News Blast #96 from The Tennis Network of Greater Volusia County
Topics: 1. John Hudson new Head Tennis Pro at Florida Tennis Center
2. Results of USTA Pro Circuit Event in Palm Coast
3. Tennis Lesson/Pro Hit with a Touring Pro
Hello tennis friends in Volusia & Flagler Counties.
From former touring pros, to current touring pros, to potential future touring pros (yes, that’s YOU - maybe) – this “Blast” covers both the professional as well as the recreational side of tennis.
1.John Hudson Head Pro at Florida Tennis Center
Quote from the “Daytona Beach News-Journal:" "The Florida Tennis Center announced the hiring of a new head tennis pro. John Hudson joins the Tennis Center after 25 years in the tennis business. He was the former owner of the Trails Racquet Club in Ormond Beach. Hudson also was a former coach on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tour.” (http://www.news-journalonline.com/sports/other/tennis/2011/01/18/florida-tennis-center-names-hudson-head-pro.html). John joined FTC in early January. His wealth of experience will be a great asset to FTC’s coaching staff. Tom Kelly will remain in his position as FTC’s tennis manager.
2. Results of the USTA Pro Circuit Event in Palm Coast
After two weeks of exciting tennis, the finals were played yesterday of the USTA Pro Circuit Men’s Futures professional tournament at Palm Coast Tennis Center. In singles, former Top 100 player Wayne Odesnik, who had earlier beaten local favorite Greg Ouellette, beat unseeded Italian qualifier Nicola Ghedin 6-2 6-1. In doubles, the #1 seeded team of Dimitar Kutrovsky (BUL)/Jack Sock (USA) beat #2 seeds Greg Ouellette/Blake Strode (USA) 6-3 3-6 10-8. Note that Jack Sock was last year’s winner of the US Open Boys’ singles title, and Blake Strode won the 2010 US Open National Playoffs, earning himself a spot in the US Open qualifying draw. A lot of great tennis talent is currently in our area. The winner of the men’s singles collected $1,300, finalist $900; winning doubles team split $630, finalists split $330.
3. Lesson/Pro Hit with A Touring Pro
Ok, many of us take lessons from TEACHING pros. But would you be interested in hitting with a PLAYING pro, a professional tennis player, for just a little bit more money than you would spend on a “regular” tennis lesson? A small window of opportunity might have opened up for that. The tennis tournament in Palm Coast is over. But one of touring pros there told us recently that he will stay in the area for another couple of weeks until his next tournaments come up. We have asked that player to offer pro hits (an hour of one-on-one hitting with him; no instruction, just rallies) to our readers for a reduced fee. If you care to do that, send an e-mail to Jan@Trailsracquetclub.com. You will hear back from us soon thereafter.
Dear tennis friends in Volusia/Flagler counties, we hope you used the opportunity to watch those fine tennis athletes in Palm Coast in action. Now it is up to you to apply what you saw. Good luck, and Happy Trails to y’all.
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