Summer 2010.indd - USPTA divisions - United States Professional ...
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The official voice of Hawaii’s <strong>USPTA</strong> <strong>Professional</strong>s <strong>Summer</strong> 2010<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> World Conference on<br />
Tennis, dates and location<br />
The <strong>United</strong> <strong>States</strong> <strong>Professional</strong> Tennis Association’s World Conference on Tennis will be<br />
held Sept. 27 – Oct. 2 at La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, Calif.<br />
The conference, which is the premier educational event for the tennis industry, will<br />
feature more than 40 general sessions, seminars and specialty courses. It is the country’s largest<br />
tennis gathering with approximately 1,500 attendees expected, including tennis professionals,<br />
industry leaders and representatives, manufacturers, wholesalers and media. Also during<br />
the conference, <strong>USPTA</strong> hosts its International Tennis Championships, board and executive<br />
committee meetings, industry meetings, the nation’s largest tennis-only buying show, silent<br />
auction, nighttime parties, awards presentation and more. <strong>USPTA</strong> members, their friends and<br />
family, nonmember tennis-teaching professionals, industry leaders and media are invited to<br />
attend the conference.<br />
More details about the conference, including registration information, are available at<br />
www.usptaworldconference.com or by calling <strong>USPTA</strong> at 800-877-8248.<br />
President’s Message, Page 2 • Roddick Hits Hawaii Page 6 • Getting to know your fellow pros, Page 12
Pro 2Network<br />
Aloha Fellow <strong>USPTA</strong> Hawaii Division Members!<br />
As another fun-fi lled tennis summer comes to an end<br />
I would like to fi rst thank all of you who have helped the<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> Hawaii Division and the tennis community as a whole,<br />
with all of the precious time, effort, expertise as well as goods<br />
Jerry Cape<br />
and services donated to help grow and promote the sport of a<br />
lifetime. You know who you are, and again, thank you very<br />
much. As we swing into another fall season, here are a few important updates<br />
you will need to mark on your calendar:<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> Hawaii Division Convention – November 1-2 (Monday<br />
and Tuesday), at the newly renovated Waialae Country Club. Many new<br />
speakers, presenters and guests will be with us at one of Hawaii’s greatest<br />
tennis facilities. Right now would be a good time to practice your feeding<br />
technique for the CardioTennis Shootout contest (see page 8-9 for more<br />
information), polishing up your fi ve-minute Nano Presentation (which could<br />
make YOU the winner of a new iPod!) and preparing to play on court with<br />
some of Hawaii’s best and most talented players. More information will be<br />
provided on the convention in the near future.<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> World Conference on Tennis – September 27 - October 2,<br />
La Quinta, California. You've never seen a conference like this! The <strong>USPTA</strong><br />
World Conference on Tennis is the PREMIER educational event for the<br />
tennis industry, designed to put you at the top of your game with seminars<br />
from the world's leading experts. It is the country's largest gathering of tennis<br />
professionals, industry leaders and representatives, manufacturers, wholesalers<br />
and media. Also during the conference, <strong>USPTA</strong> hosts its International Tennis<br />
Championships, Board and Executive Committee meetings, nighttime parties,<br />
industry meetings, the nation's largest tennis-only buying show, silent auction,<br />
awards presentation and more. Scheduled speakers are Martin Baroch, M.D.,<br />
Nick Bolletiteri, David Bone, Joe Dinoffer, Todd Ellenbecker, Allen Fox,<br />
Ph.D., Tom Gorman, Rick Macci, John Yandell and many others.<br />
Let’s face it – with airfare, accommodations and everything else,<br />
