September 2018 NorCal Profiles

USPTA NorCal

SEPTEMBER 2018

Northern California Profiles Fall Conference 2018 October 19 - 20

Mark Kovacs, Rosie Casals, Francisco Ruiz

Building the All Court Player Bay Club SF Tennis

IN THIS ISSUE… p.2 President’s Message p.3 Division Details p.4 Welcome New Members p.5 Fall Conference

p. 6 p. 8 p. 10 p. 12 p. 14

National News What is Accreditation?

Division News Wellness Tip Regional Reports

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NorCal Profiles PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Fellow Pros – It’s hard to believe summer is already gone. I hope you all had a prosperous and rewarding summer season. I just returned from the 2018 Tennis Teacher's Conference/World Conference in New York City. Northern California was well represented at our semi-annual Executive Committee meeting by myself, Dale Evans, and our Executive Director Andrea Barnes.

The major announcement coming out of the meeting was that the the USPTA has been granted provisional accreditation by the USTA. We are currently the only organization that has received this accreditation. As we go forward I see nothing but good things to come with this alliance. The USTA does not want to get into the teaching business. They will support the USPTA to elevate our professional teaching standards. More to come as our National Board is working closely with the USTA. New York was amazing! We enjoyed warm weather with many sights to see. Personally, I enjoyed the 911 memorial, Central Park, and Katz's Deli for an amazing pastrami sandwich.

Our NorCal attendees took in other sights and Broadway shows. We had plenty of educational opportunities over a three-day period and a great Division party at Bierhaus NYC (see photos later in the newsletter). Conference speakers included Mark Kovacs, Jose Higueras, John Yandell, Jeff Salzenstein, Paul Annacone, to name just a few. We also enjoyed watching NorCal player, Mackie MacDonald, practice during one of our on-court sessions at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy located on Randall’s Island in Queens. On our final day all conference attendees were given tickets to the US Open where we enjoyed an amazing and VERY hot day of tennis.

I look forward to seeing you all at our Fall Conference at the Bay Club SF Tennis on October 19 - 20. Our speakers are Mark Kovacs, San Francisco's own multi-time Grand Slam Champion Rosie Casals, and Francisco Ruiz. Friday we'll be offering two specialty courses, and Saturday will include several seminars plus lunch and a social hour on us.

Finally, please save the date for our 2018 Division Convention to be held at Stanford University January 18 - 20, 2019.

Best,

Bill Weber

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NorCal Profiles Board of Directors Northern California President Bill Weber 209-604-2455 billweber00@gmail.com Regional Vice President Dale Evans 510-377-7248 etcjsu@yahoo.com

Vice President Thomas Le 408-896-5745

Thomas@norcalathleticsllc.com

Vice President Ross Wisser 415-983-3437 ross.wisser@bayclubs.com Vice President Troy Rondeau 989-464-4318 troylrondeau@gmail.com Treasurer Phil Graham 510 -812-2670

philgrahamtennis@gmail.com

Past President Monty Basnyat 916 316 757777 mbasnyat@fitt10s.com Head Tester Rosie Bareis 510-847-1316

Roselani.Bareis@Fairmont.com

Wellness Advisory Member Brett Stephenson 925-683-2460 ewspros@yahoo.com

DATES THAT RATE DATE October 6-7 October 19-20 October 22-23

EVENT Ladies Invitational Spanish Bay Fall Conference Bay Club SF Tennis Certification Testing Bay Club SF Tennis

Regional Directors Northern California Alameda County Wendell Pierce WP606060@gmail.com Central Valley Jack Bracken brackensproshop@aol.com Contra Costa County Jim Coyne sleepyhollowtennis@gmail.com

November 12-13 Certification Testing Bay Club SF Tennis

Fresno Sandra Gostanian slkguspta@att.net

December 10-11 Certification Testing Bay Club SF Tennis

Marin-Sonoma Corky Cramer corkyc@sonic.net

January 18-21

Division Convention Stanford

www.facebook.com/USPTANorCal USPTA Northern California Newsletter is published quarterly The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Northern California Division.

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Ads can be in color or black and white and all ads must be camera ready.

