53 Tennis Thanks the Troops by Mandy Johnson, ThanksUSA
Tennis Across America Celebrates 25 Years
Host a USPTA/Prince Tennis Clinic to grow the game Page 50 Departments 47 CEO’s Message 49 Vice President’s Message 50 Growing Your Business
ADDvantage magazine editorial offices USPTA World Headquarters 3535 Briarpark Drive, Suite One Houston, TX 77042 Phone – 713-978-7782 800-USPTA-4U Fax – 713-358-7794 email – magazine@uspta.org
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53 Beyond the Court 57 Career Development 59 Member news Managing editor Circulation
Kimberly Forrester Kathy Buchanan
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Central time ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.
54 Professional Tennis Management: A Gateway to the Tennis Industry by Dan Beedle, USPTA
Online:
www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com Developing athletic skills through Cardio Tennis by Vivian Raj Chhetri 10 ways to move 10 and Under players into competition by Jorge Capestany, USPTA Master Professional Preventing shoulder injuries through proper warm up by Andrew Busch and Guy Parks, USPTA Master Professional
The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the USPTA. Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2014. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from USPTA.
March 2014
ADDvantage 45
See more pics at
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CEO’s Message
“Good on ya, Mates!”
by John Embree
H
aving returned a little more than one month ago from hosting our inaugural USPTA trip to the Australian Open where a total of 34 USPTA members and their guests attended, I wanted to share my perspective on this wonderful adventure. Being that it was our maiden voyage, I was uncertain what to expect. How would the group dynamics be? Did we offer the right balance between tennis and sightseeing? How would the interaction be with Tennis Australia and their coaches at the Coaches Conference prior to the start of the tournament? Would the value of the overall experience exceed the expectations of the group? On all accounts, I believe we succeeded in delivering a terrific benefit to those who participated. Despite the blistering heat that set a record for four straight days of temperatures that exceeded 110 degrees F, our gang was resilient and unwavering in their interest in seeing as much tennis as possible no matter how uncomfortable it was. Despite the inconvenience of losing the air-conditioning on our tour bus one day during our visit along the Great Ocean Road, along with the hotel unable to cool the sleeping rooms as much as we would have liked because of the extreme conditions, we all managed to cope with those minor inconveniences and make the most out of an unusual, historic occurrence. Our arrival into Melbourne was Thursday morning, Jan. 9. Most of us took to the tennis courts at the National Tennis Centre to fight the jet lag before attending the opening reception for the International Coaches Conference. More than 300 coaches
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were in attendance, including the 25 in the Yarra Valley over the next five or so that were a part of our team. We days. We topped off our 12-day advenwere warmly welcomed by Tennis Aus- ture with a closing dinner Friday night tralia and enjoyed the many seminars where stories abounded and toasts were offered, including a Q&A with Judy rampant. Some of the pleasant, uninMurray (Andy Murray’s mother and tended consequences of our journey British Fed Cup Coach), two sessions together were the friendships created with Tony Nadal and a myriad of other and bonding that took place with pros fantastic speakers. It was terrific to and people who knew nothing about see USPTA members Doug Eng from each other before meeting for the first New England and Jorge Capestany time at Los Angeles International airfrom Holland, Mich., on the speakers port upon our departure on Tuesday, list along with Lane Evans from North Jan. 7. I believe lifelong associations Carolina who was a member of our enwere established because of what we tourage. Besides the various seminars shared together. The emails and picthat we attended that tures among the first weekend, we baked I look forward to putting a group have been flyin a tour to Phillips Is- similar trip together in future ing since our return land on Saturday, which years, both to the Australian home. Please check was highlighted by see- Open and maybe even the out the montage of ing koalas