A Division of the USPTA December 2017 Happy Holidays from the great Southwest

Inside: President’s Message -2 2018 Award’s Program 3-5 2018 Southwest Conference -6 Area News 8-12 USTA Southwest News 13-15 Innovation Worshop - 16 The second seismic shi is moving from our decade-old President’s Message na onal loca on in to Orlando. We have tran- si oned from a mundane industrial park to a sensa on- al new facility at the entrance to the USTA Tennis Cam- Bri Feldhausen - USPTA Southwest President pus. Houston was a good decision in its me. Because of having that property and building that appreciated in value, we could construct an incredible new asset for our work. We are now posi oned at the entrance to Dear colleagues and friends: the largest tennis facility in the world. Our building is elegant yet func onal and will serve us well for further- Penning this last president’s ing research and as a springboard for the growth of our message reminds me I really membership. No other tennis professional cer fi ca on don’t use a pen anymore, group comes even close. thanks to Jack Michalko who made me convert to a com- Let me close with applause for our great board. That puter and email. That was a leadership group to a person has stepped up, taken few years ago when I became on responsibili es and fi lled the gaps. They are more the district coordinator for than fulfi lling their commitment. I know you share my the Tucson area. gra tude for that. I happily fi nish my term as president knowing that great people are inline. Being President of the Southwest for the past two years has come, as the saying goes, “at interes ng mes.” Two events in par cular — while not brought about by me other than by being a member of the USPTA — are profoundly signifi cant.

The fi rst is crea on of an ongoing educa on require- ment that greatly increases our credibility as teachers. Being inten onal about gathering as professionals at the table of shared learning is proving immensely help- ful and s mula ng for all who too o en languish alone in our work. Now because of increased knowledge, we are even be er at what we do. We have gained increased apprecia on of the USPTA as a resource for professional development and have become more involved in our organiza on.

For example, in the concluding phase of the three-year window for members to obtain the necessary con nu- a on educa on credits, we worried we could see as much as 30% decline in our Southwest division. The board rose to the challenge; even more so Amy Badger with her boundless energy. The astonishing result is a 96% credit achievement and reten on rate! I know you join me in being tremendously proud and pleased about our mutual commitment to prac cal and mea- surable advancement as tennis professionals.

page 2 December 2017 Division Awards Nomina ng Form Professional Tennis Associa on 2018 Awards Program

SOUTHWEST DIVISION GENERAL RULES: · Award period is from January 1 – December 31, 2017 unless otherwise noted in award category.

· Only USPTA cer fi ed members, (Master Professional, Elite Professional and Professional) in good standing are eligible for USPTA member awards.

· Only Facility Manager of the Year Award is open to non-members.

· Only USPTA members in good standing may submit nomina ons in all categories.

· Self-nomina ons are acceptable.

· All award categories may not necessarily be awarded on an annual basis.

· Awards Commi ee will determine if there are qualifi ed candidates in any category.

· Awards will be presented at the USPTA SOUTHWEST Division Conference at

LA CAMARILLA RACQUET, FITNESS AND SWIM CLUB, PHOENIX AZ MAY 18-19, 2018 MAKE YOUR AWARD NOMINATIONS NOW! APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN MARCH 18th, 2018 ****************************************************************************** NOMINATION FORM AWARD CATEGORY:______NAME TO BE NOMINATED: ______USPTA# ______NOMINEE CONTACT DETAILS: phone: ______email: ______INFORMATION ON NOMINEE:

Addi onal detailed informa on on nominee as to why this member deserves this recogni on is encouraged. Please submit a bio if possible and as much in-depth informa on as you can. NOMINATING MEMBER NAME: ______USPTA# ______NOMINATOR CONTACT DETAILS: phone: ______email: ______ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE SENT VIA EMAIL TO: Amy Badger [email protected] QUESTIONS: Contact: AMY BADGER 505.379.6728/ [email protected]

December 2017 page 3 USPTA SOUTHWEST AWARDS CATEGORIES 2018

STEVE WILKINSON COLLEGE COACH OF THE YEAR – Award recipient is selected based on his/her results as a college team coach. Nominee may be nominated for success during the 2017 college year or for long term commitment and con nued success as a college team coach. Include both spring and fall schedules and data.

