Spring 2023
The mission of the USPTA Board of Directors is to grow tennis and to facilitate the success of all USPTA Pros. This newsletter is one tool we employ to fulfill our mission. Therefore, our newsletter provides information, tips, and resources to help you succeed and grow the game of tennis.
Letter from the President — Andy Zodin
Dear Intermountain Pros-
I hope you are all doing well, as you prepare for another Spring/Summer season of leagues, lessons, events, and a few headaches. I'm sure that gives you some insight into my world, based on that list. Can't imagine your lists are drastically different.
I'd like to take a minute to thank and pay tribute to my good, lifelong friend, Fred Viancos. He is leaving USPTA after 24 years of excellent service to be the next Executive Director of USTA Texas. Having known Fred since we started playing tennis together in 1976, I can honestly say that there are very few that have given more to our sport on so many different levels than he has.
Fred was a great junior and college player, and had a pretty nice run as a pro on tour. He even played a little doubles with Jim Courier. Fred has worked for the ATP as a Tour Director, the USPTA as our COO, and now will be a force in his new role at USTA Texas.
I thank Fred for his leadership, his professionalism, and most importantly his friendship over the last 45+ years. I hope you all might take the time to thank and congratulate him if and when you get the chance.
Thanks for all that all of you do for our sport, and for Intermountain.
Andy Zodin
Director of Tennis, Columbine Country Club President,
USPTA Intermountain
Division Host,
KickServeRadio.com 303.520.7676
USPTA Intermountain 2022 Annual Award Winners
Congratulations to all 2022 award winners!
College Coach of the Year: Luke Shields, Boise, ID
Led Boise State to a national ranking of 29, record of 28-5, 12-0 in the Mountain Region.
Diversity Award: Josh Cossitt, Cheyenne, WY
Developed adaptive tennis programs for youth with disabilities and presented on adaptive learning nationally.
Elevate Award: Rob Allen, Salt Lake City, UT
Growing tennis by supporting hundreds of low-income juniors in a team based organization, coached by college age instructors.
George Basco Lifetime Achievement Award: Alden Bock, Lakewood, CO
Has demonstrated exemplary achievement in seven areas including contributions to the USPTA and the USTA as a teaching professional, player and coach; in education, research, and publications.
High School Coach of the Year: Ian Hintz, Denver, CO
In his first year as Kent Denver Head Coach, won the 4A Team State Championships and went 7-0 in the finals.
Industry Excellence: Laurie Lambert, Salt Lake City, UT
Worked on the district, sectional & national levels to develop Pickleball programming.
Manager of the Year Large Facility: Chris Painter, Las Vegas, NV
Sent 30+ teams to USTA Sectionals, 19 teams to National Championships, won 4 National Titles since 2018.
Manager of the Year Small Facility: Randy Ross, Denver, CO
Built and operates the Randy Ross Tennis facility in Denver. His dream has become a reality.
Star Award: Trent Alenik, Las Vegas, NV
Worked with the Inspiring Children Foundation, which raises funds for at risk youths.
USPTA Professional of the Year: Scott Leifer, Colorado Springs, CO
Demonstrated exemplary achievements in seven areas, USPTA, USTA, Allied organizations, club achievements, career development, volunteerism, coaching and playing achievements.
Thank you for your contribution to tennis and USPTAIntermountain!!
Gary Horvath, Colorado Player Clinics and Exo
Ian Hintz (2022 High School Coach of The Year) and Meadow Creek Paddle hosted a series of clinics for players at all levels, taught by Charlotte Sikora and Alison Morgan.
In addition, they played an exhibition match. The duo recently won the Cincinnati tournament and are ranked in the top 10 in the country. They expect to move up in the rankings by the end of the season.
In a discussion with Sikora and Morgan after one of their clinics, they emphasized the importance of being disciplined on the court. They demonstrated that point during their exhibition match. This event was incredibly cool. Anyone who watched it would have wanted to try the sport on the spot.
Ginger Phillips, Colorado Specializing in Tennis
With Pickleball currently being the fastest growing sport, all eyes are on how players, instructors, facilities, vendors, and associations are adjusting to and incorporating this racquet sport. As a 32-year USPTA Elite Tennis Instructor, I’m ecstatic to see so many people involved in racquet sports including tennis, pickle, padel, pop etc. I still want to stay specialized in tennis
I realize in this climate that we all need to be aware of each sport and know how they are being incorporated into clubs, associations, and certifications. The USPTA has so many educational opportunities through conventions, special events, tennisresources.com, and fellow USPTA professionals. It’s wonderful if you want to delve into pickle, as it’s going to bring new players, enthusiasm, and revenue to your programs.
It’s also wonderful, and I believe completely terrific, if you prefer to continue being a tennis-specific instructor, run tennis tournaments and events, and continue to develop your tennis knowledge. Embrace your tennis background and certifications, and your students who continue to want to improve their tennis.
I’m so proud to be a tennis instructor; I feel it has been such an integral part of my life and still is. I believe all these racquet sports can coexist. It’s also okay to love what you do and stay loyal to that. Look at this as an opportunity to make tennis more attractive, fun, and inviting. We need great tennis pros who are wanting to be on court and grow our sport!!
Some upcoming tennis educational opportunities:
Colorado top players and USPTA professionals from local facilities.
For more information about future events at Meadow Creek Paddle, click here or email paddle@meadowcreektennis.com
Monday, 4/10 @ Denver Tennis Park: Emma Doyle (contact: Mike Phillips)
Tuesday, 4/15, Cardio Tennis in SLC: Michelle Krause (contact: Michelle Rawstorne)
Sunday, 4/30, American Mountaineering Museum: Dr. Jim Loehr (contact: Serving Tennis Women)
Quarterly Learning Series Presentations
Gary Horvath
USPTA National Committee
Platform & Wheelchair Tennis, Padel, Pickleball, (303) 460-9767
@ Denver Tennis Park Community (contact Mike Phillips or visit)
Ginger Phillips
USPTA Intermountain Secretary
District Updates
Mark Chomko, Colorado
March Pickleball Certification
We used to say, “Eventually they all come to the dark side.”