in their natu- French Open. Stay tuned for photos that highlight ral environment and the announcements about what we our various activifamous penguin walk at might organize down the road. ties on the previous dusk as they returned to page. their boroughs after a day of sea hunt A huge shout out goes to Chadwick ing for their families. Fascinating! Bryd, owner of Tennis Ventures, who A highlight of that first weekend orchestrated the entire itinerary from was the banquet held at the famous soup to nuts. I honestly can say that Kooyong Tennis Club, which put a there isn’t anything that I or the group ribbon on the conference. Our profeswould have done differently. I think sionals had the opportunity to play on we now have a formula for future trips the gorgeous grass prior to a beautiful that works. I look forward to putting reception on the second floor balcony a similar trip together in future years, overlooking the grass courts and dinboth to the Australian Open and maybe ner where the food was outstanding. even the French Open. Stay tuned for We won’t forget the comedian who per- announcements about what we might formed for the crowd, even though we organize down the road. You don’t had trouble understanding most of the want to miss the next one. jokes. We laughed hysterically anyway. For those who were on the trip, Three day sessions of tennis and one thanks to each of you for making the night session ensued along with a visit commitment to come and for all that to the scenic 12 Apostles at the end of you do to support our terrific assothe Great Ocean Road and a visit to enciation. Until our paths cross again … joy some of Australia’s finest vineyards “good on ya, mates!” It was a blast. h
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ADDvantage 47
h t t p : / / u s pta. fr omuthtennis. com
The official distributor of Nike footwear and apparel to the USPTA.
Vice President’s Message
You Make the Difference at the Division Level
by Gary Trost
M
any years ago, my division sent out scouts to observe other division conventions, their schedules, speakers and events and report back to try to make our convention better. I envied them. The enthusiasm and knowledge that they returned with and reported on was contagious. The national board members each travel and observe different divisions and I assure you it is the highlight of my serving on the board. The education that the divisions provide is world class and you will see many of the speakers at the World Conference as well. I am always exMake the difference at your division cited to see local talent on the speaker board level. list, new ideas, new topics and new While serving as a junior member of talent. Now this is where you come in: my division board many years ago, our volunteer to present at your convenpresident challenged us to do just one tion; ask if you can introduce a speakthing extra during that year: er; or join in a drill-sharing seminar. l Host a test at your Share your knowledge Our governance at the club to get local coaches with your peers and division level is one of to take the test without make a difference at the most important parts going out of town. They your convention. would feel more com Every division will of our association and is fortable taking the test tell you that they need our true strength. at your club and you committee members, could invite new people to test. board members and “helpers.” Our governance at the division level is one l Host a workshop – this would reach of the most important parts of our more professionals, gain valuable association and is our true strength. education credits for your staff and Be prepared to step up, volunteer, let help you network. It could be as your voice be heard as a committee simple as a drill-sharing seminar member or try for a division board and local speakers. These were very position. The knowledge and experipopular this year in the Missouri ence that we observe in division board Valley after our division convention meetings is impressive, but new fresh was snowed out. ideas are always needed and welcome.
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l
Put a bid in to host the division convention – your general manager would love to see the effort in trying to bring in more business and the esteem it would bring to your club.
l
Lessons for Life™, Tennis Across America™, Adult Tennis League and Junior Circuit™ are all ready to be run at your club and your members will reap the rewards of you setting up these great programs.
