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USPTA Southern Division: Where Excellence is Standard
August 2020
Summer Edi on #2
Inside Summer Virtual Conference August 7-8 One Thing to Ensure Job Security Learn New Skills Twice As Fast Make Sure you Qualify for FREE DUES
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Virtual Summer Conference August 7-8
Friday 6:00-9:30pm et
Saturday 3:00-6:30 pm et
We are excited to offer a mini virtual conference with a who’s who of speakers. COST - It’s FREE for Southern Members. Pla orm is ZOOM - Must register in advance on Ticket Tailor. CLICK to register. Informa on can also be accessed at our website www.usptasouthern.com. FRIDAY 8/7 6:00 Rodney Harmon - Serve & Return Strategies for Doubles 7:05 Paula Scheb - How To Create Events that Rock In the New Normal Club 8:10 Jeff Salzenstein -
SATURDAY 8/8 3:00 Jay Berger - From Pro to Club Player: Best Prac ces 4:05 Mike Woody - It’s Not What You Do It/Its How You Do It 5:10 Mats Wilander/Andy Zodin - Chats with Mats: Fun discussion with a 7 me Grand Slam Champion about development, current tennis trends, and more.
WHY ATTEND??
Earn your educa on credit requirement for 2021 Free Dues
Learn how tour players now coach recrea onal players
Two of the top Directors/Leaders in the country
Mats - 7 me Grand Slam Champ - need we say more
Pick up some new ideas for the fall season
Speakers that are o en unavailable during our in person conferences
NO CHARGE for Southern Members
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SPEAKERS Berger was the USTA Boys’ 18s Na onal Champion in 1985. He was an All-American at Clemson University in 1985 and 1986. Berger turned professional in 1986. He played on the tour from 1986 to 1991 with a high ranking of 7 in the world. He re red from the professional tour in 1991. Chronic knee injuries forced his re rement.During his career, Berger won three top-level singles tles and one tour doubles tle. He registered victories over Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, and Mats Wilander. He has coached college, USTA Na onal team including Jack Sock, Ryan Harrison, and Riley Opelka. He currently works at Ibis Country Club in FL. In his seventh season at Women's Coach at Georgia Tech, Rodney has been a tremendous influence for the team. The Yellow Jackets to six-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. Harmon has mentored four AllAmericans, 14 all-ACC selec ons and has been twice-named ACC Coach of the Year. Rodney played collegiate at both Tennessee and an All American at SMU, winning the NCAA doubles tle in 1980 for TN with Mel Purcell. He had a solid pro career with a high ranking of 56 in the world. A top ranked junior player, he played for Stanford and was All American two years in a row. Jeff had an o injured pro career, but s ll reached a career high of 100 in the world. He was able to reach a goal of serving over 130 at the age of 30, when he had not been known as a big server during his career. He now serves as the CEO for Tennis Evolu on, an online learning pla orm. Jeff brings a unique blend of high level technique with an easy to understand approach. He has been a frequent speaker at conferences all across the country and con nues to be in high demand.
Swedish born and formerly ranked #1 in the world, a player from Sweden. From 1982 to 1988, he won seven Grand Slam singles tles (three at the French Open, three at the Australian Open, and one at the US Open), and one Grand Slam men's doubles tle (at Wimbledon). In 1988, Wilander won three of the four Grand Slam singles events and finished that year ranked World No. 1. Mats con nues to play on the Senior Tour, and has served as Davis Cup Coach for Sweden. He had is WOW (Wilander on Wheels) tour which had him crossing the country providing clinics at various stops, receiving high marks from all involved. He currently is an owner and director for Gravity Fitness & Tennis in Hailey, ID.
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Heard Around The South U30 Families Growing Welcome to some of our most active U30 members’ as their families are growing.
Nikki & Mark Schminke (past SC President) welcome Piper to their family 5/9. Elliott and Kaitlin Bisplinghoff (Southern VP) welcome Dylan to their family 7/5.
