Leo Alonso
Leo is a PTR Master Professional and the Director of PTR/Argentina. He is the Director of Tennis Service, a company that manages five clubs, with a staff of 35 teaching pros. Leo has been named PTR Pro of the Year, Clinician of the Year and National Tester of the Year. He has also been a featured speaker at PTR International Tennis Symposia and the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference. Currently, Leo coaches and manages six Argentine players ranked 160-350 on the ATP and WTA Tours.
Jorge Andrew
Jorge is a PTR and USPTA Master Professional. A former Venezuelan Davis Cup player and captain, Jorge played on the tour for more than 10 years with his highest world ranking at 61. He has received numerous national awards and often sought as a speaker. He is a High Performance Coach and a Developmental National Workshop Coach for the USTA. Currently, Jorge is the Tennis Director at the Lexington County Tennis Complex, which was named USTA Outstanding Large Public Facility for 2005.
Clive Carrigan
Clive is a PTR Master Professional, National Tester and Director of PTR/ UK . He has been honored as Pro of the Year and Tester of the Year. Clive is the coach of a number of national and regional players in the London area. Currently, Clive is the Tennis Director of one of the largest clubs in his region as is also responsible for tennis development at the grassroots level.
Tom Daglis
Tom is a USPTA Master Professional and has been actively involved in the tennis industry for more than 25 years. He has been honored as the USPTA Southern Pro of the Year, Pride of the South and Tester of the Year. Tom is also a USPTA Vice President. Currently, Tom is the Director of the Professional Management Program at Ferris State University and Co-chairman of the USPTA Testing and Certificate Committee.
Ken DeHart
Ken is a PTR and USPTA Master Professional. He is a USA Trainer for Development Coaches and a USA Tennis High Performance Coach. Ken travels often as a premier speaker in the Tennis Industry and has also won numerous titles including Gold Medals at the Huntsman World Senior Games. Currently, Ken is the Director of Tennis at San Jose Swim & Racquet Club.
Lisa Duncan
Lisa is a PTR Member of the Year and past recipient of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Educational Merit Award. She was appointed as a USA National Trainer for Development Coaches and served on the USA School Tennis Committee. Lisa is a featured speaker at many national conferences and symposia.
Fernando Velasco
Fernando is a USPTA Master Professional and past recipient of the USPTA Pro of the Year. He has also won USPTA Southern Division Pro of the Year, PTR Pro of the Year and is in the USPTA Midwest Hall of Fame. Fernando has been a guest speaker at local, regional and national conventions of the USPTA, CMMA, USTA, PTR and IHRSA. Currently, Fernando is the Manager and Director of Tennis at the Circle C Tennis Club.
Professional Forum
Who should pay for the Teaching Balls?
A few years ago, I did a survey on the "pet peeves" of students toward tennis pros. One of the items that came back strongly was about the quality of the teaching balls when someone is receiving a lesson. It is hard to justify spending a great deal of money on a lesson when dead balls are being fed to the student to correct/learn a skill in tennis. In my opinion, balls should be replaced at least every 4 to 6 weeks. A basket of balls holds around 200 balls. A can of "seconds" runs about $1.60 - $1.80 a can of three balls. A pro should be able to spend around $130.00 to replace its "teaching tools" often. The question who pays for them is very simple. If the club is taking a percentage of the pros from their income of lessons, then the club should replace them. If the pro is independent contractor, then the pro should pay for them. If a director of tennis/head tennis pro is taking a percentage of the assistants' lessons, then the director/head pro should pay for them.
In our club, we take a percentage of the pros' lesson income. We replace all teaching baskets at the same time every four to six weeks depending on the tear and wear. The old balls are donated to the schools and nursing homes.
Fernando Velasco
USPTA Master Professional
Top 5 Ways To Convince The Club To Buy The Teaching Balls?
1. It is a way to increase my pay without having to pay payroll taxes.
2. If the club owns the ball machine, I will rotate my teaching balls to the ball machine so the club will not have a ball expense.
3. I will set up a basket with practice balls for the members to use so the teaching balls will not wear out as fast.
4. I surveyed the clubs in the area and this % provides the balls for their instructional programs. Here is a budget that includes rotating new balls in on a
3-4 week basis. Our members pay a premium for lessons and a great member service is to the best balls for their lessons.
5. I will provide all the balls for social events and league matches. The balls from these events can be used to make the teaching balls last longer. Provide a drop off container for members to turn in their balls from recently played matches, thereby reduce the cost of providing balls.
Ken DeHart
PTR/USPTA Master Professional