Participation is key; you can make the difference by just signing up and filling the seats at your convention. Be there to support the local workshops and volunteer to coach at your neighbors’ events. Our strength is in our networking, communication and individualism. Reach out to your local board and make the first step. You will find that it’s not that hard, they will welcome your call, and that the benefits and rewards are there for you and your staff. h
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Growing your Business
Tennis Across America Celebrates 25 Years
Host a USPTA/Prince Tennis Clinic to grow the game
S
ince 1990, USPTA and its members have made an invaluable impact on the community by growing the sport of tennis through Tennis Across America™. Thousands of people have had the chance to pick up a racquet and fall in love with the game thanks to the efforts of USPTA Professionals who have donated their time throughout the years. 2014 marks the 25th annual Tennis Across America, USPTA’s free lesson program designed to introduce the game of tennis to children and adults who have never experienced it. This year, USPTA is teaming up with Prince to host USPTA/Prince Tennis Clinics as part of Tennis Across America and calling USPTA Pros from all over the country to participate. Hosting one of these clinics gives USPTA Pros a chance to not only give back to their communities, but also an opportunity to grow their business. USPTA/Prince Tennis Clinics Prince will provide racquets and equipment for USPTA Pros who host USPTA/Prince Tennis Clinics. This is a great opportunity to allow people to try out their products, especially if the event targets former tennis players
who haven’t hit the courts in a while. USPTA Vice President Alan Cutler The goal is to have 50 USPTA/Prince has hosted TAA events since the proTennis Clinics with at least 40 people gram’s inception, running between five in attendance at each event. These will to 15 events annually to help fill his be held between April 1 and May 31. programs with positive results. Those interested in host“In the curing a clinic should contact Hosting one of these rent economy, we clinics gives USPTA Pros their Prince Brand Manare competing for ager (uspta.com/benefits people’s disposable a chance to not only give > Prince > Prince Brand back to their communities, income and time Managers). The deadline but also an opportunity to with so many other to sign up to host a clinic is grow their business. things,” Cutler Feb. 28. said. “Tennis needs to find a way to stand out and we all Build your tennis business understand that in the short run you Because May is the kickoff month and possibly your staff are losing a few for Tennis Across America, USPTA hours of paid teaching time, but in the members can jump-start their sumlong run you will build a new and hopemer tennis programs by hosting a fully larger student base. free clinic. They can piggyback local “Tennis Across America is a marpromotion of their own programs and keting tool to give the participants a businesses on the national publicity taste and a feel of what your upcoming campaign administered by the World events and programs will be like and to Headquarters. Holding a clinic can answer any questions they may have. result in financial benefits for both So the question is not can I afford to do the pro and the facility. Here are a few this, but can I afford not to do this?” event ideas to consider: • Adult clinic Increase tennis participation • Cardio Tennis event To meet the objective of increasing • Junior clinic grassroots tennis participation, events • Member-guest event should target people who would not • 10 and Under Tennis normally have an opportunity to play. Free clinics are not restricted to new players but may also be open to former players. The multicultural segment of the program targets various communities and potential players who have special needs and may not otherwise have the opportunity to play, such as senior citizens, inner-city and minority children, disabled children and adults, and many more. Our goal in this area is to have a minimum of one free clinic in every state and hopefully more.
TAA is designed to introduce the game of tennis to children and adults who have never experienced it.
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Promotions The USPTA World Headquarters will promote Tennis Across America nationwide, but USPTA members should also promote their event locally. A program guide that contains promo-
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tional tips, sample lesson plan, press releases and more is available at uspta.com/programs > Tennis Across America.
year since 1995 called Tennis Across Montgomery – Serving an Ace Against Child Abuse and Domestic Violence. This is a public event Register held at Huntingdon College As in previous years, Tennis in Montgomery, Ala., where Across America events can be he is the director of tennis. held at any time of the year as The program was created long as the event is registered to offer tennis lessons to before the June 1 deadline. children without an opporMembers can register their tunity to play the game and events at uspta.com/programs to raise money for the Family > Tennis Across America. While Sunshine Center. About 100 supplies last, USPTA members children attend the event evJohn McWilliams, front right, with the staff of Tennis Across Montgomery in 2012. who register an event will be givery year to participate in the en a free Tennis Across America viduals for hosting the