August 16 – 18, 2018 | T Bar M Racquet Club | Dallas, Texas page Steve Johnson page USPTA Signs page 2018 Tennis page Healthy wins second Multiyear Clay Court Partnership Teachers HABITS inside... with Caribbean Sol Conference 7 Championship 10 12 17 1 PRESIDENT’SMESSAGE A Big Texas “Howdy” to my ladies from North Richland Hills fellow USPTA Professionals! Tennis Center as they took home the gold from the USPTA Texas Ladies on’t look now but spring is Champion of Champions Cup down almost over and summer in Houston during the US Men’s Clay is in the rear-view mirror Court Championships last month. PRESIDENT approaching quickly! During the US Men’s Clay Courts, CRAIG BELL Kelly Marshall from Cimarron Hills 5201 Westgrove Drive DAs I was thinking about what Dallas, Texas 75248 my President’s message should be CC, shared her expertise with those 972-931-4950 these past few days, I’m reminded in attendance at her specialty course [email protected] some 30 years ago about how I got – which was very good I might add. involved with USPTA Texas. It was I also want to say “Thank You” to REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT through the “friendly networking” River Oaks Country Club for allowing Craig Bell JENNY GRAY of USPTA Texas professionals that I USPTA Texas the opportunity to host 2510 Onion Creek Parkway became the tennis professional that I am today. both of our events at their facility Austin, Texas 78747 So, my message and my challenge to you (and during the tennis tournament. A lot is going on 512-291-8846 at their club during that week and they have been [email protected] to myself) is to be the first to extend your hand in friendship and fellowship to a young Craig Bell extremely gracious for a number of years to allow or a young tennis professional with whom you us to do our Champion of Champions event and 1st VICE PRESIDENT may or may not know. When we all arrived at specialty course! MATT WATSON our first (or maybe even this day) USPTA Texas Save the date for the upcoming USPTA World 2214 Prestonwood Drive Conference to be held in the Big Apple, aka New Arlington, Texas 76012 conference, wasn’t it a little intimidating – I [email protected] certainly know I was totally overwhelmed being York City on August 24th -27th at the Grand Hyatt. in the presence of such professional tennis Those who are attending the World Conference greatness, wisdom and knowledge. The next will have a chance to attend the US Open Tennis 2nd VICE PRESIDENT two years of my Presidency I would really like to Tournament on Monday, August 27th --- believe MEL MCREE focus on helping mentor the next generation of it or not, I’m really looking forward to attending 3400 Mesa Road the Open as I’ve never been! I know the last time Lubbock, Texas 79403 tennis professionals in our state – especially at 806-786-2660 the grassroots level and I need everyone’s help the World Conference was in the Big Apple, it was [email protected] in extending the friendship branch to all those extremely well attended, so make your plans now you come in contact with! Everyone who is if you are planning on going. Plus, as usual, we’ll reading this message has valuable information, have a really terrific Texas party for all the pro’s 3rd VICE PRESIDENT and guests in attendance – I’m sure Jim Sciarro is KELLY MARSHALL insight and experience for someone new 200 Cimarron Hills Tr. coming in to the tennis teaching profession already figuring out where the party will be held! Georgetown, Texas 78628 and I would ask that you help me promote our So, a big reminder to plan now on being in New 512-786-8738 USPTA association and continue the legacy that York City in late August with all your Texas tennis [email protected] we have all grown up with in Texas and spread amigos and amigas! the message that teaching and promoting the And lastly, don’t forget to join your fellow SECRETARY Great Game is a very Great profession for any tennis professionals in Dallas at our USPTA Texas ADRIEN CHABRIA and all! Summer Smackdown that the Great Matt Watson 1912 Abrams Rd. Recently, your USPTA Texas leadership (brand new dad – Congrats Doc!!) and his trusty Dallas, TX 75214 traveled down to the USPTA Executive Committee sidekick, Mel McRee from Lubbock are planning 214-232-5237 for mid-August – details in this publication. What [email protected] Meeting in Orlando. Those representing USPTA Texas were our Executive Director Charlotte they are proposing is totally outside the norm of Wylie, Regional VP Jenny Gray and myself. our usual summer convention. Lots of fun and TREASURER This is the first time we actually have met in the camaraderie are in store for those who plan on CHRIS SINGER new USPTA World Headquarters as last year attending. Are you going to be riding with “Team 4511 Briarwood Road Mel” or “Team Matt” – inquiring minds want to Tyler, Texas 