Hilton Head Monthly Magazine Voice of the Lowcountry The Professional Tennis Registry reached a major milestone Aug. 31, when the Hilton Head Island-based organization welcomed its 10,000th member in the United States.
"When you provide quality education leading to certification, plus outstanding member services and benefits — membership growth follows,” PTR CEO Dan Santorum said. “Reaching 10,000 members in the U.S., one-third of whom are coaches of color, is a tremendous source of pride for PTR.”
Some of the world’s best wheelchair tennis players will return to Hilton Head Island from Sept. 21-24 for the Professional Tennis Registry’s $20,000 Wheelchair Tennis Championships.
Hilton Head Island tennis player Grant Durham teamed with Isaac Smith of Clearfield, Utah, to claim a runner-up doubles finish at the United States Tennis Association Boys’ 14s National Clay Court Championships from July 16-23 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Lowcountry tennis guru Bob Brockman shares all the local tennis news and league information in this weekly tennis blog.
Resuming the Tennis Update now that tennis is starting up again. We hope everyone is well and looking forward to a less eventful future.
Grace Berrigan, daughter of Paige and Tom Berrigan of Hilton Head Island, was named Class A Tennis Player of the Year by the South Carolina Association for Women’s Sports. Grace grew up playing competitive tennis and soccer on Hilton Head. Before attending the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics, she played on Hilton Head Island Christian Academy’s varsity team beginning in the seventh grade. She finished her 2015 and 2016 seasons undefeated and was named the No. 1 player in the Pee Dee region this year.
Wexford head tennis professional Mike Pollard was recently named Professional Tennis Registry Member of the Year for South Carolina. This award is presented to a PTR member who has shown dedication and diligence in promoting and supporting tennis and PTR. Pollard coaches more than 25 adult USTA teams annually, as well as both men’s and women’s interclub teams. He also coaches multiple adult players who compete in both the singles and doubles Ultimate Tennis Leagues, as well as multiple Junior Tennis teams during the year.
U.S. Tennis Association South Carolina and the South Carolina Tennis Patrons Foundation recently announced that Judy Levering, formerly of Hilton Head Island, and Renata Marcinkowska of Myrtle Beach will be the newest inductees into the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame. Both recipients have dedicated countless hours to growing the sport of tennis in South Carolina and throughout the world.
Hilton Head Preparatory School recently won the SCISA Class 2-A tennis title, making it the fith consecutive time the program has won the state title. The Dolphins defeated Trinity-Byrnes in the championship match 5-2 in Sumter.
Tennis coaches, players and volunteers from all over the state will be honored for their tennis achievements later this year by USTA South Carolina. In all, 24 people and organizations will receive USTA South Carolina awards at the organization’s annual meeting on Isle of Palms in December. Locally, Hilton Head Island’s Ann Hunt is the Adult Female Player of the Year and the Wexford Tennis Club is the Member Faculty of the Year.
Public Tennis Inc. recently announced the creation of a program to award grants to junior tennis players. The grants will hlep competitive juniors who are aspiring to achieve national and/or international rankings by assisting with their travel, training and/or the equipment expenses associated with junior tournament events.
