THEBUZZ / 08 HIGHFIVE / 12 SPOTLIGHT / 16 BRAINSTORM / 22
coloradotennis.com THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF TENNIS PLAYERS • ISSUE 44.03 SUMMER 2019
5,280 feet... THE HIGH-POINT IN THE STORY OF
Long before the Mile High City gained acclaim as the country's hotbed of league tennis, it was a point of convergence for the nation's top competitors, including Don Budge, Bobby Riggs, Jack Kramer and Althea Gibson. COLORADO TENNIS • SUMMER 2019
2 COLORADOTENNIS.com COLORADOTENNIS • SUMMER 2019 COLORADOTENNIS. com 3 SUMMER 2019 YEAR 44, ISSUE 3 — SUMMER 2019 USTA COLORADO STAFF LISTING
featureSTORY / 06 Administration: Community/Grassroots Tennis: When the Mile High City FRITZ GARGER KRISTY HARRIS was the high-point of American Tennis Executive Director, USTA CO/CYTF Community Development Director x204 [email protected] x300 [email protected]
theBUZZ / 08 LISA SCHAEFER KRISTY JENKINS Nouns in the News... Associate Executive Director, USTA CO/CYTF Community Youth/School Tennis Coordinator ...doing this, that & the other x201 [email protected] x301 [email protected] ANITA COOPER Leagues: highFIVE / 12 Administrative Assistant JASON ROGERS aminaABULLAEVA x200 [email protected] League Programs Director mikeFERRUFINO x202 [email protected] nicoJAMISON CINDY SPRINGSTEEN Accountant TAYLOR MCKINLEY craigMARSHALL x227 [email protected] League Programs Manager jaimeSTOKES x210 [email protected] Player Development: CINDY MACMASTER KATE JAMES
sportsMEDICINE / 14 COLORADO TENNIS • SUMMER 2019 A new treatment Player Development Director League Coordinator [email protected] x208 [email protected] for Rotator Cuff injuries Competitive Tennis: NICK TAYLOR spotLIGHT / 16 JASON COLTER League Coordinator A conversation with the Tournament Operations Director x207 [email protected] x205 [email protected] USTA Colorado's KENT WARYAN (May-September) Tournament Committee Marketing/Diversity: League Coordinator PAULA MCCLAIN x206 [email protected] yourGAME / 20 Marketing & Diversity Director x220 [email protected] Information Technology: Get your game on with GARY GOFF PLAY CO apparel from LINE 3 Publications: IT/Technical Support Director KURT DESAUTELS x303 [email protected] brainSTORM / 22 Creative & Communications Director Re-connecting to tennis, x203 [email protected] Re-connecting to family.
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4 COLORADOTENNIS.com COLORADOTENNIS • SUMMER 2019 CAC-Summer19-TennisAd-v2.indd 2 COLORADOTENNIS. com 6/3/19 11:09 AM 5 FEATURESTORY by USTACOLORADO DENVER THE HIGH-POINT IN THE STORY OF AMERICAN TENNIS Long before the Mile High City gained acclaim as the country's hotbed of league tennis, it was a point of convergence for the nation's top competitors. Now nearly half a century removed from that role, Colorado still boasts a tournament-hungry population whose enthusiasm continues to put the state on the national map.
olorado is a hotbed for tennis, nationally altheaGIBSON C recognized for its massively popular adult league program. With participation soaring by more than 60% in the last decade, metro Denver is poised to become the largest league tennis market in the country, likely surpassing Atlanta this year for the first time.
Perhaps Denver was always meant to be a great tennis city. Long before adult league tennis debuted, the Mile High City was home to the Denver Racquets, a One-Year Wonder that played during the debut season of World Team Tennis in the sum- mer of 1974. World Team Tennis was a co-ed sports league promoted by women’s superstar jackKRAMER
Billie Jean King. In the “team” concept, each COLORADO TENNIS • SUMMER 2019 club consisted of three male and three female players. Led by Colorado Tennis Hall of Famer Stephanie Johnson Hagan, the Racquets upset the heavily favored Philadelphia Freedoms and their team captain, Billie Jean King, to win the city's first world championship. Sadly, the Racquets faded into oblivion when they moved to Phoenix the very next year, while the Philadelphia Freedoms were forever memorialized in the Elton John song of the same name. And before the Racquets made history, Denver was a regular tour stop for professional tennis players. The Denver Open was an indoor World Championship Tennis (WCT) Gran Prix event that ran from 1972-1982. and the Colorado State Open was the premier stop between the All-time tennis greats Rod Laver, Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Midwest and California, drawing NCAA champions and numerous Connors, Roy Emerson, John Newcombe and Stan International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHOF) inductees, including Smith were regular competitors during the run. Gardnar Mulloy, Art Larsen, Bill Talbert, Tony Trabert, Alex The WTA event, which drew the Virginia Slims Olmedo, Gene Mako and Lew Hoad, as well as Budge, Riggs, world's top women, including Billie Jean King, Evonne Kramer and Gibson. On the ladies' side, the late, great Dorothy Goolagong, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, ran Bundy won the State Open six times. She first won in 1936, just intermittently