this tennis professional’s dream excursion is not cheap. However, just ask<br />
anybody who has had the opportunity of attending such an event and they will<br />
continued on next page<br />
2009-2010 Hawaii Di vi sion<br />
Board of Directors<br />
Jerry Cape<br />
President<br />
808-944-5835<br />
jerry_cape@yahoo.com<br />
Ken Nakama<br />
Regional vice president<br />
808-679-3197<br />
ken.nakama@marriott.com<br />
Henry Somerville<br />
First vice president<br />
808-395-3300<br />
henry_somerville@yahoo.com<br />
David Porter<br />
Second vice president<br />
808-675-3755<br />
porterd@byuh.edu<br />
Mark Beede<br />
Treasurer<br />
808-808-479-6727<br />
beede@hawaiitennis.org\<br />
Rick Wilson<br />
Secretary<br />
808-879-1958<br />
neiltennisman@aol.com<br />
Cathy Nicoloff<br />
Past president<br />
808-879-1958<br />
cnicoloff@waileagolf.com<br />
Island rep re sen ta tives<br />
John Somerville<br />
Kauai<br />
808-742-7553<br />
Cathy Nicoloff<br />
Maui<br />
808-879-1958<br />
Head tester<br />
David Porter<br />
808-675-3755<br />
porterd@byuh.edu<br />
Executive administrator<br />
Kalin Cogar<br />
888-<strong>USPTA</strong>-EA<br />
divisionea@uspta.org
continued from previous page<br />
attest it is worth every cent!!!<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> Certifi cation Testing and Upgrades – August 22, 2010 at the Oahu Club. Please contact<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong>Hawaii@yahoo.com or call 1-800-<strong>USPTA</strong>-4U for more information.<br />
A few months ago representatives from the <strong>USPTA</strong> Hawaii Division attended the Executive Committee<br />
Meetings at the world headquarters in Houston, Texas. The two-day convention covered several current issues of<br />
our association and items pertinent to all members. Here are a few topics we’d like to share with you regarding<br />
these meetings:<br />
Membership – The testing and certifi cation committee approved a proposal from the National Board to<br />
implement a new classifi cation of membership that will have mandatory educational requirements. In addition, a<br />
new membership program for 18-24 year-olds has also been introduced as an effort to attract younger members.<br />
We really look forward to seeing you this November at the Waialae Country Club. If there is anything<br />
YOU would like to see at the 2010 Hawaii Division Convention, please don’t hesitate in letting us know. As I’ve<br />
said before, this is YOUR division – please let us know what we can do to help and better serve YOU.<br />
Locations: University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hokulani Elementary School<br />
and Kaimuki Christian School<br />
Pros who contributed: Tiffany Akiyama, John Nelson, Jerry Hubbard,<br />
Jerry Cape, Lee Couillard, Jamie Dela Cruz, Ben Erickson and Ken Nakama<br />
Pro 3Network
Welcome New Member:<br />
Seul Ki Chin of Laie<br />
Is your e-mail on file?<br />
Between newsletters, the Hawaii<br />
Division sends out notices about upcoming<br />
events and other important annoucements to<br />
division members via e-mail. If you have not<br />
been receiving these e-mails and would like to,<br />
please log into the “Members Only” section<br />
of the <strong>USPTA</strong> Web site and update your<br />
information there or call 800-<strong>USPTA</strong>-4U.<br />
Your e-mail will remain confidential<br />
and only be used for <strong>USPTA</strong> business. <strong>USPTA</strong><br />
never releases members’ e-mail addresses to<br />
outside parties.<br />
Pro 4Network<br />
Looking to upgrade?<br />
If you’re a <strong>Professional</strong> 2 or<br />
3 and want to upgrade on<br />
the written, grips or stroke<br />
analysis exam, you now need<br />
to retake the entire section,<br />
not just the missed portions.<br />
To schedule an exam or for<br />
more information, please<br />
call the World Headquarters<br />
Membership Department at<br />
(800) <strong>USPTA</strong>-4U.<br />
The division board is always looking for<br />
articles, announcements, pictures, etc., so if you<br />
are interested in contributing please contact any<br />
board member. All contact information can be<br />
found on Page 2.
