We would like to see everyone on the tennis court this year!  Come and join us for our USTA Senior League Season (50+ age group) and get in on the fun.  Competitive level groups from around the area are forming teams to get this season underway which begins February 20th!  You can get signed up for a team by contacting your league coordinators, your facility Pro, or online at the USTA Southwest website:  Southwest USTA NAZ.

There is a very special cash reward for a few special people as well.  Bring in new players to your team and you receive $150.00!  A pretty good incentive, don’t you think?

Let’s make this USTA season the one to remember!

Teams will be posted here on this site and the northernarizona.usta.com site.

Merry Christmas to everyone and have a great and Happy New Year!

Your Friend,

Ron Barron

1. Significance

   • The USPTA and the PTR educate, train, test and certify tennis teaching professionals throughout the world. The goal of these organizations is to ensure a high teaching standard in order to promote and grow the game of tennis.

   Certification Levels

   • USPTA tennis professionals are rated at three levels of certification, professional 1, professional 2 and professional 3. Professional 1 is the highest of the three levels.

   • In the PTR, tennis professionals are certified as an associate instructor, instructor and professional. The professional is the highest level. Both organizations offer a master professional level for individuals who have held one of these certifications for several years and have maintained their memberships.

   Certification Test

   • An individual who wants to become certified must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of tennis on and off the court. They must pass a written test covering such things as tennis history, court maintenance, equipment, rules, programming and business.  They also must demonstrate their ability to teach a lesson, recognize technique flaws, know the different grips and be able to execute tennis strokes correctly and accurately.

Simply speaking, your Pro needs to know a few things other than how to toss a ball at you.  Their overall knowledge has to be extensive enough that they can provide you with a tennis experience that takes you to the level of play you want to achieve.  One of the downfalls of many of the Pro’s that I have encountered over the years is that they believe that their way is the only way to teach every individual.  The learn the basic techniques and look at every player as if they are going to play at Wimbledon!  Well, how about those who are just trying to be proficient enough with the game that they can go out and enjoy it on the weekends with some friends.  How about the sixty year old that is just getting off the couch and wants to learn as well.  Do we teach them the same as a thirteen year old looking for a college scholarship? 

Every body is different and the true  professional must know how to provide a great learning experience for every level of player and not just those who are looking at tennis as a future income source.  So, when choosing your next tennis professional for a lesson or clinic, look for some of the characteristics that suites YOUR needs and not just how great of a player they believe they are.

Look for Level of Certification, years of teaching experience, who they have taught (kids, adults, pro’s, teams, seniors) and one overlooked area is: are they fully insured.  Meet with your Pro before the lesson and get to know them a little.  Take a free evaluation lesson (30 minutes or so if they offer one) to get familiar with their style and find out how they evaluate you.  The worst thing you can do is take lessons from someone you don’t feel comfortable with.  I can guarantee that you won’t learn anything and definitely won’t enjoy your on court experience if you are not happy with your choice of Pro.

Remember, there are plenty of Pro’s to choose from and the choice of others is not always the best choice for you. 

Professional Tennis Registry (PTR)
United States Professional Tennis Assn. (USPTA)

The banquet is held annually to recognize and celebrate accomplishments by NAZ members on and off the tennis court.  Approximately 45 people attended from Sedona, Flagstaff, Cottonwood and Prescott.

Awards were presented to players and volunteers for their accomplishments in 2011.  A rare lifetime achievement award was also presented to Eric Bourdon of Prescott for his over 10 years of service to NAZ including being NAZ President, NAZ league team captain, NAZ league coordinator and presently as awards chairman.

other awards were presented to the following:

Adult Competitive Player of the year:  Greg Kleiner
Female Junior Player of the year:  Taylor Johnson
Male Junior Player of the year: Adam Skrocki
Community Volunteer of the year:  Barbara Briseno
Tennis Family of the Year: Bob and Sharon Geil
High School Player of the year:  Aubrey Danks
High School Coach of the year: Miguel Phelps, Prescott HS
Facility of the Year:  Rough Rider Tennis Center, Prescott, Az.