DIVERSITY AWARD – This award recognizes the USPTA member who has demonstrated an outstanding ability to unite diverse popula ons within his/her community through tennis

DIVISION TESTER OF THE YEAR – The Divisional Head Tester will recommend a nominee to the Awards Com- mi ee. No other nomina ons will be considered.

FACILITY MANAGER OF THE YEAR – Large Facility 9 or more courts, Small Facility 8 or less courts. This nominee may be a non-member or a USPTA SOUTHWEST Member. Nominee need not be a General Manager by name but must func on in the posi on of Manager of a USTA Member facility. The facility itself is not eligible for the award.

GEORGE BACSO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Na onal Award Only! This award recognizes a member who has demonstrated exemplary achievement in seven areas throughout their career – contribu ons to the USPTA and USTA, achievements in teaching and playing both on and off the court, contribu ons of me and exper se to other organiza ons and/or chari es and commitment to growing the game through published ar- cles, presenta ons, educa on and communica ons. Applicant must have been a member 30 consecu ve years or more.

USPTA SOUTHWEST PROUD DIVISIONAL AWARD – This award recognizes a member who exemplifi es in- tegrity, respect and passion for tennis on and off the court. This is NOT A NATIONAL AWARD. This award may or may not be given out each year. This award is at the discre on of the USPTA Southwest Awards Commi ee. HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR – Award recipient is selected based on his/her results as a high school team coach. Nominee may be nominated for success during the 2017 High School season or for long term commit- ment and con nued success as a high school coach.

INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AWARD - This award is given to USPTA teaching professionals who demonstrate an entrepreneurial and altruis c a tude toward their job. This award nominee should exhibit resourcefulness and show growth in their business and programs while bringing tennis to more people in their area.

ALEX GORDON PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – This award recognizes a member who has demonstrated exemplary achievement in these areas during 2017 only – contribu ons to the USPTA and USTA, achievements in teaching and playing both on and off the court, contribu ons of me and exper se to other organiza ons and/or chari es and commitment to growing the game through published ar cles, presenta ons, educa on and commu- nica ons.

USPTA LESSONS FOR LIFE AWARD – This award recognizes a member who has done the most to raise money for chari es in his/her district through tennis events or tennis related fundraisers. While raising large amounts is wonderful the commi ee also considers crea ve and unique way to raise funds through tennis.

USPTA STARS – The commi ee looks for members who have dedicated me, energy and much eff ort into vol-

page 4 December 2017 unteering for grassroots tennis and mul -cultural events bringing the sport and sportsmanship to the players they touch. They inspire others and they deserve to be recognized.

30 AND UNDER AWARD – This award is presented to a current USPTA member who is under the age of 30 dur- ing the 2017 calendar year. This member exemplifi es the future of the organiza on and he/she must show dedica- on to the growth of the game and the desire to learn all aspects of the business of being a USPTA professional. This nominee must show ini a ve and be involved in ac vi es in their respec ve districts. This member needs to demonstrate sportsmanship, teamwork and willingness to reach out to other U30 members in the USPTA through social media or direct contact. This award winner should have served on a commi ee, task force or ini ated a pro- gram to help fellow members.

Greetings fellow certiϐied teaching professionals! It is award time for 2018! Please read the award descriptions. Self nominations are welcome but if you know of someone that would be a great candidate please don’t hesitate to nominate him/her. It’s the ultimate compliment! Please read the form guidelines carefully as applications are all ONLINE ONLY now! Our division, as well as national have strict deadlines. The division and national deadline for applications and nominations is March 18, 2018.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Thank you all for thinking of your fellow USPTA certiϐied teaching pros as we look for fantastic nominations!

