Addvantage 1992 August

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SYNERGY

Q The Voice Of The Tennis Teaching Profession

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Jack Justice

The Tra d e Mag azine of Me n a nd Women Te nnis-Teaching Professio nalsTM

August 1992

Volume 16 - Issue 8 On the cover Tex Schwab teaches one of his senior players the finer points of tennis.

First Vice President Gordon Collins Vice Presidents Dave Sivertson Kathy Woods Cliff Drysdale Will Hoag Secretaryrrreasurer Joe Thompson Past President Rod Dulany CEO Tim Heckler Legal Counsel Paul Waldman

FEATURES 6 USPTA education manual Spotlight on seniors 7 Coming of age Seniors create new segment for tennis industry

WORLD HEADQUARTERS Director of Operations Rich Fanning Executive Assistant Marty Bostrom Coordinator of Tennis Allan Henry Teacher Development Communications Shawna Riley Coordinator

8 8

League Administrative Karen Unger Assistant

Secretary Dale Henry Secretary Lisa Lawson Computer Services and Kathy Buchanan Club Relations Education Coordinator Cheryl Gard Membership/Education Sharon Schmuck Assistant Membership/Education Karen Mahon Assistant Membership/Education Vic ky Tristan Assistant Financial Manager Renee Hec kl er Bookkeeper Terry Fugman Accounting and Trina Gambrell Merchandise Services Receptionist Christine Fouts Director of Certification George Bacso and Academies

11 13

Leagues provide fitness and fun for seniors

ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.

For information, w rite World Headquarters One USPTA Centre 3535 Briarpark Drive Houston, TX 77042 phone (713) 97-USPTA or fax (713) 978-7780 Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.- 5:00p.m. Central time.

Copyright Š United States Professional Tennis Association , Inc. 1992. All rights reserved .

Reproduction of any portion of this magatine is not permitted without written permission from the¡publisher.

Designing tennis facilities for senior players By the United States Tennis Court and Track Builders Association

National Convention registration forms 16 1992 USPTA National Convention registration form 17 USPTA National Convention hotel registration form 18 USPTA National Convention golf tournaments entry 19 USPTA National Championships entry form

20 22 23

USPTA pros use tennis to help others USPTA league brings together players of all levels Leagues prove profitable for clubs, pros

DEPARTMENTS 3

Co-Director of Academies Bill Tym Advertising/Marketing Phone (71 3) 97-USPTA Information

Jack Barnaby credits USPTA success to benefits of membership Sport science and seniors Benefits of exercise outweigh any concerns

Magazine Coordinator Michelle Tanner Corporate Services Christi Call Manager

USPTA senior sets example for tennis-teaching peers

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Communications Gayden Cooper M arketi ng/Busi ness .:John Tamborello Operations

offers free education to members

President 's message Pride is evident as presidency ends Members should 'take stock' of USPTA's success

4 CEO 's message USPTA, tennis industry benefit from experience and participation of seniors

5 25 27

Letters Dates that rate Quiz Topic. Municipal operations

28 Drills 30 Industry action

form

TH E WHIT E HO US E WAS HI NG T ON

June 2.6, 1992

Dear Mr. Heckler: Thank you for your kind message.

It was a pleasure to attend the Across America Tennis Day clinic.

You know how much I enjoy the game, and I appreciate your efforts to encourage physical fitness throughout the country.

The shirts and warm-up suits are a perfect fit, and the balls will keep me on the court. Many thanks for your thoughtful gifts.

Best wishes.

Sincerely,

..

~!J~ Mr. Tim Heckler Chief Executive Officer United States Professional Tennis Association One USPTA Centre 3535 Briarpark Drive Houston, Texas 77042

President~s

message

Pride is evident as presidency ends Members should 'take stock' of USPTA's success Jack J usttce~ Pres ident

I

feel a little sad as my two-year term as your president comes to an end , but my attitude quickly changes when I take stock of our current condition and direction . As a matter of fact, become almost euphoric when I think of what USPTA is and where it is goitig .

Consider this: USPTA currently has almost 10,000 members. The Association certifies 1,000 new members each year. For 10 years, the membership has increased at this steady pace. n fact, as we have grown, we have placed a great deal of importance on the implementation of college curricula that lead students into this career field. Most new members enter at the P-3 level, which is exactly the way it should be. We encourage membership among the young , new professionals so that they may work and learn from the more experienced members. The Continuing Education Program helps all members learn the most advanced and sophisticated training possible for teaching pros, which will allow them to then move from P-3 to P-2, to P-1 a perfect track!

Each member may become involved in helping USPTA to grow by encouraging membership and hosting the Certificatidn Exam at his or her facility. know that each member knows at least one person that could, or should, be a member of USPTA. Behind all the membership anb testing figures stands a staff (our employees) that implements the constant improvements and

changes in the system that keeps USPTA growing every year and provides future momentum . The National Board of Directors gets an opportunity to observe this work constantly and needs to bring these observations to the members.

Your Association has one of the most beautiful and sophisticated World Headquarters anywhere. Do not let this fact be something intangible or remote in your mind.

Vi sit the World Headquarters when, and as often as, you can . Not one person who has visited the building has left without remarking how glad he or she was to have had the opportunity to see this USPTA operation. It soothes the mind to see the support given to members by the staff while the tennis professionals are on the court 'beating the ball.

It is perfectly clear that with the acquisition of the new World Headquarters, US PTA can serve you, grow with you and help you into the next century and beyond .

Another not-so-small fact about the building is that it is proving to be a wise investment; and it's a place where all USPTA professionals may hang their hats.

Now the stage is set for probably the most exciting part of all the work performed over the last 10 years: A concerted effort to focus our energies on producing programs and policies that will benefit professionals like never before! It has been a long, tedious trip to this point, but each member has supported and helped USPTA to gain this current position.

The divisional officers and staffs will become more of a focal point and the committee system will flourish. The local communications will expand and bring new ideas and leadership to each member. Overall , communication will increase and become more informative and educational. Work will intensify on the many societal problems that exist in our world and how they affect tennis and our profession. And, yes, USPTA can focus on how to help pros make a better living (more pay!).

USPTA has come such a long, long way over the years to this point in its history, but it is clear that we are just starting.

Lastly, believe it is important to remain aware of, and even focus on, the fact that we are part of an industry. I really don't like the term 'industry' and would rather call it a large and diverse 'family.' have learned through the duties as your president that most of our family has similar goals and the road to success will be easier with teamwork.

We must remain a viable member of the tennis family and do our part so that everyone wins. A community of tennis-teaching professionals meeting and sharing ideas and programs to make a community's tennis better is the nucleus of success for all who want to play the game. I hope each of you will take a few more steps in that direction during the next year and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your success. o

3

CEO~s

message

USPTA, tennis industry benefit froin experience and participation of seniors 1:ere's a silent revolution out there, and it will change the way we think and conduct our business in the very near future.

It might surprise you to learn that our nation's older adults are generating these changes. The 60 million seniors in the United States are affecting the work force, social trends and the advertising moguls of Madison Avenue.

Seniors also are playing a significant role within the tennis industry. As people enjoy longer and healthier lives, they are turning like tennis to maintain physical to sports fitness. n turn , many .seniors are affirming their place within the administrative bodies that create programs and activities for their peers, and in some cases, they are running programs as independent, 'seniors only' organizations.

USPTA has benefited greatly from the experience and volunteer efforts of seniors and this issue of ADDvantage magazine salutes the many members who helped build our Association and remain an integral part of what USPTA is today. Many of the people that worked endless hours to improve the status of the tennis-teaching professional are now seniors, and we should not lose sight of the valuable contributions that made our Association the oldest, largest and most respected organization for tennis educators.

The cover of this month's magazine features Walter 'Tex' Schwab. Tex served the Association as executive director during the '60s and '70s and as its national president in 1975. But, Tex's most valuable contribution to USPTA has been his volunteer spirit and his willingness to offer information and inspiration to the members and officials of USPTA. Tex is credited with single-handedly maintaining the membership files, producing a membership directory and administrating USPTA when he served as a volunteer executive director. He ran USPTA from his home, typing all of his own correspondence and the monthly national newsletter. He also judiciously insisted on placing a portion-of the Association 's funds into a savings plan that would eventually help USPTA set up its first national headquarters and hire a paid 1 executive director.

At 83, Tex isn't slowing down . n fact, he may be even more active now than he was

4

when he was handling the day-to-day business of US PTA. If he's not jetting off to some exotic location to participate in a senior tournament, he is teaching others and keeping up with the tennis industry and US PTA. We owe a huge debt to Tex and others like him . In the last 20 years, USPTA.has evolved into an organization that serves the business, career and other needs of tennis teachers.

Our divisions are organized , we've realized a significant increase in membership and USPTA's budget also has grown steadily.

... the adjustments we are making for this group today will be the rule not the exception -tomorrow.

Certification remains the most valuable benefit of membership, and USPTA pays tribute to Jack Barnaby, 'the father of USPTA's Certification Exam , on page 8.

Jack, now 82, served as USPTA national president from 1969 to 1970. He initiated a national standardized certification test during his administration and laid the groundwork for the most comprehensive testing system for tennis-teaching professionals. His promotion of a national testing system also encouraged USPTA to further develop an education program that now is unmatched in the industry.

Bill Tym , Vanderbilt University tennis coach and past USPTA national president, also is featured on page 8. Bill not only competes in senior tennis events, but has coached many successful players and continues to be an influential role model for all tennis professionals.

T1 n1

H ec kl e r ~

CEO

Just as our senior members contribute to the education of the younger tennis professionals, we hope the information in this issue offers everyone some insight into the importance of the untapped senior tennis market.

'Sports Science and Seniors, page 10, and 'Designing Tennis Facilities for Senior Players, page 13, provide tennis professionals with information on how to best serve their older students.

Seniors and their instructors should not only be aware of the benefits of tennis, but they should take certain precautions to guard against injuries and other problems associated with seniors and physical activity.

As seniors take to the court in record numbers, it becomes necessary to create programs that cater to this population. The Phoenix Challenge/Love-50 league, page 11 presents seniors with the perfect opportunity to play tennis and meet new people in an atmosphere of friendly competition . Eric Pollard, founder of the Phoenix league, is just one of many senior tennis enthusiasts who are changing the look of the game along with society's attitudes toward older Americans.

Unfortunately, one short editorial cannot hope to recount the magnificent contributions of our past leaders, some of whom are no longer with us. Some day, I hope we can produce an archival diary detailing the works of the wonderful people like George Seewagen , Ralph Chambers, Ed Faulkner, Bill Lufler, Alex Gordon and many others too numerous to mention here.

As the senior population grows, many other issues will have to be addressed. n about 30 years, people over 50 will represent the majority of our population , and the adjustments we are making tor this group not the exception today will be the rule tomorrow. <0>

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Dear USPTA. Many thanks for all the hours you and the rest of the USPTA educational staff put in developing, coordinating and organizing the School of Tennis Teaching . It was FANTASTIC! Everyone really enjoyed the course and left feeling that it was time well spent.

We appreciate you letting us host the course. know we also owe Kathy O'Neal a big thanks as well If there is anything else you would like us to get involved in, please give us a call . We'd love to assist.

