JUNE 2006 he following were honored at the TSouthern California Tennis Associa- tion Annual Meeting on February 6th for their commitment in 2005 toward mak- ing the game better locally. Neal Machander and Kathy Willette – Lifetime Achievement The Jack Sanfords – Family Of The Year Los Angeles Tennis Club – The Jack Sanfords Member Organization Sam Querrey and Kelly Stewart – Evelyn Houseman Junior Sportsmanship Phil Cook, Corey Daniels, Matthew Jones, Cynthia Lum, Eric Stephens and Emily Wildhirt – Amateur Athletic Foundation/ National Junior Tennis League Ellen Ehlers – Junior Tennis Forrest Stewart accepted Kathy Willette Heidi Stryker – Junior Team Tennis Corey Daniels for his daughter Kelly. Earmer Carden and Rick Fulgencio – Diversity LaRhonda Amos and To m F e y – Community Tennis Association Brigham Young University – Long Ellis Intercollegiate John Dendia and Margaret Kelly – Edda Speisser Tournament Volunteer Service Pete Brown accepted for John McCarthy and Anne Wlilliams represented Mike Querrey accepted Neal Machander. Malibu Tennis Camp – the Los Angeles Tennis Club. for his son Sam. Mercedes-Benz Cup Tournament www.scta.usta.com Ellen Ehlers Eric Stephens Rudy Sanchez and Mike Hand accepted for Brigham Young University. Rick Fulgencio and Earmer Carden Emily Wildhirt LaRhonda Amos Tom Fey John Dendia Margaret Kelly Per Nilsson accepted for the Malibu Tennis Camp. 2 www.scta.usta.com The Austins Mark Winters acking the nomination by the Southern California Tennis Association, the USTA B named the Austins its 2005 Family of the Year. When all is said and done, it would be hard to find more deserving recipients for the Ralph W. Westcott Award. When George and Jeanne Austin, along with their five children, were named SCTA Family of the Year in 1994, their life-long commitment to the sport was acknowledged. The national honor adds fodder to the family legend. Pam, the eldest child, is a member of the SCTA Board of Directors and heads the Nominating Committee. She is Director of Tennis at Riviera Country Club, played at UCLA and on the women’s pro tour. She earned an SCTA 1996 Service Award, and was the 2003 USTA Women’s Tennis Educational Merit Award The Austins are a family winner. winner. Doug, a Southern California real estate developer, was an intercollegiate standout ◗ at California State University Long Beach. John added, “When I heard, I was very excited because Jeff, Senior Vice President of Basketball at Octagon, and John were UCLA All- my parents dedicated their lives so we could play. Americans. Both enjoyed success as pro- fessionals. John is currently the Executive It was an award for them, not us. If they hadn’t done Director of the USTA Southwest section. Tracy, the youngest Austin, is the what they did, we would never be youngest woman to win a pro tourna- in the positions we are in today.” ment, and the youngest elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She ◗ received the 1978 USTA Maureen Connolly Brinker Outstanding Junior Girl honor each of the children said the same learned being part of the family,” Doug Award. In 2004, she was the Sarah Palfrey thing. As Pam offered, “I’m so glad that my said. “Jack Cameron, who is my partner Danzig Award winner, and a year later she mom and dad will be recognized. They did and who operates Los Caballeros, said he was inducted into the USTA Southern all the stuff that no one remembers; things saw this in my eyes when I used to com- California Tennis Hall of Fame like keeping a strict budget so that we all pete; how I analyzed things which is now The Austin children were literally got racquets and shoes…” so important in my work. Thanks to my raised at the Jack Kramer Tennis Club, and John added, “When I heard, I was very parents, there was great spirit at home. I the game was as much a part of their lives excited because my parents dedicated know it and tennis contributed to the suc- as being in the front of the classroom their lives so we could play. It was an cess I’ve enjoyed in business.” because their last name began with “A”. award for them, not us. If they hadn’t done The period in which they learned the Not only were they steeped in the sport’s what they did, we would never be in the game was special. “We were blessed by history and tradition; they all became out- positions we are in today.” the time and the place we grew up,” John standing competitors. Being an Austin provided life-living les- said. “My mom started playing, after I was Still, when asked about the USTA sons. “Diligence and effort are two things I (continued on next page) 3 www.scta.usta.com Dantzer’s Kraft The