President’s Message It has been heartening to learn many pros have experienced an up ck in lessons this summer and have reported seeing fresh faces on their courts. In some cases, these developments are likely related to the CDC ra ng tennis as a low-risk ac vity. Of course, the CDC ra ng relates to playing tennis and not to off-court acvi es. As you plan out the rest of the summer and fall, please develop and implement precau ons for players when they are at your facility but not playing. One ques on to ask
yourself is “if I were a pro from another club visi ng my facility, what would I think about the safety precau ons in place?” If you would not be posi vely impressed, maybe addi onal safeguards are warranted; we are all in this together.
FREE DUES FOR 2021 The USPTA is partnering with the USTA to offer free membership dues to current members in good standing who a ain required educa onal points and complete Safe Play approval by October 1st of this year. In terms of educaon, everyone needs to a ain some points this year, even those who are in the first year of their educa onal cycle. Please login at uspta.com, click your name, then “My Account,” and see how many credits
you have. If your educa onal cycle ends in 2020, then by October 1st, you need 6 credits (12 hours). If your educa on cycle ends in 2021 then by October 1st of this year, you need 4 credits (8 hours), and those ending in 2022 need 2 credits (4 hours) by this October 1st.
BUT YOU NEED SAFE PLAY Pros also need to meet Safe Play requirements. Note that to maintain USPTA membership at all in 2021, pros will have to meet these requirements anyway. So, you may as well get it done by October 1st and have USPTA and USTA cover your dues. To get started or check your status, visit usta.com/safeplay. Finally, Safe Play is part of the US Center for Safe Sport, which oversees youth safety for all sports.
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Science Reveals How To Learn New Skills Twice As Fast By Alan Mar Back in 1993, a psychological paper gave us the popular wisdom that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at anything. It has since been pretty much entirely debunked, so sorry if you interrupted your 9,999th hour of plate-spinning to read this article, but I do have some scientific advice about how you can learn skills quickly. It’s all about variety. Researchers at John Hopkins University discovered that, when learning a new motor skill – playing the piano, say – repeating the same action over and over again isn’t actually the most efficient way to train the brain. Instead, slightly modifying the task resulted in much faster learning.
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better in the tests than those who had repeated the first session. In fact, they performed nearly twice as well. Why would this be? Reconsolidation. The idea is that when memories are recalled but adjusted, they’re more likely to be strengthened. “Our results are important because little was known before about how reconsolidation works in relation to motor skill development,” explains senior study author Pablo Celnik. “This shows how simple manipulations during training can lead to more rapid and larger motor skill gains because of reconsolidation.”
What’s particularly interesting about this is that the changes have to be subtle – anything too drastic doesn’t seem as effective. If you’re working They put this to the test by splitting on your ball skills, for example, their 86 test subjects up into three you’re best off using a slightly lighter groups, all of whom were tasked or heavier ball between sessions. “If with learning how to move a comyou make the altered task too differputer cursor by squeezing a device, ent, people do not get the gain we rather than using a mouse or touchpad (I can’t see it catch- observed during reconsolidation. The modification between ing on, but if Apple’s next Mac comes with a squeaky USB sessions needs to be subtle,” Celnik explained. mouse, you’ll know why). Each group spent 45 minutes practicing the backwards control scheme, before going While the ramifications of this are pretty obvious for anyone about their usual non-mouse-based business for six hours. who wants to learn a new skill, it could be especially vital to Two of the groups returned, one to repeat the original train- those who have adjustments forced upon them – people ing and another to learn a slightly different version where learning to use prostheses, for example. they needed a different level of force to move the cursor. The third group wasn’t required to train again: lucky, lucky Alan has been writing about science, tech, games and policontrol group.learning new_motor_skills. tics for over a decade, with a period in game production in the middle. He has a special soft spot for the Internet of Things, healthcare, psychology and fitness trackers – deAfter the training period, all participants were given a test. spite most of them offering the same critique: he’s not fit The group who’d only had one training session did the enough. worst (stay in school, kids), but what was surprising was that those who had mixed up their training did markedly
Stay Safe This Summer Check out the video from Chris Peck on the operaons and safety protocols for his summer camp. CLICK the Youtube logo
USPTA Southern Youtube Channel View our collec on of over 150 videos. While these are not professional level videos, it is top level informa on. All of the recent webinars, past conven ons, workshops, and much more. Just click the Youtube logo.