most creative, free tennis clinic. Last year banner (plus $10 for shipping and hanoriginal or unique free tennis event to the event raised $31,000 for the Famdling). get people to play tennis. To qualify ily Sunshine Center. His message is for this award, all events listed must “Let’s keep kids on the courts and not Recognition be free to all participants and must be in the courts.” USPTA’s Tennis Across registered with USPTA. More infor In addition to the individual award, America™Award recognizes those mation about applying for this award USPTA divisions are recognized for USPTA-certified members who have will be announced in the coming hosting the greatest number of Tennis done the most to get people to play months. Across America events, both by number tennis. While the award does look at Last year’s Tennis Across America and percentage. All events must be regindividuals who have held the most award winner was USPTA Profesistered with USPTA to be counted. Go free clinics with the greatest number sional John McWilliams, who has run to uspta.com/programs >Tennis Across of participants, it also recognizes indi- a Tennis Across America event every America to register your event. h
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Beyond the Court
Tennis Thanks the Troops By Mandy Johnson, ThanksUSA
M
emorial Day Weekend marks the start of summer and this year we want it to mark the start of a nationwide movement from the tennis community to say thanks to the brave men and women of our U.S. military and their families. Tennis Thanks the Troops is a national fundraiser between the USPTA and ThanksUSA that encourages tennis players and enthusiasts to thank the troops by raising funds for the ThanksUSA Scholarship Program. The campaign is about turning the love of tennis into a college education for our military families. Tennis pros or enthusiasts can support Tennis Thanks the Troops by hosting a tennis tournament, organizing a round robin, adding small fees to lessons or already existing events, putting out a donation jar, or any other fundraising idea or event that best suits the supporter(s). Tennis Thanks the Troops has awarded 16 scholarships. This includes the scholarship awarded to Army spouse Clemencia Niles, who is able to continue her degree in Art Education Studies because of the fundraising efforts of Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, Ga. “Fortunately for me and many others, Berkeley Hills Country Club and ThanksUSA recognize not just the soldiers’ efforts, but also the family members’ endeavors to succeed,” Niles said. “Thank you very much for this thoughtful scholarship. I consider myself fortunate to be able to continue my education.” USPTA Member Todd Assini is the director of tennis at Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, Ga. His club raised $3,700 for Tennis Thanks the Troops in 2013.
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Berkeley Hills Country Club Scholarship Recipient, Clemencia Niles, and her family.
As participants in Tennis Thanks the Troops, Berkeley Hills Country Club hosted tennis mixers and a silent auction to raise money for the campaign. Their efforts not only awarded Niles a scholarship in Berkeley Hills’ name, but they also won the top fundraising prize in 2013, which allowed them to send two club members to the 2013 US Open in New York City! “Being a member for over 20 years at the P-1 level, I was happy to support the troops through the USPTA. Berkeley Hills Tennis values the importance of education and also understands the sacrifices the men and women of the United States Armed Forces are
making. Supporting Tennis Thanks the Troops is the least we can do,” ssini, director of tennis at said Todd A Berkeley Hills Country Club. If you are interested in joining the mission to thank the men and women of our U.S. military by providing their spouses and children with college scholarships, then please become a Tennis Thanks the Troops registered facility. Go to ThanksUSA.org to register your club, or contact the Tennis Thanks the Troops Coordinator at TTTT@ThanksUSA.org or 703-641-2407. Let’s show our military how Tennis Thanks the Troops. h
ThanksUSA is a 501(c)(3) that provides college, technical and vocational school needbased scholarships for the children and spouses of U.S. military personnel. Since 2006, more than 3,000 scholarships have been awarded by ThanksUSA totaling $9.2 million.
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Beyond the Court
Professional Tennis Management: A Gateway to the Tennis Industry By Dan Beedle, USPTA
I
magine growing up in a small town in northwest Indiana, a town with two public tennis courts and an hour from the nearest “tennis facility.” Now imagine not picking up a racquet until the first day of tennis practice your freshman year of high school and never taking a lesson. Most would agree that coming from this environment is going to make it difficult to become a good tennis player, let alone a teaching professional. How does someone from this environment end up as the head pro at one of the busiest tennis facilities in Louisiana just eight months after college graduation? The Professional Tennis Management (PTM) program at Ferris State University is the answer. I was very fortunate to have a great high school coach who made practices productive and fun. I knew after high school I wanted to do something with tennis, whether it was having a “regular” job and coaching a high school team or being an athletic trainer and being
Beedle with one of his 10 and Under students.
