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AREA REPORTS 2009 Alaska State High School Sportsmanship Award winners were honored this fall. From left, Rendell Burghart and Emma Lewis each compiled a 14-0 season record, bringing home the Region IV and Alaska State Singles Championship. the line, senior Emma Lewis defeated West Anchorage senior Taab Louhabanjong in three sets to win her second state singles title and the team title for South. West Anchorage fi nished second and Dimond (Anchorage) fi nished third. Sophomore Rendell Burghart of Di- mond overcame cramps to win his fi rst state singles gles title defeating West’s David Cotton in the fi nal. The girls’ doubles title went to the Dimond duo of Esther Glasionov and Annie Ingaldson. Players from outside of Anchorage also made their presence felt in the tournament. Tyler Loud and Drew Lanning from Lathrop (Fairbanks) won the boys’ doubles title. Southeast Alaska was represented by Juneau’s Laurel Messerschmidt and Brian Vandor who won the mixed doubles title. Also representing Juneau, Aaron Cohen and Nathan Graves fi nished second in boys’ doubles. Eric Ringstad of Monroe Catholic (Fairbanks) took third in boys’ singles. Hutchison Tech’s (Fairbanks) Kelsey Peterson and West Valley’s Loni Ellsworth and Jenna Powers (Fairbanks) placed fourth in girls’ singles and doubles, respectively. Kodiak High School brought a full team to the Alaska State High School Tennis Championship for the fi rst time. Kodiak has two outdoor courts and plays indoors in a converted gymnasium when the weather gets bad. Despite these challenges, Kodiak’s coaches Ken McCarty, Craig Johnson and Steve Johnston have 26 players on the team. To honor Kodiak’s efforts, the team was presented with the tournament’s sportsmanship award. The 2009 state tournament exhibited both a very high level of play as well as tremendous sportsmanship from all players. High school tennis is growing in the Last Frontier and Alaskan tennis fans are already looking forward to the 2010 tournament. Thank you to state tennis tournament title sponsor Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. and corporate sponsors Mt. McKinley Bank and SportsMedicine Fairbanks. The players and coaches of Tennis BC’s fi rst annual Progressive Tennis ADVANCED Circuit. British Columbia By Lenka Moravcova [ Continued from page 5 ] Building Tennis Communities strategy works In 2001, Tennis Canada implemented an initiative called Building Tennis Communities (BTC) to increase and sustain tennis participation in communities across the country. Since its inception, BTC has introduced tennis activities to over 365,000 players and in 2009, BTC provided fi nancial assistance to 50 different communities across the country. Community champions play an essential role in the success of BTC’s strategy. Community champions are volunteers who are passionate about tennis and the health of their community, and are well connected to other community leaders in their areas. With the help of the provincial organization, community champions organize “TRY, LEARN-PLAY and PLAY-COMPETE” programs to introduce and grow tennis in their communities. Other community champion activities include tennis fairs, team tennis and Tennis BC Rookie Tour events. Community champions receive fi nancial assistance from Tennis Canada for a three-year period. After three years, community champions 6 TENNIS TIMES WINTER 2009/10 � www.pnw.usta.com become graduated community champions with the goal of continuing their involvement with tennis in their community. A big part of TRY, LEARN-PLAY and PLAY- COMPETE programming is focused on progressive tennis which uses a systematic progression of court sizes, balls and racquets to make tennis more accessible and easier for beginners to learn. A mini net can be set up literally anywhere – school gymnasiums, playgrounds, parks, etc. – allowing the game to be introduced to hundreds of children. A prime example of BTC’s success in utilizing progressive tennis is Tennis BC’s School Program. During the 2008-09 school year, over 30,000 kids participated. The Tennis BC School Program is delivered by certifi ed tennis instructors and consists of four 45-minutes lessons conducted during the students’ regular PE classes. Nash Vuletic from TTennis XL is the leader of delivering Tennis BC School Programs in the Lower Mainland. Kudos tto all community champions for growing and advocating tennis as the sport of a lifetime! Progressive Tennis ADVANCED A Circuit in BC This year, Tennis BC introduced the fi rst Pro- ggressive Tennis ADVANCED Circuit for