Best, Amy Badger, USPTA [email protected] 505.379.6728

December 2017 page 5 2018 Southwest Conference to be SOUTHWEST OFFICERS held at La Camarilla Racquet, Fit-

President ness and Swim Club May 18-19! Bri Feldhausen 520-886-1885 by Dave Moyer, Conference Chairman bri [email protected] Regional VP Last month I had the great opportunity to visit the Jonathan Davis 520-360-0182 USTA Na onal Campus, the [email protected] USPTA Na onal Offi ces and at- Vice President tend the conference in Orlando, Dave Moyer 480-342-7240 Florida. I was blown away not [email protected] only by the amazing tennis Secretary facili es that the USTA has put Laurie Mar n 480-213-2083 lmar [email protected] together, but the new USPTA Treasurer building was equally impressive. Amy Badger 505-379-6728 I am very proud of our organiza- [email protected] on and excited for the future! Past President Mark Frampton 602-952-7234 Speaking of the future…make sure to mark your calen- [email protected] dars for May 18-19, 2018 Pro Emeritus at La Camarilla Racquet, Vicki Foster 602-930-8423 Fitness and Swim Club in [email protected] Phoenix, Arizona. That will Execu ve Director be the date and loca on for Rita Michalko 602-793-5500 [email protected] next year’s USPTA South- west Tennis Conference in SOUTHWEST COORDINATORS conjunc on with the USTA Southwest. We are very ex- Northern New cited to once again partner with the USTA as we try to Dick Johnson 505-507-6795 provide the highest quality in educa on to our mem- [email protected] bers. I am very excited to once again be the conference Phoenix chair, and will do my very best to provide a fun and in- Steve Edgington 602-480-646-0153 forma ve slate of topics and events. Planning is already [email protected] underway and several speakers have already signed up Southeastern Arizona to be a part of next year’s conference. We hope to have Jane Hagerty 520-403-0874 the agenda out to everyone a er the New Year. [email protected] Northern Arizona Claude e Laliberte 928-300-8702 If you have any ideas that you would like to add to the [email protected] conference or be involved with the trade show, please Southern New Mexico & El Paso email me at [email protected]. We are all in this TBD together so I would love to hear any great ideas you Head Tester might have. Mark Frampton 602-952-7234 mframpton@fron ernet.net Looking forward to seeing everyone in May. In the The Southwest Magazine is the offi cial Publica on of the mean me, if there is anything that I can do for you as a USPTA Southwest Division of the United States Profes- sional Tennis Associa on. board representa ve, please let me know.

page 6 December 2017 December 2017 page 7 Northern Arizona SEDONA Master Professional Larry Lineberry [1][t2][t3]has been teaching a young player whose parents have a home in by Claude e Laliberte Sedona and Hancock, ME. Having taught him in Se- dona, they were pleased enough to have paid him to FLAGSTAFF go to their home in Maine three mes since August to Nicole Chambers, the high- work with the player on their own tennis court. Travel light of October for Nicole included a ride back from Maine on their own private Chambers, USPTA Elite Profes- jet. He will see the player when the family is in Sedona sional for Thanksgiving and Christmas, then Larry will travel was a ending the USPTA back to Maine to work with him in early January be- World Conference in Orlando, cause the family also owns a four court indoor tennis Florida. The USTA and the facility in Elsworth, Maine. The travel has allowed Larry USPTA collaborated to put on and Elizabeth to visit Maine a lot and enjoy combining an incredible conference that work with new travel. Larry stated “It all started when consisted of “Hall of Fame” the players Mom, a lawyer, called my wife, also a law- panel discussions, the intro- yer, on business while in Sedona and asked Elizabeth if duc on of NET GENERATION, on court workshops and she knew a good tennis professional while her son was more. here.” No kidding….you never know!