Kindest regards, Paula Scheb Ft. Myers, Fla. Dear USPTA. have just returned from the New England (divisional) convention held at Stowe, Vt. on May 15, 16 and 17 It was my first local convention (I attended the national on Hilton Head Island), and it was quite informative and enjoyable. I felt welcomed by everyone that met, which is so important to new • members. felt the camaraderie immediately.

Dave Fleury, who tested me along with several others last June, has one of the best demeanors of anyone have ever met. He made me feel very comfortable during the testing , which can be a nervous time. Testers Karl lngard and Howie Burnett (past president) really put me at ease. Dave is always willing to listen, and he has a smile on his face. New England is fortunate to have him at the helm . The other staff members also should b~ commended for their professionalism, commitment to tennis and the USPTA. It is an organization am proud to be a member of and look forward to many years with the USPTA. Sincerely, Michael P Benton Peabody, Mass.

Dear USPTA. really liked the article on Fay Tooley. As a fellow Renaissance man, part-time tennis pro and full-time music teacher and composer, found it heartening that there are other souls out there with 'irons in the fire.

I hope you can feature other well-rounded individuals as time goes by. One of my favorite "novels' of all time is (Rudyard) Kipling 's The Jungle Book. Shouldn't you credit him when quoting from his book (the wolf quote)?

Keep up the good work!

Mike Ellerby Dana Point, Calif Editor's note: The 'wolf quote " to which you referred came from Kipling 's The Second Jungle Book; The Law of the Jungle, and was one of Fay Tooley's favorite quotes. We

should have credited Kipling, but were thinking only of Mr. Tooley who ·frequently used this proverb. Thanks for helping us give credit where credit is due.

Dear USPTA. The USTA and USPTA quest for championship talent must continue to borrow from all sources, including the European countries successful in tennis. A visiting Finnish junior coach Jonni Aho, shared the findings of a Helsinki seminar which included this brilliant statement about developing talented 8- to 12-year-olds: 'A young player's mental capabilities are of particular importance when seeking out and promoting talents.

'The inner drives (motivation, self-confidence, self-assurance, self-esteem, level of aspiration , willpower, etc.) and the controlling qualities (hardness, self-control , versatility and power of concentration) may be regarded as factors limiting performance, which must be improved .

Intellectual requirements (capability to assume, process and store information; intelligence; game sense and anticipation) must also attain high levels.

'Since the mental attitudes of 8- to 12-yearolds depend greatly on their social environment (parental home, friends, school and club), contact must also be made here early on.

Source: tennis seminar, 8/21/88, Helsinki , Finland J.F Curliano Alameda, Calif The July issue of AOOvantage inadvertently ommitted an addition to Dr. Irving Glick's article, Preventing and Treating Heat Stress. On the subject of maintaining hydration, the following statement should be added: 'We strongly recommend that the players take a mineral insurance formula such as the one formulated by Dr. Roger Williams. We have found this very helpful in preventing muscle cramps in prolonged matches. Also, Dr. Glick wanted the mention of drinking water containing potassium and magnesium salts changed to 'drink one liter per hour of water with no additives.

We regret any inconvenience this may have caused.

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USPTA educational Inanual offers free education to Ineinhers U

SPTA will publish its next manual using a technique that will give the manual to 1ts m~mbers free through the magaz1ne. The USPTA Education Manual A Career Guide to Professionalism, books I and II , will be published n sequential sections n ADDvantage beginning in September.

Book I - Tennis Teaching Skills and Book II Tennis Business Operations and Management are designed to be Informative reference guides for those areas of study that are 1ntegral to the development of the tennis professional The Education Manual may be expanded to 1nclude additional books 1n other specialized areas.

The chapters will be placed in the center of the magazine so they may be detached and stored in a three-ring binder. Both volumes will be completely published by the end of 1993 and the books then will be available for sale through the USPTA Gift Shoppe. Free book reviews for these two volumes also will be available for education credit after they are published The first book w1ll h1ghl1ght tenn1s teach ng skills, covering such topics as 1nstruct1on strategy tactics and stroke production The second volume will focus on tenn1s business operations and management, featuring aspects of pro shop operat1on supervising and managing a tennis facility, and developmg one's business and career

Coming of age Seniors create new segtnent for tennis industry

Our

nation's senior population, made up of people more than 50 years old, has captured the attention of the tennis industry and its professionals: This new and clearly defined group of players demands new programs and has sparked an interest in research creating the next trend in tennis.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reports that more than two million seniors, or about 3.6 percent of the senior population , play tennis. Even more impressive is that by the year 2030, the current U.S. population of 60 million seniors is expected to double. Most baby-boomers were in their 30s and 40s during the fitness craze of the last two decades, and as their leisure time increases with retirement, they will want to maintain their fitness lifestyle.

Today's senior population represents a valuable market for many consumer goods and services.

Most seniors are retiring at a later age and have more disposable income to use O(l activities and product ¡ that nterest them . This group is attracted to tennis because it provides them with the perfect combination of fitness and social activities and com petition These benefits must be stressed in that order. For seniors, it is more important to stay in shape Tennis is enjoyed by and have fun than to win tournaments.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is beginning to focus on senior players. Three USTA committees work exclusively for senior tennis players, and the USTA League Committee works for both adult and senior players.

The Senior Recreation Committee works to get more people age 50 and older playing recreational tennis. Currently, pilot groups of seniors-only Play Tennis America entry-level tennis programs are underway. These sixweek programs introduce players to the basics of tennis and then allow social l~ague play until they are ready for the USTA Senior League.

The USTA Senior League provides a doubles-only format, divided into NTRP ratings, and official national championships.

Only players age 50 and older may participate in this league. Dave Schobel , statt coordinator for the USTA leagues, said that the leagues provide a great recreational program for senior players.

If seniors want competition , the USTA has plenty of senior tournaments to challenge older players. The Senior Competition and the Senior International committees organize competitive senior play domestically and abroad. The Senior Competition Committee supervises and regulates singles and dou-

more than two million people older than 50.

bles competition for age groups of 30 and older. Each age group has its own national championships for singles and doubles, as well as intersectional competition . Most international tennis competitions organized for seniors consists of team matches in age groups up to 60 and older for women, and 70 and older for men.

To become involved in the USTA Senior League or in the senior competition, call a USTA district or sectional office. Members of the international competition teams are selected by the team captains, generally by rankings and court performance.

Another project of the USTA Senior Rec-

reation Committee provides grants to senior programs in the United States. Many programs such as the Never-Ever' senior program in Knoxville, Tenn. have benefited from grants provided by this committee.

Tennis professionals may find senior players easier to accommodate than other groups of players. Seniors are looking for no frills' tennis, and just want court time and a decent racquet. These players choose to play tennis to maintain their physical condition and the quality of their game.

While initially this group may not spell profits for a pro shop, professionals should learn to adapt promotion techniques to seniors. While most over 50 players may not demand the latest tennis fashion trends, they still need the basic apparel and equipment. Most senior players will opt for basics in clothing, and many players are acutely aware of the risks and problems of skin cancer, heat stress, injuries and other physical ailments.

Anything that may alleviate some of the potential risks of a sport for these players will greatly interest seniors.

Some marketing possibilities include the sale of wide body racquets. Most seniors do not have the strength they had in their 30s to deliver threatening serves, but a wide body may help them deliver more power in a stroke without exerting more effort. Also, vibration dampening devices and other aids to reduce stress on the elbow and knees are helpful to players. Hats and sunscreen will protect seniors from the effects of the sun.

Tennis is an industry that thrives on sales, just like any other industry. The AARP reports that Americans older than 50 control 50 percent of the nation's purchasing power and 77 percent of the nation's financial assets. The senior population r.1ay be too important for the service industry to miss, so tennis professionals, like other businesses, should recruit seniors before they get hooked on golf 4Ji 7

USPTA senior sets example for tennis-teaching peers

Bill

Tym has managed to accomplish what many tennisteaching professionals only dream of doing.

He has been recognized as a successfu l player, teacher and administrator of tennis.

And as a USPTA member who has realized such accomplishments in every area of his chosen profession , Tym sets the highest standard for those who look to Bill Tym shows his winni ng form. him as a role model.

Vanderbilt University 's head tennis coach has gone a step further by continuing to ach ieve much success as a senior. As the No. 1 ranked men's 50 singles player in 1990, a ranking earned in both the USTA and USPTA record books, he maintains his top notch playing and teaching skills, said Tim Heckler, USPTA CEO. Bill is one of the most determined people know. When he sets his mind to doing something , it is very rare that he doesn't accomplish the task to its fullest, Heckler said .

'An example of this is the incredible feat he accomplished when he set out to become the No. 1 player in tne United States in the men's 50 event, Heckler added .

Tym's playing talent represents only one aspect of his commitment to tennis and the tennis-teaching profession. He has coached numerous nationally ranked players and several professional players, and still manages to devote time to work with his peers to help raise the standards of tennis-teaching professionals.

Tym was the national president of USPTA from 1982 to 1984, but his dedication to USPTA began right after he joined the Association in 1969. Since then , he has held Southern Division offices, was the national Executive Director from 1976 to 1978, and worked to develop the Continuing Education Program into the successful ventu re it is today.

His commitment to the Association earns him high praise from other members.

'Bill Tym has done a great deal to make us a better organization," said Jack Barnaby, former president of USPTA and creator of the USPTA certification program .

Not only is Tym dedicated to the Association, but he also works for his players. One of his most notable proteges is Bryan Shelton , who recently won the Newport Hall of Fame tournament for the second year in a row.

Tym has maintained his prominence as an outstanding tennis player. He was a Southeastern Conference champion at the University of Florida and quarterfinalist at the NCAA championships in 1963. After college and a stint in the Army, he competed for several years on the tennis circuit, with showings at Wimbledon , the French Open and the Italian Open , and won 10 national and international titles.

For his hard work, he has received divisional and national recognition . He was named the USPTA Coach of the Year in 1989 and the USPTA Professional of the Year in 1982. He has been named Professional of the Year for both Alabama and Tennessee by the Southern Division and was inducted into the University of Florida's Athletic Hall of Fame during the 1970s. Tym is one of the original Master Professionals in USPTA. He worked to create USPTA Tennis Academies and the Tennis Teachers' Courses. He continues to teach the TICs and hosts a Specialty Course called Strategy and Tactics.

The USPTA always will be grateful for the work Tym has done to improve this Association and its members. It is rare to see someone of his competitive spirit and reputation devote so much time and effort to help pros become the best tennis teachers possible. 4J

8

Jack Barnaby credits USPTA success to benefits of 1nembership

~eloped and changed from a group of men who socialized and

Jack Barnaby, past president of USPTA, says the USPTA has

played some tennis annually, to an organization of men and women which offers credentials to tennis professionals who have proven their ability to teach tennis.

Barnaby initiated many changes when he assumed the presidency in 1969. During that time, presidents often promoted their pet projects, only to see them dropped after they left office, he said . Barnaby worked to create committees that would provide a sense of teamwork, continuity and lasting programs.

One of the most enduring programs created during his term was the national Certification Exam. Barnaby said that in the 1960s, th e organization did not offer its members much in the way of education or other benefits. He felt if USPTA developed into an organ ization that could provide benefits for its members, then people would flock to join. And his prophecy rang true after implementing the Certification Exam requirement, membership doubled within one year.