The Nominating Committee of the <strong>United</strong> <strong>States</strong> <strong>Professional</strong> Tennis Association Hawaii Division<br />
hereby nominates the following <strong>USPTA</strong> members as offi cers of the Hawaii Division for the year of<br />
2011.<br />
THE NOMINATED SLATE FOR THE BOARD OF OFFICERS OF THE HAWAII DIVISION IS:<br />
President Ken Nakama<br />
Regional vice president Henry Sommerville<br />
First vice president Mark Beede<br />
Second vice president Rick Wilson<br />
Treasurer Bruce Nagel<br />
Secretary Suzette Hill<br />
The above slate of offi cers shall be deemed elected if not contested by Sept. 21, 2010.<br />
According to the bylaws of the Hawaii Division, nominations for any of the above offi ces may be made<br />
by the membership. To nominate, and thus contest the offi cers above, the following bylaws should be<br />
followed.<br />
By September 21 the nominations from the membership must be received by the President and<br />
he or she will thereupon add to the ballot the name of that person who receives the greatest nominations<br />
from the membership.<br />
Nominations should be sent to:<br />
Jerry Cape<br />
Punahou School<br />
1601 Punahou Street<br />
Honolulu, HI 969822<br />
808.944.5835<br />
The nominee, in order to be added to the ballot, must receive nominations from at least fi ve (5)<br />
members. In the case of a tie, the Board of Offi cers shall determine the nominee to be added.<br />
Thereafter, by October 1, the President will send out the ballots to the membership to be returned no<br />
later than November 1.<br />
The ballots will be counted by the Counting Committee, which shall be appointed by the Board<br />
of Offi cers. The results of the balloting will be reported to the Board of Offi cers who shall notify the<br />
new incoming Board of Offi cers of the election results.<br />
Again, any nominations for the above offi ces must be received by Jerry Cape at the above address by<br />
Sept. 21, 2010.<br />
Pro 5Network
Roddick Hits Hawaii<br />
Written by: Cathy Nicoloff<br />
It was a surreal week and a half. There was a movie that is being fi lmed here called "Just go<br />
with it" Directed by Dennis Dugan and the actors in it<br />
are Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman,<br />
Dave Mathews and Brooklyn Decker (Andy Roddick’s<br />
wife). They are fi lming at The Grand Wailea and at<br />
the Gannon's Restaurant which is at our Wailea Gold<br />
Course.<br />
Saturday, April 17, I got a chance to meet and<br />
hit with Dennis Dugan and he mentioned that he was<br />
going to hit with Andy Roddick on Sunday. I asked if<br />
they were thinking of working out here. He said he was<br />
not sure, that they might be going to a private court. I<br />
told him if they decided to come here we would make<br />
sure no one bothered them and we would take good<br />
care of them and keep the photographers away from him. I gave him my number and said to call me<br />
if they were coming. Well I got the call....and Roddick, with<br />
Brooklyn and Dugan and his wife came over. It was so much<br />
fun to watch them. Then a few days passed and Larry Stefanki<br />
called Roddick’s coach, and wanted to work out from 9 to 11<br />
on Thursday. Well, we were hosting MIL's so we had like 200<br />
juniors running around and parents. I said yes, of course, and<br />
blocked off a court and stationed one of my staff down there<br />
to make sure no one approached him for an autograph and that<br />
pictures could be taken but no long-lensed cameras. The juniors<br />
loved it. And the coaches were charged up. It was so great to<br />
have the juniors see how hard he was training for the Madrid<br />
Tournament coming up. He has his trainer here as well and a<br />
hitting partner. It was team Roddick all the way. He worked<br />
out from Thursday through Saturday. Then I set him up on a<br />
private clay court. He is working out twice a day. Once on<br />
court and he is doing road work and plyometrics etc. He is<br />
training so hard and looks amazing!!!!<br />
One of the highlights for me was to watch Coach Stefanki<br />
working with Roddick. And I got a call from Dennis Dugan to work with him and Stefanki on Dennis's<br />
game. It was such an honor to be on court with Spanky...That is Coach Stefanki's nickname.<br />
I was so excited to have them at the club....<br />
Pro 6Network
<strong>USPTA</strong> T-shirt program is back!<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> and<br />
Havana Bob’s are<br />
now offering all<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> members<br />
3 different<br />