Nicole has signed on with USTA Northern Arizona as Larry will again coach the boy’s tennis team for the a trainer for Flagstaff . Nicole’s job is to work closely third consecu ve season at Mingus Union High School with the Director of FACTS, Kaitlyn Verfeurth and the in spring of 2018. TSR for the USTA, Jana Perpich, to train prospec ve tennis instructors that teach FACTS a erschool tennis USPTA Elite Professional, Claude e Laliberte[4] as- programming, PE tennis in the Elementary and middle sisted with the last of the Nike Adult Tennis Camps for schools and high school teachers. 2017. These weekend long camps were held at the Enchantment Resort in Sedona Az. They were held in The 5th Annual Route 66 Brew Cup took place on Sep- the months of May, August, and October. tember 22-24th at Forest Highlands Golf Club, where Nicole is the Director of Tennis. This year we had 48 Enchantment Resort Tennis Supervisor and USPTA Elite ladies in the 3.5/4.0 divisions compete as teams for Professional, Nelson Banes directed the Camps. USPTA the coveted tle. This year the team that took fi rst Professional and Enchantment Teaching Professional, place was captain by Kate Baker. Cliff Gerwick also brought along his exper se to cre- ate a very successful Tennis Camp weekend. The Nike Flagstaff juniors and high school players are taking part Adult Camps will con nue at Enchantment Resort in in the USTA Junior Team Tennis Series that consists the year 2018. The Camp scheduled has not yet been of 4 tournaments between October 21 and February confi rmed. 6th. The juniors from Northern Arizona come together at a diff erent NAZ loca on to compete in singles, Congratula ons to USPTA Professional Cliff Gerwick for doubles and mixed doubles. winning the USTA Southwest Slam Series Clay Court Championships held September 20-24 of this year! He Nicole just completed her seventh season as Director won the Men’s 60 singles event. of Tennis at Forest Highlands Golf Club. She and her family will be looking forward to their trip to South Af- rica for the winter season before returning in February PRESCOTT next year to prepare for the 2018 Flagstaff and Forest Highlands outdoor season.

page 8 December 2017 It was a busy summer in Presco with the running of game with programs and tournaments, looking a er three full weekend tournaments, the “Memorial”, Mile public tennis facili es and facilita ng discussion with High and Labor Day, as well as our 3rd Annual Park of all en es that have courts or are developing future Tennis Fame Clinic and Induc ons. facili es and programs. They have an easy to use web-site (presco tennis.com) and do make a big dif- Local USPTA Tennis Professional Dave Hibbs was the ference in the area for the game. tournament director this year of the fi rst 3 events with Chris Howard over-seeing the Park of Tennis Fame event, all held at the beau ful Yavapai College Tennis Facility. Phoenix, Arizona Presco Area Tennis Associa on President Dawn Teal has done a fantas c job in spear-heading all of these by Steve Edgington projects, and brought Phase 1 of the park to comple- on, the main sidewalk leading up to the stadium court To all USPTA Southwest with three years of brick inductee’s honored as well as members, I hope you had a the main contributors to help rebuild the whole tennis great summer and are now complex. all busy on court with the start of the tennis season. The Presco Racquet Club refurbished four of its seven There have been a couple tennis courts this summer to the excitement of their of addi ons to the USPTA members. community. We would like to welcome Ryan Tracy to USPTA Tennis Professional Sterling Fe y is mighty proud D.C. Ranch and Anthem of this former student Taylor Johnson who is ranked Country Club recently hired number 12 in the world in the Women’s 18 and under USPTA Professional Gino Di division - and played her fi rst U.S. Open in the Open Giacinto-Hillis to its teaching staff . Di Giacinto-Hillis Women’s Doubles this year. is also the Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach at Glendale Community College. Anthem’s staff now Sterling runs his Junior Academy at the Presco High includes fi ve (5) USPTA Cer fi ed Professionals. School tennis facility on a year-round basis. I would like to host a get together at Phoenix Country Jan Fisher is working with Jason Jamison in her 4th Club on Saturday January 27, 2018 at 1:00 pm where year of over-seeing the a er-school’s tennis program I would like to put on a clinic with a university team. throughout the Presco Area. Hundreds of kids are Please let me know if you are interested by emailing ge ng exposed to the game throughout the school me at [email protected]. year in Presco and Presco Valley.

Yavapai College has developed an inexpensive honor pay system, with on-line reserva ons and weekly tennis programs (now in its third year) that brings in SWPTA Cer fi ca on over $35,000 dollars annually to help off -set the costs Tests & Upgrades to maintain and run this rela vely new tennis facility. More small facili es should follow their lead - it’s work- PHOENIX * May 17-18, 2018 ing very well. La Camarilla Racquet, Fitness & Swim The Presco Area Tennis Associa on (founded in 1991) is doing a terrifi c job of enhancing and growing the