The Certification Exam developed over many years. Even though it was Barnaby 's idea, George Bacso actually took the program to a higher level Barnaby said . During Barnaby's presidency, members wanted the Association to be similar to the Professional Golfers' Association of America. Barnaby said he told the members that USPTA was 20 years behind the PGA and that it would take another 20 years to catch up to it. He believes USPTA has caught up with the PGA and is better for the task, he said.

When the certification process began , organizers recognized many of the problems the program had to overcome. Questions were raised in order to develop the program , such as the exam's degree of difficulty and strict standards in determining accurate knowledge of the game.

Barnaby is pleased with the direction of the program He says that it is exactly the way he and Bacso envisioned it; pros may join the Association fairly easily, and then they are encouraged to improve themselves and become higher quality tennis teachers.

Many of USPTA's 'younger ' members credit Barnaby with setting the direction for the success of today 's USPTA. Jack has been a guiding force for many of us who came after him , said Tim Heckler, USPTA CEO He laid the groundwork that has made it possible for us to create new and lasting programs that offer real assistance to tennis professionals.

Barnaby also created a sense of permanency with comm ittees, and the Testing and Certification Committee was no different. n fact, some of the original committee members still serve.

Barnaby also worked to create different levels of certification , and said that the Master Professional rating should be considered comparable to a doctorate degree in academia.

Barnaby enjoying retirement After many successful years, Barnaby relinquished his leadership of USPTA to new officials. Since that time, he has realized that the new leadership followed the excellent examples he set.

Barnaby also retired from his position as head tennis coach at Harvard University and is enjoying his retirement immensely.

Playing tennis at his age, 82, is a little different because the server has the disadvantage, not the receiver, he said .

If you win a match serving, then you have broken serve' in senior tennis, Barnaby said . 'We are so feeble, we can't serve hard enough , and get killed on the return serve.

Most of the tournaments in which Barnaby competes are for the 75 and 80 age brackets. He plays only for fun , but still managed a New England divisional ranking, he said.

Barnaby works with the Harvard women's squash team wh ich has won the National Championships the past three out of four 4J years, and writes occasionally for Squash News magazine.

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Sport science and semors Benefits of exercise outweigh any concerns M edical science teaches that the only antidotes for aging are fitness and exercise. ·A study of more than 1,000 Harvard alumni reported a significant lowering of mortality rates in alumni who burned more than 1,000 calories per week by exercising as compared to more sedentary subjects. That is equal to two sing les matches or three doubles matches per week. Exercise, such as playing tennis, may increase greatly the lifespan and enjoyment of people older than 50 years.

Tennis aids psychological well-being A tenn is program for seniors will not only benefit them physically, but psychologically as well Dr. Jim Loehr writes in The Senior Directory that playing tennis on a regular basis results n fitter, stronger bodies, better endurance, more energy, fewer weight problems and better appearance. All this helps to improve self-esteem and playing a sport that you were able to play at a younger age brings great personal satisfaction When seniors decide to participate n a tennis program several precautions should be taken to ensure that their tennis experience ·s positive, and that they want to return for more programs. Before starting the program have the players check their equip-

ment for the proper fit. The correct racquet size and string tension will help prevent shoulder and elbow njuries. Check the shoes for proper fit and to be sure that the soles are not worn or have little or no support.

Know medical history before program starts n The Senior Directory, Irving Glick, M D. suggests that senior players undergo a thorough medical and fitness evaluation to determine physical parameters such as strength agility and flexibility.

An article in the June-July 1991 issue of Modern Maturity states that George Sheehan, MD. Mary E. Case, MD. and Ken Cooper, M D. agree that senior players should heed the following before playing a sport: • Be aware of a family history of heart disease; • Have a physical examination before starting a fitness program • Have periodic stress tests, especially if nvolved n high-intensity athletics; • Have all symptoms of heart disease checked such as chest pain, dizziness or numbness;

• Adhere to a low-fat diet and maintain a low cholesterol level A concern brought by Paul Roetert, director of research for the USTA, is that seniors need to be in shape before playing tennis, even doubles. He suggests that all adult players be able to complete 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week before taking tennis lessons. Exercises that help adults include walking biking and swimming

Seniors should watch flexibility The main concern for senior players is the loss of flexibility, Roetert said. As people age, they become less flexible, and a certain amount of flexi bility is needed to properly play tennis. Stretching before and after playng is recommended for all adult tennis players.

Proper eating helps exercise benefits Nutrition is an important factor for·anyone exercising and a proper diet will help to maintain a control weight for all tennis players. Proper hydration is essential : be sure that all players get plenty of fluids while playing tennis, Roetert warns.

Exercise, weight control and proper dietary habits are considered quite beneficial n controlling cholesterol levels, decreasing cardiovascular episodes and preventing and controlling adult-onset diabetes.

Prevention is best medicine

Tennis helps seniors maintain their mental and physical well -being with few risks.

10

When a person ages, it takes longer to recover from an injury, so prevention of njuries is the best way to keep tennis players on the court.

Roetert said that people who have been playing tennis for years need to be concerned about the effect of the sun on their skin . He suggests that players protect their skin .

While exercise is beneficial for everyone, special precautions should be taken by senior players. As a pro, it would be helpful to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other basic first aid from the American Red Cross or another organization Gener ally, senior players are not any more at risk for heart attacks, but awareness of potential il lnesses and njuries will help players enjoy Q} the game longer.

Leagues provide fitness â&#x20AC;˘ and fun for semors Many people continually search for ways to meet others with the same interests and any tennis player will tell you that it's not always easy to find a compatible playing partner. Seniors looking for camaraderie and an enjoyable tennis ex.perience may be interested in a senior league.

Many senior programs exist, such as the USTA League, Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) league and the TeamTennis Silver Streaks league for players 55 years or older, however, these leagues simply adapted their adult format for seniors by inserting an age clause. The Phoenix Challenge/Love-50 is different. It was created specifically for senior players, by senior players who wanted a tennis league that emphasized fair play, good manners and good sportsmanship instead of winning . The. popularity of the league demonstrates that many senior players feel the same way.

The format for the Phoenix league is unique among senior leagues. Wh ile the rules of tennis still apply to every game, no officials are used to judge matches. The players must determine the calls and disputes are settled amicably during play. All players must be at least 50 years old and have a NTRP rating of 4.5 or lower. Clubs are grouped into four NTRP levels: 2.5 and below, 3.0 and below, 3.5 and below and 4.5 and below. There is no set number of clubs needed for a league.

The Phoeni x league was started in 1984 by a disgruntled senior player who was forced to play younger, more competitive players in the local interclub leagues. A su rvey of other senior players in the area showed that they felt the same way about the local leagues the programs were too competitive, had few recreational aspects and were for a limited number of players. During the first year, 40 men participated in the Phoen ix, Ariz. league.

Wh ile on vacation in Californ ia, Eric Pollard , th e fo under of the Phoeni x Challenge, found oth er seni or pl ayers who believed there was a void of senior leagues that stressed the fun and social aspects over competiti on . n 1985, the Santa Barbara (Calif. ) League of the Phoenix Challenge was formed and the first championsh ips were held . Subsequently, a women's league was formed under the name, Love-50.

Since then , leagues have formed in 16 U.S. states, Australia and New Zealand .

'We aim to include everyone over go who wants to play tennis for recreation , with the added spice of competition , Pollard said .

The league season runs from October through March. Each April all members of the Phoeni x Challenge/Love-50 are invited to a World Championship that features roundrobin tournaments and a single elimination tournament. This year, more than 1,500 seniors played more than 100 hours of tennis at the event.

Local officers of the Phoenix Challenge adapt the general format to local conditions and customs and great flexibility is extended to the local presidents of the Phoenix Challenge. To coordinate the Phoenix League, its national office sends players a monthly newsletter and manages the daily affairs of running a national league.

In addition to providing a fun-filled league, the Phoenix Challenge works to help others.

Area leagues have teamed up to raise money for a crisis nursery for abused children , the Urban League, the Racquets for Kids' pro-

gram, scholarships for promising junior tennis players and other charitable events.

The seniors and other volunteers in the national office could be content to relax and enjoy the league's success, but instead , Pollard and Bob Dacy are working to expand it. They hope to have 6,000 league members by 1993.

Currently, the Phoenix Challenge/Love-50 has almost 4,500 members. For 1993, Bob Dacy expects the program to expand in Florida and the Midwest area of the United States, and a team from Canada will compete at the World Championships. Expansion is expected to England, Germany and France sometime in the next few years.

The Phoeni x Challenge will celebrate its 10th anniversary during the 1993 finals.

To contact the Phoenix Challenge for information on runn ing a league, call (602) 839-5585.

4}

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Designing tennis facilities for senior players Reprinted with permission of the Construction Specifications Institute from The Construction Specifier June 1992; 601 Madison Street, Alexandria, Va . 22314, and The United States Tennis Court & Track Builders Association, 720 Light Street, Baltimore, Md. 21230-3816. Copyright USTC&TBA 1992. All rights reserved.

new one or a renovation , it is important to consider the needs and preferences of the players, as well as other factor.s. A well conceived design can make the difference between courts which are a popular gathering spot and those which are often vacant. n designing a tennis facility, there are a number of considerations: 1 Geographic location and weather¡ 2. Site conditions, including orientation, size, slope and drainage, soil characteristics; availability of parking and storage, outside distractions and noise; 3. Budgetary limits; 4. Preferred surface, which is dependent on intended use, style of play and player preferences, cost durability and maintenance requirements; 5. Accessories and amenities such as fencing, windscreens, nets and net posts, player and spectator seating, etc.

Evidence abounds that interest in tennis among older Americans is growing . In response to player demands, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) now offers tournaments and ranking in a men's 85 plus division , and a women's 80 plus division. Says â&#x20AC;˘ Susan Hahn of USTA, " The women are agitating for an 85 plus division, too. It's just a matter of time. Recently, the USTA has instituted league play in a 50 plus division.

And interestingly, an article in the April issue Because of the large number of design of Tennis magazine discussed the number variables, it is not only possible, but desirable of players taking up the sport after retirement. to specify a tennis facility to meet the needs John Subrizi, who teaches tennis to beginand preferences of a unique population and ning senior players, says in the article, Hey, for a given site. if you re in reasonably good shape, you can probabl~ ' still start in your 80s. 1 Subrizi himself took up the game at 40 and started teaching upon his retirement at 62.

Not only is the number of senior tennis For less agile players growing , but those players are serious about the game. According to the players., the slow National Sporting Goods Association's 1990 'Sports Participation Study,' 74.3 percent of surface gives them tennis players over 65 characterize themselves as frequent players. That statistic is more time to get to unmatched in any other age group.

Tennis is truly a lifetime sport, one which the ball., resulting in can be played and enjoyed by individuals of any age. Add up the nature of the game, longer., more growing interest in physical activity and recreation among older people and the flexienjoyable rallies. bility of tennis facility design : the result is a perfect opportunity to design facilities which enhance player enjoyment and draw spectators, creating a social center for any retireThe single most important factor in designment community. ing any tennis facility is ¡choosing a court surface. There are two particularly desirable Unlike most sports and recreational activities, tennis is played on a wide variety of characteristics in a court surface for senior surfaces: soft and hard, cushioned and unplayers. First, the surface should provide protection against player injury and discomcushioned, slow to fast, monochromatic and fort or in biomechanical terms, the surface multicolored. In addition, there are a large number of accessories and amenities' availshould limit the force applied to a player's able to customize a .tennis facility. In delocomotor system as a result of impact and signing a tennis facility, therefore, whether a friction . Second , the surface should support

the style of play common among senior players. As tennis players age, they often replace power, speed and agility with strategy, shot placement and spin . nterested more in moderate exercise and recreation than in a vigorous workout and competition , senior players, on the whole, prefer doubles to singles and prefer a slower baseline game rather than the serve and volley power game common among young players.