for 20 years before closing its doors for a few months removed from her win at the Australian National good in 1991. Championships. "Dodo's" career spanned nearly 80 years, as she But did you know that even before WTT and the WTA amassed nearly 300 USTA National Championship titles ("Gold and WCT events, some of the game's greatest players Balls"). regularly stopped in Denver to compete in one of the The last ITHOF inductee to capture the State Open was most storied tournaments in the entire country? Mexican-great Rafael Osuna in 1960. As air travel became more commonplace and prize money grew, the CSO continued to draw The State Open the best players in Colorado and some top talent from across the The Colorado State Open, a tradition dating back to country, but the regular attendance of world class professionals 1891, has attracted some of America's greatest and most all but disappeared. Once the Open Era began in 1969, Denver iconic players. Names like Don Budge, Bobby Riggs, returned to the spotlight for nearly two decades, but the glamor Jack Kramer and Althea Gibson dot the champions' days of the State Open had faded. plaque hanging in Gates Tennis Center, where the State Open has been held for 40 years. The Big Three From the 1930s to the early 1950s, many of the But the evaporation of participating world class talent has done nation's top players toured the US by train. They would nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of competing at the State compete in tournaments on one coast and make their Open. The region's top players have been circling the date on way across the country, playing in events along the way, their calendars for decades, drawing the biggest crowds (and the
6 COLORADOTENNIS.com kathleenWINEGARDNER
COLORADOTENNIS • SUMMER 2019 ments: tremendous success at one, orallofthesetournaments. Many inductees to theColorado Tennis HallofFame have had and City Openare considered the"BigThree" Colorado events. Intermountain SeniorSectional Championship, theState Open hosted by theDenver Tennis Clubsince 1928. entries). The first City Openwas held in 1914,andhasbeen as thecountry's 9thbiggest with480participants (659 total Classic (653) inSouthernCalifornia. unique participants), followed by theWilson World Tennis was the102nd AnnualLaJollaTennis Championships(716 participants). Incomparison, thenation's second largest event attendance record withmore than1,600entries (1,100 unique est tournament, andgetting bigger. Last year, itbroke itsown or even theSectional calendar, it'sactualy thenation's larg - biggest draws) ofany otherevent inthestate. TO • • • • • • • • • • Some notable"BigThree" SinglesChampionshipachieve - Along withtheBoulderOpen,whichisdesignated Another Colorado tradition, theDenver City Openslotted in The CSO isn'tjust thebiggest event onthestate calendar, TRY A USTA TOURNAMENT COMPETITIVE EDGE SHARPEN YOUR UR Joan Birkland/6singlestitles Jeff Loehr /8singlestitles Jack Cella /9singlestitles Sherrie Pruitt Farris /9singlestitles Cory Ross /10singlestitles Don Harker /11singlestitles Willa Wolcott Condon /14singlestitles Carol /14singlestitles Baily Kathleen Winegardner /16singlestitles Phyllis Lockwood /21singlestitles NA ME COLORADOTENNIS. NT S SEARCH ONLINE AT COLORADOTENNIS.COM com jeffLOEHR who you canread aboutonpage16.CT thanks the oustanding members of our Tournament Committee, which helpmake events more player-friendly. USTA Colorado some oftheproven formats piloted by ourjuniortournaments, 125,000 entries inthelast decade, aging just over 2.5events/player, which translates to more than 5,000 USTA Colorado members compete in tournaments, aver Colorado hasfluctuated very little. Eachyear, approximately widespread throughout thecountry. that offered NTRP-based tournament competition. Today, itis Colorado was oneofthefew Districts throughout thecountry more than doubled in the last several decades. For many years, has nearlytripled.Overall, adulttournament participation has what itwas last year. The numberofNTRPplayers, however, ber ofagedivisioncompetitors inColorado was almost double compete inSenior(Age) Divisions.Thirty-five years ago, thenum- While thesedivisionsare still populartoday, fewer participants to compete against players ofsimilarageregardless ofskilllevel. sanctioned tournament committee. Priorto ratings, players had Rating Program (NTRP), whichwas later adopted by Colorado's League programs also helped introduce the National Tennis with itanew opportunity for players to compete onteams. competition. The introduction oforganized league tennis brought ment play was theprimarydriver ofUSTA membership and time USTA Leagues were introduced intheearly-1980s, tourna- USTA and its Sections and Districts across the country. By the ment play. porated in1955, thefocal point oftheorganization was tourna - United States. When theColorado Tennis Association first incor has beensince thelate 1880swhentennis first arrived inthe so-called "GoldenAge" oftennis duringthe1970s. several decades,andissubstantially higherthanitwas duringthe that tournament participation across thestate hasheldstrong for on ameteoric trajectory for decades,butit'salsoworth noting Still popular in Colorado It isagoalfor USTA Colorado to grow that numberby adopting For thepast decade, total adulttournament participation in To thisday, tournament competition isaprimaryfocus for the Tournament play isthefoundation oftennis competition, and It's beennoted that Colorado's leagueparticipation hasbeen - - 7 THEBUZZ