December 2017 page 9 Northern New Mexico prised me with an 8th consecu ve A Team Champi- onship, a B Team Division 2 runner-up, and a C Team consola on championship. Our public school has the by Dick Johnson largest “public school tennis program” in the state. These kids are the future and many hopefully I will see on the HS team in the future. What a conference! The Next Genera on “A Tennis Innova- I have been busy with my bi-weekly tennis videos (DJ ve Workshop” in Orlando, Fl Tennis) and fi nishing up our Fall La Cueva Jr Tennis at the Renaissance Orlando Camps. Lots of fun and sure keeps me out of trouble. Sea World and the Na onal Campus, in my opinion, was Recently had a wonderful breakfast mee ng and the best conference I have conversa on with esteemed Southwest and Na onal ever been a part of. (And Sports writer, author, Toby Smith who gave me some that’s over 25!) valuable ps on a book that I have been thinking about wri ng the past few years. Stay tuned. I have many It was made special because stories that will take some organiza on. Should be fun. of the coopera ve eff ort between the USPTA and the USTA and was one of the My wife and I and our two kids (Gizmo and Lulu) want largest gatherings of teaching professionals and indus- to wish all of you the best during the holidays. Be try leaders in many years. There were knowledgeable safe, have fun, and lets look forward to a successful speakers, new and diff erent ideas, and the coopera- and rewarding 2018. HAPPY HOLIDAYS and NEW YEAR on and detail of our organiza on with the USTA was everyone! extremely exci ng.

Chuck Gill, President, USPTA and Katrina Adams, Presi- NOW LETS SEE WHATS HAPPENING IN OUR AREA! dent, USTA kicked off the conference. DAVID PITTS, Director of Tennis at Tanoan Country A special “shout-out” to Kathy Kolankiewicz, USPTA Club has two very special people that have represent- and former UNM Women’s Coach who is now the chief ed his club, themselves, and tennis in the best possible assistant to Tim Cass, Nat’l Mgr. of USTA Nat’l Campus light. Nancy Key who is a Tanoan member has been (formerly head men’s coach at UNM). She gave myself recognized by the NNMDTA as High school Coach of and Sue Jollensten, NMDTA Execu ve Director, a pri- the Year. She coaches the Manzano girls’ team, and vate tour of the campus the day before. Dexter Fong, has not only brought her tennis knowledge to help USPTA Pro from Sacramento my roomie in in these girls improve their game but has managed to 2014 went with us. get the players racquets and equipment. Nancy was thrilled to receive this award and Tanoan is thrilled to The next day, John Embry our USPTA CEO, gave day- have her part of Tanoan and the Albuquerque tennis long personal tours of our new “State of the Art” community. Nancy has been taking lessons from Andy World Headquarters. What a facility! and has been incorpora ng his drills into her team prac ces. Our direc on is headed the right way. We must now really work hard at increasing membership with “ac- Tanoan’s own tennis professional Shepard Moore ve and young minds” that can keep the “ball rolling” received an award for Adult Player of the year. Anyone in a posi ve and visionary way. who knows Shepard is not surprised by this. He is an excellent pro, one of the best players in New Mexico Back home in Albuquerque, I just fi nished a terrifi c and most importantly one of the nicest people you mid-school season with 50+ no cut-kiddos that sur-

page 10 December 2017 St. Louis (the good player) and triumphed over Mark could possibly know. Shepard had an outstanding year Cox and Richard Tui 6-3 6-4 to win the 70 and over compe ng and doing very well in the tournaments he World Championships. Congrats Jimmy! All those gold played. He organized the club tennis team at UNM and balls are a great investment! the team won the Sportsmanship award at the USTA Na onals. He also captained a mixed doubles team that DOUG MACCURDY is in . He is our USPTA World played out of Tanoan (with his team fi rst place in New Ambassador of Tennis. On September 16-26, USPTA Mexico and competed at sec onals where they were China organized a three day coach’s workshop in the narrowly defeated by a strong Phoenix team). Shepard ci es of Beijing, Kunming, and . The speak- will be a great candidate for future USPTA membership. ing team consisted of Dave Miley, former Execu ve Director of Tennis Development for the Interna onal Congratula ons to both Nancy and Shepard to their con- Tennis Federa on, Yang Chao, educa on and tes ng tribu on to the game of tennis and is greatly appreciated manager for USPTA China and Doug. by everyone that they came into contact with. The theme of the workshops was “Excellence in ROBERT SONERU, assistant pro at Tanoan Country Club Coaching Players U12”. Each venue was fully a ended is currently hos ng Match Play every Wednesday from with a capacity of 32 coaches in each city. Topics 4-5:30 for Green Dot players as well as advanced yellow ranged from the understanding of game based coach- ball players. The cost is only $5. For more informa on, ing to age appropriate physical condi oning for young please call Robert at 505-967-6527. Keep those kids play- tournament players. ing Robert! Well Done. NOTE: DOUG will be inducted into the USTA South- AMY BADGER in Albuquerque just fi nished up a great west Tennis Hall of Fame in January in Phoenix. mid-school season with 70 kids at the Albuquerque Congrats big guy. So well deserved. We are so proud Academy. This is a no-cut program and produced 4 com- of you. You have been a valuable contributor to our pe ng teams and 1 non-compe ng team. sport.