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Conner Hunt Franco’s Health Club and Spa Mandeville, LA Give a brief descrip on of your tennis/other career: I’ve been coaching since I was in high school and wanted to con nue along that path. I graduated from the Professional Tennis Management Program from Ferris State. While I was there I worked all over the country; ranging from private clubs in the Washington DC area to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. I am currently the Head Pro at Franco’s and work with all ages and abili es. When did you start playing tennis? I was 7 years
old What other sports did you play? Basketball and Baseball
What is your favorite sports team? Tie between Purdue Basketball and the Indianapolis Colts
Who is your favorite player of all me? Roger What moved you to teach tennis? I love the sport Federer and watching other people learn. My favorite part is watching a kid pick up a racquet for the first What person would you most like to have lunch me, learn the game, and start a life me passion. with? Peyton Manning and Pat McAfee What is something people will be surprised to learn about you? My first sport I loved was basketball and it’s s ll my favorite sport to watch. I’m a huge Purdue fan and prefer college basketball over the NBA.
What would you be doing if you were not in tennis? Probably a teacher, hopefully in History or English
If you had a "do over", what one thing would you have done differently in your teaching career? What are your hobbies? I love to read and watch Honestly I’m pre y pleased with how things have pre y much any sport out there. gone so far in my career. I can’t overstate how influen al the Professional Tennis Management What is your favorite movie? Any of the Marvel Program was for my career. It allowed me to Avenger movies. make connec ons with people all over the country which has directly lead to job opportuni es so Are you reading anything right now? Mind Gym by far in my career. Gary Mack
Mehdi El-Kheddiwi MidTown Clubs/Windy offered at my high school or college, so I never had Who is your favorite player of all me? Depends on a chance to play. sport. But my tennis is highly influenced by the Hill Athle c Club Atlanta, GA Maestro himself, Roger.
Give a brief descrip on of your tennis/other career: I am the director of racquet sports at Windy Hill Athle c Club in Atlanta. Prior to that, I was the general manager at The I’On Club in Mount Pleasant, SC, promoted from director of tennis. My tennis career began at Prestwick Tennis and Swim Club in Myrtle Beach, SC, where I started as an assistant teaching pro then director of tennis and swim. I am also Mia’s dad, who at age 12 has accomplished more in the sport than I could dream of achieving. When did you start playing tennis? I don’t think I ever really started playing. Mostly, I played with friends and had some sort of junior career. No established beginning and I hope no end. What other sports did you play? Every sport my school offered. I made a deal with myself that I would make varsity in every sport I tried out for. This included soccer, volleyball, badminton, Olympic handball and track and field. Tennis was not
What moved you to teach tennis? I am a collegeeducated journalist. When print media was hard hit by the move to online, my wife urged me to move into the tennis space. Thank you Bri !
What person would you most like to have lunch with? Growing up, family dinners were an epic event. Along the way, I lost many people dear to me. I would like to gather them and eat together What is something people will be surprised to learn once again. about you? As stated above, I am a journalist. I also never played high school or college tennis. What would you be doing if you were not in tennis? I would own a luxury auto mile. Meaning a row of What are your hobbies? Tennis! But also, my beau- car dealerships on the same road. ful family (can that be a hobby?), obscene amounts of great food, exploring the automo ve If you had a "do world and travel to anywhere. over", what one thing would you What is your favorite movie? I grew up with Rocky, have done differentJaws and Star Wars. Now, the Marvel Universe has ly in your teaching my a en on. career? My “do over” happens eveAre you reading anything right now? Yes! The next ry morning. We can USPTA email announcing our next webinar. change the path ahead every day. What is your favorite sports team? I do not have Tough to change one. the past.