Prices are per issue Full page: $250 3/4 page: $200 1/2 page: 150 1/4 page: $125 BusinessCard: $40

Newsletter Submissions: Please send all submissions in a Word Document to Andrea Barnes at ncuspta@gmail.com

Napa - Solano Mark Hansen mhansen.msc@gmail.com Peninsula Chris Bradley cancnbc@aol.com Redwood Peter Dauphinee peter@humboldttennis.com Sacramento Andrew Fearnside fearnsidetennis@yahoo.com San Francisco Jason Blum jason.blum@mac.com Santa Clara - San Benito Ken DeHart kendehart@aol.com Santa Cruz - Monterey Gay Finch gay10sďŹ nch@aol.com Tahoe - Reno Christy Funk funkytenns@me.com

Executive Director Andrea Barnes 415 370 9033 ncuspta@gmail.com

NorCal Profiles

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Al Ganir Morgan Hill Terry Roundtree Menlo Park Joseph Simpson San Carlos

volunteers, NJTL networks and community organizations to grow the game.

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NorCal Profiles Division News USPTA NorCal Fall Conference 2018 Featuring

Rosie Casals Mark Kovacs Francisco Ruiz

Friday,October 19 - Specialty Course Day 9 a.m. - 1:00 pm - Rosie Casals No Trouble in This Doubles: Grand Slam Drills and Tactics 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 pm - Mark Kovacs Strength and Power for Tennis Saturday, 10/20 - Seminar Day 9:00 - 10:30 Mark Kovacs -Secrets of Tennis Movement - Serve and Returns 10:30 - 12:00 Francisco Ruiz -Spanish Tennis Infused Drills 12:00 - 1:00 Lunch -Courtesy of USTA Northern California 1:00 - 2:30 Rosie Casals - Doubles for Adult and Junior Development 2:30 - 4:00 Mark Kovacs - Secrets of Tennis Movement - Net and Transition 4:00 - 5:00 Cocktail hour with Rosie Casals - An informal way for speakers and attendees to connect, exchange thoughts, philosophies, and experiences.

Register for one or both days at:

https://www.setteo.com/eventos/2018-uspta-northern-california-fall-conference Contact us at ncuspta@gmail.com if you have any registration issues.

NorCal Profiles

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NOTABLE NATIONAL NEWS Evert and Woods Inducted Into USPTA Hall of Fame The late Jimmy Evert and Kathy Woods were both inducted into the USPTA Hall of Fame during the USPTA General Membership Meeting at the 2018 Tennis Teachers Conference at the Grand Hyatt New York. The USPTA Hall of Fame is the association’s highest honor and serves as a place to recognize excellence in the tennis profession and commitment to USPTA, the world’s oldest and largest association of tennis-teaching professionals. The award was renamed in honor of the late Tim Heckler, who served as the CEO of the USPTA for 30 years, from 1982-2012.

Evert, who was born in Chicago, was an All-American tennis player at Notre Dame in the 1940s and reached as high as No. 11 in the U.S. rankings. He was the tennis director of Holliday Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for nearly 50 years and coached players such as Jennifer Capriati, Brian Gottfried, and Harold Solomon. The tennis complex was later renamed the Jimmy Evert Tennis Complex in 1997. During his tenure, he taught all five of his children how to play the game of tennis, including his daughter Chris Evert, who went on to win 18 Grand Slam Singles titles and became inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995.

An emotional Chris Evert accepted the award for her father.

Woods is the director of tennis at the USTA National Campus, where she is responsible for the set-up and implementation of all national campus programs and hiring teaching professionals and coaching staff. She directs a staff of 30 tennis professionals with comprehensive yearround programs for all ages and levels of play, as well as adult and youth camps. Previously, she served as the director of tennis at the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg, Florida and managed tennis programs in several communities, including Princeton, New Jersey, Key Biscayne, Florida and Westport, Connecticut.

In 1995, she was awarded the Tennis Educational Merit Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame for outstanding service at the national level. She served as president of the USPTA from 1994-1996 and held the distinguished honor of being the first and only woman to serve the Association in that capacity. She played singles and doubles for the University of Pennsylvania and graduated summa cum laude in 1980. She was later inducted into the University of Pennsylvania Tennis Hall of Fame in November 2017. She is the co-author with her husband Ron of Playing Tennis After 50.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to receive this hall of fame induction and I would like to thank the USPTA,” said Woods. “I proudly accept this incredible honor and dedicate it to all the professionals I’ve had the privilege to work with through the years!”

NorCal Profiles

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National News WHAT IS USTA ACCREDITATION? Bill Mountford, USPTA National Board member, recently shared this update on what the provisional accreditation status that the USPTA earned really means, with the New England Division, who generously offered to share it with us.

Here is Bill's message...

The USTA has made it their mission to increase - or improve standards of introducing, teaching, and coaching tennis in this country, and that is why they offered accreditation standards to any organization that applied. The terms were strict, as they should be, and no other coaching body, or trade association, managed to earn the distinction.