Amy also a ended the USTA/USPTA Net Genera on Con- ADAM LANE contacted me recently and he and his ference in Orlando and then she was off to the Tennis wife Alison, also a USPTA Pro ,along with their four Congress in Tucson. year old and two year old will be working at Angel She is the lead faculty member for the Southern New Fire Resort this summer. Adam has traveled exten- Mexico USTA EDC future camp on Dec. 3rd for players sively in the past to Australia, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico ages 7-10. This camp will be held for GEPTA. and Korea. He currently is on the professional staff at Bonita Bay Club, north of Naples. He and his wife are Amy is con nuing with private and group lessons (TEN- excited to be coming to the cool air of New Mexico NIS CASA AMY) and is looking forward to the high school and hope to meet many of the Southwest Pros in the season star ng her 19th season as head women’s coach near future. Welcome Adam and Alison! You’re going at Albuquerque Academy High School. to have a great me!

JOE FELICE, Albuquerque has had a very busy year. “The RALPH BOLTON reports from Santa Fe some excit- King of League Tennis” captained 14 league teams and ing news about his 55 and older team. They will be played on 12 teams in 2017. Holy Cow Joe! Did you get heading to Na onals represen ng Santa Fe Tennis enough tennis? Good luck with your “Ni any Lions” and Swim Club. Included on the team are: Rocky come bowl me. Royer, Tim Garcia, Klaus Diabik, Jim Parker, Ma hew Barker, Key Sanders, Jeff Pine, Rich Bechtold, Bernie JIMMY PARKER just came back from An gua where Brandon, Paul Mantuck, Vahl Jackson, and Capt. Jon they par cipated in the annual tennis event hosted by Bloodworth. That looks like a winning team. Good Bob Raedisch former Santa Fe and Southwest USPTA luck fellas! President. Jimmy recently teamed with Dick Johnson, con nued on page 12

December 2017 page 11 con nued from page 11 BRETT HALL is in Oregon right now and had a hip replacement in early September. He is making great progress and is looking for a seasonal winter posi on hopefully in Arizona. He will be coming back to the Phoenix area for six weeks in January. Please contact him if you know someone looking for a seasonal tennis professional. Bre would be an outstanding contributor and wonderful addi on to your club or facility.

JAKE MATTHEWS at El Gancho Club in Santa Fe is transi oning into the fall/winter season a er a successful summer. Jake currently has three full me pros Brad Lawrence, Bo Gray, and himself conduc ng over 100 hours of lessons, clinics, and drills per week. El Gancho hosted three USTA sanc oned tournaments (two adult, one junior). He has seen his numbers for all events rise over previous years. His USTA 40 and over leagues are wrap- ping up and they currently have seven teams compe ng on their league. Indoor winter league tennis will start up soon. El Gancho is rockin!

WARREN FULGENZI had a fantas c reunion at his high school, Robertson on October 27-28. Our tennis alumni was represented from the class of 1948 all the way up to the class of 2017. They honored their 2017 champion- ship boys and girls teams with their ring presenta on. The night was capped off with a tribute to the legendary Leroy Fulgenzi who coached RHS for 32 years and built the program into what it is today. The famous two-handed forehand and backhand is a trademark of the Fulgenzi tradi on. He did this with no tennis club or tennis pros in Las Vegas, NM-just hard work and good leadership. To this day there are only 8 playable courts in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Not only was Coach Fulgenzi a father fi gure to his kids but a real pioneer for tennis in New Mexico. It was a great night, with good friends, and great memories. I competed against Leroy in the 60’s and played with him at na onal tournaments. This was a very special night. Thanks Warren for the up-date.

