Raul Bermudez Secretary Paul Pautsch Treasurer Daniel Cornelison
President Mark Schminke 1st VP Tom Ruth VP Alvin Granados
Tennessee Louisiana President Johnny Wahlborg Vp 1: Hassan Abbas Vp 2: Anna Monhartova Sec/Treas: Mike Bryan
President Geoff Browne 1st VP Daniel Shidler VP Sarah Evans Treasurer Brian Perry Secretary MJ Garne
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The Search for Talent By Mark McMahon - USPTA Master Professional,
Presented by McMahon Careers As professionals, it’s easy for us to Racquets. Today, it’s not just the pro- Thanks to USPTA DirectorSearch “stick with what we know” and let our spective candidate that needs to put powered by McMahon Careers career moves come to us, rather than their best foot forward in the hiring (USPTADirectorSearch.com), actively pursue “what’s next.” Yet, process—it’s the employer too who employers can spell out specifiwhen you are ready to take an active often must compete for the best talcally what they are looking for in approach to moving your career forent! a consistent and concise manner ward, what are some things you should When a racquet sports professional before posting an open Directorbe asking of your prospective employdecides to seek a new Director-level level position. er—is it perhaps full transparency? How much information, and what ques- position, there are a lot of nuances that Your club can post a position on an vary from position to position. A protions should you make sure are anindustry-specific job board deswered before applying for a Director- spective candidate wants to know if the signed exclusively for Director-level position requires a significant amount level position? positions; thus, elevating the level of time on the court, or if it is more of Unless you’ve not watched or read a an administrative role? Is there a mem- of candidates the employer receives and reducing the risk of a news report in the past three years, ber committee that the Director will you’re fully aware that the current job have to interface with, and if so, is the Director-level position being lost market is essentially a “buyers” marcommittee truly advisory – or are com- amongst scores of other positions. ket. The club industry is not immune to mittee-member toes being dipped into For an employer, it has never the unprecedented shortages of quality the operations-pond? Is there a pro been more important to define labor that are being experienced in shop that needs to be managed or not only the expectations for a almost every industry. This, on top of owned, and if so, what is the history of new Director, but why your open an ageing Baby Boomer population of member support, gross sales, and cost teaching professionals; and a younger of sales? Who is responsible for oper- position is worthy of the attention of a successful, accomgeneration that yearns to work to live, ating expenses? Employers must deplished racquet sports profesrather than live to work, has led to a fine the role in all respects. sional. perfect storm for clubs seeking their next great candidate for a Director of
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Marcus Rutsche - Star Award The USPTA Star award recognizes members whose commitments to grassroots tennis have made indelible impressions on their communi es. The Country Club of Roswell’s 44th annual Charity Tennis Pro/AM Invita onal helped raise more than $75,000. This enabled the CCR to make large contribu ons to both Special Pops Tennis and StandUp for Kids. This award-winning tournament has raised more than $1 million for local chari es since its incep on.
Tony Cherone - High School Coach As the 2023 Laurie Mar n High School Coach of the Year. Cherone coached the Collierville High School boys’ tennis team to their first state championship in school history in 2022, finishing with a record of 24 wins and just two losses. The team repeated as state champions in 2023. The girls’ team won 22 games and lost only 4, making it to their state’s final four. Collierville players also won the state singles and doubles individual tles in 2022. Cherone’s Collierville Middle School teams have taken home six state championship divisions across the last two years.
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Arkansas Fall means it is me to Refuel and Retool for 2023 with the USPTA GA Winter Workshop and Awards Luncheon. It will be held at the Atlanta Athle c Club on Friday, December 1, 2023. The cost is $50 for USPTA professionals and $60 for non-USPTA professionals. 9 Educa on credits are available. The line-up starts with Lane Evans presen ng on Injuries and the Tennis Professional, then Jim Carella presen ng on Beginner to Advanced Pickleball Progressions. Next Ken DeHart will present on World Class Doubles for all Levels. The Awards Luncheon is next, then back with Ken DeHart showing us 7 strategies for improving player performance. Finishing off the day will be Lane Evans with the topic of The Case for the 2.5 player. The workshop should finish up by 4:00 p.m. It is not only a great educa onal opportunity, but a chance to network with fellow professionals here in GA.
Georgia
finishing 2023 strong. We're looking Louisiana We're forward to welcoming Craig Jones to our October 27th USPTA/USTA Pro Rela ons workshop, then following it up with the Tennis Haus Conference on October 28th, both hosted at Tchefuncta Country Club in Covington. 2024 will see a new board, with Lyndsey Mixon stepping down from the board a er 6 years of service, and John Wahlborg stepping in as our President.