Tennis is a game of lateral movement, frequent starts and abrupt stops. The quick movement results in a great deal of energy which, when the player stops suddenly, is absorbed by the player's joints ankles, knees and hips. The ideal surface absorbs some of that energy, protecting the player.

The surfaces that are easiest on the tennis player physiologically are the 'soft' surfaces, also known as fast dry or clay-type surfaces.

These surfaces are not really "soft; rather, they are made up of loosely bound granular materials such as clay, pulverized brick and other specially processed aggregates. The common characteristic shared by all the soft surfaces is that they provide slide. When the player stops suddenly, the impulsion generated by his movement is transferred, to some degree, to the surface rather than being absorbed by the player's joints. A well-known study by Nigg and Denoth (1980) reported the results of a retrospective study over three seasons with 1,003 tennis players. The most important finding of this study was that tennis players playing on surfaces which allowed controlled sliding (such as fast-dry and clay surfaces) reported significantly less pain and injury than athletes playing on surfaces which did not allow sliding .2 Subsequent ergonomic studies have shown that one-fourth inch of slide is enough to absorb 80 percent of the kinetic energy. n addition to absorbing the energy of players stopping or reversing direction, the soft surfaces also absorb the energy of the ball, which slows when it hits the composition . For less agile players, the slow surface gives them more time to get to the ball, resulting in longer, more enjoyable rallies.

The playing characteristics of fast-dry surfaces can be regulated with maintenance. (continued on page 14) 1 Cavanaugh , Jack, " Never Too Old To Learn ," Tennis, April 1992, pp.49-51 2. Nigg , B.M. and Denoth , J. (1980) Sportplatzbelf,iege (Playing surfaces). Juris Veriag , Zurich .

13

Designing tennis facilities (continued) The fast-dry material is a mixture of fine and coarse particles. Compaction of the court during construction , regular rolling and use of the court cause the coarser particles to bind together while the finer particles rise to the surface. The light dusting of surface material provides sufficient slide, while its rough texture grabs and slows the ball . At the same time, the firm base provides for a higher bounce, allowing players more time to reach the ball and preventing them from having to bend to get it. This balance is wellsuited to most older players. who often rely on shot placement and spin rather than on power and speed.

A typical fast-dry court features an earth subbase. a layer of crushed stone, a layer of fine stone and a top layer of fast-dry material.

The fast dry material is made of crushed stone, crushed tile or crushed burnt brick, screened and mixed with a chemical binder.

Several name brands are available 1n the marketplace.

The soft surface aggregates are made stable by the addition of water. The moisture keeps the surface from becoming hard or dusty. Watering has the additional benefit of cooling the court. The: evaporation of water from the composition creates the same cooling effect as that found in swamp coolers.

The hotter the weather, the greater the evaporation and cooling , which makes the courts more comfortable for players. The amount of water in the court also affects its playing characteristics. To some degree, the damper the court, the softer¡ however, since a soft court absorbs ball energy as well as player energy, a court which is too soft will result in low bounce, making it more difficult for players to reach the ball So courts must be watered to be playable.

In fact , another benefit of such courts is that they are pervious and can absorb light rains and be ready for play. Conventional watering systems consist of perimeter sprinklers that wet the surface mostly at night, but also during the middle of the day when the surface dries out. This daytime watering necessitates shutting down the court for a half hour or more. n the last few years, subsurface watering systems have been developed that eliminate daily down time. The granular top surface stays moist as a result of water moving up through capillary action and transpiration . Automatic monitoring can keep the surface at or near optimal playing condition .

While fast dry courts demonstrate a number of benefits, especially for older players, they may not be suitable for every installation . In colder climates, where temperatures drop below freezing for long periods of time, or where there is frequent freeze and th9-w, a soft court may have too short a season .

Either the court is frozen and unplayable, or if it regularly freezes and thaws, the court will remain mushy. Soft courts also require sweeping after play, daily maintenance and annual reconditioning . In addition, they are

14

easily damaged, though they are also easily repaired. If a retirement community cannot provide supervision and daily maintenance for the courts, they may not be feasible.

In general , hard courts made of asphalt or post-tensioned concrete are less gentle to tennis players; however, cushioning and texturing can help make the surfaces more userfriendly to senior players. A variety of methods are used to provide a resilient layer on the court prior to the application of color coating . Cushion layers range from factory manufactured sheet goods to multiple and single application poured-in-place liquid products. The systems vary in depth from one-sixteenth inch to one-half inch and vary in resiliency and durability depending upon the formulation of the materials. Cushioning softens the effects of pounding from running on a hard surface. The benefits are most noticeable after long matches or with frequent play. Cushioned surfaces, in general , do not provide slide. However, there are systems available in which free-floating rubber sheet goods are attached only at the perimeter. When a player stops, the rubber mat moves slightly, creating a small wrinkle in front of his foot , and absorbing the kinetic energy.

Softer tennis courts help reduce risk of injury to senior tennis players.

To a limited degree, the thickness and density of cushioning affects the speed of the game. Thicker and less dense cushioning absorbs ball energy, providing a slower, lower bounce. Less thick or denser cushioning provides a quicker, higher bounce.

Textured color coatings applied to the

resilient surface have a more dramatic effect on play. The rougher the texture, the more the surface will grip and slow the ball and the more effect will be evident from spin placed on the ball. Speed of the surface and relative effectiveness of spin is, therefore, controlled by the size and quantity of sand mixed with the color coating . For longer rallies and a shot placement/spin type of game, a medium coarse to coarse texture is recommended .

Regular upkeep and maintenance of cushioned courts is the same as that of hard courts sweeping or hosing the surface to remove dust, dirt and debris. Resurfacing is typically necessary every three to five years.

The cushion course can be penetrated or dented by high heels, street shoes. golf shoes, metal racquets or heavy loads, so care should be exercised .

If an existing court has a surface not optimal for the players who use the court, changes can be made to provide a more suitable surface. The transformation from hard to soft courts is most costly as it involves substantial reconstruction . Hard courts are generally sloped 1 inch in 10 feet to provide drainage, while soft courts are sloped no more than 1 inch in 20 feet to prevent erosion . Changing the slope can require the removal or pulverization of the existing surface with regrading or the addition of substantial base material on top of the existing court. The benefit to players and widespread player appeal of soft courts, however, may make this effort worthwh ile.

When hard courts need resurfacing , the addition of a cushion layer can be considered . The type of cushion system will determine the cost. which can vary from moderate to very expensive. Texturing of the court surface can be done with recoating at a very modest increase over nontextured recoating .

Once a court surface has been chosen for a tennis facility to be constructed or renovated , a number of other choices exist. One choice is court color.

Soft courts are either red or green ; hard surface courts come in a wide variety of colors. Some players feel that a two-tone court makes it easier to differentiate between in-play and out-of-bounds shots. The twotone scheme helps in doubles or if the court is a singles court (without doubles alleys) , but does not assist in delineating serves that are in or out. Though nontraditional , a three-tone design would be advantageous in separating the critical playing areas: color No. 1 for the service boxes, color No. 2 for the backcourt and doubles alleys and color No. 3 for the perimeter. In any case, for outdoor play, the color of the court should not be too light as reflection from the sun will make seeing the ball difficult against too light a background .

Conversely, for indoor courts, lighter surfaces reflect the artificial light which is only about 30 percent to 50 percent as bright as natural sunlight.

Court colors can be changed when recoating hard courts. Changing the color scheme may make the resurfacing more visible and obvious to players and nonplayers, a benefit for management in demonstrating that they are maintaining and improving facilities.

While an appropriate and attractive court surface is possibly the most important factor in building a fine tennis facility, a number of other factors can help to make the facility a pleasure for players to use.

Shaded seating for players is an important consideration . Since many retirement communities are built in the sun belt, it is vital to provide a place where players can get out of the sun to cool off between sets. Shaded spectator seating will encourage people to gather at the courts and linger there. For safety, spectator seating should be placed a minimum of 15 feet outside the playing lines.

A source of chilled drinking water should be located adjacent to tennis courts. Where a permanent water connection is not available, portable water cooler stands may be used. A cupholder and trash can adjacent to the water fountain or water cooler are helpful.

Windscreens serve many purposes.

Among these, windscreens 1) provide visual contrast for better ball definition, 2) reduce reflection of the sun's glare off chain-link fencing and posts, 3) reduce and/or deflect wind, 4) provide privacy and screen out annoying distractions such as passers-by, parking lots, etc. and 5) help tennis courts blend into their surroundings. The relative importance of these factors may help to determine the preferred features of the windscreen.

For ball visibility, the darker the background, the better the ball definition. Therefore, a finer mesh in black or dark green is preferred. Standard heights are 6 feet and 9 feet. Six foot screening is most common , but 9 foot screening is recommended for background purposes. Nine foot windscreens also help to contain artificial light on the court (a cost benefit as well as an environmental benefit) , reduce the amount of dust and debris which accumulates on the court and , thereby, help to a limited degree to reduce wear.

For reduction of light to moderate winds, the degree of effectiveness of a windscreen is directly proportionate to the size and density of the mesh . In heavier winds, however, a very dense mesh may deflect some of the wind up and over the fence. The frequency of severe weather and fence strength must also be considered in choosing the density of a proposed windscreen, since a highly wind-resistant screen greatly increases the stress on the fencing during heavy winds.

Speaking of fencing, tennis courts are normally surrounded by fencing with an overall height of 10 feet to 12 feet, with 10

foot fencing being standard. A fence mesh of H"' inches is recommended to prevent balls from sticking in the fence. This is a smaller mesh than the industry standard 2 inches used for many other types of installations. The fence mesh should always be affixed on the court side of the posts.

According to the National Sporting Goods Association"'s 1990 â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘Sports Participation Study.,"'., 7 4.3 percent of tennis players over 55 characterize then1selves as frequent players.

While all-around fencing may be important for security, it is not necessary for play. Many private and club courts are now using full fencing only across the baselines and 20 feet up each side with low fencing or no fencing around the remainder of the sidelines. No sideline fencing means better visibility for spectators and promotes the use of the tennis courts as a gathering spot.

Locating the courts near a swimming pool , clubhouse or other recreational facilities likewise promotes their use and enhances their attractiveness. The availability of restrooms, refrigeration , refreshments, etc. which a nearby clubhouse can afford, is a real plus to both players and spectators.

Tennis court lighting greatly extends the hours of court use both in winter, when days are short, and in summer, when high daytime temperatures increase the attractiveness of evening play. Proper lighting provides good visibility to follow the ball along its path in play. A good lighting system is economical to install , maintain and operate, is environmentally acceptable (that is, does not allow stray light outside the court area) , and provides adequate levels of quality light.

It is not always necessary to provide high levels of illumination , depending on the court's use. A residential court may require just 20 foot-candles, while other types of installations will require more light. The United States Tennis Court & Track Builders Association (USTC&TBA) specifications recommend the following : recreational and club

courts, 30 foot-candles; tournament courts, 50 foot-candles; professional courts, 75 footcandles. The USTA recommends somewhat higher levels of lighting.