options of stock<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> T-shirts<br />
for only $4 each!<br />
Minimum orders<br />
of 12 T-shirts. To<br />
order call<br />
877- 887-8811 or<br />
click on “Benefits”<br />
in the “Members<br />
Only” section at<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> web site at<br />
www.uspta.com.<br />
Order today!<br />
The official<br />
distributor of<br />
Nike apparel<br />
and footwear to<br />
the <strong>USPTA</strong>.<br />
www.fromuth.com/uspta<br />
WANT TO WIN<br />
A FREE HEAD<br />
BAG!?!?<br />
Be the first to correctly finish the<br />
cross word puzzle on the following<br />
page and send the hard copy to Jerry<br />
Cape! The first correctly completed<br />
puzzle that Jerry receives will be<br />
rewarded with a new HEAD bag! So,<br />
remember to include your NAME and<br />
MAILING ADDRESS to receive your<br />
prize.<br />
Please send all entries to:<br />
Jerry Cape<br />
c/o Punahou Tennis<br />
1601 Punahou Street<br />
Honolulu, HI 96822<br />
fax 808-946-2951<br />
Pro 7Network
<strong>USPTA</strong> Hawaii Division Crossword Puzzle Fall 2010<br />
ACROSS<br />
1 2 3<br />
4 5 6<br />
13<br />
7 8<br />
9 10<br />
www.CrosswordWeaver.com<br />
11 12<br />
14 15 16<br />
17 18<br />
20<br />
21 22 23 24<br />
1 <strong>USPTA</strong>'s fund-raising program<br />
4 Slang for a $1 bill<br />
7 The only player to defeat Martina Navratilova in 1983<br />
8 Little __<br />
12 Hawaii Head/Penn Representative<br />
13 The official magazine of the <strong>USPTA</strong><br />
15 1985 Wimbledon Men's Singles Runner-Up<br />
17 Singer who wrote a song dedicated to Billie Jean<br />
King's WTT franchise<br />
19 Often referred to as "le terre bateau"<br />
21 Cow ____, a very unusual tennis court surface found<br />
in India<br />
22 The sport of a lifetime<br />
25 The most advanced tennis video analysis technology<br />
available<br />
27 Slang term for a frame contact shot<br />
29 This English band recorded the song, "Anyone for<br />
Tennis"<br />
30 Thin plastic strip on a racquet frame, strings go<br />
through this<br />
32 Jimmy Connors won two Grand Slam doubles titles<br />
in his career. Who was his partner for both titles?<br />
Pro 8Network<br />
27<br />
19<br />
25 26<br />
28 29<br />
30 31<br />
DOWN<br />
32<br />
1 To allow or permit<br />
2 Intristic angular momentum produced by striking a<br />
ball<br />
3 The nation's tennis equivalent to Little League<br />
Baseball<br />
5 Maker of the Edge, Prestige and Radical<br />
6 Geographical Headquarters of the <strong>USPTA</strong><br />
9 Recorded the fastest official serve at 155 mph<br />
10 Ivan Lendl described Andre Agassi as having<br />
nothing more than a _______ and a forehand<br />
11 You can attend a Tennis Fantasy Camp at this<br />
locale<br />
14 The longest professional career spanning 42 years<br />
from 1922-1964 (male, French)<br />
16 A loud noise or clamor<br />
18 Title of Andre Agassi's autobiography<br />
20 1990 US Open Men's Singles Runner-Up<br />
23 18, 17, 16, 16L, 15, 15L<br />
24 __ Gut<br />
26 ______ Hills, Former location of the US Open<br />
28 USTA Honolulu Challenger site<br />
31 Acronym for <strong>USPTA</strong>'s Tennis Across America
Scorer 1<br />
9 feet<br />
Scorer 2<br />
9 feet<br />
2 1<br />
2<br />
Feeder<br />
<strong>USPTA</strong> Cardio Tennis Feeding<br />
Shootout Competition - 2010<br />
Scorer 3<br />
Targets and Sequence<br />
1) The target areas are in color and<br />
are worth various point values as<br />
shown in the diagram.<br />
2) The sequence (order) of targets<br />
goes from left to right.<br />
3) The Feeder may stand anywhere<br />
behind the dotted line. The line<br />
should be half way between the<br />
service line and the baseline (9’)<br />
4) There are three scorers that<br />
stand where shown in diagram.<br />
5) Three scorers are required and<br />
count only the target area in front of<br />
them as shown in the diagram.<br />
Scorers meet after each round and<br />
total the scores for the score<br />
keeper.<br />
See offi cial rules on the following page.<br />
Pro 9Network
Cardio Tennis Shootout Rules - 2010<br />
The 2010 shootout will consist of a three ball feeding pattern that emphasizes feeding with rhythm,<br />
speed, depth and accuracy.<br />
1. There will be 3 target areas on the court (Refer to court diagram)<br />
2. There will be a wheeled feeding cart full of Pro Penn balls.<br />
3. The contestant may stand anywhere they wish behind the line at the ¾ court mark.<br />
4. Contestant will have 60 seconds to feed in a set pattern. See court diagram for pattern – (left,<br />
center, right).<br />