South Carolina
Save the date! Our Mississippi Pro Workshop will be held on Friday January 26,2024. The workshop falls on the same weekend as the USTA MS Annual Mee ng. We are in the process of securing our keynote speaker and will provide details shortly. Pros who a end both the workshop and USTA mee ngs are eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses through USTA MS. Congratula ons to long me USPTA Elite Professional and college coach Gary Bourgious from Gulfport, MS, on his induc on into the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Hall of Fame. Coach Bourgious built up the MGCCC program star ng in 2004 to a powerhouse in the region. Many of our teaching professionals in Mississippi played under Gary at MGCCC. Thank you Gary, for inspiring the next genera on of pros. Our nomina ons for USPTA awards will be send out soon. Be on the lookout for the email with link to nomina ons.
Mississippi
There is nonstop ac on in Tennessee as we close out the year. The USPTA Tennessee State workshop will be held in Knoxville on Saturday, December 2nd. Enjoy a full day of great educa on and get some great gear as well. There will be 3 Master Pros speaking. Ken Dehart, Darryl Lewis and Kyle LaCroix.
Tennessee
If you would like to nominate someone for a state award please email Geoff Browne(gbrowne@groveliving.com) before November 8th. Categories include USPTA Tennessee Director of the Year, Pro of the Year, and Facility of the Year. Congrats to USPTA member and Collierville, TN resident Tony Cherone who was awarded USPTA Na onal High School Coach of the Year.
The agenda for our complimentary workshop on Saturday, December 2nd, is star ng to fill out nicely. Held at Samford University’s indoor facility from 9 AM -4:30 PM. A special thank you to Coach Oliver Reynolds.. Lunch will be provided from 12 PM - 12:30 PM and there will be a happy hour at 4:30 PM. This workshop will be worth 9.75 educa onal credits.
Alabama
In addi on to educa ng and helping our current USPTA members grow professionally, a significant number of these presenta ons will be directed towards high school/college players and coaches. Our goal is to a ract new teaching professionals from these groups. There will also be a pickleball presenta on and presenta ons that are specifically meant to help your business as a teaching professional increase revenues. Bill Riddle and Jack Broudy are just a couple of the headliners for the day.
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One Good Idea!
by Pat Whitworth Chuck Gill Crea ng & Running Innovave Events
From the USPTA World Conference by Allison Mays Wheelchair and Disabled Athletes Dr. O and Evan Enquist Dr. Oluwateranmi Okanlami (Dr. O) presented a moving discussion regarding changing the way people view disability. In a wheelchair himself, Dr. O helped to enlighten the audience
During his presenta on, he described himself to the audience to allow people in a endance without sight to have the opportunity to “see” what able-bodied audience members were watching. This resonated as a great example of small changes made to provide a more inclusive experience. Dr. O currently serves as the Director of student accessibility and accommoda on services at the University of Michigan. He helped to create the Adap ve Sports Program there, and shared slides of the work being completed there and the people par cipa ng. He spoke of the posi ve impact of having able-bodied people par cipate in adap ve spor ng events. Able bodied par cipants gain respect for the challenges the people with disabili es are facing, have a good workout, and have fun! The people with disabili es par cipa ng have a larger pool of athletes to play with when able bodied people take part, hopefully improving their experience and allowing them increasing challenges from which to succeed.
Ashley Hobson 7 Stage Player Development Plan
The Six Sensa ons: Coaches and players always talk of players having “good hands”. Ashley showed simple drills to recognize the ball receiving and which shot to execute. They are: 1. Block – against a hard ball, no backswing just have your racket at contact and push forward and follow through 2. Brush – for topspin and hi ng a “heavy ball” 3. Drive – the ball for a putaway or flat offensive ball.
4. So en – loosening our grip of the racket slightly to absorb the This presenta on made a great segway into the on-court presenta- impact of the ball and therby giving the player the ability to hit a drop shot or drop volley on of Wheelchair Tennis, led by Evan Enquist. Spor ng wheelchairs were available to able-bodied par cipants in addi on to sev- 5. Follow – underspin shot or underspin approach shot eral people with disabili es who u lize wheelchairs for their everyday func on and mobility. On-court wheelchair drills, games, and instruc on were provided, and everyone had a good me! It is Notes from the Networking Breakfast great to see adap ve spor ng ac vi es offered in more and more facili es. The combina on of presenta ons has inspired me to be more aware of changes I can make to increase the accessibility of our facilies, and to search out adap ve spor ng ac vi es and events in the hope I may assist or par cipate!