While high levels of illumination are not always necessary, quality lighting is required.

Quality lighting is that which is as uniform as possible over the entire playing area (including several feet outside the sidelines and baselines), and which provides minimal glare. The tone of the light is important as well . Those lighting systems which produce a natural daylight color, or slightly blued color, are preferable for tennis over any lighting which produces orange or bronze tones.

Lighting fixtures should be located outside playing lines. preferably parallel to the alley lines and outside the fence. When lighting a multiple court facility, it is recommended that no light poles should be placed between courts except at the net posts. If necessary to place light poles between courts, they should be no less than 10 feet from the playing lines. Any lighting fixtures located inside the fence should be heavily padded to reduce the risk of player injuries. Special caution should be exercised to ensure that fixtures are placed in such a way that players do not have to look directly toward the light when serving or during normal play.

It is clear that there are many choices to be made in tennis facility design. A properly designed facility is one that meets the needs of the players who will use it. Design choices must be based upon a number of factors structural , practical , financial and aesthetic.

While a tennis court is basically a rectangular pavement on grade, it is by no means a simple structure. A fine court is the product of good design, sound construction and quality materials, all combined according to certain industry-wide standards and in accordance with the rules of the game.

The USTC&TBA publishes informative publications dealing with tennis court construction and maintenance, including a set of guide specifications. Available at no cost is a list of publications offered , including a roster of contractors specializing in court construction, repair and maintenance, as well as dealers of tennis court equipment. To obtain an order form , contact the USTC&TBA Headquarters.

Founded in 1965, the USTC&TBA maintains a 28-year history of service to the tennis court and running track building industry by publishing a regular newsletter, sponsoring informative meetings and industry awards, and providing a professional certification program. The association also publishes and distributes guide specifications and other construction-related data on tenn is courts and running tracks; these are regarded as the standard for quality construction in the industry.

For information, write the USTC&TBA, 720 Light Street, Baltimore, MD, 21230, or call (410) 752-3500; Fax (410) 752-8295. o 15

Celebrate

65 years of USPTA The Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, just outside of Tucson, Ariz., is the setting for the 1992 USPTA National Convention. Enjoy all the luxurious surroundings of this desert paradise while benefiting from a renown list of seminar speakers who will provide the latest information on tennis teaching and business skills for use in the 21st century Make your room reservations by filling out the hotel reservation form on page 17 These rates cannot be guaranteed after Aug. 20, so make your reservations early If you are interested in sharing a room, contact the USPTA World Headquarters for details at (713) 97-USPTA.

USPTA National Convention - Sept. 19-27, 1992 "Tennis Excellence in Tucson" Please register me for the 1992 National Convention.

All registrations received after Aug. 15 will incur an additional $20 late fee.

Name

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Address

City ------------------------------------- State _____Zip _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Phone(H) (_____) ______________________ ~ (_____) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ Spouse/spouse equivalent's name

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------USPTA member# Division -----------------------------------------------------

Friend's name

Check applicable fees

Payment options:

D D D D

Member $160

Make check or money order payable to USPTA, OR charge my

Non-member $185

D

Spouse/spouse equivalent $90

Friend $160 Total fees enclosed-----------

Visa

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MasterCard

------------------------------------

Exp. date_____Signature _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___

(Spouse/spouse equivalent must register to receive special package of parties and products.)

Return with payment to: USPTA World Headquarters, One USPTA Centre, 3535 Briarpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042

'

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r -- ----------------------------------------------- --- --- ---- ---------- - --- - -~

Celebrate 65 years of

HOTEL ROOM RESERVATION (This form must be used for reservations) Please complete this form and return it to Loews no later than Aug. 20, 1992:

Send to:

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort 7000 North Resort Drive Tucson, AZ 85715 (602) 299-2020

Conference:

USPTA National Convention Sept. 19-27 1992

Arrival date: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Departure date:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Last name (print legibly)

Middle initial

First name

Street

City

State

Zip

(Area code) Telephone

Please indicate choice of accommodations. All rates are European plan (no meals included)

Rates:

D D

$80 Single hotel room $80 Double hotel room

Third party in any room is $10 per day Rollaway beds are available upon request. Number of rollaways _ _ __

Deposit:

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General Information •

All reservation requests must be received by Aug. 20, 1992. Requests received after this date, or for dates other than the main conference period, will be accepted on a space-available basis only.

•

Please include one night's room revenue as a deposit (in the form of credit card number or check) which will hold your room until 2 a.m. on the day following your scheduled arrival date. Upon arrival, the deposit will be applied to the last confirmed night of the reservation. In the event of your early departure, the deposit is non-refundable unless the hotel is notified prior to, or at, the time of check-in.

Check-in time is after 3 p.m.

Check-out time is noon.

•

Cancellation notice of 14 days is required for a refund. Early departure will result in forfeiture of deposit. When cancelling or changing your reservation by telephone, be sure to obtain a cancellation or confirmation number.

•

Room rates and service charges do not include any qapplicable state tax.

•

The hotel will make every effort1to honor requests for specific types and locations of rooms. However, on occasions when such requests cannot be met, the hotel reserves the right to provide alternate accommodations.

1

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Golf tournaments entry form Name:

--------------------------------------------- Division: --------------

USPTA #· _____________________ Handicap: ___________ Average score: ---------Renting golf clubs:

D

yes

D

no

Enter me in:

D D D

Callaway tournament Scramble tournament Spouses and friends' tournament

Please complete and return this form and entry fee to: USPTA W~)fld Headquarters • One USPTA Centre • 3535 Brlarpark Drive • Houston, TX n042

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G 0 L F

• PIIRCIJ• sponsors golf action at convention.

Get into the swing of things play a USPTA golf tournament The Canyon course at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort is the site for the seventh annual USPTA Golf Tournament and two new tournaments. Designed by Tom Fazio, every hole is a challenge. The tournaments - a Callaway tournament, a spouses and friends' tournament and a best -ball scramble - and two free golf clinics offer a break from the hard courts and some great golf outings. All tournaments and prizes are sponsored by Prince. The latter two tournaments debut this year, and the first tourney (for individuals) will use the Callaway system of handicapping. The golf clinics, one for members and one for spouses and friends, are ~pen only to those registered for both the convention and a golf tournament.

When:

Members' clinic: Noon -1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 Best ball scramble: 1 - 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 Spouses and friends' clinic: 9 - 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 Spouses and friends' tournament: 8 a.m. - noon Friday, Sept. 25 Callaway tournament: 1 - 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25

Entry fee:

$50 per tournament (includes greens fee and cart fee)

Golf club rental: Dress code:

$20 per set

Entry deadline:

Collared golf shirt must be worn. No blue jeans, jogging or cut-off shorts.

Sept. 4

All tournament players must register for the USPTA National Convention. All clinic participants must register for both the convention and a golf tournament. See convention registration form on page 16.

18

USPTA National What: Singles and doubles com petition, open and age categories When: Sept 19-23. Starting times for first-round singles matches will be mailed Sept 1 Where: Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, Ariz.

Surface: hard court Prize money: $40,000, number of entries affect distribution Individual entry fees: $50/singles, $20/doubles. Tournament players also must register for National Convention; tournament and convention fees must be paid separately (see convention registration form, page 16). Singles entry and fees deadline, Aug. 17 Doubles may register at tournament site, pre-registration encouraged.

Match scoring: Regular match scoring, two of three tie-breaker sets.

Rules: USTA. 15-minute default rule in effect. Players allowed minimum hour rest between singles matches, 30 minutes between singles and doubles matches or two doubles matches.

Dress code: Proper tennis attire. NoT-shirts, tank tops or capri tights.

Player eligibility: Current USPTA members in good standing who pre-register for National Convention. All membership requirements must be completed by June 14 to allow for grading exam and processing application. USPTA will not be held responsible by any individual or division if entry is not accepted due to not fulfilling requirements before the 60-day deadline.

~

Cha~npionships Player/event regulations: Each eligible player is limited to one singles and one doubles event. An event is two players or teams competing. Men's open limited to a 128-draw. Events may use block seeding, depending on size and strength of draw.

Mixed doubles rule: Players eliminated from, or not entered in, regular doubles play may enter mixed doubles. While limiting each player to two events, this enables players to avoid choosing between two events.

Tentative starting schedule: Sept. 19, time TBA start MOS, M35S. Sept. 20, 9 a.m. start WOS. Noon sign up ends MOD, M35D, WOO. 3 p.m. start M40S, MOD, M35D, WOO. Sept. 21, 9 a.m. start remainder men's singles and W35S. Noon sign up ends, remaindermen's doubles, W35D, MXD. 3 p.m. start remainder men's doubles, W35D. 5 p.m. start MXD. Sept. 22, 9 a.m. start all other women's singles. Noon sign up ends, all other women's doubles.

3 p.m. start all other women's doubles.

This schedule may change as a draw increases. Players are advised to arrive one day before scheduled first match.

Tournament staff: Will Haag, national Tournament Committee chairman; Frank Kelly, tournament director; Kathy O'Neal and Gary Scanlon, tournament committee.

c:----------------------------------------------------------------------

Street

D ATP/WTA

City

State _Zip

Phone#

D USPTA D USTA section aJ

Birth date

SS#

USPTA#

USTA#

Doubles partner Birth date

SS#

D USTAnational D State D W/Lrecord Attach past and present ranking information if needed.

Mixed doubles partner Birth date

D D D D D D D D D D D D

MOS M35S M40S M45S MSOS MSSS M60S M65S M70S M75S M80S M85S

SS# Note: Each player is limited to one singles and one doubles or mixed doubles event

I, , hereby release the United States Professional Tennis Association, its officers, directors and employees, including those of the USPTA divisions and tournament sponsors, from any and all liability for injury to me, including illness, resulting from my participation in the USPTA National Championships. assume all risks inherent in my participation.

Date:

Men's

Ranking

Name:

Signed:

$ _ _ __

Doubles $20 /person

$ _ _ __

Total enclosed $ _ _ __

Entry deadline Aug. 17. 1992

MOD M35D M40D M45D MSOD M55D M60D M65D M70D M75D M80D M85D

Women's

Fees Singles $50

D D D D D D D D D D D D

wos

D D D D D D D D

W35S W40S W45S

wsos wsss W60S W65S W70S W75S

D D

0

D D D D D D D D D D

WOD W35D W40D W45D WSOD W55D W60D W65D W70D W75D

MIXED DOUBLES

Mail this entry, along with your payment, to: USPTA National Championships One USPTA Centre â&#x20AC;˘ 3535 Briarpark Drive â&#x20AC;˘ Houston, TX 77042 19

• USPTA pros use temns to help others M n y USPTA pros teach tennis through a wide variety of programs, but some tennis professionals go out of their way to bring the game to groups of people who normally would not have the opportunity or the resources to learn about tennis.

Davis teaches kids for free Master Sgt. Timothy E. Davis, an information specialist with the U.S. Air Force, spends his free time working to build a tennis program for economically disadvantaged and minority children in Columbia, S.C. His one-week tennis program is free to any child between the ages of 5 and 18 who is registered in a school.

Davis is a USPTA professional who, in addition to his information .work at Shaw Air Force Base, teaches tennis to base personnel. J.1is T & D Tennis program received a $1,000 grant from the USTA, racquets from Prince, Spalding and Wilson, tennis balls from the city of Columbia and the Richland County parks and recreation departments, and refreshments from a McDonald's franchise.