APEX named Outstanding Facility by USTA APEX Tennis Center in Arvada has been named a 2019 USTA Outstanding Facility by the USTA. The award recognizes Apex Tennis Center’s exemplary facility and commitment toward the growth and development of tennis in its community. CSU hosts Crossroads Safehouse fundraiser The award will be presented at the Outstanding Facility Awards June 1 was a beautiful day at Colorado State University, Luncheon in New York City during the 2019 US Open. USTA which hosted the annual Ladies Day Doubles tourney to benefit Colorado congratulates APEX, North Jeffco Tennis Club, and the Crossroads Safehouse. More than 100 women participated,
entire community of Arvada for this tremendous honor. COLORADO TENNIS • SUMMER 2019 raising nearly $28,000, almost 20% more than last year. But according to USTA Colorado Adult League Coordinator, Diane Westlind, here’s the cool part.... "Jane Roberts plays at Flying Horse (Colorado Springs) but started playing at Highland Meadows (Windsor) a few years ago. She brought 6 players up last year, they spent the night, went to the Rio, etc. This year there were 10 of them. They had so much fun and loved playing with and meeting new people. Jane’s partner is a victim of domestic abuse and now is in a healthy relationship with ample discretionary income. She was a $5,000 (anonymous) sponsor, but was so impressed with the event and the Crossroads organization that she made an additional $10,000 contribution a few days later!" The success of the benefit is inspiring the players from Colorado crowns Girls HS State Champions Colorado Springs to start their own tournament to benefit a Nearly 350 players representing more than 80 schools con- women's shelter there. The hope is that the Springs event will vened at the 3A, 4A & 5A state high school tennis championships take place at Flying Horse Country Club in September. in early May, hoping to battle it out for individual and team glory. "Tennis has always been a great way to stay healthy and cre- As it turns out, players also had to battle the weather, as a ate new friendships, it's really gratifying to see how it can be a snowy forecast forced all three tournaments into a two-day for- vehicle to help others who are experiencing personal tragedy." mat. Congratulations to 3A team champions Peak to Peak Academy; Sports legend Joan 4A team champions Cheyenne Mountain; and 5A team champi- ons Cherry Creek. Birkland has passed away Full individual and team results can be found online at CHSAA- The Colorado tennis community NOW.com/sports/girls-tennis. has lost one of its greatest cham- pions, Joanie Birkland. An induct- ee into the Colorado Tennis Hall of Game-Set-Match Inc Fame, Joanie was a legend in the celebrates 30th sports community. She has also been Congratulations to our friends at inducted into the Colorado Sports Game-Set-Match, Inc. who are cel- Hall of Fame, the Colorado Women’s ebrating a pretty big anniversary this Hall of Fame, and the Colorado Golf year. The all-things-tennis store was Hall of Fame. She was a national leader in the advancement of founded in 1989 by Adam Burbary, girls and women in sport, and served as Executive Director of who opened the first location near I-25 Sportswomen of Colorado for nearly four decades. and Arapahoe Rd. Long-time Colorado reporter Marcia Neville posted, "There will Today, GSM operates three retail stores never be another like her. How lucky are we all to have known across the Denver metro area, and in 2016 were named the Tennis #JoanieTheLegend." Industry Association's Pro/Specialty Retailer of the Year.
8 COLORADOTENNIS.com COLORADOTENNIS • SUMMER 2019 Upcoming USTA/CTA League Championships Colorado at theIntermountain 18&Over Sectionals. the opportunity to travel to Lake Salt City inAugust to represent during theUSTA 18&Over event. More than1,000 players viedfor teams whohelpedmake themost ofaterribly rainy weekend the Intermountain Sectional ChampionshipinJuly. were greeted withnear-perfect weather for theirshotat reaching the 2019 USTA Adult 18s Mixed District Championships, and who USTA 18Adult/Mixed District Championships M5.0 /Wash Park (captain Jerad Harbaugh) M4.5 /Lebsack Tennis Center (captain Matthew Bruff) M4.0 /CAC Monaco (captain BrianWylie) M3.5 /CO SpringsRacquet Club(captain MarkHutter) M3.0 /Lifetime Fitness Centennial (captain David Lash) W5.0 /Lifetime Fitness Centennial (captain MaryAnnHilt) W4.5 /SouthSuburbanLittleton (captain Toni Hipp) W4.0 /Longmont Tennis Club(captain MonaJones) W3.5 /Wash Park (captain BelindaNelson) W3.0 /Broomfield Swim &Tennis (captain SharlaCarlson) W2.5 /MtVernon CC (captain AngieMays) And aHUGEthankyou (andCONTRATULATIONS) to all100 10.0 /Gates Tennis Center (captain Jeffrey Kamei) 9.0 / Longmont Athletic Club (captain Monty Johnson)- 8.0 /Meadows (captain Kathy Appel) 7.0 /CAC Inverness (captain Bryan Kortum) 6.0 /Pinehurst (captain Kori White) Congratulations to the300+competitors whoearnedaspotat Twilight Summer Daytime 65 ITA MXd 2.5 USTA 40 18-39 Daytime USTA MXd 40 USTA 55 COLORADOTENNIS. Sep 27-29 Sep 23-25 Sep 10-12 Sep 6-8/Oct 25-27 (Sectional) Aug 23-25 Aug 23-25 /Sep13-15 (Sectional) Aug 9-11 Aug 6-8 July 26-28 /Oct 4-6(Sectional) July 19-21 /Sep20-22 (Sectional) com pictured league captains meansalot!” is offering, andtheirinterest inhelping usappreciate hard-working USTA Colorado membership can benefitfrom what Elements Massage Executive Director for USTA Colorado. “It’s aperfect match. Ourentire free massage, compliments ofElements Massage. between now andSeptember 15.Two dozen captains willreceive a refreshments duties,etc., etc., etc. with opposing captains, record scores, provide encouragement, assign adult leagueprogram tickeachyear. They set line-ups,coordinate all, about4,000 captainshelpmake Colorado’s immenselypopular of USTA Colorado’s adultleague Captain Appreciation Program. In to provide thefollowing benefits: keeps you performing at your best! therapeutic, handcrafted, andpersonalized approach to massage that program, the Elements Wellness Program — all built around their the difference thenlearnabouttheirmonth-to-month membership sage using promotion code who reside inColorado cantake advantage of$30OFFany- mas nents onthecourt thisyear! as regular massage could beyour secret weapon against your oppo- Massage asanew sponsor. Andthetimingcouldn’t bemore perfect, Members with Massage andOffers Discount to USTA Elements Massage® Appreciates League Captains “We’re thrilledabout thepartnership,” saidLisaSchaefer, Associate Nominate your favorite captainonlineat coloradotennis.com As partofthepartnership, Elements Massage isanofficialsponsor Elements Massage reports that regular massage therapy may help Now isagreat timeto give Elements Massage atry! USTA members USTA Colorado isexcited to announce theadditionofElements • • • • • • Collins was arecipient ofa$6,400 giftfrom theFCTA. to otherlike 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. The NJTLFort As arequirement oftheIRS,FCTA must pass onany assets Food cancer Bank, research andmany otherworthy causes. and ran fundraising events to supporttheLarimerCounty provided adultleagues,juniorprogramming, tournaments, years, theFCTA has years. Over those40 community for over 40 serving theFort Collins closing itsdoors after Tennis Association is FCTA disbandsafter 40years Increased circulation Improved range ofmotion Increased joint flexibility Reduced musclespasmsandcramping Quicker recovery from strenuous workouts Relaxation ofinjured andoverused muscles The Fort Collins USTA2019 (new clients only). Experience 9 Volunteer Frank Adams (standing at right) watches over the red ball court at the 2019 USTA Colorado Diversity Tennis Fest, held at Denver's City Park.
USTA Colorado and City Park Racquet Club cel- ebrate 13th Annual Diversity TennisFest with free tennis, food and a junior racquet giveaway, courtesy of Subaru of America.
Results from the Intermountain Diversity TennisFest – Gateway to summer tennis Summer Championships More than 150 people came out to experience the sport at the 13th The largest junior tournament in the Intermountain annual Diversity TennisFest, an event designed to showcase tennis region began in early June as more than 350 play- and help promote and kick off local summer tennis programming. ers from across the Section competed in the 2019 The event, hosted by City Park Racquet Club (CPRC) in partnership Intermountain Summer Championships. with USTA Colorado, was held at Denver’s City Park. The weather was Each year, Colorado plays host to this Level 3 tourna- fabulous, and in addition to on-court instruction and play for people
ment on the national calendar, to help rising stars earn of all ages, attendees were treated to a delicious lunch and live music COLORADO TENNIS • SUMMER 2019 points toward competing at National events. featuring members of the CPRC, adding a special flavor to the day. Congratulations to the follow Colorado players, who earned a top-6 finish in singles or top-2 finish in doubles:
BOYS 18s: Richter Jordaan/6th 16s: Nico Jamison/4th 16d: Jamison & Andy Schuiling/Champion 14s: Kristian Kostadinov/5th 14d: Chase Burke & Rafael Wieland/Finalist 12s: Nathan Gold/Champion 12d: Gold/Champion; Teodor Davidov/Finalist
GIRLS 18s: Karolina Jacobson/Finalist; Lucy Lu/3rd; Lela Daszuta/5th 18d: Jacobson & Lauren Manwiller/Champion 16s: Eliza Hill/5th; Natalie Stone/6th 14s: Amina Abdullaeva/Finalist; Quinn Bernthal/4th; Joanna Kennedy 5th 14d: Rosabella Andrade/Champion; Kennedy/ Finalist 12s: Anika Sharma/Champion; Sophie Parr/3rd 12d: Sharma /Champion; Lillian Moldenhauer & Parr/Finalist
Full results are available on TennisLink #250001319, or enjoy the Photo Gallery at facebook.com/ USTAColorado.