There is confidence that this will be a significant gamechanger for our sport, and the USPTA specifically, because it will begin to shape the employment opportunities for certified teaching professionals. Heretofore, this has never been an expectation, let alone a requirement, for clubs and facilities, and this action moves us closer to that ideal. Among the deal points listed in our USPTA/USTA Memo of Understanding document there is the defined expectation that USTA member organizations (with 2+ courts) must employ certified pros from an accredited body. Again, the distinction belongs solely to the USPTA at this stage - so it will be beneficial to our existing members, as well as attractive to prospective new members. It should also shape a more defined career path for those wishing to enter into our profession and the industry. I am optimistic, but this deal has yet to be finalized.

2018 Member Benefits Racquets, Balls, Strings, and Accessories

Wilson

Member pricing with approved contract Supplemental Savings Program contribution

Apparel and Footwear

Nike/Fromuth Tennis

30% member pricing discount Supplemental Savings Program contribution

On Court Equipment and Awards

10-S Tennis Supply - AER-FLO Caribbean Sol - Har-Tru - NetKnacks USPTA special member discounts Supplemental Savings Program contribution

SportMaster

USPTA fix-a-court referral program

Insurance

• $6 Million in on-court liability insurance • Ability to purchase sexual abuse & molestation insurance • Ability to purchase additional facility insurance • Ability to purchase non-member employee insurance • Liberty Mutual discounts on home, auto, pet, legal, and ID theft insurance • Access to Select Quote life Insurance marketplace ­

Business Opportunities

• TGA Premier Youth Tennis franchising opportunity ­

Job Search and Personalized Promotion

• Listing in USPTA Find-a-Pro Online tennis professional database • Personalized USPTA professional products available for purchase • Free personal tennis professional website • Access to the USPTA career center

Health Care

• Ability to purchase discounted dental coverage through usptadentalplans.com • Prescription discount card save up to 85% on medication costs

Education and Professional Development

• Full access to TennisResources.com, USPTA’s online education resource library • USPTA World Conference and division conventions • Free monthly webinars • Specialist degree programs • Online educational opportunities • Free Net Generation certification background check for USPTA members completing the program • Positive Coaching Alliance discounts • Accredited Professional Coach (APC) designation • Eligibility for national and division awards • iPTA discounts

Online Management

• Setteo - Free member profile, 10% discount on premium registration ­

Additional Benefits

• Tennis Industry magazine with ADDvantage • AIM Initiative - membership referral dues discount program • Avis Car Rental - save up to 30% at participating locations • Enterprise Rent-a-Car - save up to 5% at participating locations • National Car Rental - save up to 10% at participating locations • FTD Florist - 20% product discount • TrueCar.com - additional dealer discounts on new and used cars • US Open Series - free access to tournaments that lead up to the US Open • USPTA Surface Championships - compete against fellow Pros • Universal Tennis (UTR) membership and database access (Summer 2018) • BookingCommunity.com - travel and hotel discounts

Supplemental Savings Program Wells Fargo Financial Advisor and USPTA Elite Professional, Bo Gard, along with Marshall Lynch, CFP, First Vice President, have partnered with the USPTA to develop a program that provides USPTA-certified Professionals with the option of a savings and retirement plan, each customizable to their unique needs.

The Supplemental Savings Program will feature a vendor-supported savings plan, with select vendors providing concessions to the USPTA for the benefit of participating member pros. For more information go to uspta.com/supplementalsavings

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Take Advantage of The AIM Program to Save on USPTA Dues!

USPTA members are asked to recommend admirable teaching professionals in their local area or region who are currently instructing, but not USPTA certified. If the prospect decides to join the referring member's responsibility is to be sure the applicant includes his or her name on the application field labeled "Please provide the name of the person who recommended USTA membership to you."

New Member Referral Incentives * 50.00 discount for every new Certified Member Referral* * $24.50 discount on USPTA annual dues for School Coach Category referral If the referral incentive exceeds annual dues, then the person would receive the difference at the USPTA Pro Shop (would not need to be used during the current year.) ~ The incentive awards will be issued to the current referring member upon payment of Professional applicant's application fees and first year's dues, pending verification that name was included on application. ~ It is the referring member's responsibility to make sure the incoming member puts his/her name on the application form in order to receive the incentive(s).

Who is Eligible?

Only certified members in good standing will be eligible and they may only refer first-time potential members.

For more information, contact the membership department at membership@uspta.org

NorCal Profiles

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Tennis for the Health of it! Wellness Tip

By Brett Stephenson, USPTA Elite Professional USPTA NorCal Wellness Ambassador brettstephenson10s@yahoo.com Owner: Executive Wellness Services

Top Ten Dirtiest “Conventional” Foods!