The program ran the last week of June and attracted more than 150 students. Davis said the program brought together many facets of the South Carolina tennis community. Jack Mill · of the Southern Tennis Association assembled the various local and regional tennis groups to support this program , and volunteer teachers included Willie Payne, the top tennis player at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C. The children's need for an adult role model left the biggest impression on Davis. Students starving for attention would follow him just to be near an adult who noticed them, he said . Most of the parents work and are not able to spend much time with their children. Davis said he hopes that he can show the juniors a positive image.

His next project will be an after-school tennis program for junior players. Currently, he is working to bring this newest program to fruition and is looking for equipment and financial donations. Hopefully, he will have the program in place next year, he said .

TOP program expands nationally For Rod Workman, head professional of racquet sports at the Owentsia Club in Lake Forest, Ill. leaving the suburbs to teach tennis in some of Chicago's roughest neighborhoods is what fills a typical summer Saturday.

20

Workman is the vice president of Tennis Opportunity Program, a project that gives free tennis lessons and many more intangible lessons to some of the poorest kids in Chicago. TOP was created by Roger Mitten, a salesman for Pitney Bowes and former junior tennis player, and Workman in 1989. The program brings a structured recreational program to two neighborhoods in Chicago.

In its first year, the program took juniors from the North of Howard Street ' area, a subneighborhood of Rogers Park, to Northwestern University for eight Saturdays of tennis in the summer. The lessons are free, and students are awarded prizes based on attendance. By attending four sessions, students received a free ticket to the local men's professional tennis tournament; by attending five, students were given a free tennis racquet and a can of tennis balls. In addition , four students are given free scholarships to attend indoor lessons during the winter at one of the area clubs.

The children->s need for an adult role model left the biggest impressio11 on Davis.

But every junior leaves with something .

Besides providing the students with excellent tennis instruction, TOP strives to instill self-confidence and self-esteem in the participants. n the second year, TOP expanded to the Duncan YMCA, near the University of IllinoisChicago campus. More than 20,000 of the 57,000 people in the .Duncan YMCA area are younger than 17 years, and most of the TOP participants live in the Chicago Housing Authority 's ABLA Homes. These children were given the same eight-week program as the other group, and both groups met for one day at a junior/adult day clinic program so that the parents could learn tennis as well.

Other highlights of the program included

a trip to the 1991 Lexus Pro Tennis Classic to hear Bryan Shelton discuss his tennis career and the benefits of education and athletics; and the acquisition of two major sponsors American Airlines and Quaker Oats Company.

The program has expanded beyond Chicago, to Detroit, Phoeni x and Richmond , Va. In 1993, TOP expects to start programs in Los Angeles and the Cleveland/Akron, Ohio area.

Local tennis groups assist NJTL Marcia Rodriguez was a recipient of the 1991 USTA National Community Service Award , and for good reason . Rodriguez is the athletic coordinator for the parks and recreation department of the city of Arlington, Texas. Her job includes creating recreation programs for juniors, but Rodriguez takes this one step further. Not only has she created a summer tennis program on the city's recreational slate, but she works to highlight the specific populations that may not benefit from standard programs.

Rodriguez has created a summer lesson program for wheelchair tennis players on the public courts and has created a National Junior Tennis League in east Arlington , whose residents historically have lower incomes. This league may not sound unusual , but what makes the program stand out is that the local tennis associations worked together to offer it free to all children. The Texas Tennis Association and the Arlington Tennis Association donated much needed money to pay for instructors and T-shirts for the players, the USTA donated NJTL water bottles and Prince Manufacturing donated tennis racquets for the 100 participating juniors.

Rodriguez says that the NJTL is part of an overall goal of the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department to give local children an opportunity to participate in different forms of recreation . The NJTL is only one part of a slew of activities that include free day camp and free swimming lessons.

What is truly impressive is that not only does Rodriguez organize these programs, but she teaches and supervises the daily activities with only one assistant. Rodriguez will continue to run other tennis programs in the Arlington area, including another NJTL, and plans to work with other cities to mirror the programs implemented in Arlington .

For more information on these programs, or to offer help, contact the professionals directly· Davis, (803) 736-8029 ; Workman , (708) 234-1647· and Rodriguez, (817) 459-5485. ~

© 1992 Pr~nce Manufactur~ ng , Inc

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Jl•

IIIU

Playing in the Zone:

USPTA league brings together players of all levels 1':e

USPTA Adult Tennis League began competition in several areas across the country in July. The Denver area league began with a big kickoff clinic for 250 registered players. The party gave players a chance to meet in a friendly atmosphere before the competition started.

The day-long activities divided the group based on NTRP levels into morning and afternoon sessions. The players participated in a variety of tennis tips and drills with proper execution of drills netting tickets to a raffle for prizes.

Court sessions included conditioning, doubles strategy and a fast serve competition.

Dave Romberg, host pro of the Denver area kickoff pa~y, said the clinic was a great success due to the participatiG.>n by squad members and the support of tennis manufacturers' local reps.

'We got help from manufacturers like Prince, Penn and Wilson, Romberg said.

'They would give out prizes and use a few courts to do drills.

One of the program.,s best benefits is the ability to add substitutes simply by mailing the player information . ..

The Denver area has 23 squads and nearly 1,000 players participating in a women's doubles league.

One of the program's best benefits is

The Denver-area league began the season with a kickoff party for the nearly 1,000 players.

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the ability to add substitutes simply by mailing the player information to the Area Director before the substitutes play a match Romberg said.

Steve MacDermut of Greensboro, N.C. said the USPTA Adult Tennis League will benefit the lower level players by providing a chance to hone their skills against other players of the same level.

'There has always been a big gap between the beginner on the court and the programming available, MacDermut said. 'We've left them out there on the courts by themselves and hoped they would get involved. This is the group you need to lead and actually introduce to programs without knocking their heads off in competition.

The league will provide unity among the lower and higher level players by encouraging them to support each other for the greater benefit of the squad, MacDermut said.

Patrick Paggeot of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Leagues prove profitable for clubs, pros

Fast serve competition is a great activity for kickoff parties.

said that clubs will benefit from the teams which represent therT) in competition .

It gives great exposure to the club, especially if your squad advances, Paggeot said It's also a good reflection on the pro.'

The flexibility of the league allows pros to schedule the league play during a slow court time at a facility. The San Jose, Calif area will run its league between Labor Day and Halloween, Area Director Mark Roberts said This is after USTAscheduled league p'iay and will give the players time off before the next league starts.

The team concept, which combines players of different skill levels, will promote the desire for improvement among the lower level players, Roberts said.

'When you combine the levels like this, the lower level players will be pulled nto instruction from both the pro and the higher level players, Roberts said .

Beverly Sullivan of Bridgeport, Conn said that what she finds most appealing about the league is the ability for friends of different playing abilities to still compete on the same squad . wanted to do something exactly like the USPTA league, where friends who play at different levels can be on the same squad , Sullivan said 'The people that 've worked with and been in touch with for years agree with me.

Paggeot and Roberts both agree that the public park pros will benefit greatly from the league. These pros now have the opportunity to form squads with people who are not members of a club and , therefore, have the ability to increase the tennis-playing population in their areas.

To host a squad for the USPTA Adult Tennis League, contact your Area Director, or call the National League Office at the USPTA World Headquarters, (713) 97-USPTA. The staff will direct you to your Area Director for more information on the league in your area. Register now before missing the benefits of the USPTA Adult <3 Tennis League.

Leagues always have been a great way to fill court time during slow periods for a tennis club. But what pros may not realize is that with a little creativity, these leagues also could prove to be a great market for lessons and for pro shop sales.

USPTA pro Todd Taylor of Houston has 16 teams participating in four separate leagues which are locally organized . Taylor coordinates team clinics to run in conjunction with the leagues. For a ree, Taylor works with the teams to improve strategies and other aspects of league play. Leagues are a mainstay of his facility and if there were none, he probably would not have a tennis club, he said Taylor said that most of his adult students in private lessons are members of league teams as well.

Pro shop traffic is another benefit of the leagues stressed by Steve MacDermut of Greensboro, S.C. Most of a club's members know what is in the pro shop, but league players from other clubs who visit a new facility are more interested in seeing what is

available in the pro shop that is not at their club, he said.

Dave Romberg has hosted the USPTA league for the past three years as a pilot study at his Denver-area facility. Every year, the program starts with a big kickoff party that generally produces the biggest selling day of the year for his pro shop.

The league provides another opportunity for club members to join in tennis activities, Romberg said .

'We are primarily a golf club, he said.

'The tennis league has brought us some golfers that could not play on the days our other leagues were held (because of golf activities).

League play not only encourages beginners to play more, but also encourages more lessons, said Beverly Sullivan , Area Director for Northeast Bridgeport, Conn .

Many of my students who are just beginning are hungry for competition, and leagues are a great option, Sullivan said . 'A player wants to get better. They get pumped up about it and take more lessons to improve.

Leagues may increase pro shop incomes due to racquet sales and stringi ng and sales to visiting team s.

USPTA JEWELRY COLLECTION NOTE: If stated that ring Is available for both men and women, the cost for the women's ring Is¡denoted In Italics. lA. USPTA Logo Watch This unisex quartz watch laser-cut on a black displays the USPTA logo exquisitely stone face. With genuine black "crocodite" leather band.

.-

$50.00

18. Ladies Opal Watch This beautiful quartz watch features a genuine opal face (no logo) and black leather band. $50.00 A great gift idea! Offer limited while supply lasts.

2A. Men's and Women's Member Ring* gold with green Ultracrest stone

lOk yellow $299.00-$249.00

28. Men's and Women's Player of the Year Ring*lOk yellow gold with red Ultracrest stone $299.00- $249.00 2C. Men's and Women's Professional of the Year Ring* -lOk yellow gold with blue Ultracrest stone $299.00-$249.00 2D. Men's and Women's Master Professional Ring*lOk yellow gold with black Ultracrest stone $299.00-$249.00 2E. Men's and Women's Coach of the Year Ring* lOk yellow gold with amber Ultracrest stone $299.00-$249.00 2F Men's and Women's Division President Ring*lOk yellow gold with purple Ultracrest stone $299.00-$249.00 2G. Men's Signet Ring*- Circular lOk yellow gold

$289.00

2H. Ladies Signet Ring*

$239.00

Circular lOk yellow gold

21. Men's Signet Ring*- Rectangular lOk yellow gold with Cubic Zirconia

$279.00

2J. Ladies Signet Ring* gold with Cubic Zirconia

$229.00

Rectangular lOk yellow

* All rings are custom-made and come with engraved initials and designated year (Allow 6 weeks for delivery.)