5. Feeds that lands in either “alley” target are worth 2 points. Feeds that land in the “middle”<br />
target area are worth I point.<br />
6. Each contestant will be allowed 6 practice feeds. Contestants may not have any balls in their<br />
hands at the start of the contest.<br />
7. The winner will be the professional who records the highest number of feeds in the competition.<br />
8. The “Time Keeper” will call down the time starting at 45 seconds.<br />
9. The “Judge” will be the offi cial organizer of the shootout and will likely be a member of the<br />
National Cardio Tennis Speakers team. The judge will collect the scores from the three scorers<br />
after each contestant participates. When the contest is over the judge will announce the names of<br />
the top three fi nishers.<br />
10. The “Judge” will also be responsible for foot faults. If the feeder steps out of the designated<br />
feeding area the “Judge” will yell out “foot fault” and continue to say “foot fault” until the<br />
feeder steps back into the proper feeding area.<br />
11. The “Judge” will get the name, e-mail address and phone numbers of the top three fi nishers and<br />
e-mail the information immediately to Michele Krause at michele@cardiotennis.com.<br />
12. If the feeder disagrees with the fi nal total from the judge, the judge has the fi nal say. (It is<br />
actually too distracting for the feeder to feed and count their balls at the same time).<br />
13. If there is a tie, there will be a playoff with the same rules.<br />
Pro 10Network
AN OPEN MIND - THE KEY TO LEARNING<br />
AND EXCELLENCE<br />
Written by: Mark Beede<br />
Through the years we are blessed to connect with truly outstanding individuals. My experience is that the best teachers<br />
are those with the most open minds, those who have remained students and continue to thirst for knowledge. They are those<br />
who, even if close to the pinnacle of their profession, still work to improve, to get better, and to achieve what Coach Porter<br />
has referred to as “arête.”<br />
In the tennis-teaching profession, my experience is that those recognized as the best, the brightest and smartest<br />
continue to learn from others. When it comes to learning, they are the most approachable.<br />
An example, a couple of years ago I visited Gavin Hopper in Australia, a coach who has worked with a number<br />
of world-ranked top ten players. Gavin talked about how he saw the men’s professional game changing, particularly with<br />
respect to the forehand. At this time the wiper fi nish was becoming more and more prevalent. Gavin noted that technically the<br />
men were picking up on this, but that the professional women players were not following suit as quickly. Hence he saw an<br />
opportunity as a coach to move the women’s professional game forward. Upon my return to Hawaii, I talked with Dr. Dave<br />
Porter who asked a number of questions about Gavin’s perceptions and opinions. Clearly, Dr. Porter wanted to know and<br />
learn from Hopper’s impressions and ideas. Coach then added to the discussion by asking me to think about, consider and<br />
experiment with the wiper fi nish by modifying with a technique of extending the outside racket tip through the ball. While<br />
some may now see these techniques as self-evident, the fact is that this knowledge was not generally accepted a few years ago<br />
and is relatively new.<br />
The real point is that Hopper and Porter, two of the best and most intelligent around, are constantly studying, evaluating,<br />
searching and learning from others. Each is not only an accomplished teaching professional and coach, but also a professor.<br />
Yet, as professors, professionals and human beings, they remain students.<br />
We as teaching professionals and humans stand to learn much from people like these, not only from the knowledge<br />
they impart, but from the way they learn themselves. Keep an open mind; learn not only from the perceived best, but from<br />
everyone. To become better teachers, we need to remain students. Learn from the best; learn from everyone. While we teach<br />
our students, let our students teach us. Keep an open mind. Keep learning and become a better professional … and a better<br />
person.<br />
Pro 11Network
Getting to know your fellow pros!<br />
Randy Kop<br />
What is your name, title, location of your facility and how long have you been there?<br />
My name is Randy Kop and I am currently the Director of Tennis at the Waialae Country<br />
Club on Oahu, Hawaii. I am in my 11th year at this facility.<br />
How did you get started playing tennis?<br />