CHICKEN: According to test released by Consumer Reports the bacteria campylobacter was found in over half of tested chicken breasts and salmonella turned up in 25%. Other results showed chickens infected with difficult to kill super-germs, antidepressants, caffeine, and allergy medications.

HAMBURGER MEAT: The USDA (U.S Department of Agriculture) tests over 560 sources nationwide. Testing, showed over half had Clostridium perfringens. Additionally, tests found Staphylococcus Listera monocyte.

GROUND TURKEY: USDA tests show that over 25% of ground turkey contains Listeria, Campylobacter, Clostridium, or some combination of the three. In 2011, an antibioticresistant, virulent strain of salmonella prompted a recall of nearly 36 million tons of fresh ground turkey.

RAW OYSTERS: Oysters are one of the ocean filters for waste and regularly contain norovirus, Campylobacter, and vibrio vulnific. Researchers who study oysters from so-called certified-safe beds discovered that 9% were in fact contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

EGGS: USDA reports food poisoning linked to eggs sickens an estimated 660,000 people annually and kills 300.

CANTALOPE: FDA regularly tests domestically grown cantaloupe, results show 3.5 percent carry Salmonella and Shigella (bacteria normally passed person-to-person). Cantaloupe has also been found to harbor Lysteria (a bacteria usually found in meat and dairy) PEACHES: Peaches are drowned with nine different pesticides weeks prior to harvest to ensure blemish-free skin. USDA ranks peaches as number one in highest pesticide toxicity.

PRE-PACKAGED LETTUCE: Consumers Union tested 208 packages of salad greens. The tests reveal 40% positive with fecal coliform bacteria and 28% of “salad” caused food based illnesses.

COLD CUTS: Cold cuts have been labeled as a high risk for causing listeriosis by a joint team of testers from the USDA, FDA, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cold cuts are usually eaten cold and become breeding grounds for Listeria and other food based illnesses.

SPROUTS: Sprouts need warm, humid conditions to grow which becomes a haven for Listeria, Salmonella, and E.colli bacteria.

Always wash, rinse, and inspect all foods, especially the above. Buy ORGANIC whenever possible Executive Wellness Services is a company of world class professionals providing tennis, massage, personal training, yoga, nutrition, and meditation to corporations, residential communities, fine hotels, and private clients. These services are delivered directly to your office, home, hotel or suite. For more info visit website at: www.ExecutiveWellnessServices.com or call 925 683 2460.

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1/2/18 12:24 PM

NorCal Profiles - Regional Reports

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CONTRA COSTA

Jim Coyne sleepyhollowtennis@gmail.com

After a busy and successful summer, the pros of Contra Costa County are encouraged by the number of players registering for their Fall programs. Is there a mini tennis boom happening??

Blackhawk Country Club professional, Bryn Powell continues to step up to provide team tennis programs for the clubs in the area. After administering a fabulous summer season, she's hosted the first team match of the Fall Season in the junior team tennis league, a bimonthly meeting of 3 clubs that offer a division for 12 and under and 13 and over players.

Great turnout for the initial meeting of the league at Blackhawk on September 9th.

Super busy day at Blackhawk - Cardio Tennis training had an enthusiastic turnout at, again, the Blackhawk Country Club, on Sept 9th...No wonder Dale Miller is one of the best pros, he's always involved in programs that promote tennis. Brian Thomas from Orinda Country Club and Sleepy Hollow's Carolyn Wei added the Cardio training to their already impressive resumes. All the pros who attended are fired up to bring some heart pumping, foot pounding action to their courts!

In it's fourth decade, the Contra Costa Junior Team Tennis Tournament Circuit provides a great opportunity for players to enjoy their first tournament experience. The first tournament of the year is at Orinda Country Club followed by Sleepy Hollow Swim & Tennis Club hosting on September 29 - 30th. This circuit of tournaments has been a foundation for many of the outstanding juniors that have come out of the area.

Round Hill Country Club's Marc Moran, said they had a great summer with about 200 juniors coming for the summer program along with three new adult social “game nights” that sold out.

Round Hill is moving into Fall Day Leagues and USTA combo and mixed 40 and over, for a total of 29 teams! Coming up Round Hill has their tennis gala celebration, ladies invitational, men’s Octoberfest and Halloween social. Lots of tennis on their books. Plus, the pros are very busy with regular programming and lessons.

