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 In Memoriam

Armistead Neely: Passed away on March 7, 2024 at the age of 76
March 2023

Armistead Neely, born March 19, 1947 in Tampa, lost a lengthy battle with cancer on March 7, 2024. He is survived by Alice Pendergrast, his wife of forty some years. They lived in the Atlanta area for several decades.

Armistead was one of the best players in the state and the country since he first began playing tennis at an early age. He was one of the top collegiate players, as well. He played at the University of Florida, together with Steve Beeland, Jamie Presley, Charlie Owens, Gregg Hilley, Lee Steele, Paul Lunetta and others. They were SEC champions two times. Armi played number 1 and was an All-American.

He enjoyed a lengthy professional career and competed all over the world for decades. In the Senior divisions, he was a National Champion most of the time from the 35 and overs to the 70 and overs. When he wasn’t the number 1 player, he was always in the top 5. He coached at the University of Alabama for several years, too.

However, he will always be remembered for creating the “Watch Circuit” in the early’70s, together with Larry Turville, when the game of tennis “opened up” and money entered the game. He was a tennis pro in Atlanta for the last 50 years of his life. He was inducted into the Southern Hall of Fame, the Georgia Hall of Fame, as well as the University of Florida’s Hall of Fame. More than anything else, though, he will be remembered as a wonderful man who was loved, respected and revered by all who knew him.

James Settles: Passed away on January 10, 2023 at the age of 94
January 2023

July 13, 1928 - January 10, 2023 James Edgar Settles, 94, of Laguna Niguel, California went home to his heavenly father on January 10, 2023. His faith and devotion to Jesus, coupled with the love of his children and grandchildren, gave him peace in his final days with us. Jim was an only child born in Glendale, California on July 13, 1928 to the late Edgar Washington Settles of Illinois and the late Beatrice Elaine Musselle, of Canada. 

Jim graduated from Huntington Park High School in 1946, and Pepperdine University with an undergraduate degree in Business in 1950. At Pepperdine, he was a 4-year member of the varsity tennis team and founding member of the Beachcomber fraternity of student-athletes. Following graduation from Pepperdine, Jim was drafted and served in the US Army. He was deployed to the Korean War and served 18 months in a tank on the front lines. Upon returning from combat, he accepted a position at Union Bank in Los Angeles, beginning a 50-year career in banking and commercial real estate lending. After meeting Jaqueline Shannon on a blind date in Laguna Beach, the couple wed a year later on November 6, 1953 in Glendale. 

Jim and Jacque were married for 63 years and were blessed with three loving children: Allison, Jim Jr., and Paul. They raised their children in Glendale according to Proverbs 22:6: "train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it."

When their children were grown, Jim and Jacque moved to Laguna Niguel where they spent the next quarter century together. Jim was a covenant husband, devoted father and grandfather. His most cherished moments were those with family - worshiping, traveling, and playing tennis.

Jim also loved listening to jazz music and attending live concerts with family and close friends. Jim was passionate about tennis - playing, coaching, and volunteering to grow the sport. He was an accomplished junior player before representing Pepperdine at the highest level of collegiate tennis. He continued to play while serving in the military, and competed in adult and family tournaments for over six decades. He obtained No. 1 national rankings in multiple divisions well into his eighties. Jim coached at Glendale High School, gave tennis lessons, and sold and installed tennis nets and windscreens on occasion. He was a longtime volunteer for the Southern California Tennis Association on both junior and adult committees. 

The Settles family was recognized as the SCTA Family of the Year in 1999. As a devoted man of faith, Jim was an elder at Grandview Presbyterian Church and a member of both Hollywood Presbyterian Church and Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church. As a pillar of the LNPC community, he sang in the church choir and led bible studies from The Message with wife Jacque at their home. For many years he also taught a weekly bible study at nearby Del Obispo Terrace Senior Living and was a dedicated volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. 

Jim is survived by his daughter Allison Jensen (Jay), his sons Jim Jr. (Carol), Paul (Kathy), and his grandchildren Ian, Ryley, Finn, Christian, Sarah, James, and Caleb. He was preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline in 2017.