NAZ service awards were presented to individuals with at least two years of service on the board of directors.  Those individuals are:  Jana Perpich of Flagstaff, Mel Levine of Sedona, Jan Blackman of Sedona, Brenda Linskey of Flagstaff, Scott Weber of Flagstaff and Larry Lineberry of Sedona.

The NAZ 20123 Executive Board was also elected.  The new board is as follows:  President: Larry Lineberry, Vice President: Jana Perpich, Secretary, Jan Blackman, Treasurer: Mel Levine.

Northern Arizona is one of seven districts in the Southwest Section of the United States Tennis Association and services tennis needs in Prescott, Prescott Valley, Verde Valley, Flagstaff, Lake Havasu, Kingman, Winslow and the Hopi and Navajo reservations.

We want to take the time to congratulate each and every one that received an award this year.  We are proud to be a part of the NAZ USTA and being able to vote on the honoree’s.

Saturday, October 29th beginning at 11:00 AM, Prescott Racquet Club will be the host of this unprecedented event being sponsored by the USTA Southwest Section in an effort to allow members and non members alike the opportunity to learn more about what the USTA is doing for our district.

Lindsey Keeler, USTA Southwest’s Adult Competitive Manager will be on hand to answer questions, take comments and talk about the benefits of your USTA membership, as well as providing some really great tennis, food and prizes for everyone to enjoy.

If you are interested in getting a little bit more information about what the USTA is really up to, or just want to have your personal questions answered, come on down to Prescott Racquet Club, 1 Kingswood Drive in Prescott, you will be treated to some free tennis, free food and lots of information about USTA and it’s programs.

Members from the USTA’s Northern Arizona Tennis Association will also be on hand to take some feedback on the Future of Tennis in Northern Arizona and what you would like to see in the coming years.  This is going to be a great event where everyone can learn something about USTA and it’s programs as well as voice some opinions about tennis in our future.

The benefit concert is presented by the USTA NAZ District and sponsored by Northern Arizona Healthcare.  Proceeds will be used to to benefit Fit Kids of Arizona through USTA QuickStart (10 and Under Tennis), as well as to promote and develop other NAZ tennis programming.

Tickets are available to the public on August 15th, but tennis family and friends can purchase now for choice seating using access code “ACE”.  Tickets can be purchased online at the NAU Central Ticket Office for $25, $45, $65, and $75 based on seat location.  This will be a special, fun night for people of all ages and a great way to support community tennis.

Additional benefit concert sponsors include Northern Arizona Rehabilitation and Fitness, 93.9 The Mountain, Super Pawn, Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa, Verde Valley Archaeology Center, Arizona Music Pro, Mental Edge Tennis, Elizabeth A. McFarland (Attorney at Law), and Ace Court Equipment and Stringing.

October 6th – It was a great evening with Mr. Hornsby.  We want to thank him for his time and the very special performance to benefit our Junior Tennis Programs.  It was definitely a pleasure to have enjoyed an evening with Bruce Hornsby.  Hope to see you back next year! 
—–Ron Barron, Prescott, AZ

Gold Medal for Senior Olympics

The Senior Olympics Tennis Event, held at the Prescott Racquet Club Aug 19th through the 21st, was definitely a gold medal winner for those who participated in this annual event hosted by The City of Prescott Parks and Recreation Department and the Prescott Senior Olympic Games Steering Committee.

Over 60 participants were in attendance on the courts of the Prescott Racquet Club under the direction event organizer Cody Williams, who I must say, “put on a pretty darn good show” as one of Prescott’s best tennis events of the year.

With a plate full of age brackets, beginning with the 50′s, and a full menu of events, it was definitely more than a challenging experience for those who consider themselves the wielder’s of the old wood racquet generation.