Now we say, “Eventually they all see the light.”
Scott Potter, Montana Tennis Festival
Several USPTA pros will be volunteering their time Sunday, June 4th at a Tennis Festival in Missoula to help raise money to complete the rebuild of Playfair Park, and to help with the funding of the Fort Missoula tennis court rebuild in a few years.
The Tennis Festival will bring together the five (5) high school programs in Missoula, their coaches and players for clinics, and a world team tennis event.
Following the junior part of the afternoon, a 3-hour adult clinic and play event will occur followed by a BBQ put on by the local CTA (Garden City Tennis Association). The goal is to raise $250,000 from this event and help finish the court project at Playfair Park.
Local pros, high school coaches, the two college coaches, and team players will help run the activities, clinics, and games for all who attend. It's free to attend but a donation is suggested to help raise the necessary funds.
For more information please contact Scott Potter at 406-581-9593.
Upcoming Intermountain Certifications:
June 4th, 4:00 to 8:00 PM
Ken Caryl Ranch Community Center Littleton, CO
August 17th, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sunpro Tennis & Pickleball Club Springville, Utah
Click for the certification calendar and to register.
Questions? Contact
Mark Chomko
USPTA Intermountain Pickleball Tester
USPTA Head Pickleball Coach, Development markchomko@icloud.com
More Montana News
Brad Knutson is the new Tennis Director at Glacier Tennis Center in Kalispell. Brad moved from Billings where he has worked for the City and Elks Tennis Center as a tennis professional for the last 10 years.
Scott Potter, Director of Tennis Peak Health and Wellness District President Montana scott@peakmissoula.com
Laurie Lambert, Utah Tennis Month
The USTA is getting ready for their "May is Tennis Month" marketing campaign. This is a nationwide campaign to bring awareness to our amazing sport, particularly the health benefits and sheer joy of playing tennis can bring people.
The Utah Tennis Association will be hosting multiple free clinics around Salt Lake, along with a "create a tennis sticker" contest for the community. We will be setting up tennis displays in libraries with books about tennis greats like Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King and Andre Agassi.
We encourage all tennis providers in our state to join the fun by pushing May is Tennis Month in your communities.
Tennis is booming and we want everyone to think of tennis as a great way to spend time with their families get out on the courts and play!
Laurie Lambert Executive Director Utah Tennis Association801
-944-8782 x 112
Michelle Rawstorne, Utah
Utah Tennis Update
Utah is getting ready for our outdoor season. We’re still hoping snow is melted and sun is shining to kick it off!
Tennis is continuing to grow in our area at the same time that Pickleball has taken the courts by storm. We are grateful for the unique challenge of managing both side by side.
In August, we have the unique offering for our USPTA Pros to spend a day with us at our beautiful new facility in Springville, Utah to become Cardio Tennis Certified and Certified in Pickleball as well.
We will offer the Cardio Certification on Thursday, August 17th from 8-1 followed by a “Lunch and Lecture” from 1:30-3.
At 4:00, the Pickleball Certification will begin. We are excited and appreciative to have Michelle Krause and Mark Chomko out to give us the opportunity for these certifications.
Watch for more information coming soon. Please reach out for any other questions if you are interested.
Josh Cossitt, Wyoming College Tennis and The Junior Experience
There’s an energy on the court during Men’s and Women’s College Tennis that can’t be explained without seeing it or being a part of it.
For many youth players, tennis represents a quiet and reserved solo experience with friends made here and there along the way, and doubles being as close as they come to a traditional team sport.
The college atmosphere provides a chance to see teams play for each other and leave it on the court, win or lose. Connecting your athletes to a local college program as fans and supporters can be a great way to expose them to competition and teach them how become better leaders and team members on their high school teams, college club teams or maybe as college players themselves someday.
There’s no better time than late April to catch a match with your juniors and high school players when conference seeding is on the line. Packing these venues with fans, young and old is great for the long term sustainability of our sport and may add a boost of excitement, for not just your competitive pathway juniors, but also those that belong to NJTL’s or part of recreational programs.
We have one team in Wyoming and we love supporting them passionately up here. I encourage you to do the same with your local college.
See you on court!
Michelle Rawstorne USPTA District President Utah Go Poke’s! Josh Cossitt USPTA District President Wyoming
Please share your tennis knowledge and tips with Intermountain Pros. Simply write an article and send it in a Word doc or text in an email along with pics to Tom Van De Hey: tomuspta1@gmail.com.
Intermountain Board of Directors and District Presidents
Andy Zodin, President
Tom Van De Hey, Executive Director arzodin@aol.com tomuspta1@gmail.com
Karl Jones, Regional Vice President
Karen Schott, District President Colorado karlos.jones@hotmail.com kschott@broadmoor.com
Marshall Carpenter, Vice President Bill Gray, District President Idaho mc10s@yahoo.com wgstrings@yahoo.com
Matt Helm, Vice President Scott Potter, District President Montana mhelm@denvercc.net scott@peakmissoula.com
Laurie Lambert, Treasurer
Dan Maccanello, District President Nevada llambert@utahtennis.com dmaccanello@gmail.com
Ginger Phillips, Secretary
Michelle Rawstorne, District President Utah gingervalephillips@gmail.com michelle0215@yahoo.com
Hassan Humayun, Past President
Josh Cossitt, District President Wyoming tennishassan@live.com farnorthtennis@gmail.com