USTA Colorado and KIND Snacks would like to con- Colorado Youth Tennis Foundation board members, Cindy McLemore and Kerry gratulate Eliza Hill (Greenwood Village) and Xavier Barker, disburse new racquets to kids through Racquets for All at Diversity Calvelo (Las Vegas) for earning the Intermountain TennisFest. The racquets were compliments of Subaru of America, longtime Summer Championships Play KIND Sportsmanship official vehicle and sponsor of USTA Colorado. Subaru’s support of the tennis runs deep, and in this case, their commitment to putting racquets in the hands of . You can read about these two young stars in Award kids who need equipment ensures they’ll have access to tennis moving forward. the Fall 2019 issue of Colorado Tennis. Nearly 100 kids received a new racquet at this year's Diversity TennisFest.
10 COLORADOTENNIS.com COLORADOTENNIS • SUMMER 2019 COLORADOTENNIS. com 11 HIGHFIVE • EPISODE 35 by KATIENEWELL Full interviews can be found online at coloradotennis.com. Previous episodes of HighFIVE can also be found there.
presented by MidFirst Bank is one of the largest privately owned banks and this combination of size and private ownership provides our customers with a special brand of banking. We are a strong supporter of the communities we serve, investing time and money in important educational, charitable and civic organizations. Our volunteerism is powered by our employees from all of the communities in which we live and share with our customers. MidFirst Bank is a proud partner of USTA Colorado.
here are several com- ove, actually, was what t isn’t often that a golf t has been said that lthough she's just tponents that have gone lbrought Mike Ferrufino, iprofessional transitions ithe apple doesn’t fall aentering 8th grade, into making Craig Marshall, CEO of the Hispanic into a career in tennis, but far from the tree, and in Amina Abdullaeva is Co-owner/Director of Chamber of commerce to that’s exactly what hap- the case of 5-star recruit, already being recognized Junior Tennis at the Parker the sport of tennis. pened with Jaime Stokes, Nico Jamison (Nicholas as a fine tennis player, but Racquet Club, the man he “Early on, it was the real- who began her tennis Jamison III), the tennis she is also an exceptional career without ever having is. And it’s his grassroots ization that my marriage ball didn't fall far from young lady. held a racquet before. philosophy — that there and relationship would be his family tennis tree. His On the court, Amina A Colorado native, should be no barriers to much better if I participat- father, Nicholas Jamison recently reached the finals Jaime earned a golf schol- tennis — that came from ed,” Mike jokes about tak- II, won a state title at of the Girls 14s division at arship from the University his life of public service. ing up tennis for his wife, Greeley West. the Intermountain Summer of Hawaii, and was Event Fit and positive about Sarah Marks. “We even An incoming fresh- Championships (as an Coordinator at Fossil Trace man who attends Frontier life at 61, he was a career got engaged at the French unseeded player), and won Golf Club. Long hours (80- public school PE teacher Open.” the Intermountain District 90 hours a week) resulted COLORADO TENNIS • SUMMER 2019 MIKEFERRUFINO NICOJAMISON
CRAIGMARSHALL JAIMESTOKES AMINAABDULLAEVA in burnout and prompted Cup Series back in May. for over 30 years, a tennis Colorado has the 8th the need to change. Six Academy (they don’t have A recipient of the Little coach at Rangeview High largest Hispanic popu- years ago, Jaime was a tennis team), Nico will Mo Kindness Award, Amino School and Legend High lation in the nation but recruited by Meadow Creek most likely play for his believes that respect for Tennis & Fitness Club for father's alma mater. School, and is a supporter also the worst Hispanic one another and respect her proven organizational Nico finished 4th in sin- the game is key. of wheelchair tennis, as Achievement gap out of skills to handle anything gles and won doubles at She approaches her off- well as and an advocate the top 10 most populated that’s “organized,” Jaime the Sectional Level 3 that court life with the same for Aceing Autism. states, Mike has a specific handles juniors, all lev- was in Denver in June. He zeal, having started a foun- A visionary in helping interest in the education els, in-house leagues, ten has competed strongly in a dation to help give back to bring the new public/ and health of the commu- annual tournaments, all of number of national events, to younger players in her private tennis facility to the nity and has seen how ten- the USTA leagues (includ- collecting dozens of wins ing for Hiwan) and pretty community. Parker community, he said nis can be an integral part and numerous podium fin- much everything else that ishes (top-6). He was also a Her advice for younger the road to the March 19th of that mission. comes across her desk. 2018 USTA Colorado Boys players is simple. opening was a long haul “The role that tennis She was recently promot- Sportsmanship Award “If you really want to but well worth the efforts. can play is substantial by ed to be Meadow Creek’s Winner, a reflection of his grow with the sport and teaching universal values, “We have had a loyal Assistant GM. tennis and life philosophy. become big in the sport, “Ultimately it’s all about following that invested into addressing health and “Be a humble winner- just keep doing what you everyone having fun and it’s your time to shine, your this vision,” he says. exercise, and opening new are doing. Respect is a big being connected,” she time to find a way to win. “Our top goal is to give doors,” Mike said. “The bar- thing — work hard and explains of her mission to But off the court it’s time 100% customer service to riers to entry are actually bring the community to to be friends with other never give up. Set a big our players.” quite low in tennis." the courts. players,” Nico said. standard for yourself!”