Southwest Na onal Award Winners!

Sheila McInerney (Tempe, Arizona) was named the Steve Wilkinson College Coach of the Year a er leading the Arizona State University women’s tennis team to an 18-6 overall mark last season. Her team also captured the Pac-12 team tle for the fi rst me in program his- tory, which is awarded to the team who wins the most singles and doubles matches in the main draw of the Pac-12 Tournament. McInerney is entering her 34th season as the head coach for the women’s tennis team at Arizona State University. Congratula ons Sheila!

Jack Michalko (Phoenix) was awarded the USPTA President’s Paul Waldman Award. Michalko has been a USPTA member for more than 47 years and has held mul ple roles within the associa on. He is currently a Vice-President on the USPTA Na onal Board of Directors and has been a member of the USPTA Execu ve Commi ee, Na onal Job’s Commi ee, Na onal Nomina ng Commi ee, Na onal Awards Commi ee, and currently serves as the chairman of the Na onal Membership Commi ee. Michalko has also served the USPTA on a local level, hav- ing held several posi ons with the USPTA Southwest Division board, including being a two term President, Regional Vice President and three term treasurer. He has also been the Execu ve Director of the USPTA Southwest Division for 23 years. A very deserving award!

page 12 December 2017 USTA Southwest News

BELKEN, MACCURDY INDUCTED INTO SOUTHWEST HALL OF FAME Former Arizona State University men’s coach Lou Belken (Sco sdale, AZ.) and renowned interna onal tennis instructor Doug Maccurdy (Albuquerque, NM) were recently named as the newest inductees into the USTA South- west Hall of Fame. Both men have been longstanding members of the USPTA.

Belken was the men’s tennis coach at ASU for 26 years, leading the Sun Devils to fi ve Sweet 16 appearances and a Final 8 fi nish, and had one NCAA singles champion (Sargis Sargsian (1995). He also taught 14 All- Americans and 28 All Pac-10 Conference players in his lengthy tenure at ASU. Belken has a reputa on in player development, having taught some of the best players to ever come out of the Southwest, including Jim Grabb, Gary Donnelly, Nathan Ponwith and Kylie McKenzie.

Maccurdy was the former General Manager and Director of Develop- ment for the Interna onal Tennis Federa on from 1984-1998 and was the Director of USTA Player Development from 1998-2001. Both roles gave Maccurdy a truly global look at how the sport was taught and developed and he played a large hand in bringing on new member na ons into the ITF fold as well as developed curriculum . Maccurdy has also served as a consultant to the Chinese Tennis Federa on, with similar roles in , Korea, and .

Maccurdy, a former University of New Mexico alum (class of 1971), also holds the pres gious USPTA Master Pro designa on.

Both men will be inducted at the USTA Southwest Hall of Fame Ceremony on January 13 in Phoenix.

ATP CHALLENGER TOUR RETURNS TO PHOENIX IN JANUARY 2018 The ATP Challenger Tour will make a return to the Phoenix metro area January 8-14, 2018 for a $75,000 men’s professional tennis event. Last year’s tournament was held at Arizona State University in Tempe in February, but this year the event has been moved to a new loca on (Oco llo Village Health Club and Spa in Chan- dler, Ariz.) and up a month on the calendar.

The event will feature a fi eld of players ranked just outside the Top 100 ATP Rank- ings, and will have a 32 draw for men’s singles and a 16 draw for men’s doubles. Defending singles champion is .

For more info on this year’s event, contact tournament director Josh Bates at [email protected].

JOIN THE NET GENERATION The USTA is launching a brand new youth marke ng campaign en tled “Net Genera on” with an eye on redefi ning the game, making it easier to play and access...as well as more fun.

December 2017 page 13 Coaches and USPTA teaching professionals are encouraged to fi ll out accounts on www.netgenera on.com to gain access to educa onal tools and online lesson plans developed by leading coaches. Teaching pros are also encour- aged to use the site as a secondary marke ng and promo onal push for your own programs, and be er connect with the tennis community. There is also a coach- ing app that can be found on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store (search ‘Net Genera on’).