For order information call the Merchandise Department at (713) 97-USPTA or fax (713) 978-7780

Dates that rate

Specialty Courses Date Aug . 30 Oct. 17 Oct. 17 Oct. 18 Nov. 3 Nov. 7 Nov. 7-8 Nov. 14 Nov. 16

Course title Group Lessons Personal & Professional Development Sport Psychology Tennis Business Management 5 Keys to Tennis Group Lessons Skills Needed to Acquire Dream Jobs Quality Management Group Lessons

rf ennis Teachers., Exams., upgrades and Certification Training Courses Sept. 4-5 Sept. 5-6 Sept. 10-11 Sept. 12-13 Sept. 12-13 Sept. 13-14 Sept. 13-14 Sept. 13-14 Oct. 3-4 Oct. 3-4 *Oct. 8 Oct. 10-11 Oct. 17-18 Oct. 17-18 Oct. 23-24 *Oct. 25-26 Oct. 29-30 Nov. 1-2 Nov. 5-6 Nov. 7-8 * Nov. 8 Nov. a~ 9 * Nov. 12 Nov. 14-15 * Nov. 14-15 Nov. 15-16 Nov. 15-16 Nov. 20-21 Nov. 21-22 Nov. 22-23 * Nov. 22-23 Nov. 29-30 Dec. 3-4 Dec. 4-5 Dec. 4-5 * Dec. 4-5 Dec. 4-5 Dec. 5-6 Dec. 6-7 * Dec. 10 Dec. 12-13 Dec. 13-14

Minneapolis, Minn.

Ft. Myers, Fla. Newport, R.l Boca Raton , Fla. Chicago, Ill Mclean, Va. Murrieta, Calif Shingle Springs, Calif Ft. Washington , Pa. Goldsboro, N.C. Freeport, N Y Oahu , Hawaii Boca Raton, Fla. Detroit, Mich Bradenton , Fla. Austin , Texas Hot Springs, Ark. La Jolla, Calif Tampa, Fla. Nashville, Tenn .

Redlands, Calif Santa Maria, Calif Freeport, NY Milwaukee, Wis. Portland, Ore. Oklahoma City, Okla.

Los Gatos, Calif Myrtle Beach , S.C. Portland , Maine Mobile, Ala. Parker, Colo.

Atlanta, Ga. Lexington, Ky. Bloomington, Minn .

Gastonia, N.C. Kansas City, Kan .

Naples, Fla. Birmingham , Ala. New Braunfels, Texas Freeport, NY Jackson, Miss.

Palm Desert, Calif

*exam or upgrade only The above schedule of USPTA Certification Exams and courses is subject to charge. For more information, call the USPTA Membership Department at (713) 97-USPTA.

Courses

Program TIC II TIC II TTC II System 5 System 5 TIC II TIC II

Date Sept. 10-12 Oct. 18-19 Nov. 1-2 ov. 12-14 Dec. 6-7 Dec. 9-11 Dec. 11-13

Location Bedford , NY La Quinta, Cal if Richmond , Va. Richmond , Va. Nashville, Tenn .

Santa Maria, Calif Nashville, Tenn .

Farmington , Conn.

Los Gatos, Calif

-----------

Location Mclean, Va. Austin, Texas Houston, Texas Los Gatos, Calif.

Houston, Texas Tampa, Fla. Nashville, Tenn .

Hours 24 16 16 24 16 24 24

-------~----------~

Conventions Division National Southern

Date Sept. 19-27 Nov. 4-8

Location Tucson , Ariz.

Nashville, Tenn .

U SPTA Schools -------of Teaching

--------------------~--- --------~

Date Oct. 10-11 Dec. 6-7

School Business School School of Com .uters

Location Detroit, Mich.

Houston, Texas

Division meetings Date Sept. 3 Sept. 6 Sept. 11 Oct. 2 Oct. 11 Oct. 21 Oct. 24-25 Nov. 5 Nov. 14-15 Nov. 15-16 Nov. 20 Dec. 4-5 Dec. 10 Dec. 11

City Cincinnati Ohio Dayton , Ohio Grand Rapids, Mich .

Grand Rapids,. Mich Destin , Fla. Cincinnati , Ohio Chicago, Ill. Kettering, Ohio West Covina, Calif Kansas City, Mo. East Lansing , Mich Baltimore, Md. Cincinnati, Ohio Grand Rapids, Mich .

Division Midwest Midwest Midwest Midwest Florida Midwest Midwest Midwest California Missouri Valley Midwest Middle Atlantic Midwest Midwest

Cooperating agency conferences Date Sept. 3-5 Nov. 19-22 Dec. 12-17

Event USTA Tennis'Teachers Conference NTRP Training Workshop ITA Convention

City New York, N.Y. Dallas, Texas Wesley ChaJ:)el, Fla.

National Convention education dates Date Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

19-27 20 21 21 22 22 22 23 25 26 27 27

Event National Convention Specialty Course Specialty Course Special.ty Course Specialty Course Specialty Course USTA Level I Sport Science Exam Exam Exam Certification Training Course Exam Specialty Course

Description Strategy & Tactics Sports Physiology ncorporating System 5 into Lessons Competitive Doubles Patterns Nutrition Parts 1 and 2 Upgrade only, on-court portion Written portion only Half-day On-court portion only Tennis Business Management 25

[\\\ ,&& MAltH MATE'" 6U\JI'' AD IV O FCROWNMANUFACTURING

..__----------------.

Group Approach and Volley Drill THE DRILL

PURPOSE To recognize a short ball execute an approach shot, and maintain correct singles positioning at the net.

PREPARATION

Returned from zone

Shot1

Shot2

Shot3

Shot4

Shot 5

ShotS

3

2

1

3

2

1

Set machine in center of baseline. Set controls to Phase Challenge Challenge Challenge Challenge Challenge Challenge of play throw a ball at slightly more than player's rally Speed at a 3 height, with moderate topspin Set Segmented 1 1 3-5 1-1 1 1 1 1 3-5 swing nterval at about 3 seconds. Set "Shot Selection " knobs to throw a middle ball a forehand volley and Height 1 2 1 3 2 3 a backhand volley at a distance great enough to over net challenge the player

VARIATION

DRILL

Have players hit a backhand approach a forehand volley and a Player one hits forehand approach shot out of backhand volley Zone 3 to Target Area 1 then follows approach into This drill was submitted by Scott Pennington, Zone 2 and hits back hand volley crosscourt to USPTA Pro, Hilton Head Island, SC. Target Area 2, t hen follows that ball nto Zone 1 to hit sharp angle forehand volley crosscourt to Target Area 3. The sequence is repeated for the rest of the players.

T

= Target

Areas

6 = Player Locations

e = Shot Locations = Bal

Path

A System Five Ball Machine Drill

ZONE1

..

-

ZONE2

ZONE3

ZONE4

ZONES

For More Information Contact

CROWN MANUFACTURING 24807 Avenue Tibbetts, Valencia , CA 91355, (805) 257-7714 or Call Toll Free (1-800) 251-6716 USPTA PROS WILL BE PAID $100.00 FOR ANY DRILL SUBMITTED & PUBLISHED BY CROWN MFG.

• Topic: Municipal operations

•

True or false: Municipalities look for new, innovative concepts·and programs when accepting bids for running a public facility.

2. A municipal facility tennis professional also is expected to be: DA. salesperson DB. camp director DC. equipment advisor D D. all of the above

8. A justifiable reason for disciplining an employee is when an action violates: DA. the facility's stated policies and procedures DB. a supervisor's opinion of what should happen DC. the law D D. all of the above

9. True or false: Computers can make an already successful tennis program easier to administer, more time efficient and more cost-effective.

3. Solutions to problems at a municipal tennis facility must demonstrate: D A. good business sense DB. profitability DC. service to the community D D. none of the above

10. What should be determined first when purchasing a computer system , the hardware or software?

4. True or false: Employment contracts with ~ municipality can be negotiated.

11

5. The aim of the typical municipal facility is simply to provide activities that _ _ most of the people most of the time.

6. True or false: Management and tennis skills are equally important for a successful tennis manager.

True or false: The most important consideration for success at a municipal facility is staying within a budget.

12. The best long-term advertising medium is: DA. billboards DB. word of mouth DC. newsletters D D. fliers

7 The key to maintaining a productive rela-

•

tionship between a facility director and a teaching professional is for the facility director to define: D A. responsibilities D B. expectations D C. limits of authority D D. all of the above D E. A and B

13. True or false : People are more likely to donate to a tax-exempt organization.

14. When operating a municipal facility, it is important to know the recreation department's definition of

15. A good way to determine if a class is successful is: DA. positive evaluation by students DB. strong attendance records DC. students enroll for more classes D D. all of the above 16. True or false: A skills test is useful only to determine placement of students.

17

can do more to spark public interest in tennis than just about anything else.

D A. One-day clinics DB. National tournaments DC. Wimbledon D D. Celebrity appearances

18. True or false: The most important factor contributing to the success of a retail business is effective buying.

19. Fall merchandise is ordered in _ _ to arrive in ___ DA. April, July DB. February, June DC. May, August D D. March , September 20. The standard markup on tennis shoes is: DA. 35 percent DB. 40 percent DC. 45 percent D D. 50 percent Answers on page 31 27

Doubles net drill Purpose: To practice doubles net play Player A stands at the baseline, Player B stands at the net and the instructor stands on the opposite baseline. The instructor feeds the first ball to Player A, who hits a groundstroke and moves in behind it. The instructor feeds the next ball to the service line, where Player A volleys the ball. The third feed goes to Player B at the service line, who volleys and crosses to the deuce court to immediately hit the next feed at the net. Player A crosses behind Player B and hits the last feed as either a volley or overhead . The drill may be altered by the positioning of the instructor and/or the switching of the partners to the deuce or ad court.

\

\ \ \ \ \

Renee Leight Northbrook, Ill

CD \ A

Doubles volley recovery drill

â&#x20AC;˘.

Purpose: To practice controlled volleys while executing quick lateral footwork to cover the middle in a doubles situation.

Players A and Bare a doubles team set to hit two sets of two volleys each Set the ball machine to feed balls to both doubles alleys and up the middle. The ball machine feeds the first ball to Player A in the doubles alley. Player A uses a forehand volley to hit the ball crosscourt and quickly moves to cover the middle where the ball machine feeds a ball to be put away up the middle with a backhand volley.

The ball machine feeds the third ball to Player B in the doubles alley. Player B uses a backhand volley to hit the ball crosscourt and quickly moves to cover the middle, where the ball machine feeds a ball to be put away up the middle with a forehand volley. The sequence continues once more for Players A and B and then the next team volleys.

Options include increasing interval speed for faster reflexes and recovery, a contest for a continuous number of shots hit past the service line, varying shot placement and rotating players continuously.

Scott Pennington Hilton Head Island , S.C.

Wait and go drill Purpose: To improve court awareness, shot selection and reaction time.

Player A stands just behind the service line and Player B stands on the opposite baseline. Player B feeds a ball to Player A so that the ball may be put away after one bounce.

Player A should wait to hit the ball until Player B moves to one side. Player B should wait as long as possible to anticipate Player A's putaway shot, then move. Remind Player A to be patient a,nd wait to put away the ball until after the opponent commits to one side; remind Player B to not commit too soon , which would leave th~ court open for an easy putaway shot.

A ~-------J'\

t

I I \

I I \

Kim Dillard Greensboro, N.C.

Player movement Ball .movement

I

j

I

I

I

I

/

I

I

I

I

I

I

\

\

\

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â&#x20AC;˘ ------- B - - - - - or

Correction On page 27 of the April1992 edition of ADDvantage, we published a drill submitted to us by Jim Annesi Neil Johnson and his lawyer objected to the drill on the grounds that the term Power Line' allegedly conflicted with Mr. Johnson's registered service mark 'POWERLINE. They also maintained that Mr. Annesi 's drill entitled " Serve, Depth and Penetration Game' conflicted with Mr. Johnson's registered service mark entitled 'SERVE, STROKE & VOLLEY' Mr. Johnson was concerned that these alleged conflicts would confuse the public as to the 'source and origin of services that they provide, suggesting untruly that the services emanate in some way or are sponsored by Mr. Johnson and TNT Tennis.