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tied into tennis with that. Tennis was was in North Carolina, but I never lived and is my passion. I knew I wanted to more than two hours from home so l keep going with tennis. I played two didn’t want to live that far away. There years at a small college (NCAA DIII) was another one in Texas and like North in Indiana. When I say that tennis is Carolina, I felt it was too far away. Then my passion I mean it. If I wasn’t stringthere was Ferris State University in Big ing or watching the Tennis Channel, Rapids, Mich. With Michigan being I was looking for someone to hit with. directly north of me, I felt it could work. There was a running On spring break of After attending Ferris joke on the team: if it my sophomore year was raining or snowing State I have an immense of college, my parents outside, the guys would knowledge of how to be a and I took a trip to ask if I wanted to hit. If successful player as well as visit Ferris State. I saw them in class, they how to teach players. On my visit I would ask if I wanted to took the tour of the hit. Tennis consumed most of my focus campus and learned about the college besides homework. Despite playing of business and the activities offered in college, I knew that it would be difon campus. My previous college had a ficult getting a teaching pro job without student population of about 1,200 in a playing at the Division I level. Then I small town with very little in the form remembered in high school getting a of entertainment. Ferris State had a pamphlet about the Ferris State tennis student population of nearly 13,000 and camps and some brief info on the PTM had many activities on campus. Then I program. I decided to do some research. met with Derek Ameel, the new direcI found out about three programs. One tor of the PTM program, and Collin Cadwell, the administrative assistant. They told me about Ferris being the first four-year and largest PTM program and about the courses that are part of the program. Most importantly, they talked about the internships and 100 percent job placement after graduation. In this economy there are many people that are not working in their fields of study so it was extremely important that I find a good job that I enjoy. The program has a very good progression of classes that educate on everything from on-court teaching to running a pro shop and the managerial side of things. The program is part of the College of Business with a concentration in marketing or resort management. Apart from the classroom learning, there are many workshops that expand the learning even more. Many of the industry’s top professionals come to Ferris to present. Just while I
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Beedle with Rick Macci.
was there (2010-2012), I was able to see Jorge Capestany, Ajay Pant and Todd Martin, just to name a few. There were also stringing workshops and clay court maintenance workshops. The ability to attend the USPTA Midwest Division conferences and network was yet another benefit to the PTM program. Networking with teaching pros from the Midwest gave me a group of professionals I could talk to if I had questions about teaching or programming or any other aspect of the industry. One thing I have found true about the industry is that there is something you can learn from everyone. I was able to attend three Midwest conferences and have pages upon pages of notes. I was able to help with presentations at each one, which allowed me to make even more contacts. I am a young pro and have a lot to learn, but I truly believe that I have a head start on most pros that were just good college players. Ferris allowed me to get hands-on experience teaching at the Racquet and Fitness Center. The best part of this hands-on experience is that you can talk to the head pro or assistant pro about how to fix certain problems that players are having. There
is an incredible amount of resources at your disposal. Not only do you have the amazing staff but also there is the resource library, which is full of books, videos and articles about tennis. Ferris State does not teach you everything about tennis, but it points you in the right direction. I spent many nights reading articles or watching stroke analysis videos, and of course pro matches, and continue to do so to this day. This unique program gives you the tools to become a better instructor as well as a better player. With four indoor courts you are able to play pretty much anytime during the day and on weekends. There are 10 outdoor hard courts and two Har-Tru clay courts as well. The player development clinics are designed to improve on-court tactics and strategy. I did not understand how to properly play the game until I went through the program. I did not know about directionals, the offense/neutral/defense areas of the court or how to adjust to my opponent’s style of play. After attending Ferris State, I have an immense knowledge of how to be a successful player as well as how to teach players. The friendships I made at Ferris were great. In fact, one of my best
friends went with me on a 2,800-mile road trip for three job interviews. Starting in Indiana we went over to Ohio, down to Georgia, west to Louisiana and back to Indiana. With the PTM program it is easy to get along because everyone shares similar interests. The PTM Alumni are great as well. They are very willing to help out in any way that they can. I was fortunate to attend the 2013 USPTA World Conference in Orlando, Fla., in September and in every presentation I met someone that was a Ferris PTM grad or employs a Ferris grad. Our network of alumni is second to none. If you are considering a career in tennis, then the Professional Tennis Management program at Ferris State is the way to go. It is truly a gateway to the tennis industry. h Dan Beedle is a 2012 graduate of the Professional Tennis Management program at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. Before going to Ferris, he played two years of varsity tennis (NCAA DIII) at Manchester College (now Manchester University) in North Manchester, Ind. Beedle was the 2013 USTA Louisiana - Tennis Professional of the Year and the 2013 USTA Southern Tennis Professional of the Year.