12 COLORADOTENNIS.com COLORADOTENNIS • SUMMER 2019 + USPTA certified sta + Nocourt fees + Nopermanent court times + Leagues andtournaments + Adult andJunior programs + 5outdoor hard courts + 7 indoorair-conditioned square-foot+ 52,000 facility clay courts COLORADOTENNIS. com 720.838.2527 | 5801 S QuebecSt |Greenwood Village SCHEDULE ATOUR TODAY STRENGTH FIND YOUR TENNIS !
ClubGreenwood.com/PlayTennis 13 SPORTSMEDICINE by CHRISTOPHERCENTENO M.D. The Regenexx® family of non-surgical stem-cell & blood platelet procedures are breakthrough, non- surgical stem-cell treatments for people suffering from shoulder pain due to common injuries to the shoulder and rotator cuff, as well as degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis. ROTATOR CUFF SURGERY IS AVOIDABLE WITH REGENEXX odern medicine has advanced for looking for pain relief in their shoulder. rotator cuff repairs where before What’s critical for you to know is a only open or mini-open repair and shoulder MRI could indicate a tear, but M arthroscopic surgical techniques were the tear is not necessarily the cause of available. As the inventors of Interventional your shoulder pain. So if research exists Orthopedics, our specialty focuses on the that rotator cuff surgery isn’t effective use of image guidance technology to pre- for many shoulder patients, and an MRI cisely deliver Orthobiologics directly to the can provide a misleading diagnosis from muscles or tendons in need in the rotator a doctor, where should you turn for cuff to stimulate the body to heal using objective guidance? your own body’s cells. You should schedule an exam with a expert physicians use precise image guid- Rotator cuff tears are common as peo- Regenexx physician to conduct a diagnos- ance to inject custom concentrations of ple get older. Don’t automatically assume tic evaluation using our SANS approach your body’s natural healing agents into a tear on an MRI is destiny with a surgeon. to diagnose your rotator cuff injury and the exact areas of damage, boosting your It’s important to do your homework and determine your candidacy for a Regenexx normal healing ability and allowing your not just take the advice of a doctor with- PERC rotator cuff repair. If you elect to shoulder to return itself to better function out knowing what’s at stake for your rota- move forward with treatment, you can and mobility. Regenexx is the only network tor cuff long term with surgery. expect the following. able to customize and concentrate cells to Most patients considering surgery are During this outpatient procedure, our maximize your ability to recover. CT COLORADO TENNIS • SUMMER 2019
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WITH MORE THAN A CENTURY OF EXPERIENCE, THE USTA COLORADO TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE HELPS KEEP COMPETITIVE PLAY RELEVANT AND FUN FOR PLAYERS ACROSS THE STATE.
ournament play in Colorado can bring out the best in tennis play- ers. All of those wonderful experiences at the local tennis tourna- T ment take hours and hours of planning and commitment. It takes passion from volunteers. It takes a special kind of tourna- JONMESSICK ment where participants have such a good time that they make it a point to mark it on their calendar to play in it year after year. And it takes dedicated volunteers like Jon Messick, Duke Paluch and Michael Shellman, all of whom have been serving
on the USTA Colorado tournament committee for more than COLORADO TENNIS • SUMMER 2019 25 years. “We’ve run two major tournaments (one junior and one adult) every year since I started teaching tennis in 1985 at the Harvest House (now Rocky Mountain Tennis Center in Boulder) so my involvement helped with our own events, and I have enjoyed sharing ideas with other committee members and tournament directors,” says Paluch, 57, co-owner and execu- tive director at RMTC. “Had I known I was going to be running tournaments and a club for almost 35 years, I would have taken better notes and kept them.” Messick, 69, the longtime tennis coach at Colorado State University who retired after 31 years in 2016, says he enjoys working with the staff and other volunteers. “I have been a tournament director for many years so I know a lot about issues they face,” Messick says. “I have also been a tournament player so I have that perspective as well. I never DUKEPALUCH imagined that I would have spent as many years volunteering in various capacities with USTA Tennis.” Time truly does fly when it comes to Messick and tennis. “It seems like just yesterday when I attended my first USTA Colorado board meeting,” Messick recalls. “Through the years, I have always felt that I was doing what I should be doing to promote tennis. Just a lifelong passion.” Shellman, 66, tennis team leader at Highlands Ranch Community Association who is thinking of retiring some- time this year, joined the tournament committee because he thought gaining more knowledge of how the tournament sys- tem worked would be beneficial. Paluch says he has remained on the committee for decades because of who he’s worked with. “The committee members are a great group of guys,” Paluch says. “How nice that (USTA Colorado’s) Jason (Colter) and Fritz (Garger) have been around as long as I have been. Having Brett Haberstick, Jon Messick and Michael Shellman involved means you’ve got great people with a ton of knowledge on the subject of tournaments and players.” Shellman is positive about the future of tournaments in MIKESHELLMAN Colorado.