Prescott’s Senior Olympics has proven that it is a game for a lifetime.  Those of us from the baby boomer years and beyond, tennis continues to give us the opportunity to participate at the highest level of competition, yet, still allowing us to maintain a healthy life style and live in a world where our status, cares or worries have no meaning within the confines of that green rectangle we call our home courts.

I want to personally applaud those participants from various parts of the state who were in attendance to vie for the coveted honor of wearing that gold medal.  When the final points were tallied and a true victor finally emerged from the long and arduous journey that befell them, it really wasn’t the those with the most points that won, it was the accomplishment of those who participated that made the winners.  The average, the affluent, the best dressed, everyone in my eyes deserved a gold medal.  It was an honor being able to associate with those who believe that tennis is a great way to live and that love is the beginning of every point!

Thanks Ron, For the GOLD!

And the Crowd Goes WILD!

Robak showing some new moves!

Digging for a low shot!

Louise Merring's Return of Serve!

What exactly is changing?

Previously, the USTA League was divided into Adult (18 & Over), Senior (50 & Over), Super Senior (60 & Over) and Mixed (18 & Over).  The Adult Division was singles and doubles, while the Senior, Super Senior and Mixed were played as solely doubles matches.  The new structure will have just two divisions—Adult and Mixed.  The Adult Division will be composed of 18 & Over, 40 & Over, and 55 & Over; the 18 & Over and the 40 & Over will feature both singles and doubles, while the 55 & Over will be solely doubles. The Mixed Division remains, competing in 18 & Over as before.  As before, participants will continue to compete at their NTRP level for each category.

Are the new Leagues in addition to the existing Leagues?

No. The previous League structure is being replaced with the new age realignment structure as per the divisions and age groupings detailed at right.

Why did the USTA make this change?

The decision to change the structure was made to better distribute USTA League participants among the three age categories—previously, the vast majority of USTA League participants fell in the “Adult” category (18 & Over), with far fewer in the “Senior” (50 & Over) and “Super Senior” (60 & Over) categories—and to better align participants with players their own age.  Existing data research, player surveys and player focus groups clearly indicated a need for age restructuring in order to provide more and better play opportunities, both for competitive and social reasons.  Under the old model, players were of the same ability but not necessarily of the same playing style or fitness level.  The restructuring guarantees more frequency of play opportunities at more appropriate age divisions.

What are the benefits of making this change?

Research indicates that age restructuring should provide the majority of players with additional play opportunities and produce more competitive match play, which will result in more accurate ratings.  The changes also allow players to play in more homogeneous groupings should they so choose.

For more information on this new structure logon to usta.com/leagues

We are looking for teams from your home courts.  Two courts are required at your location and several court locations here in the Northern Arizona district have already committed to play in our WTT league and we are looking for more!

Where ever there are courts, we want a team represented from there.  Where ever you play or have clinics, we want to see a team!

We are looking for players who wish to play on 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0 teams beginning on the week of August 29th.  Teams will be forming with any level combination’s that don’t exceed your proposed team’s overall level of play.  A minimum of 2 men and 2 women are required to play (maximum of 5 men and 5 women).

The format is simple:  Men’s & Woman’s Doubles, Men’s and Woman’s Singles and two Mixed Doubles matches.  Here is the fun part!  One set each (first to 6 by 2 games), play a “first to 5″ tie breaker at five all.  No Ad Scoring and you play all the let serves!  Oh yes, and you can put in a substitute if you need to, where ever you need one.  Coaching…sure!  Rooting for your team mates…sure!  Fast paced high intensity matches that is sure to please even the stuffiest of player!

If this is something that you may be interested in, please send me an email:  I will be more than happy to get you on a team in one of the best tennis formats you can play!  Already have a team…get listed on my team database and lets get WTT on the map here in NAZ!

Your courts, your team!  WTT is TENNIS at it’s best!

Ron Barron, PTR at:  ronbarronptr@gmail.com to get signed up.

Rules and information is available by downloading here: Click Here