Begun in 1986, the Professional Tennis Management program has been the leader in training and educating students seeking outstanding careers in the tennis industry. The four-year program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in business, with a choice of a marketing or resort management concentration. Visit http://www.ferris.edu/business/programs/tennis-management for more information.
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Career Development Exams, Upgrades & PTCA I
Conventions (Division conventions, 5 credits; World Conference 8 credits; dates subject to change) March 1-3 March 2 March 8-9
Midwest Division San Diego Division Intermountain Division
Columbus, Ohio La Jolla, Calif. Denver
(4 credits for PTCA I segment) March 1-2 Paradise Valley, Ariz. Birmingham, Ala. March 9 Clearwater, Fla. March 9 March 13 Minneapolis Rochester, N.Y. March 14 Oklahoma City March 15 March 15-16 Huntington Beach, Calif. Boca Raton, Fla. March 15-16 March 21-22 Houston* April 6 Richmond, Va. * This course is held at the USPTA World Headquarters. Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an exam, upgrade and PTCA I unless noted. Exam cancellations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly. Applicant: late cancellation fee – $95; failure to cancel – application fee is forfeited. Certified members: late cancellation fee – $25; failure to cancel – $25 plus the upgrade fee is forfeited. Registration for another exam will not be accepted until cancellation fees are paid.
TAUT workshop March 1
Specialty courses Midwest Division Columbus, Ohio
March 1
Management: a learned skill Columbus, Ohio; A. Pant
Cardio Tennis March 2 CT March 3 TRX CT March 9 CT March 10 TRX CT March 22 CT April 17 CT April 19 CT April 27 CT May 5 CT
San Francisco San Francisco Honolulu Palm Desert, Calif. Wexford, Pa. Darien, Conn. Birmingham, Ala. Cleveland Philadelphia
May 16 May 17 May 17 May 18 May 18 June 14 Oct. 9 Nov. 8 Nov. 9
CT TRX CT CT TRX CT TRX CT CT CT CT TRX CT
Denver Denver Austin, Texas Austin, Texas Cleveland New York Fayetteville, N.C. New York New York Please visit www.cardiotennis.com to register online.
Accredited Professional Coach Register your Accredited Professional Coach (APC) and specialty course credits earned with the USPTA SmartCode Education System. This uses your smartphone
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to instantly register your attendance to all seminars and specialty courses earning APC. To use the system at a seminar, general session or specialty course, you must scan two QR codes. One QR code is on your conference badge. The second QR code will be in your
conference notebook and cannot be scanned until the end of the session or the beginning of the next session. If you do not have a smartphone, you may use someone else’s. Forms are available upon request.
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h t t p : / / u s p t a . f r o m u t h t e nnis. com
The official distributor of Nike footwear and apparel to the USPTA.