One of the busiest professionals in NorCal, Orinda Country Club's Head of Tennis and Fitness, Brian Thomas, has had a crazy late summer. He attended the UST Semi-Annual Meeting in New York City (Editors note: I can't believe we didn't get together while we were both there!) took in the US Open, took the L2 Cardio Tennis class at Blackhawk, hosted the first fall USPTA Jr Tournament at Orinda Country Club, and coached Team NorCal players in Lake Nona. Brian was chosen to mentor a young and upcoming USPTA professional from Ohio, and help him guide and direct his career. Orinda Country Club recently hired two new professionals, Charlie Cutler and Dan Cardiff who join the experienced duo of Brian and Brent De Groot. What a team at Orinda Country Club.

NorCal Profiles

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MARIN - SONOMA Corky Cramer corkyc@sonic.net Fall is here and is always such a special time of year here in wine country. We're celebrating the harvest and getting back to school with the girls high school season kicking things off. This is also a time when many of us reflect on all the gifts tennis has given us and where it still may take us.

Let be begin by giving my thanks and gratitude to long time member Jim Bedilion, Twenty six years ago when I came to Sonoma Country Jim was instrumental in showing me the ropes. His dedication to the game can not be understated. After fifty five years of service to the game he has decided it’s time to “formally” retire from coaching. We wish you all the best and know your knowledge of the game will continue to inspire others to enjoy the sport through all those you have taught.

Leo Giraldi with twenty years experience as the pro at Piper Park in Larkspur will be looking for an assistant pro in June 2019. The opportunity includes teaching Park and Rec. sponsored classes and comes with the benefit of having a reserved tennis court for private business. It’s ideal for a a young pro as there is business for 2 full time pros. Contact Leo at leogiralditennis@gmail.com Bob Klyce had another successful time directing "Sports & Recreation Week" at the Lair of the Golden Bear where 80 plus adult campers enjoyed the week long program. The camp is run through the UC Alumni Association & held in Stanislaus National Forest. He is this is his 5th year as head coach of Maria Carrillo High School. He has high expectations for the girl's team to capture the championship this season a considering most of his star players will be returning.

Mt.Tam Racquet Club now has three female pros working at the Club…Diane DeMartini, Elly Hakami and Tarren Dougery. With leagues becoming so important to many of the women’s club players, this representation is well received. GM/Tennis Director Rod Heckelman is seeing a trend, “We are in the middle of a changing market, one that is driven by competitive league play and also an entire new younger group through Net Generation who appreciate having a more balanced gender representation.” Rod is also leading the way in the addition of a more affordable camera system for tennis courts. The new product Track.Tennis provides a live feed, complete date reports, the ability to review any matches or lessons by other teachers or parents. You can contact him for more information or go directly to the website of Track.Tennis. He is also experimenting with a new ear-bud sound system for Cardio Tennis so that the program can be run on any court without disturbing neighboring courts with the music. Lastly, Jeff Greenwald has been staying busy as a pro consultant at the Club, working with a number of players at various levels while still working and practicing at the Club to stay in the race as one of the top players in the world in the 50’s and over. Keep on eye on his son, Will…His name very appropriate, because he definitely has the will to play, practice and win.

A special thanks go out to fellow pro Keith Hayes. For years the Petaluma Athletic Club hosted the Petaluma Junior Open. Last year it closed it’s doors so the tournament was left with out a home. Coordinating with the local Parks and Rec Department his tireless efforts prevailed as there were solid draws in all ages.

Personally I made a return to “serious” competition. After nearly 35 years I ventured onto the court with a serious mind-set on winning. It’s been a long time since that was my own personal goal. Early last winter I had shoulder surgery and thought I might never be able to hit a ball above chest level again. The suddenly in late June there I was, able to hit a serve. I decided that who knows how long my body will hold up so after a couple of weeks I decided to enter the USTA Senior Indoor Championships in Seattle. A major contributing factor was I wanted to again feel all the elements of the game that we coach our players through. The outcome was a hard fought loss in the opening round, a first round win in the consolations and then a body rejection so not much to shown in my final round. Coaching myself I know what I need do if I want to seriously compete again. I highly recommend that everyone have the courage to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. It’s one of the best lessons I’ve had in years.

Once again please consider registering with RECYCLEBALLS.ORG. I’m proud to say that our efforts have help us keep nearly 1,000,000 ball form the land fills. With the help my students I have returned over 6,000. Join me in this noble effort.

NorCal Profiles - Regional Reports

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CENTRAL VALLEY

Jack Bracken brackensproshop@aol.com Summer in Modesto was hot, as usual, but we are starting to feel a fall season. The global climate is changing and produce such as fruit are ripening earlier than usual.