players under the age of nine. The circuit is a provincially sanctioned series of events for boys and girls combined. The events are held at clubs recognized as TTennis Development Centers and are supported by Tennis Canada. The Progressive Tennis ADVANCED Circuit offers two divisions including half-court for children ages eight and under as well as a threequarter-court for children ages nine and under. The circuit kicked off with an event at People’s Courts Tennis Academy in Coquitlam on October 18 and was a great success. The youngsters enjoyed the competition and the goodies they received with their registration. The series continues throughout the winter and spring with events scheduled at Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club, Hollyburn Country Club and Grant Connell Tennis Center. It’s a great way to offer new playing opportunities to the youngest competitors. Play more tennis with JUUMP.com Juump.com is a free map-based website that helps tennis players to meet other tennis players to organize match play and hit groups. The site allows you to create your own profi le, arrange play and communicate with other players, discover new courts that are convenient for you and your tennis partners, meet players with compatible skill levels and much more. Juump.com launched last summer and although it currently focuses on British Columbia, the founders plan to go global. “We created Juump.com to bring the tennis community together,” says Scott Dunlop, one of the co-founders and a former President of Tennis BC. Go to Juump. com for more information and to create your profi le today. NW Washington By Lori Brillhart The (frugal) tennis player’s guide to gifts If you’re feeling a bit light in the wallet this season (and really, who isn’t?), then here are some ideas to get you in the holiday gift-giving spirit without breaking your budget. Starting from $3.99, here are some favorites: UNDER $10 Stocking stuffers from TennisExpress.com: “Tennis Forever, Work Whenever” cocktail napkins are a lot of fun and a steal at just $3.99. Tennis ball and racquet stationery starts at $5.99. A variety of unique tennis memorabilia is available from $7. A practical indulgence, give the gift of Lacoste tennis socks for $10. UNDER $20 If you want to thrill a person who loves to read and play tennis, why not cater to multiple passions? Here are several excellent reads that can be found on Amazon.com: In Pursuit of Excellence by Terry Orlick, PhD. While excellent for tennis players, this inspiring read is applicable to every aspect of life. Mistakes Worth Making: How to Turn Sports Errors Into Athletic Excellence by Susan Halden-Brown. A truly thought-provoking book. If you haven’t read the Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey, purchase a copy for you and one for your favorite player. Recommended again and again, this book is a timeless tennis classic that will assist you in learning to utilize the mind and body connection on court. Tennis-themed photo frames are great to help commemorate an individual or team’s latest tournament experience. Priceless memories can be showcased for as little as $12.99 at TennisExpress.com. UNDER $50 Life is good! All you need is a “Love Tennis” T-shirt! Purchase one for your favorite doubles partner, team captain or coach. Only $25 from TennisExpress.com. If fashion and style are high on your tennis player’s list, Nordstrom.com has a great selection of performance apparel that may provide some on-court inspiration. Brands featured include Zell, Nike, Under Armour, Lacoste, and more. UNDER $75 A private tennis lesson (or two or three semiprivate lessons) for the player on your list might just make the perfect gift. Lessons are always a great gift idea for those who are trying to take their games to the next level. Just be certain that you don’t give it to someone you hope to beat at this time next year! SKY’S THE LIMIT If you wish to indulge your tennis-loving friend or relative, consider a trip to one of the Grand Slam events. Closer to home, another outstanding tournament is the BNP Paribas Open (formerly the Pacifi c Life Open) held at the beautiful Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif. A trip to a tennis camp might delight the tennis player on your list, as well. While the holidays may be hectic, be sure to take time for yourself. Hit the courts to relieve stress and boost your energy. May you also fi nd time to enjoy your tennis-playing friends and relatives (and to convert those friends and relatives who aren’t) and have a wonderful, happy and healthy holiday season.