Member News • Arizona Special Olympians took to the courts at Troon Country Club in the 4th annual Tennis Fun Day on Jan. 25. Mark Pachtner, USPTA Professional and director of tennis at Troon, coordinated the event, which attracted more than 170 participants. Tennis Fun Day is also a well-established fundraiser for the Special Olympics Arizona, raising nearly $8,000 at this year’s event. During the free Tennis Fun Day of clinics and exhibitions, local tennis professionals covered the basics of the sport of tennis and taught certain groundstrokes for the Special Olympians using 10 and Under teaching equipment with low compression balls and adjusted net heights. Each athlete received a commemorative Fun Day T-shirt, a free tennis racquet and a gold medal for participation during the post-event awards luncheon. Athletes and volunteers also got time away from the courts to explore a fully-equipped fire engine, courtesy of the Scottsdale Fire department, and three police cars, courtesy of the Scottsdale Police department. • USPTA Professional Bernie McGuire, the Hammond School varsity boys’ & girls’ tennis coach, held a holiday round robin on Dec. 28, where the team raised $800 for Ronald McDonald House Charities in Columbia, S.C. More than 35 players competed in two doubles divisions and were served pancakes with all the trimmings.
• Tom Sweitzer and Marty Devlin were inducted in the USPTA Middle States Hall of Fame at the recent USPTA Middle States Conference held in Princeton, N.J. Devlin and Sweitzer join previous inductees Ron Woods, Ph.D., Bob Ruzanic, Ed Garcia, Larry Hampton and
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Becky Desmond. In prior years, both Devlin and Sweitzer were honored with USTA Middle States HOF Inductions. • Longtime Dunwoody tennis pro Ty Fuller, USPTA, recently retired from coaching after 50 years. He started in 1963 working in the New England area for about 10 years. In 1971, after a meeting with Bud Collins and Arthur Ashe, he did a stint for the U.S. State Department touring around West Africa setting up programs at various schools and universities. In 1973, he was the tennis director/ club manager at the Dunwoody Radisson Inn in Atlanta. He remained there for almost nine years before starting his Dunwoody Tennis School, which ran for 30 years. During his coaching tenure in Atlanta, many of his ALTA/USTA league teams won city titles. He also developed more than 50 youngsters into regional as well as sectional champions. Over the years, he created many innovative instructional programs such as: Tennis to Music, Tennis for Tykes and a series on both Georgia Cable and CBS Atlanta. In addition, he donated his time developing programs for the physically disabled, prison inmates and for Atlanta’s schools. In 2007 he was named Pro of the Year by the Georgia Professional Tennis Association, an organization he helped form in 1977. As a player, his USTA Senior League Team won city titles in 2010 and 2013 and the state championship in 2005. • abc123 Tennis introduces an innovative, turnkey curriculum designed for teachers and coaches to incorporate fun movement activities with learning the foundations of math and reading on the tennis court, playground, gym or in the classroom. Founded by USPTA Recreational Coach Patricia (Pat) T heriault in 2012, the company’s vision is to bring fitness and education together to
fight childhood obesity, as well as improve basic math and literacy skills for children ages 4 to 10. The abc123 Tennis program encourages learning through cooperative game play and is an easy, engaging addition to youth physical education classes, adapted physical education classes, sports instructional programs, or after-school and summer recreation programs. Visit www. abc123tennis.com to learn more. • Edgar Giffenig USPTA, former national coach in the U.S., Germany and Mexico, released “Developing High Performance Tennis Players” in paperback and as an e-book. The book explores tennis from the perspective of a player development coach, presenting an indepth analysis of the key elements of the game and how they need to be addressed to help players reach their potential. This full-color book with more than 140 pictures, 200 drills and various videos (iPad version only) is a wonderful resource for coaches, players and parents. For more information, visit Amazon.com or visit the iTunes store. • Author, clinician and performance specialist Scott Ford, USPTA, announced the release of “Welcome to the Zone, Peak Performance Redefined.” Ford’s new tennis guide is about learning to play tennis “In the Zone” all the time, by choice, and in a state of continual peak performance. Ford introduces readers to his radically different approach to optimum performance and shows that the elusive mystery of moving into “The Zone” is no longer a mystery or even an unrepeatable quirk of fate. By learning Ford’s stepby-step Parallel Mode Process, tennis players of all levels can learn to create their own enhanced consciousness, the entry point to “The Zone.” He shows how to get into the zone, how to maintain the zone and how to compete in the zone, not just for extraordinary tennis, but for an extraordinary life. “Welcome to the Zone” is available in a paperback edition through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For more information, visit www.tennisinthezone.com.
