she volunteered at a Special Olympics tournament in Austin. “My biggest takeaway from that,” she said, “was that I couldn’t believe they weren’t using the Quickstart method, which would have been so perfect for that population.” In her usual style, she immediately got in touch with USTA staff about the issue, and joined them in advocating for the necessary changes at Special Olympics events. The new ten and under competition rules took effect on January 1, 2012. As busy as she may seem, it’s the world-wide travel that comes with Welder’s USTA and ITF Board service which she characterizes as “the really fun part.” In September 2011, she attended the annual meeting of the ITF in Bangkok, Thailand, and in March of this year attended another ITF meeting in Vienna, Austria. In May 2012, the USTA made a visit “On the Hill” in Washington D.C., where she heard Billie Jean King speak at the National Press Club and experienced a personal tour of the West Wing. She toured the Pentagon, met with members of Congress and agency staff of the Centers for Disease Control, Veteran’s Affairs, Urban Housing, and the Department of Education all with the goal of increasing awareness about the lifetime benefits of tennis. Asked what was most significant Welder, left, with one about the of her tennis idols, Billy Jean King, at opportunities the U.S. Open. that come with her work, she replied, “Being able to meet people that have changed the world, like Billie Jean King. Being around game-changers is pretty motivating.” Welder obviously loves the sport of tennis, but her passion extends to her
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life’s goal of making tennis available for everyone. “It’s a lifetime sport,” she said as she carefully set aside half of her crab panini for another time, ever mindful of a healthy diet and lifestyle. “In fact, a good friend of mine recently died at the age of 91, just before he had planned to play in a National 90’s Tournament.” Does she intend to play at that age? “Absolutely. Nothing else compares to tennis,” she replied. Welder’s sights are now set on establishing a large, public tennis center that would provide for open play, league play, and tournaments for youth, adults, and seniors. Her goal is to make tennis accessible and affordable for everyone. Welder’s own workout routine is impressive as well, including tennis three to four times per week, weightlifting once per week, and biking and swimming whenever there is time. At the age of 50, she set and met a goal to complete her first Danskin triathlon. So where did the love of sports, particularly tennis, originate for her? “Not because anyone in my family played, but I was always athletic,” she said, “and always participated in sports.” In her all-girls Catholic high school, Welder was on the swimming and diving teams. Tennis was entirely her own discovery, but that didn’t come until she was in her late 20s. At 62, she has been playing for over 35 years. “Most of my best friends have come from tennis,” she said. “Playing sports with friends really adds another dimension to the friendship.” Being part of the Welder family adds another dimension as well. Welder’s roots in Texas are deep and wide, and she represents the fourth generation of her family’s farming and ranching business, a rather large family business where she serves as the chair of the board. The ancestor who received the original land grant in the 1800’s, James Power, was an original signer of the
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