Wayne Bryan visits Boeing Employees Tennis Club By Allan Overland This fall, the Boeing Employees Tennis Club in Kent, Wash., was treated to a very special series of tennis clinics with world-renowned coach Wayne Bryan, a three-time World Team Tennis Coach of the Year as well as father and coach of the No. 1 ranked doubles team in the world, Mike and Bob Bryan. Over the course of three days, Bryan put his on-court magic to work for two junior groups that featured several of the section’s top-ranked junior players and two adult groups that ranged from the 3.0 to the 5.0 NTRP level. All participants enjoyed themselves and improved their games in the process. SW Washington By Barbara Wyatt 2009 USTA/PNW Senior Men’s 35+ Grand Prix The 2009 USTA Pacifi c Northwest (USTA/PNW) Senior Men’s Grand Prix was held in October at the Lakewood Racquet Club in Tacoma. This invitationonly event draws the top tournament players from Washington, Oregon, BC, Alaska, and Idaho. The best of the best in the men’s 35 and over divisions battled on the tennis court stroke for stroke. Southwest Washington was well represented by Vern Ball (Lakewood), Larry Butterfi eld (Gig Harbor), Hyn Jin Chong (Olympia), Ed Ford (Olympia), Tom Geisness (Bainbridge), John Hanson (Olympia), James Irvine (Sequim), Keith Johnson (Poulsbo), Darrel Leimback (Yelm), Rocky Phelps (Lakewood), Mike Richer (Bainbridge), and Greg Stapp (Olympia) who played against other topranked Pacifi c Northwest players. “The Grand Prix began over twenty years ago,” says Gary Case, Director of the Senior Men’s Grand Prix, “and opened the opportunity for top-ranked players from other states to play one another in head-to-head competition.” Prior to the Grand Prix’s founding, players from one state infrequently played against top players from other states. This event makes it possible to bring all of them together for an annual grand fi nale. “Matches are hard fought, often last hours and result in very close scores,” Case explains. Proving his point at the 2009 event was the match between two great veterans, Ball and Geisness. These two seniors competed in a 70s singles match that lasted over two-and-half hours and resulted in Ball’s win at 6-3, 4-6, 7-6. The viewing area was fi lled with players, guests and club members remarking on the intensity of the match, and the speed and agility of the men on court. Southwest men played strong throughout the Grand Prix. In the 70s singles fi nal, Ball beat John Curran of Seattle, Wash., 6-2, 6-1. In 40s doubles, David Baska of Mercer Island, Wash., teamed with Stapp to defeat Oregonians Jeffery Cook and Dwayne Tyner 6-1, 6-4. In 50s doubles, Leimback and Doug Ruffi n of � Vern Ball (left) and Tom Geisness PHOTOS BY BARBARA WYATT Rocky Phelps � Olympia, Wash., defeated Bill Brooks and George Kraft of Seattle 6-3, 7-5. In 60s doubles, Ball and Phelps posted a win over Hanson and Keith Johnson of Olympia, Wash., via a default due to a family emergency. In the 65s singles, Hanson made it to the fi nals, losing to Art Roper of Vancouver, Wash., 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. This year’s event was sponsored by USTA/PNW with giveaways from Avanti Sports of Seattle, David Ranney, author of Tennis: Play the Mental Game, The Ram Restaurant, and Carr’s Restaurant. To play in the Grand Prix, a player must compete in USTA/PNW tournaments during the year. Players are awarded points based upon the round they reach within a tournament and the designated level of the tournament. The USTA/PNW Standings and Year-End Rankings represent a player’s best results in the four or fi ve tournaments that lead up to the Grand Prix. More information on USTA/ PNW Open and Senior Ranking Rules are available at www.pnw.usta.com. Bainbridge Island: Collapsed bubble brings good fortune Bubble domes dot Southwest Washington, converting outdoor courts into fully functional indoor courts. Members of the Bainbridge Athletic Club (BAC) had enjoyed three indoor courts and two bubble-covered courts until this summer when the bubble collapsed. “The (weather) elements of the Pacifi c Northwest got the best of our bubble,” says Joanne Franklin, BAC Tennis Coordinator. Now BAC management says, “No more bubbles. It’s time to erect a new building!” As Franklin explains, “Our members enjoyed playing on our outdoor courts over the summer and now we are looking forward to a beautiful new permanent structure to cover our courts sometime in January.” The construction process has begun with