16 COLORADOTENNIS.com COLORADOTENNIS • SUMMER 2019 and predictable asfar astime to make tournament play fun ments needto adhere to. matches, something tourna- and timecommitment for of theconsistent schedule ular inrecent years because leagues have beenmore pop- to four timesaweek, says official whoplays tennis three smaller towns.” type ofevent. Especiallyin a neighborhoodcommunity little more localized, more of ing astournaments become a look at itasasocialgather right perspective, you also ing and rewarding. With the that make the game excit new anddifferent people player you dowant to play me, ifyou want to beatennis think thefuture isgood.To go home,” Shellmansays. “I than come in,just play and more ofasocialevent rather little more social,becoming “I thinkthat ifwe continue Messick, acertified USTA “I’d like to seethemgoa COLORADOTENNIS. - - com ent types ofballsfor differ abbreviated scoring, differ junior tournaments. has moved in terms of the direction USTA Colorado scene to goalongwithit.” ated a popular evening social ment, butthey have alsocre- is avery competitive tourna- done a great job with this. It Colorado State Openhas The ties in their schedule. add/enhance socialactivi- need to beaware ofthisand Tournaments ment to them. have asubstantial socialele- Also, leagues commitments. formats andmore finite time tournaments, shorter match tion inColorado, withshorter been moving inthisdirec their busy schedule. We have able to fitatournament into things start andendto be “People want to know when a goodfuture,” Messick says. matches), that we willhave commitment (andlengthof “Multi-match formats with Paluch says it’s awesome - - - Shellman says. run on time is a big deal, out, having thetournament time. Andlike Messick points the players have agood tions’ interests.” look ahead to future genera - new formats, butwe needto ers aren’t sointerested in previous generation play unique ideasfor adults.Many and now needto pushmore great job with the juniors mats. Ithinkwe’ve donea matches, solookat new for “They want more says. to two-day events,” Paluch have less time, somore one- tournaments. They seemto fight traffic, somore local tant. wants ofplayers are impor says lookingat theneedsand greater participation, Paluch tion,” hesays. moving usintheright direc ent agesandability levels is Shellman says make sure “Players don’twant to And asfar asencouraging - - - - CT the linkonourhomepage. radotennis.com andlookfor the survey, pleasevisitcolo- wide. tournament directors state- as we coordinate efforts with players to get their feedback are conducting asurvey of of our sanctioned events, we make positive strides withall product andcontinue to improve thetournament experience. Inaneffort to al competitive tournament players withanexception- Committee isto provide all Colorado anditsTournament just want theT-shirt.” sign upto play, butmostly are always someplayers who it is,” Shellman says. “There aways, the swag or whatever players like T-shirts, the give- If you'd like to take partin The goalofUSTA “It sounds silly but some And thenthere’s theswag. 17 COLORADO TENNIS • SUMMER 2019
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20 COLORADOTENNIS.com COLORADOTENNIS • SUMMER 2019 19_090_CTA_July19.indd 1 include afun,pickleball pink-themed cocktail party at theGolfClub. feature women’s doublesandmixed doublesto be conducted insideThe Broadmoor tennis bubble. The event will The first indoorpickleball tournament oftheseason!Supportingbreast cancer research, thischarity event will Dink for PinkCharity PickleballWeekend •November 1-3 margaritas, Mexican beers, and handcrafted tacos by ourfantastic chefs. adult campincludesavery specialevening at The GolfClubto celebrate the finest sipping tequilas, specialty New thisyear andthesecond oneofthesummer! Combine allofyour favorite passions into oneweekend! This Tennis, Tacos &Tequilas •September 20-22 and produce gardens, aBroadmoor chef willprepare analfresco picniclunchinthis lovely garden setting. Designed for 3.5-4.5adults,thiscampwillincludeaspecialafternoon at Broadmoor Farms. After atour oftheherb Farm-to-Table Event &Tennis Camp* •September 13-15 wine tasting andpaired appetizers at The FishHouse. two-hour casting clinic,ledby aBroadmoor guide onSaturday afternoon. Top offthe evening witha In additionto three days ofaward-winning tennis instruction, enjoy anintroduction to flyfishing witha The “Hook&Volley” Wine &FlyFishingTennis Camp •August 2-4 SPECIAL EVENTS IN2019! Drills are scheduledat 8:00am,9:00am,10:00am,11:00amand4:00pm daily! We conduct tennis drillsevery day ofthesummerfor beginners to experts, for 4years oldsto 94year olds! DAILY TENNISDRILLS December 27-29 December 7-9 November 22-24 November 1-3 October 11-13 September 20-22 September 13-15 September 6-8 August 23-25 August 16-18 August 5-7 August 2-4 July 26-28 July 17-19 DATE Here for atwo-night camp? Pleasearrive thefirst day ofcamp. Staying for athree-night camp? Pleasearrive thenight before campstarts. 2019 tennis camps &events The Broadmoor Tennis Clubtheir “tennis homeaway“tennis from home”! TENNIS