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ADDvantage 59
Your Serve Relationship Advice
Tennis has played second fiddle to golf at country clubs for decades. How can tennis increase its role? By Bruce Knittle
W
hy is it that tennis programs at country clubs are often considered “second-class citizens” to their golf counterparts? Why is tennis diminishing at many of these clubs, and how can this dynamic be repaired? How can tennis actually increase its role at these clubs? I am not referring to clubs that offer tennis as the lone sport; I’m talking about the co-existence of tennis and golf at country clubs. The reality, which is certainly not new, is that tennis programs at country clubs often take a secondary role to golf. This has been going on for so long, it is thought to be the natural order. Country clubs started out originally as solely golf oriented, and tennis was added in later years. Less money goes into tennis than golf at these clubs, and tennis pros are not compensated as well as their golf counterparts. One reason is that golf courses are considerably more expensive to maintain. While this is true, the investment accorded to tennis is rarely commensurate to its true value. At many country clubs, the employees hired are mainly trained for working on golf courses. When I was the head pro at a country club many years ago, there was a superintendent in charge of maintaining the golf course and tennis courts. Because his knowledge of clay courts was minimal, I had to step in and direct the proper court maintenance. Country clubs have also experienced declining memberships in recent years. Due to numerous factors such as aging members and economic uncertainty, many clubs have found themselves in precarious situations. With this declining enrollment at country clubs, here are some ways tennis programs can improve this situation, and at the same time coexist
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better with their golf cohorts.
• Be Proactive: With tennis member-
ships down, there has to be specific targeted goals, and an action plan to recruit members. When setting up this plan, there needs to be a realistic recognition of the strengths and weaknesses of the present tennis programs. No longer can tennis committees sit stagnant while losing members. Consider discounted “tennis only” memberships as one method for both recruiting and keeping tennis players. With costs considerably more reasonable, clubs have a better chance to grow their tennis programs, while bringing in members not just for tennis, but to the restaurant, pool, children’s programs, etc. • Attract Younger Members: Whether tennis or golf, when older members leave, there needs to be a cycle of younger individuals to replace them. One suggestion is to appeal more to younger working families. By offering family activities, clubs can attract a market not previously attended to. Having varied youth and after-work tennis activities will entice a younger core of prospective members. Adding to this family emphasis, having the spouses of golf members engaged in the tennis operations can be essential. Especially if these spouses are not golf-oriented, having them involved would benefit both the tennis program and club. • Tennis and Golf Should Work Together: Instead of having an adversarial relationship, it would be wise for both programs to support each other. There are shared goals of increased enrollment, and club growth. When recruiting potential members, having healthy golf and tennis programs will enhance the club’s marketability, and help separate
itself from the competition. It is in the best interests of the programs to form a shared marketing strategy, with the club’s support. • Hold Open Houses: When recruiting for new tennis members, use your facilities to help market the sport. Once people view facilities firsthand, there is a greater chance of enrollment. These open houses can be on a group or individual basis. • Offer Clinics and Special Events: Providing free clinics and other instructional classes will help bring in new members to the club, and help promote the tennis program to existing members and spouses. At these functions, the club pros have a chance to interact with prospective members. Additionally, being creative with events can result in new members, and generate interest in tennis. A couple of examples are roundrobin mixers and clinics centered on Grand Slam events, or theme-oriented tennis parties. With a little effort, tennis, even though it might never stand on an equal footing with golf at country clubs, can coexist very nicely. With highly functioning tennis programs, country clubs will surely reap the benefits. • Bruce Knittle is the president of consulting firm Knittle Sports Solutions Inc. (www. knittlesportssolutions. com), which offers advisory services to tennis and sports organizations. A former highly ranked player and captain of the Florida State University tennis team, he was a successful tennis camp owner, college tennis coach/pro, and director of sports programs. We welcome your opinions. Please email comments to TI@racquetTECH.com.