Austins (continued from previous page) Mark Winters born, at the Redondo Beach High courts, with a group of people who were new to avid Dantzer was tennis. They all became tennis nuts. Then one of the six dis- Jack Kramer built the club in 1962. Vic D tinguished recipi- Braden was head pro, and Del Little man- ents of the 2005 USTA aged the pro shop where my mother Eve F. Kraft Community worked. Vic was always doing something Service Award. President fun. There was always something going and founder of Standing on.” Tall Tennis, Dantzer’s annual summer He continued, “What a great place. caravan takes him from reservation to Jack (Kramer) was running the tour so reservation. Putting more miles on his there were always top players stopping car than a long haul truck driver, his by. We were immersed in the tennis cul- only goal is to teach tennis to Native ture. Vic, Del and my mother were pas- Americans. sionate about the game. All five of us developed a similar passion (for the ◗ game) from my mother. My dad (an engi- neer) played some, but he wasn’t as involved as my mom.” “It is my hope that Tracy added, “It’s a pretty well round- ed family. Jeff has been a player’s agent. all of the efforts Pam volunteers her time. John works for the USTA. I cover tennis on television, over the last ten years relationships along his route with Boys and write about it on-line and in Tennis & Girls Clubs, Indian Health Services, Magazine. Doug is the only one who isn’t will continue to produce church groups and local schools. or hasn’t been directly involved in the positive results and Thanks to his undaunted effort there game, but he still plays two or three are now 13 reservation tennis pro- times a week (at the Kramer Club). As a that tennis will grams in six western states. family, we have been involved in every “I depend on sectional staff and aspect of the game.” continue to grow volunteers for their support when I The Austins descended en masse on am in their area,” he said. “I really Orlando, Florida, site of the USTA Annual in Indian Country.” appreciate their help.” Meeting. “You know the old line, you win Dantzer is one of the unique peo- something and you get to go to ple in the game who believes that Disneyland,” Tracy said. “In this case it’s ◗ attention should be directed at a pro- Disneyworld.” gram not an individual. While he There is more to note according to “My initial reaction was one of deep appreciates the Kraft recognition, he is Pam, “As a family, we didn’t get to go on appreciation,” Dantzer said of the honor. more concerned about providing more vacations because of tennis. Everyone was “The USTA gave me a lot of support for those who would not ordinarily playing a different schedule. When we when, in its initial years, Standing Tall have an opportunity, a chance to learn receive the award, all the family members Tennis was experiencing growing pains. to play the game. will be together. It will be so much fun.” The award is very special to me, also, When he isn’t on the road, Dantzer Jeff said, “My first thought was Family because I met Eve Kraft in the early keeps busy in Santa Maria with communi- of the Year is an award for a lifetime of 1990’s and asked her advice. She gave her ty tennis activities as the Tennis Director work. Going back to the ‘60s, my parents time and enthusiastically offered words of at Allan Hancock College. have been involved in tennis. It’s been a encouragement. The fact that her son In conclusion he said, “It is my hope long haul. It’s really nice to be recognized; was at the award presentation was spe- that all of the efforts over the last ten nice to be honored.” cial. It was as if she were there.” years will continue to produce positive Summarizing, John said, “They were Warmly personable and visibly sin- results and that tennis will continue to always supportive. They always encour- cere, Dantzer has established strong grow in Indian Country.” ........................................................................ aged us. My parents are so deserving.” 4 www.scta.usta.com Countrywide Will Be A Classic Toby Zwikel wo-time Grand Slam champions Lleyton Hewitt and Marat Safin, as well as 2004 Los Angeles win- T ner Tommy Haas, Robby Ginepri and Taylor Dent are among the latest players committed to the Countrywide Classic, July 24-30. Ivan Ljubicic, Mario Ancic, David Nalbandian, along with Bob and Mike Bryan are also in the mix. Fernando Gonzalez, Dominik Hrbaty, Tommy Robredo and Paradorn Srichaphan are expected to partic- ipate at the 80th men’s professional event that will take place at the Los Angeles Tennis Center-UCLA.