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, you have never spent a night with a mosquito!” African Proverb
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Tony Cherone Collierville Park & Rec, Middle School, High School City: Memphis, TN Give a brief descrip on of your tennis/ other career: I have been teaching tennis for almost 30 years in the Memphis area. My first posi on was a tennis assistant at the Racquet Club of Memphis. Now I run a program for the Town of Collierville where I head up the Parks and Recrea on tennis programs, provide private and group instruc on and coach middle school team and high school team . When did you start playing tennis? When I
was 11 years old. My mother took me out to What is your favorite movie? These are some the courts to teach me how to play and I movies that I can always sit and watch when took to the sport immediately. they are on TV. Caddyshack, The Matrix movWhat other sports did you play? I played ies, Lord of the Rings, Braveheart, Shawshank football, basketball and also ran cross coun- Redemp on, It's a Wonderful Life. try one season. Basketball was actually my Are you reading anything right now? I love favorite sport, but when deciding what to reading Science Fic on, Epic Fantasy and play in college, tennis barely won out since I Thriller books like Lee Child's Jack Reacher didn't have the height to compete at the series. Currently, I am reading David Baldacnext level in basketball. ci books. What moved you to teach tennis? Becoming Who is your favorite player of all me? My a tennis instructor was a total accident. I favorite player of all me is Andre Agassi. A was on vaca on in Hilton Head and was invit- very close second is Federer. His grace and ed to play in an exhibi on match with the shot making was incredible. resort tennis pro's. A er the match, I was What person would you most like to have offered a posi on teaching there. I went lunch with? If I could have lunch with one back to Memphis, met a pro from the Racperson, I would choose Neil deGrasse Tyson. quet Club of Memphis and was offered a job What would you be doing if you were not in there. tennis? If I wasn't a tennis coach, I would What are your hobbies? My hobbies have either be a teacher (I have a Master’s in Edubeen narrowed down quite a bit as I've ca on) or working in the service industry like go en older. Golf is easily my favorite now. I a Restaurant or Resort Management. I love am a Golf Digest panelist which means that I coaching/teaching/training and I enjoy get to go to courses all over the country and providing high levels of service to others. play and evaluate them for the magazine.
picked up coaching here and there. It's now my full me job and I love every minute! I have always enjoyed sharing my passion for the sport and it is so rewarding to be a part of someone else's journey. Give a brief descrip on of your tennis/other When did you start playing tennis? I started career: I played junior tennis and eventually playing when I was 6 years old a er I found played D1 tennis at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I graduated college in an old racket laying around. I started hi ng on a wall and instantly got hooked. 2021 and worked as a recrea onal therapist for about a year before coaching. I'm current- Who is your favorite player of all me? I have always enjoyed watching Wozniacki or Azaly the Director of Junior Tennis but I s ll get to work a good bit with the adults as well. I'm renka. I love that they are s ll compe ng on the tour now both as mothers! They have also the head coach at Ascension Episcopal always been super inspiring. School where I coach high school level playWhat would you be doing if you were not in ers. tennis? I majored in Parks and Recrea on What moved you to teach tennis? I started helping out at clinics with younger kids when I with a concentra on in Therapeu c Recreaon. I try to e my degree into everyday life was about 14 years old. A er college, I knew and coaching but I would probably be workthat I s ll wanted to be on the court so I
Dmily Ory Osbourne Country Club, Laraye e LA
ing specifically in that field. What is something people will be surprised to learn about you? I love all sports/ac vi es! Recently I've joined the Figure Ska ng Club of Louisiana so I'm excited to start doing that more. What are your hobbies? Anything outdoors really, I also love to cook and try new things out in the kitchen. Learning family recipes has been my recent hobby.
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By Dan Beedle USPTA Elite Professional For the past 7 years, as I have a ended ist University. Addi onally, there are onal board members insights into the regional and na onal educa onal Ferris State University and Hope College benefits of the PTM program but also events, one topic con nues to come up. both located in Michigan. As a proud how to engage and encourage younger Where will the next crop of teaching graduate of the PTM program at Ferris pros in their journey. pros come from? The average age of a State I understand the value of these How do we refill the leaky bucket? Our teaching professional is 56 years old. programs. facili es are full of junior players who We have a leaky bucket. Many pros are are passionate about tennis and most During the 2023 World Conference in re ring, and we need to fill those open Orlando Ferris State brought 4 students do not know that they can have a career in the tennis industry. Simply eduposi ons and add some to compensate to the event. Spending some me with ca ng players at our own facili es that for the rise in ac vity. Since the panthese students I was reenergized about there are programs for them if they are demic, Tennis and Pickleball are boomthe future of the industry. These are interested in a career in tennis. Giving ing. passionate students who want to make them the op on to work in a field they One op on and in my opinion the most tennis a career. They asked some great already enjoy, give them experience, a degree and a strong network of alumni important op on is the Professional ques ons and were even asked some Tennis Management (PTM) programs. ques ons during the Elevate and Men- could be a great op on for our industry We have one in our sec on at Method- toring mee ng. This allowed three na- to refill the bucket.