Steve Tiffin, USPTA Pro and Director of Tennis at the Woodbridge Country Club in Lodi has just retired. Congratulations Steve, you have served the valley tennis community well for many years as a college player, college coach, and tennis professional. Steve, you will be missed at the all Northern California Conferences by all of the Northern California USPTA Pros and by all your students. Happy retirement!

USPTA Pro Mark Weir, director of tennis at the Del Rio Country Club, just finished running his summer long, weekly Wednesday night court exhibitions on grass during Wimbledon and on hard courts during the U.S. Open. He had a great cast of local and Nor Cal USPTA players. Mark’s Del Rio 15 and under boys and girls teams qualified for the NCUSTA Jr. Team Championships held in Fresno.

Latest news on the renovation at the Del Rio Country Club reveals it's nearing completion and is looking fantastic. There will be 2 bocce ball courts and 2 permanent pickle ball courts by the tennis courts, as well as an extensive weight room and locker room.

In October, Mark will be hosting 2 USTA events: a tri-level event for adults and a Junior Open tournament. Mark will also be running an 8.0 - 40 and over mixed team and a pickle ball event in October.

Brenda Athletic Clubs Modesto will be hosting the Modesto Open, September 21st - 23rd. Director of Tennis and NCUSPTA Pro Brian Heiser has started a junior ladder for middle and high school players. A club tennis social is scheduled in late September, and the annual Turkey Shoot will be November 10th. On December 8 & 9th Brian will host a Junior Open. Recently, Dave Houston and Stan Oley did a lesson-clinic with a Playmate ball machine. Everyone enjoyed seeing what the ball machine can do.

On the personal front, congratulations to my wife, Julie and me! We just celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary. Wow, has the world changed since Labor Day 1963.

Hope to see many of you at the Fall Conference in San Francisco at the Bay Club on October 19th-20th.

NorCal Profiles - Regional Reports

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SANTA CRUZ - MONTEREY Gay Finch gay10sfinch@aol.com

Bill Quario, Pebble Beach & Tennis Club, reported on the Playmate Ball Machine Demo Day hosted at his club on September 6. Stan Oley showed the group of pros what the Playmate ball machine can do, especially using the app off of your iPhone. Here are some of the area pros in attendance: Chris Myrold , Carmel Valley Ranch, Matt Morillo, Spanish Bay, Kie Foreman and Bill Quario, Pebble Beach, Dave Houston, and Gay Finch It was a very interesting and informative clinic where Stan was demonstrating to the pros the 5 main properties on the ball: speed, spin, height, depth and direction. Identifying the details of these ball characteristics allows you to get more balls in your strike zone for a particular shot.

He said that a player has 2 strikes zones, upper level and lower level. The lower level is for more of rally type balls and the upper is meant for the more extreme grip rally balls and offensive shots. Getting the ball in your strike zone for a particular shot is essential to accomplishing the desired technique for that shot. Stan emphasized that ball recognition is the player’s ability to judge the incoming ball in flight so that s/he is able to make appropriate decisions regarding the stroke, such as strike zone, racquet path, and follow through. He talked about the forehand follow-throughs - elevated, horizontal, inverted, and vertical. In summary, Stan said that having very sound ball recognition skills will make you a much smarter and technically sound player while increasing your speed to the ball. He also talked about doubles, saying hit the SPACES not the FACES and creating space in your volleys, not using so many steps.

The Tennis Club of Rio del Mar hosted a Grandfathers’ Tournament for Cancer on Sept. 9, Grandparents Day. 40 Grandfathers participated in a doubles round robin format in A, B, and C divisions. There were burgers and beer for lunch and all the proceeds went to the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group.

NorCal Profiles - Regional Reports

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SACRAMENTO

Dexter Fong dfongtennis@gmail.com Former Sacramento Spare Time Inc. Corporate Tennis Director, Rich Andrews retired in June, 2017. He was inducted into the USTA Nor Cal Hall of Fame this summer and is now living in the Monterey area.

Head Coach Mark Fairchilds, assistant coaches Jesse Pangilinan and Chris Wall led Laguna Creek Racquet Club's Coed 18 under Intermediate to the USTA Junior Team Tennis National Championship title for the 2nd year in a row at the USTA Lake Nona facility this summer.

Thomas Morton resigned from Life Time Fitness of Roseville and Folsom and is now teaching at Johnson Ranch Racquet Club in Roseville.

While in New York for the 2018 USTA/USPTA World Conference in August, Larry Duque was spotted. Larry is a Professor of Anthropology at Brigham Young University, Idaho where he also continues as a high school tennis coach in Rexburg, Idaho. He was the former high school tennis coach at Davis High School and tennis director at the Stonegate Country Club of Davis.