75709 our building wasn’t quite ready and we met at 903-525-0020 a local hotel in the Orlando area. We had a know! [email protected] very informative few days to discuss all that is Have a great summer and I look forward to going on within USPTA (which is a lot – always seeing everyone at the Summer Smackdown in Big D and up in the Big Apple at the World PAST PRESIDENT is!) plus a few of the Executive Committee snuck Conference! DAVID WEBB over after the meeting to play a little of the 7111 N.E. Loop 820 Great Game at the USTA National Campus – Sincerely, North Richland Hills, Texas 76180 excellent facility, I might add. Our new facility 817-427-6680 [email protected] is really, really nice. Our new neighbors, USTA Florida, right across the courtyard are now in their new digs and the Lake Nona surroundings Craig Bell EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR are really showing signs of progress based on CHARLOTTE WYLIE all the construction going on in the area. Be Craig Bell 2113 Winding Creek Drive Keller, Texas 76248 sure to stop by the new facility in Lake Nona – [email protected] 888-445-0505 it’s a really terrific place with a really terrific new [email protected] [email protected] national staff – and a few seasoned veterans 214-762-4691 (cell) sprinkled in the mix as well! 972-931-4950 (tennis shop) “Congrats” go out to David Webb and the 2 COMMITTEECHAIRPERSONS DATESTHATRATE!!! Awards Mel McRee 2018 Buying Show Chair Chris Singer/ Josh Way JUNE Division Conference Kelly Marshal 2-3 Certification and Testing Exam – (full test) San Antonio Country Club (San Antonio) Education Matt Watson Ethics/Legal Tommy Connell Diversity & Inclusion Jack Foster JULY Finance Chris Singer 13-14 Certification and Testing Exam – (full test) Bent Tree Country Club (Dallas) Jr. Development Chris Singer Lessons for Life Dennis Reblin AUGUST Long-Range Planning David Webb 3-4 Certification and Testing Exam – (full test) Membership Tom Ingram Pecan Plantation Country Club (Granbury) National Convention Jim Sciarro 16-18 USPTA Texas Summer Smackdown in Big D Nominating Rex Cuajunco T Bar M Racquet Club/Bent Tree Country Club (Dallas) Regional Directors Jenny Gray Sport Science Bob Haugen SEPTEMBER Certification and Testing Exam – (full test) Testing & Certification Tom Ingram 21-22 Willow Fork Country Club (Katy) USPTA Adult Leagues Jim Sciarro U30 Josh Way OCTOBER USTA Liaison Van Barry 6-7 Certification and Testing Exam – (full test) Richland Tennis Center (North Richland Hills) Welcome to the Texas Division! Howdy…..New Members!!! David Favela Canyon Brittany Grover Fort Worth Reinstated Members George Dennis Trophy Club Gregory Goodin Dallas Russell Grogan Beaumont Damien Spizzo Austin 3 FROMAROUNDTHESTATE.... Regional Directors needed for Brazos Valley, Houston & Fort Worth. If you are interested in providing information and updates for any of these areas contact Charlotte Wylie at [email protected]. AUSTIN including: forehand volley, backhand speaker Stacey Allaster, USTA’s Executive Kelly Marshall volley, forehand groundstroke, backhand Director of Professional Tennis, inspired 512-763-8700 groundstroke, alternating groundstroke, the crowd with her passionate message serve-deuce and serve-ad. Awards were about CATA’s thriving junior tennis Special Olympic Area Games presented to athletes based on the result programs and Net Generation. 72 Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) of their skills competition. athletes from Austin and the surrounding Getting ready for summer! Central Texas Area competed in a rain- 23rd Annual Junior Banquet All professionals I know are taking a shortened event at Balcones Country a Success few days off in preparation for a good Club on April 20th. Children and adults Over 500 attendees enjoyed the 23rd hot summer! Camps are getting full and with intellectual disabilities, ranging Annual CATA Junior Awards Banquet when you need a break in August come from 11-58 years old, participated in Sunday April 29th. A great time was had to Dallas for the “Summer Smackdown” an individual skills competition. Athletes by all as outstanding junior players of to get away, network and reboot for the showed their best in various tennis skills, the Austin area were recognized. Guest fall! I will be there! CENTRAL TEXAS sector. under programming; red balls, orange Julien Curatella The Waco Tennis Association (WTA) balls and green dot balls clinics along 254-498-6379 continues to provide equipment to over with match play are offered in various 15 elementary schools for Tennis units in locations 4 to 5 times a week. Central We are excited to report that Central PE, Host local play days for elementary Texas is also the hub to welcome events Texas is as active as ever as summer gets schools, provide low cost adult mixers, such as Challengers, high school district, under way.