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By Ken DeHart - Master Professional Running out of ideas for your social mixers? Use the same format but with:
Mix It Up Mixer
more fun.
cannot touch the ground a er the serve, under hand serves only, must lob the return of serve on every point or play Australian forma on only.
3. Tail Balls - not only are they difficult to 1. Foam Balls - the balls stay in play and put away, they make a noise as the go the big hi ers can't dominate play. through the air and the visual of the tail 2. Low Compression Balls - once again, the ball is awesome. big hi ers can't dominate as much and 4. Altered Scoring - 1 serve only, all 4 play- These are simple ways to Mix up your the points last longer so everyone has ers must start on the baseline, the ball Mixer and create a fun atmosphere.
Dividing the Doubles court into Thirds, Not Halves, and Understanding the Angles By Stewart Russell USPTA Elite Professional (For Intermediate and Advanced Level Players) 1.5-hour session Round 1 – 10 Minutes Players warming up CROSS COURT only mini tennis to ensure players are seeing the ball they are receiving as well as sending on the applicable ball being played during a live ball point. Round 2 – 10 Minutes Volleys cross court and incorporate “one ball all four’ with designated players going down the line and cross court. No excuse for players not being ready as they know they will be receiving a ball from the same person each me. Break for 2-5 minutes discussing the parameters on each third of a Tennis Court ie: Outer third, Middle third, and Inner third. *Actually, Doubles Court is divided in fourths with coverage of the lob, but session 1-3 primary focus should be on the a acking and defending with groundstrokes and volleys. We need to eliminate players preferring the Deuce or Add side only. The only stroke a preference should be made would be return of serve. Round 3 – 25 Minutes (more Offensive training) 1 back and 2 up or 1 on 2 “Triangle training” Pro feeding to a baseline player on either side while two players receive the ball star ng from the service line. * Please note Pros should not feed from the middle of the court, but feed on the angle the baseline player will be receiving the ball from. The middle of the court should be open, and players should begin to understand who “shades” to the middle third for coverage of the receiving groundstroke as well as alley responsibility when “shading”. Groundstroke Players should not try and lob during weeks 1-3 and are encouraged
to challenge the middle of opposing net players as well as angles. Down the Middle solves the Riddle and, In the Alley, ends the Rally are o en overheard during this part of the training session. Rota ons allowing all players to play from every area of the court should occur o en. Round 4 – 25 Minutes (more Defensive training) 2 up and 1 back or 2 on 1 “Triangle training” Pro feeding (again from an angle) to either of the net players while the one player receives the volley star ng at the baseline. Volleyers should be focusing on hi ng all balls to 2/3 of the court the baseline player would be responsible for covering. First couple of weeks again focus should be on drives and volleys before addressing lobs. Defense Wins Championships and High on them means Low on me are o en overheard during this part of the training session. Rota ons allowing all players to play from every area of the court should occur o en. Round 5 – 10-15 Minutes (Running Doubles) All four players star ng back, and anything goes ie; Pro again should feed from just off the court NOT from the MIDDLE and can feed to anyone with two out of three points won ge ng someone over to the king side. * Review a er done and all balls picked up on how players moved on offense and defensive and MOST IMPORTANTLY gained a proper understanding on who and why someone is responsible and accountable for the MIDDLE THIRD of the DOUBLES COURT. That is my ball or your ball because it is your forehand in the middle is NEVER overhead throughout any of the training sessions in Weeks 1-3
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FAST FACTS
Coco Gauff
Her parents are Corey, a former basketball player at Georgia State University, and Candi, who competed in Track & Field at FSU.
The American adores Paris, and was a champion as a junior at Roland-Garros in 2018 as a 14-year-old.
Coco won her first WTA 1000 tle on August 20, 2023, when she beat Karolina Muchova 6-3, 6-4 in the final.
She qualified at Wimbledon in 2019 and then stunned Venus Williams in the first round. She would reach the second week that year and become the youngest player to reach the round of 16 at Wimbledon since 1991. She was 15 at the me.
Gauff won her first WTA match at the Miami Open in 2019, when she defeated her long me doubles partner Caty McNally in the first round.
She won her first WTA tle at Linz in October of 2019.
Gauff is coached by her father Corey, Pere Riba, and Brad Gilbert.
She reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 in October 2022.
Coco Gauff has won five WTA tles as of August 20, 2023, and owns a 5-1 life me record in finals