Steve Tiffin, former tennis director at Twin Arbor Athletic Club, Lodi, former tennis director at Natomas Racquet Club, Sacramento, former tennis director at Laguna Creek Racquet Club, Elk Grove, former Women's tennis coach at CSU Sacramento, former coach at the Sacramento Region USTA Competition Training Center and current tennis director at Woodbridge Golf and Country Club, Woodbridge is retiring after too many years to count in the tennis industry. Steve's two son's Aaron and Mike hosted a memorable retirement party on September 15 in Woodbridge attended by over 100. family and friends.

At left - Pros attending Steve Tiffin's party, from left to right, Dexter Fong, Michael Friedman, Rob Kendall, Doug Atkinson, Scott Borowiak, Steve Tiffin, Mark Weir, and Chris Bradley.

At right - Steve speaks to the attendees.

NorCal Profiles - Regional Reports

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PENINSULA

Chris Bradley candnbc@aol.com

I’m sure you all had great summers. I was happy to be working in Woodside instead of my home town of Boulder Creek. We had plenty of days that were over 100 in the Santa Cruz Mountains while it was 85 in Woodside. I felt like I was living in the Central Valley!

The change of venue from Stanford to San Jose kept me away from the Mubadala Classic WTA event for the first three days, but then I was there for the last four. Thanks to Andrea and the USPTA for the Thursday night tickets. I sat in the Plaza Club hospitality suite with Andrea, Shannon Randolph and her friend, Mike Galli and Bill Weber and his wife. I also saw Ken DeHart and a few others. It is a great venue without a bad seat in the house. The only problem is there are no shaded seats.

When I was leaving Friday night I was parked right next to the player's entrance and exit.

Four kids and their father were standing outside. I asked if they were waiting for Venus. They said yes. Five minutes later she got into her car. I thought "Too bad she’s leaving". She must have told the driver to stop because she rolled down her window and signed all their balls etc. It showed what a class act she is, as she'd just lost her quarterfinal match.

Many pros went to New York for the Open, USPTA, and USTA conferences including Peninsula Pros Miles Bentley, Mark Hanna, Julio Hermosillo, Rod Saludo, and of course our illustrious executive director Andrea. Andrea also competed in the US International Club "President's Cup" team competition vs. France in Normandy. The American team prevailed.

There were a number of NorCal players on the U.S. team including Brent Abel, Mai IchikawaAbel, Erika Smith, Judy Newman, Carolyn Nichols, Geoff Cykman, and the crafty lefty Charlie Hoeveler. Nice going team.

Have a great fall.

NorCal Profiles - Regional Reports

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Fresno

Sandra Kazanian-Gostanian slkguspta@att.net Dane Clegg, Head Pro at Fig Garden Swim and Racquet Club held two three-day summer sports camps with emphasis on tennis - both of which were very well attended. In addition to tennis, special coaches provided instruction in soccer, water polo and volleyball.

The Club has several USTA teams and Academies continue year-round for all ages.

A Fig Garden vs Copper River social competition is in the planning stages.

Doug Hofer also continues to keep busy with coaching, tennis leagues, and year-round activities.

I have been off the court since the beginning of July with a shoulder injury - from gardening - not tennis! I'm working with a physical therapist and making progress. When talking with Dane I learned he has a lingering shoulder injury that may require surgery in the near future. Wishing him the best and a speedy recovery.

San Francisco Jason Blum jason.blum@me.com

On Saturday August 4th, Bay Club Gateway had an excellent tennis boot camp lead by teachingpros, Dan Linley, Jordan Reese, Mitch Jee, and Jason Blum. 30 players played a lot of tennis! It was a fantastic event for all.

In addition, Alan Skelton, Director of Tennis at Bay Club Gateway, is in his 50th year with Gateway.

That is very impressive. Way to go, Alan!

Napa - Solano Mark Hansen mhansen.msc@gmail.com The largest prize money tennis tournament in our area is coming soon!

The NorthBay Healthcare Men’s Pro Championship will be October 6 -14 at Solano Community College.

The $100,000 Challenger event was won in 2017 by Nor Cal’s own Mackenzie McDonald. Phil Cello in the tournament Director for the 4th straight year. Phil is a long time Solano County tennis leader. He currently owns and runs Cello International Tennis Academy and is in the Nor Cal Tennis Hall of Fame.

The proceeds from the tournament help fund the Chris Cammisa Tennis and Education Foundation. The foundation is a way to provide tennis and related educational programs, to underserved youth in Solano County. It has also helped fund Women’s and Men’s tennis teams at Solano College.