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Support GEP Energy Solutions for Your LED Lighting Needs GEP Energy gives back to USPTA by dona ng to Thanks USA GEP Energy Solu ons is a veteran-owned company that focuses on retro-fi ng outdated metal halides with upgraded, state-of-the art LED tennis court lights. We have partnered with Techlight, a manufacturer of a wide assortment of luminaires headquartered in Dallas, TX, to offer the Scimitar LED light fixture with sole-sourced CREE op cs. Together we have helped tennis facili es increase their playing day, accommodate more athletes and matches, decrease energy consump on by over 52% daily, and decrease their carbon footprint. GEP Energy Solu ons delivers turn-key solu ons with the highest quality products and services that the tennis ligh ng industry has to offer. Our products are made in the USA and equipped with a ten-year warranty. We manage the en re project cycle from pre-proposal to post-install and beyond. By providing a suite of services incorpora ng advanced technologies, we set our clients up to achieve maximum opera onal savings as well as enjoy the best tennis playing experience they can imagine. We are a veteran-owned company and as a preferred vendor with the USPTA, a percentage of our proceeds goes to the USPTA sponsored charity “ThanksUSA,” who provide need-based scholarships for children and spouses of our military. Click the link to see one of our recent installs.
Veteran Owned
Donates to the USPTA Founda on on every install
Supports USPTA Southern at various events
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“Success Secrets” Jeff Salzenstein By Pat Whitworth USPTA Master Professional
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The One Defining Factor That Will Ensure Your Job Security Especially In the COVID “new normal” Do your members, general manager and board of directors believe you are taking COVID safety precau ons that are proacve and logical? As such, are you developing plans to keep your program exci ng and fresh going forward in this “new normal”. Several years ago I did an informal survey of general managers in our area. We have over 70 clubs in a 40-mile radius, so it was fairly extensive. The #1 item on their list of things they expect from their directors of tennis was….EVENT PROGRAMMING! Specifically, event programming designed to create a fun and exci ng environment that promotes member camaraderie. There you have it…..the ONE defining factor that will ensure success at your job.
by Paul Scheb Master Professional
I believe, at least for the short term, that we all have new tles. Instead of Directors of Tennis, or Sports…we are now the new Directors of Fun. If you would like a more professional tle, how about Director of Mirth? Why are you now the Director of Mirth? Because your tennis facility and club are one of the only places your membership feels they can have safely have FUN! And, this is ALL kinds of fun, and tennis is just one component!
want to go anywhere else. They feel most safe at the club, under your direc on! And, by bringing more members to the courts, either to play tennis, or because they are coming out to par cipate in the new non tennis FUN you are offering, we have an even bigger audience we can share the message our with. That message is, tennis is a safe sport, and also a family friendly sport…it makes sense to learn to play NOW, because everyone wants to get outside and get some exercise!
Honestly, if we realize the value of proIf we can provide a place where ALL mem- gramming, we will exponen ally grow our sport, add value to our members and their membership, and our employers will see we are now the new Dius as invaluable members of the execu ve team! That’s job security!
rectors of Fun. If you would like a more professional tle, how about Director of Mirth?
So what ideas do you have for either tennis or non-tennis events at your club? Please email me, paulas@bonitabayclub.net. With your permission, giving you full credit, I would love to share some of your unique programAs a ma er of fact, Fred Fung, our General ming ideas during the USPTA Southern Manager and COO at Bonita Bay Club statbers will go to have fun (not just your tenVirtual workshop on August 7. ed, “It goes without saying, that I have nis members), think of how many people always expected our Director of Sports to we can posi vely influence. What about a Ping-Pong event? Everyone provide our membership with innova ve knows how to play Ping-Pong. A dog and crea ve programming. Fresh and Your board, your general manager and show? Do you have the right so ware to engaging programming that sets Bonita your members will see the value YOU offer run compe ve intraclub league? One Bay Club apart from other clubs. A sports as their Director of Tennis. We are the that makes your members feel special but program that makes our en re memberprofessionals that are very flexible, out of is also very easy to run as the administraship feel ownership of and proud to be the box and crea ve thinkers. We provide tor? involved with. As we embark in a new an easy solu on as to why members COVID sensi ve season, I would expect should con nue their membership in the For details on these ideas and many more our program to evolve accordingly, makclub! This is totally exci ng! fun programming ideas, please register ing the best out of a more than difficult and “zoom on” to the USPTA Southern I believe we are in a unique posi on, to situa on. Providing an opportunity for Virtual Conference, by visi ng drive more camaraderie within our curour members to have fun, while they www.usptasouthern.com for full info and rent membership, because they don’t know they are safe.” registra on links. BUT, because this is a different world, it requires all of us to do an even be er job at programming our clubs. Or, at least a “new normal” way of programming.
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