Just got back from traveling to the east coast and staying on Hilton Head Island, SC.. This is one of the best tennis areas in the country, most of the clubs and resorts have clay courts, where on the west coast, the courts are generally hard courts. Clay is softer on the body, cooler on your feet and more maintenance then hard courts, I miss the clay courts!
Several tennis resorts and country clubs are on HHI, the main 2 resorts that are top 50 in the country; Sea Pines Resort and Palmetto Dunes are really great for tourists. The difference between a tennis resort and a country club for a tennis pro, as I am, is your clientele base. Resort guests are in and out of town, usually 1 week each year and the country club client is a member you may see each week all year long. Depending on the opportunity of the job, in either case, a pro can excel with either club, I have always taught at the country club where I work with the member and family usually on a weekly basis. Getting new memberships is an ongoing responsibility as well.
The last few weeks in California I have been promoting my book, “On the Other Hand,” with some great exposure. I attended a 800 women luncheon at the Irvine Marriot, in Irvine Calif. which was host to an award’s banquet for a popular women’s tennis league here on the west coast, PacSun. I also, was guest speaker at The Sea Cliff CC in Huntington Beach, Calif. where I demonstrated all the strokes in tennis and showed what the role of the non-dominant hand was and how it could aid the spectating players. The Dir. of tennis, Mike Van Zutphen enjoyed the event that is advertised as his ‘Coaches Corner.’
Lastly, I attended a USTA luncheon where the host speaker was Patrick McEnroe. The discussion was about the state of junior tennis, specifically the 10-under group and how softer balls and shorter courts are the future, which hopefully will aid pro tennis in 8-10 years, we need more top playing juniors to compete with the world. I had a little time one on one with Patrick, presented him my book and hoped he could read it and provide me a future testimonial, most likely after he finishes his commentary at the French Open.
See you in July. WIMBLEDON and the wonderful grass.