I came from a tennis family. My grandfather taught all of us how to play tennis. My Dad,<br />
Uncle –who was ranked as high as No. 2 in the Nation in the 16 and under division, Aunt<br />
who was the fi rst person to win the Hawaii High School State Singles Title four years in a row, me and my sister.<br />
I still remember him picking me up every day after school and taking me to the Beretania Tennis Club and me<br />
doing my homework whilw he played his foursome and then after his game it was my turn to hit baskets of tennis<br />
balls. On Saturdays he would pick me up at 9 a.m. Tennis was all I knew in my early years.<br />
How did you get started in coaching tennis?<br />
I was 16 years old when I got my fi rst job as a coach given to me by Blaine and Cindy Comer. They were<br />
the fi rst owners of an indoor facility called the Tennis Factory near the Airport. I worked under Peter Isaak who<br />
was the Head Tennis <strong>Professional</strong>. After playing division I tennis at the University of Hawaii Manoa, I received<br />
my Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education. I began teaching in the Hawaii Public Schools for 4 years<br />
and in 1987 I was offered a job with USTA/Hawaii Pacifi c Section as their Schools Director. Bringing Tennis<br />
into the Schools was my primary responsibility. After four years with the USTA, I was approached by the Nick<br />
Bollettieri Tennis Academy to run their programs at the Turtle Bay Hilton on the North Shore of Oahu. In 1996<br />
Bollettieri parted with the Turtle Bay Hilton. I was kept on at the Hilton until my departure for Waialae Country<br />
Club. I guess you can say that these were my stepping stones that paved my way into becoming a Teaching<br />
<strong>Professional</strong>/Coach.<br />
How long have you been a <strong>USPTA</strong> <strong>Professional</strong>, has it helped and do you have any personal goals in the<br />
near future?<br />
I joined the <strong>USPTA</strong> in 1987. That brings it to 23 years. The <strong>USPTA</strong> has given me the credita\bility and<br />
resources that have allowed me to be successful in this career. I’ve also been able to meet some great people over<br />
the years. One of my personal goals is to get my Master Pro. I am also looking at getting a USTPA Specialist in<br />
Facility Management.<br />
Is there anything that you value the most in being involved with Tennis?<br />
No question! The opportunity to introduce/teach the sport of a lifetime to so many people has been a great<br />
journey; especially working with, my wife, two sons and now my little girl. Whether they take it to the next level<br />
or not, does not matter. The key is they had the opportunity to experience it.<br />
What advice if any do you have for other <strong>USPTA</strong> <strong>Professional</strong>s?<br />
You have to enjoy what you do. Have a passion for it and everything will fall in place. Don’t be afraid<br />
to pick up the phone and call another professional to get their feedback. I’ve been so fortunate to have so many<br />
great friends in this business, I especially want to thank Bruce Nagel at Kailua Racquet Club. I can always count<br />
on Bruce. He’ll always give me an honest answer most of the time. Bernard Gusman, Lee Couillard, and Jerry<br />
Cape at Punahou, Ken Nakama at Ihilani Resort have also been great resources for me. I’m sure there are a lot<br />
others that I haven’t mentioned, but they know who they are.Unfortunately, being a <strong>USPTA</strong> Pro in the islands has<br />
continued on next page<br />
Pro 12Network
its drawbacks. There are just not enough great jobs to support all the Teaching <strong>Professional</strong>s here in the islands.<br />
Whether it’s the Resorts, Private Clubs, Schools, Military Bases or at the Public Parks, you need to get started and<br />
get your foot in the door. Be patient and keep networking.<br />
If you had a chance to do something to improve Tennis in Hawaii, what would that be?<br />
I’d always envision a First Rate Tennis Facility that has all the amenities’ to support and develop aspiring<br />
talented junior players. A facility that brings together all the top players on the island. Allow independent teaching<br />
pros to rent out courts and teach at the facility. It’s been my belief that if we could ever get a player from Hawaii to<br />
be in the top 100, tennis would just boom here on the islands. We need that role model. Hopefully that will happen<br />
one day.<br />
In closing, I just want to say that I have been very fortunate to be in the position I am in. A big Mahalo to my<br />
independent Teaching Staff, Terry Juchartz, Margie Katras and Rie Bryant. The offi ce staff of Joanna Kappel,<br />