We apologize to Mr. Johnson and we assure him that USPTA, in its publication of the drill did so in complete good faith and without knowledge of his claim.

\

'

INDUSTRY ACTION US PTA • USPTA and the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy have teamed up to send two deserving students to a NBTA camp free this summer. The two juniors, Jesse Melton, Los

Angeles, and Kendra Segura, Stevenson Ranch Calif both 12, were selected from among the top-ranked jun1ors of the American Tennis Association.

• Harry Gilbert has been named the Florida Division Professional of the Year.

Gilbert is the director of tennis at Club de

Harry Gilbert receives the Florida Pro of the Year award from USPTA board member Will Hoag.

BonMont-Piantation Bay in Ormond Beach Fla. the Florida Division president, is ranked nat1onally No. 5 in men's 35 singles by the USPTA and is a member of the Spalding and Reebok national teaching professionals programs.

• Joe Boyd has joined the ndian Creek Racquet Club in Overland Park, Kan . as a member of its teaching staff Boyd was named the ntermountain Division Pro of the Year in 1987 • Harold Edward (Eddie) Luck is the new head tennis professional/head tennis coach

Joe Boyd

STROKE MASTER '.~For

all your Tennis Equipment Needs''

Windscreen With Logos Eddie Luck

Quick Delivery • Quality Products • Professional Service 214/475-0888

•

P.O. Box 822870 • Dallas, TX 75382-2870 (WATS) 800/441-0061 • (FAX) 214/475-0889

(after 1 ring dial 11) Kevin Black

30

for Ferris State University. Luck, a USPTA pro, was the women's assistant tennis coach for the University of South Carolina.

• USPTA pro Suresh Ramamurthi is the director of tennis activities for the ndian Falls Swim & Tennis Club in Wayne, Pa. • Kevin Black is the director of tennis at the Doral Telluride Resort in Telluride, Colo.

A US PTA pro, Black taught previously at the Royal Lahaina Tennis Ranch in Hawaii.

• USPTA professional Pam Dodman of Harper's Point Racquet Club in Cincinnati will coach and chaperone ranked junior players with the Tennis: Europe program . Dodman's group will compete in France, Germany and Holland.

Associations • The American Tennis Association will host its 76th National Championships on Aug . 9-15 in Boston. Before racial barriers were broken , winning the ATA singles title was the only way minorities could receive a wild card entry to the qualifying rounds of the U.S. Open. Past champions of the ATA title include Zina Garrison , Lori McNeil , Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson. The ATA is recognized for promoting the black family and providing positive role models for youths. For more information , contact the ATA at (619) 224-5746.

• The Racquets-for-Kids program of the • American Tennis Industry Federation received more than 800 tennis racquets, as well as miscellaneous materials and other sports frames, from Wilson Sporting Goods. Also, Sandy Kelman of Bluffington , S.C. cleared out old inventory and donated more than 400 racquets to the program .

Manufacturers • Wilso n Racquet Sports' tennis ball has been named the official ball of the 1992 Olympics. The specially made ball will be available for sale in 14 countries, but not the United States.

• Sharlene Sones is the national promotions manager, professional racquet sports,

Wilson is the official tennis ball of the 1992 Olympics.

Spalding Sports Worldwide. Sones will be responsible for developing grassroots promotions for tennis and racquetball , as well as promoting Spalding-sponsored players.

• David Witt has signed a multiyear racquet contract with Dunlop/Siazenger Corporation. Witt, 19, will play with the Dunlop Revelation.

Professional • Shuzo Matsouka is the first Japanese player to ever rank in the top 50 of the ATP His No. 48 ranking was earned after a finals showing at the Stella Artois Tennis Championships.

Miscellany • High Tech. Tennis by Jack Groppel , Ph .D. has been updated and includes two new chapters. This second edition may be ordered through the Loehr-Groppei/Saddlebrook Sport Science offices by calling (813) 973-8022.

• The New Tennis Magazine Show will air every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. (all time zones) on SportsChannel America; and 6:30 p.m. Eastern time, on Home Team Sports.

The show will repeat at 10:30 p.m. Saturdays on SportsChannel America.

• The 1992 USTA Men's 40 National Clay Court Championships will be held Sept.

28-0ct. 4 at the Landings Club on Skidway Island, Savannah , Ga. • USA Network has produced a home video, An Open for All Ages, with highlights of the 1991 U.S. Open. The video features Jimmy Connors' run for the title, as well as highlights of Jennifer Capriati 's upset of Gabriela Sabatini , Monica Seles' win over Martina Navratilova, Edberg 's victories in the semifinals and finals of the men's singles competition , and more. The videotape may be purchased by calling 800-428-9921 or by writing USA Network, PO. Box 2283, South Burlington , Vt. 05407

Answers to Quiz on page 27 1 False 2. D 3. c 4. True 5 . Satisfy 6. False 7 D 8. A 9. False 10. Hardware 11 False 12. B 13. True 14. Success 15. c 16. False 17 A 18. True 19. B 20. B Source: The USPTA Guide to Municipal Operations

Pam Shriver, 1991 U.S. Open Doubles champion, uses PowerBars to raise and sustain her energy.

Fuel for Optimum Tennis "PowerBars are healthful, nutritious snacks that taste good, have almost no fat and give me a sustained energy lift."

"I always have a couple in my tennis bag. I even eat them instead of airline food when I'm traveling."

-Pam Shriver At tennis and health food stores.

For your nearest dealer, call 800-444-5154

$1.69 each $35/box of 24 Protein: 10 g.

Fat: less than 2 g.

Carbohydrate: 40 g.

In Malt-Nut, Chocolate and Wild Berry flavors C1992 Powerfoocflnc.

31

The 5 Keys to Tennis book and videotape me produced for tennis players and tennis teachers - a common language approach that simplifies and greatly enhances the learning process . within your own style... It will allow you to learn easier, improve foster, and ploy better, as well as be a more effective teacher. Unlike the . how . focus of traditional teaching methods, the 5 Keys to Tennis presents the . what, ....when,....where, .. and ..why" of the game. If you get only one book or videotape on tennis, this is the one you wont.

The 5 Keys to Tennis manual offers .. how to .. instruction for the tennis teacher and facilitates the integration of the 5 Keys to Tennis into any instructional program in on easy-to-use format.

Court package consists of four hose clamps, four . A.. braces, two indicator poles, two pole sleeves, one rope, one bungee cord, 16 zone cones and 16 Iorge cones.

b<:::Âťc:>k, vicJC3c:>tapC3, m a n u a l ancJ cc:>urt package3 Retail price

Item

Discount

Discount Qty. Price

The 5 Keys to Tennis book and manual

$29.95

15%

$25.45

The 5 Keys to Tennis videotape (VHS)

$39.95

15%

$33.95

The 5 Keys to Tennis videotape (PAL) *PAL is for International videotape units

$49.95

15%

$42.45

For quantity discounts call (713) 97-USPTA SEND ORDER TO:

USPTA Gift Shoppe, One USPTA Centre, 3535 Briarpark Dr., Houston, TX 77042 TEL (713) 97-USPTA â&#x20AC;˘ FAX (713) 978-7780

PAYMENT METHOD:

D

VISA

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MASTERCARD

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Name as it appears on credit card

The 5 Keys to Tennis book and manual set AND videotape (VHS)

$69.90

The 5 Keys to Tennis book and manual set AND videotape (PAL)

$79.90

System 5 Court Package

Amount

25%

$52.40 Exp. date

Credit card #

$180.00

25%

$59.90

33% $120.00

Signature SHIPPING ADDRESS (No P.O. boxes, please):

Subtotal Houston (MTA) residents add 8.25% tax other Texas residents add 7.25% tax Shipping and handling (book, video tape or manual) Shipping and handling (court p ackage)

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State

Zip

Total order Phone (area code)

Shipping and handling charges Books, tapes & manuals Court package $ 4.95 $ 10.95 Continental U.S., add Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Canada, add $10.95 $42.50 FOR INTERNATIONAL ORDERS, PLEASE ADD 40% OF TOTAL PURCHASE.

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© 1992 Pe nn Racq ue t Sports

Recently, our competitors ran an ad

it for various lengths of time as a

ball has consistent dwell time, stiffness

touting some dubious claims of superi

way of calling out the characteristics of

and pliability.

ority. We say dubious partly because a

a felt ) Durability is important. And

4.) BOUNCE All three balls in every

ball's felt isn't the final measure of a

both our Pro Penn®and Championship

can have consistent bounce character-

ball 's playability. And partly because

balls are required to last 90 minutes in

istics ~

tennis is not played inside an " abrasion

the box But It is only through actual

as well as play-testing to ensure each

box ;' but on courts, and by people, not

play, or play-testing as we call it , that

Penn tennis ball has a dependable,

rotating paddles. Their ad asked you to

one can obtain a true measure of how

uniform bounce.

believe that their extra ten minutes in

a ball will wear

5.) SEAM Cracks, crooked seams, over-

an abrasion box makes for a better

2 ) CONSISTENCY Our competi

extended seams with too much rubber

tor 's ad , interestingly, makes no prom

aren't just cosmetic problems , they affect

elusion that

ises about consistency arguably

the playability of a ball. So we monitor

we differ

an important part of a ball 's overall

our seams as well as play-test them

with whole

performance rating. At Penn , we do

under actual court conditions .

make promises All our balls are

We believe the true measure of a ball

Balls have

tested for consistent size in the lab,

isn't just durability. Like tennis, it's more

at least five

and then play-tested for consistency

complex. Durability is important. Con

ill abrasio;~~~·;~~~~~:~:;-:~·c:::~;' they have character is

on the court

sistency is important. So are a ball's

tics that can affect how they play. Five

3.) FEEL How a ball feels against

bounce, feel , and seam . And they ' re

characteristics that make up a ball 's

your racquet and up through your arm

all characteristics you II find engi

Actual Court Performance (A.C.P'" ) .

at impact , as well as its " dwell time "

And it is by these measures that you

(the split second the ball spends

should choose a ball.

in contact with the racquet strings)

1.) DURABLE We should know about

these are all important characteristics

a brasion boxes Penn invented them

of a ball 's ove rall feel. Longer dwell

Penn tennis

back in 1955 to test the consistencie

time gives a player more control of

We think you II

of different kinds of felt (Basically,

the ball's spin , and more control of its

agree that at least

it's a box lined with sandpaper or a

speed and direction Penn balls are

one of the claims in our competitor's ad

hard rubber. A ball is batted about in

play-tested to ensure each and every

was true. "Not aU balls are created equal."

LII·I·U II heartedly

Again , we use both lab tests

Penn balls have to last 90 minwes

balls-Piftftft C ......

*Mee ts USTA spec ifi catio ns.

Yo u·ve seen one.

Yo u·ve see n th e m all.

For more in(orm ation. caii\ -S(X)- BUY-PENN.

BULK RATE U.S POSTAGE

PAID Tennis Professionals

UNITED STATES PROFESSIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION, INC. World Headquarters One USPTA Centre

3535 Briarpark Drive Houston, TX 77042

Permit No . 3887 Tampa . FL