This site will be the USTA’s linking system to new players and parents. A full market- ing launch to consumers will be happening in the spring of 2018, which means it is important for good pros and their info to be on there so we can be er pair new play- ers interested in learning the game with quality instructors. Join this ever-growing army of tennis lovers and pros by crea ng your account.

CONNECT. MEET. PLAY. League Linked, the USTA Southwest online recrui ng tool for league players and captains is up and running. Our goal for this program is to improve our customer service by assis ng players who want to play USTA League Tennis with fi nding a team to play on. It will also as assist our captains who may be in need of trying to fi nd players to help fi ll out their rosters.

For more info, visit the page here: h ps://www.usta.com/en/home/play/play-as-a-member/southwest/LeagueLinked. html

USTA SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY TENNIS PROGRAM GRANT Each year, the USTA Southwest Sec on Community Tennis Department awards grants to deserving programs and organiza ons that par cipate in United States Tennis Associa on (USTA) programs. The following program grants are available, however, grants are not only limited to these programs.

The USTA Southwest Sec on encourages pros to learn more about the grant process and the monies and opportuni es that are available. We welcome all grant applica- ons (must be USTA Organiza on Member) for any community-based tennis ini a- ves including: * School Tennis * A er School Tennis * Jr. Team Tennis * 10 and Under Tennis Programs * NJTL (Na onal Jr. Tennis and Learning) * CTA- Start Up (Community Tennis Associa on) * Tennis on Campus * Wheelchair Tennis

con nued on page 12

page 14 December 2017 con nued from page 11 * Adap ve Tennis * Corporate Tennis Programs * Adult/Senior Recrea onal Tennis Programs * Diversity Outreach Programs * Innova ve Tennis Programs

Click the link below for the grant applica on or copy and paste this link into your browser: h ps://form.jo orm.com/USTASouthwest/GrantApp

RALLY FOR RESCUES USTA Southwest has teamed up with Arizona Animal Welfare League and The Village Camelback Racquet Club in Phoenix to host a benefi t tournament for rescue animals. This event will be held April 15, 2018. To learn more, visit www.rallyforrescues.com or contact Jeff Sikes at [email protected] or 602-301-0145.

December 2017 page 15 USPTA/USTA Innova on Tennis Workshop A Huge Success!

The USPTA Na onal Founda on auc on was a huge The USPTA and the USTA joined forces this year to bring success this year raising almost $15,000, thanks to Pat its members the Innova on Tennis Workshop. The Whitworth and his commi ee. results were posi ve in every sense of the word. The members who a ended (1071 registra ons, 439 USPTA On Saturday night the USPTA/USTA Southwest and members) enjoyed a smorgasbord of educa onal semi- Texas divisions got together to host a great dinner nars every hour, the likes of which we have never seen party at Marlow’s Tavern in downtown Orlando. Over before. A endees were treated to a free breakfast each 50 a endees enjoy a variety of good food and drink. morning and an open bar for all our evening ac vi es! Needless to say, a good me was had by all.

Conven on goers were also bused from the hotel to the If you missed this year’s event, start planning for USTA Na onal Campus and USPTA Na onal Headquar- next year, when we will venture to New York City the ters for a tour of both new facili es which sit side by weekend before the US Open. A endees there will be side! treated to ckets to opening day and a special hospital- ity area for USPTA will be made available.

page 16 December 2017 December 2017 page 17 page 18 December 2017 A Publication of the USPTA Southwest Division Jack Michalko / editor 77 East Missouri Avenue, Suite 62, Phoenix, AZ 85012 602-740-0126 / e-mail: [email protected]

The Southwest Magazine is published quarterly by the Southwest Division of the United States Profes- sional Tennis Association. The opinions expressed in the Southwest Magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Southwest Magazine or the USPTA Southwest Divi- sion. Copyright© Southwest Division/United States Profes- sional Tennis Association, Inc. 2017. All rights re- served. Reproduction of any portion of this newslet- ter is not permitted without written permission from the USPTA Southwest Division. Advertising information: All ads must be camera ready and in color if possible. Prices are per issue.

Full Page...... $150 Half Page...... $100 1/4 Page...... $70

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