an architect’s drawing of the new building that will be placed over the two previously bubble-covered courts. “We have a state-of-the-art tennis facility and fi tness club and will now offer fi ve indoor courts,” adds Franklin. Bainbridge’s Fairbank Construction Company will oversee the three weeks of demolition and concrete foundation work followed by six weeks to erect the exterior of the steel building. The original Bainbridge Island Racquet Club was built by local residents in 1978. In 1991, this private club was purchased by Ted and Kellan Eisenhardt. Since then they increased fi tness memberships and provided tennis programs for the community as the facility morphed into the Bainbridge Athletic Club. � James Irvine � John Hanson The collapsed bubble at Bainbridge Athletic Club. The club includes 50,000 square feet of weight training areas, studios, locker rooms with saunas and steam, social areas, and a juice bar. To enhance the tennis program, management recently went to Tennessee to fi nd new BAC Tennis Director, Zach Laycock, a certifi ed United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) coach (P1). He has coached a total of 24 Greater Knoxville Tennis Association (GKTA) Interclub champion and fi nalist teams, and a total of 31 USTA League Local, District and Section Championship teams. At Austin Peay State University, Laycock played NCAA Division I tennis and competed in amateur satellite events. Laycock graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2002 with a BS in Sport Management/Business Administration. “We are looking to create a great tennis environment by adding experienced USPTA Certifi ed staff with cutting edge knowledge of the tennis industry,” Laycock explains as he outlines the new tennis programs. His to-do list includes launching Cardio Tennis, sanctioned tournaments, local tournaments, QuickStart Tennis, and more. With the new building and the hiring of additional USPTA certifi ed pros, Laycock promises a great tennis future for Bainbridge Island. New tennis facility to open in University Place Sweeping, dusting, repairs and more sweeping are underway to open the new University Place Tennis Academy (UP Tennis Academy) in University Place, Wash., this winter. The new facility will feature three indoor and two outdoor courts, a separate instruction court and a pro shop. UP Tennis Academy will be housed in the former Fircrest Tennis Club (2818 69th Ave. W., University Place, Wash.) which closed its doors in 2006. “We will be offering junior and adult programs, daytime ladies fl ights, men’s night doubles and mixed doubles night,” says Pat Block, president of the new UP Tennis Academy. “The Pierce County CTA will operate out of the UP facility and will run QuickStart Tennis, after-school tennis and USTA Jr. Team Tennis.” Her goals for the new academy include a thorough cleaning of the existing building, replacement of missing net posts and repair of indoor and outdoor courts. The site also includes two signifi cantly deteriorated clay courts that demand a complete overhaul and would be “an expensive proposition,” according to Block. Strategic improvements such as renovating the clay courts will depend on how the community embraces the club. In addition to her new duties at UP Tennis Academy, Block will stay on as Tennis Director at Sprinker Tennis Center. Steve Kubota, will teach at the new academy in addition to retaining his current role as Sprinker’s Head Tennis Professional. For more information about the University Place Tennis Academy, please visit www.uptennisacademy.com. www.pnw.usta.com � WINTER 2009/10 TENNIS TIMES [ Continued on page 15 ] 7
Page 1 and 2: Volume XXVIII VIII / Number 4 TENNI
Page 3 and 4: FROM THE BASELINE By Bill Leong Exe
Page 5: AREA REPORTS Alaska JUNEAU REPORT B
Page 9 and 10: Sams Valley Principal drives team t
Page 11 and 12: PRO UPDATE As of 11/23/09 Travis Pa
Page 13 and 14: FROM THE CHAIR By Ira Moss, USTA Of
Page 15 and 16: AREA REPORTS Eastern Washington [Co
Page 17 and 18: Tennis CONNECTS teachers and studen
Page 19 and 20: LEAGUE RATINGS 2009 USTA League Yea
Page 21 and 22: Fall, Gordon Seattle 3.5 Faller, La
Page 23 and 24: Perez, John Redmond 3.5 Perine, Dre
Page 25 and 26: Bishop, Connie Redmond 2.5 Bishop,
Page 27 and 28: Jones, Casey Bend 4.0 Jones, Darlen
Page 29 and 30: Shaw, Elizabeth Seattle 3.0 Shaw, F
Page 31 and 32: TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES All schedules

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