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here's an old adage, "it's like riding re-learn the fundamentals. a bike." It implies that we know Neither of us had hit a ball in almost WITH GRATITUDE, FROM everything about an activity and a year, when we joined our friends T can take off where we left off. at their swim and tennis club to hack ALL OF US AT USTA CO... Lately, I've discovered tennis is very around a bit and giggle a bit more. In any given year, in any given month, on similar. There may be steps along the Instead of heading out to the big any given day, and on any given weekend/ way. There may be some coaching for courts, we slid over to the 36-foot weekday/morning/afternoon/evening, Mother a while. There may be some period in courts on the east side of Gates Tennis Nature can thoroughly disrupt the best laid which the intricacies — vectors, spins, Center. I grabbed some red balls and plans. various strategies — have to be mas- smaller racquets and we just hit back You can blame it on climate change or the tered separately. and forth for a good 30 minutes before fickle gods of tennis, but regardless of the But once you know how to swing we were both so drenched with sweat culprit, rain, hail and snow are truly the bane naturally, with good timing, and keep we couldn't see straight. We smiled, of league and tournament operations, espe- a rally going, the task is learned. And we joked, and then we grabbed a few cially during a District Championship event or it is remembered all your life. cold ones (water bottles) and retreat- a Sectional tournament where half of all the Of course, there could be rusty ed to the air conditioned offices here competitors are from out of state. strokes and some new bad habits; at USTA Colorado HQ. On the first day of the 2019 Intermountain muscles atrophy and joints get achy. The take-away was this — tennis Summer Championship — the largest junior But the skill is not forgettable. doesn't have to be your number one tournament in the Section — rain drove play- Years away from the sport due to ill- sport. For my son, it's not even in the ers off the courts late in the day. Fortunately, COLORADO TENNIS • SUMMER 2019 ness and injury led me to a comeback top-five. Heck, tennis is my livelihood, Colorado Athletic Club Monaco offered an (of sorts), but it didn't stick. I was busy, and it's not even in my top-five. indoor option. Due to the number of families it would take several days to recover But every time I step out onto the who travel from around the Section to com- from a one-hour hitting session, and court, I feel good. I have fun. I smile, I pete in this event, bad weather can cause I allowed myself to find excuses as to laugh, I joke, I connect with the people some major headaches. Thanks to CACM, plus why I didn't want to play. on the court with me. all the host facilities for this year's Summer I hit a couple times in 2018, and had Like riding a bike, once you have Championship: fun, but I didn't really find my groove. learned the fundamental skills for ten- • Aurora Parks & Rec (Utah Park) We have a number of really good hit- nis, the sport is available to you for- • Gates Tennis Center ters on our staff, and you'd think that ever. It is always there, waiting to re- • South Suburban (Holly & Lone Tree) I could find an hour or two a week to engage you in the activity. And when • CO Athletic Club (Inverness & Monaco) go swing along with the group, who re-engaged, the task is sure to bring a • Highlands Ranch (Northridge) would go hit almost every day. smile to your face. • Ken Caryl A couple weekends ago, when the I don't know if my son will become a afternoon thunderstorms gave us a bit varsity-level player, or if he'll embrace After a nearly perfect weekend for the of a break, my son rode his bike over tennis the way he has embraced his USTA Colorado 18 & Over Mixed District here to the office so we could hit a few preferred sports. But I do know that Championship in mid-June, the weather balls. It was hot — 95 degrees or so — when he swings his racquet, he con- turned sour the next, as rain plagued the first and the rain-saturated ground kept the nects with more than just the ball. He two days of the USTA Colorado Adult 18 & Over humidity fairly high. connects with me. District Championships. My son is not a "tennis player". He's And that connection, even it's for With nearly 100 teams competing and more had a few sessions with coaches, and just 30 minutes on a hot summer day, than 1,000 competitors set to play, early thun- has taken a few youth clinics, but he's will be etched in my memory forever. derstorms and a wretched forecast forced never played a match. most of the weekend's matches indoors. He's a very good athlete — he plays Non-Sequitur Players scrambled from outdoor locations at ... lacrosse, basketball, skis (at a very We've had a number of read- • Aurora Parks & Rec (Utah Park) high level), rides mountain bikes (also ers commenting on the redesigned • CO Athletic Club (Inverness & Monaco) at a fairly high level), golfs occasion- Colorado Tennis, and I'm happy to say • Gates Tennis Center ally and competes in an annual adven- that everyone (that we've heard from) • Pinehurst Country Club ture race in the mountains. He has really enjoys the new format. • South Suburban (Holly & Lone Tree) played soccer, baseball and volleyball, As always, I'd like to remind you to ... to finish up at learned how to rock climb, do parkour, please remember the businesses who and summited several 14ers. He's a • CAC (Inverness & Monaco) & Pinehurst support our tennis community through • Meadow Creek Colorado kid. advertising and sponsorship. He heads to high school this fall, and • Lifetime Fitness Centennial Finally, look for the Fall issue to • Ken Caryl is considering playing tennis, but defi- arrive in October. CT nitely needs some time on the court to • Denver Tennis Park
22 COLORADOTENNIS.com COLORADOTENNIS • SUMMER 2019 COLORADOTENNIS. com 23 COLORADO TENNIS • SUMMER 2019
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