Carolyn Fujimoto, Reyn Sugimoto, Brendan Pacarro for their dedication and assistance over the years. Finally,<br />
my General Manager Allan Lum, for his support and trust in me over the years.<br />
Joe Curcio<br />
What is your name, title, location of your facility and how long have you been<br />
there?<br />
Joe Curcio, Head Tennis <strong>Professional</strong>, The Oahu Club, Honolulu, HI 96825, (808)<br />
368-6308: (jscurcio@hawaii.rr.com). I started working for Henry Somerville, Tennis<br />
Director and Assistant Club Manager, over 6 years ago. I have coached Adult and<br />
Junior USTA Team Tennis for the Oahu Club where I give private and group lessons.<br />
Check our website: (http://theoahuclub.com)<br />
How did you get started playing tennis?<br />
I started playing tennis in high school at Seton Hall Prep School, South Orange,<br />
New Jersey in the late 50’s and have been playing tennis for over fi fty years.<br />
How did you get started in coaching tennis?<br />
I had been the Chairman of Credentials for the International Tennis Tournament in Miami when the<br />
Stadium was built in the 80’s for 6 years. I played Club and Team Tennis in Florida. I became much more<br />
interested in Tennis and attended Bollettieri Tennis Academy and seriously thought about teaching tennis.<br />
How long have you been a <strong>USPTA</strong> <strong>Professional</strong>, has it helped and do you have any personal goals in the<br />
near future?<br />
The <strong>Professional</strong> Tennis Registry, Hilton Head, South Carolina, Certifi ed me as a Tennis Instructor in<br />
1998. I worked as a Staff Pro at Shadow Wood Country Club in Bonita Springs, Florida.<br />
I was certifi ed by the <strong>USPTA</strong> in Hawaii in 2007. This was an important step for me.<br />
I am a USTA/ITA Certifi ed Offi cial and offi ciate at Adult, Junior and College events.<br />
Is there anything that you value the most in being involved with Tennis?<br />
I have a special place in my heart for children and have devoted most of my professional tennis career in<br />
young tennis player development. The best feeling in the world is experiencing how quickly children learn, and<br />
become successful competitively. Tennis love is addictive. Everybody enjoys winning as well as playing tennis.<br />
Together with Coach Henry, we developed The Oahu Club Tennis Academy program and accommodate<br />
novice entry level to 4.0 Tournament competitors. I am the Club’s Junior Team Tennis Administrator, Tournament<br />
Chairman and Head Referee.<br />
The picture I have included shows me with a rising Tennis Star about 4 years old,<br />
continued on next page
from our Menehune Program, designed by Coach Henry, for the preschool set using USTA’s QuickStart Tennis<br />
format. “ I have never stood so tall.”<br />
I continue to use every available “Teach the Teacher” method to enhance my skills, especially the Internet and<br />
video programs of the <strong>USPTA</strong>. I provide my students with the tools to reach their maximum potential while<br />
jump-starting their competitive edge. I have attended many of the <strong>USPTA</strong>’s and PTR’s continuing education<br />
development programs for Tennis <strong>Professional</strong>s.<br />
What advice if any do you have for other <strong>USPTA</strong> <strong>Professional</strong>s?<br />
Tennis <strong>Professional</strong>s all share the same secret: We love what we do. Having the best boss in the world<br />
helps. We do get paid and being good at what we do makes it fun.<br />
Loyalty and Integrity are the most important assets for <strong>Professional</strong>ism.<br />
This is an abridged version of my personal history:<br />
My wife and myself came to Hawaii to be with our Family, play Tennis, Golf and Surf.<br />
We have been married for 47 years and have one Son, USCG Retired, Daughter-in- law, Gina and two<br />
Grandchildren, Josey and Mia, one in High School one in College.<br />
I served in the US Navy and Marine Corps as a Medic in the 60s.<br />
I was Honorably Discharged and used my military benefi ts and a scholarship<br />
for College.<br />
I graduated Monmouth College in Long Branch, New Jersey and attended<br />
Rutgers Graduate School of Physics.<br />
I was a Hospital Lab Supervisor for Bayshore Hospital, Holmdel, New Jersey and Taught Medical Technology at<br />
Brookdale College in Lincroft, New Jersey.<br />
I wrote an Auto-Tutorial work on Quality Control for The Clinical Laboratory while Teaching at Brookdale<br />
College. This work was published by the Kellogg’s Foundation and led to an industrial career at Headquarters in<br />