For more information go to Fairfieldprotennis.com There are many opportunities to volunteer or to just come and see great tennis in the local area.

NorCal Profiles - Regional Reports

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Santa Clara - San Benito Ken DeHart kendehart@aol.com Silver Creek Valley Country Club Our beginner and "Back to the Game" clinics continue to grow under the guidance of Stephen Philip. We offer 3 days a week, morning, evening and weekend times and we have tripled our number of players Women's Tennis Coaching Association Event Ken DeHart spoke at the WTCA event in New York. What an event at the Marriott East Side!

Speakers included NCAA Division 1 Coaches from Ole Miss, Pepperdine, Auburn, tour players and coaches, Ann Grossman, Anni Miller and other top players and coaches from around the world Tim Russell from the ITA presented on American College Tennis, Mark Kovacs on training women athletes, Eric Butorac from the ATP and more.)

T2000 Silver Creek Valley Country Club Mixer Everyone bringing out the old T2000 racquest, white balls and shortest tennis shorts you can find made for a super event at Silver Creek Valley Country Club. Two top local top players including ATP player, John Lamble and former UC Berkley player Nikhill Jayashankar did a demo with the T2000's from my collection followed by play with the pros and member mixer It was a special morning of tennis for all.

Pickleball SCVCC's Ken DeHart attended the pickleball course on September 9th to get certified to teach pickleball by the Professional Pickleball Registry. We have been offering pickleball each Friday and have seen a great growth in the program at SCVCC with our golfers, swimmers and tennis players.

NorCal Profiles - Regional Reports

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RENO - TAHOE Christy Funk funkytennis@me.comm

Caughlin Athletic Club is coming off one of their busiest summers. Their summer camps introduced, and reintroduced, over 60 kids to the game of tennis. Their Women's and Mixed Doubles USTA teams made their way to Districts in Northern California, and they are hoping to head there again, upon the completion of fall USTA leagues. They feel they have strong USTA Combo teams forming and increased participation in their tennis programs. They are proud to work with the dedicated group of volunteers at the Sierra Junior Tennis Association and feel with the help of the SJTA, they were able to bring “Junior Team Tennis” to the club, along with “10 and Under Free Introduction Tennis Days” to share their love of the sport. The SJTA satellite tournaments saw a large number of participants for our tennis community, and allowed the kids to experience the competitiveness of a tournament environment while playing, and meeting, different players in the area with the round robin format.

The Sierra Junior Tennis Association’s (SJTA) 2018 junior programs for the Northern Nevada and Lake Tahoe regions had increased attendance with their partnership clubs this past summer compared to the past five years. The SJTA website, www.sierrajuniortennis.org, lists “all area junior tennis.”

2018 SJTA sponsored programs include six grand prix circuit tournaments; team tennis; free once a month-one day clinics for high school, middle school, and 10 & under learning camps; Tennis Buddies of Reno (for down syndrome youth and a pilot program for the state of Nevada Special Olympics); a Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows tennis camp; a free beginners jamboree; a free introductory clinic to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization of Northern Nevada and working with the Washoe County School District at area schools with their NJTA programming. They are always looking for partnership programs with USPTA pros and clubs in the area to expand junior tennis.

Please contact them if you have an idea or two.

The Tennis Buddies of Reno has started their fall program. This program is moving closer to the Down Syndrome tennis athletes competing in a tennis division in the Special Olympics in 2019.

Please, USPTA pros in the Reno/Tahoe area, support SJTA programming that benefits your programs and clients by SAVING THE DATE for the 2019 fundraising gala for junior tennis that is scheduled for January 26th. The theme is 50’s Rock N Roll and will be held at the Harrah’s Auto Museum. Details have been uploaded to the SJTA website and tickets can be purchased in advance.

2018-2019 USPTA Junior Circuit Tournament Schedule 2018 Sept. 14–16: Sept. 28–30: Oct. 19–21: Nov 9–11:

Orinda Country Club Sleepy Hollow Swim & Tennis Orindawoods Tennis Roundhill Country Club

Any junior who has been or is ranked in the top 60 (1–60) in Northern California is not eligible to play in the USPTA Junior Circuit in any age division. All other juniors are eligible. USTA membership is required.

2019 Feb. 22–24: March 15–17: April 19–21: May 17–19: June 1–2:

Diablo Country Club Lafayette Tennis Club Crow Canyon Country Club Blackhawk Country Club Tournament of Champions St. Mary’s College

• Coaching allowed •10-and-under play with the green dot ball on a regular court • For more information or to sign-up, go to http://www.topdogtennis.com/pages/club_information.asp?orgid=409