Quality Assurance for Warner Lambert Corporation in Morris Plains, New Jersey.<br />
I developed a unique laboratory methodology for expiration dating pharmaceuticals, which was adopted as the<br />
industry standard by the Food and Drug Administration.<br />
I had been the Chief Operating Offi cer for Vitarich Laboratories in Naples, Florida.<br />
I am a retired Clinical Biochemist.<br />
I worked for the Honolulu Fire Department at their Fire Academy as a Medical Instructor for Firemen. I am a<br />
Nationally Certifi ed Fire Fighter and EMT.<br />
I am also a USCG Licensed 100 Ton Master Captain and have been for 25 years.<br />
I work part time as a Captain for Island Divers in Hawaii Kai.<br />
I met Henry Somerville and my life changed.<br />
My Life is a work-in-progress. “What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been”…………………….<br />
Pro 14Network<br />
continued on next page
Continued: Getting to know your fellow pros!<br />
Rudy Embernate<br />
What is your name, title, location of your facility and how long have<br />
you been there?<br />
Rudy Embernate, owner of Island Slice Tennis Company for about<br />
13 years. We manage (2) facilities, one in Kona at the Outrigger Resort<br />
for 12 years, and the other at the Fairmont Orchid Resort in Waikoloa<br />
since April 2010. My wife Christine, who is a special ed teacher, and<br />
I also own a Sundry and Gift Store at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach<br />
Resort<br />
How did you get started playing tennis?<br />
I started playing tennis after college for exercise. I was a cop on<br />
the mainland at the time and haven’t stopped since.<br />
How long have you been a <strong>USPTA</strong> <strong>Professional</strong>, has it helped and do you have any personal goals in the<br />
near future?<br />
I've been a <strong>USPTA</strong> Pro since 1992 and became a <strong>USPTA</strong> Pro before retiring from the Hawaii County<br />
Police Department in preparation to do exactly what I'm doing now. <strong>USPTA</strong> has helped in many ways. From<br />
providing insurance and training me to teach and to understand the sport of tennis, but the best part is the<br />
contacts and friends I've made since becoming a <strong>USPTA</strong> Pro. This has been a great value to me without a<br />
doubt.<br />
I've had many proud moments because teaching tennis gives me a sense of accomplishment and you're<br />
able to actually witness results almost instantly at times. When you see results that come from your teaching<br />
and your ideas, I think that makes anyone feel good.<br />
I don't have one particular funniest moment, but my job is very enjoyable and every day is a good day.<br />
The moment that it is not, then I think I need to re-think and re-analyze the entire picture. I like it when the<br />
whole picture is good and enjoyable instead of just one or a few funny moments.<br />
I really don't consider having a secret or even being successfull. I know that in this business there are a<br />
few things that you have to live by. I'll just list those key words that I think are crucial in this business or even<br />
in life itself. Honesty, friendly and approachable, dependable, persistent, consistent, and be fl exible and fair.<br />
Just a few key things to live by, even to only exist in this business or in life in general.<br />
In this present economy I like to use one phrase "TREAD WATER". My goal is to stay afl oat and deal<br />
with the present economy. Change when times change and be prepared to make those changes.<br />
What advice if any do you have for other <strong>USPTA</strong> <strong>Professional</strong>s?<br />
I probably could use more advice than give advice, but generally I think to succeed one should try to<br />
do their very best in what they do and keep learning so you can provide your clients with the best for what they<br />
pay for. With the key words I mentioned earlier and with up-to-date training, we teaching pros<br />
should experience very good results.
Hawaii’s<br />
Pro Net work<br />
3535 Briarpark Drive • Suite One • Houston, TX 77042 • divisionea@uspta.org<br />
Editor Kalin Cogar<br />
Contributors Jerry Cape, Cathy Nicoloff and<br />
Mark Beede<br />
Hawaii’s Pro Network is published quarterly by the Hawaii Di vi sion of<br />
the Unit ed <strong>States</strong> <strong>Professional</strong> Tennis Association, Inc.<br />
The opinions expressed in Hawaii’s Pro Network are those of the authors<br />
and not nec es sar i ly those of Hawaii’s Pro Network or the <strong>USPTA</strong> Hawaii<br />
Di vi sion.<br />
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