John Lundquist: Passed away on May 11, 2023 at the age of 76
May 2023

John Eric Lundquist, age 76, of St. Clair Shores, Michigan passed away on Thursday, May 11, 2023. He was born on August 5, 1946 to parents Eric and Margareta (Jansson) Lundquist. Loving husband of 55 years to Carolyn Ann (Schmidt) Lundquist. Beloved father to Britta (Jason) Wofford and Erica (Josh) Saperstein. Cherished grandfather, or better said, most adored Pops to Elliana, Carolena, Juliette (Wofford) and Sofia and Ethan (Saperstein). Appreciated son-in-law to Carol. Dear brother to Ann (Jim) Rogers and brother-in-law to Priscilla, Elise and Mike (Kathie). Beloved Uncle to Kristina (Mike), Ingrid, Niklas, Kirsten (Rob), J. Mikael (Heather), Markus (Emma), Ariana, Tatiana, Danny, Andranika, Tim, Suzanne, Kristin, Kevin and Melissa and many great-nephews & great-nieces. John is preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Harry, sister Katherine, brothers-in-law Gary and Jan, sister-in-law Rebecca and nephews Ryan and Thaddeus.

John always had a smile and was often heard saying "it’s all about family, right?" He loved genealogy research and his Swedish family traditions, not because he was focused on the past, but he believed in honoring those who established the family foundation and was determined to build well upon it. A very common place to find John was behind the lens of a photo or video camera as he documented births, first steps, ballet recitals, musicals, graduations, holidays, birthday parties, a family trip "home" to Sweden and the annual caroling of the 12 Days of Christmas, spinning 'round to capture each person's assigned part.

He was so giving and generous, especially in the attention and genuine interest he gave someone when speaking with them and in sharing an encouraging word or goal-oriented idea with them. Family and friends alike would say he was never at a loss for words... especially when it was time to say "goodnight" or "goodbye".

He was the catalyst to coordinating travel destinations, outdoor activities and time spent with people, always drawing in new friends. Never one to be shy, he made things fun for others, and there is actual video proof that he both danced and sang like no one was watching! He truly lived life and was the life of the party, which is what made him the very best, "reel" cool Pops for his grandchildren... fishing, swimming, exercising, playing games, blueberry picking, Christmas tree lot chopping, performing piano recitals full of "Heart & Soul" and Mackinac Island bike riding, full around to the reward of island famous ice cream. This was a much enjoyed extended family destination vacation for many years, as well as adventures to the cabin on Perch Lake.

He was such a great example of setting goals, working hard, being disciplined and being a good sportsman. Super competitive, in his youth, baseball was his game and into adulthood he enjoyed the camaraderie of the Orchard Lake Church men's softball team and golfing with his friends. Family was always his top priority, but all who knew him also knew his love-love of tennis! Leagues, tournaments and rankings -- when there were schedules, win/loss scores and brackets to report, the news was shared and signed "JohnnyMacAndrePistolPete". He was 100% committed to achieving his best result to whatever he set his mind upon. This included his work at his grandfather's business, A.A. Jansson lathing precision gage blocks, his engineering degree earned at Lawrence Tech and his automotive engineering career at General Motors. His 2009 retirement opened his schedule to wintering in Florida playing tennis tournaments and heading over to The Salty Dog for a grouper sandwich & draft beer, to Big Olaf's for a Heath Blizzard and then on to taking-in all those remarkable sunsets over the Gulf.

John would always sign off saying, "Life is Good!" And with the sweetest emotion, John acknowledged his gratitude for how full, rich and blessed his days had been with his beautiful wife and family, saying, "Thank you, God, for giving me such a great life. I will love my God forever and ever."

John Callen: Passed away on April 3, 2022 at the
age of 69
April 2022

The Southern Tennis Association mourns the passing of John Callen, 69, beloved USTA Southern Executive Director for 33 years. After battling cancer for more than a year, John passed away peacefully on April 3 with his wife Frances and daughters Ashley, Melanie, and Courtney by his side at his home in Johns Creek, Georgia.

In 2021, the Southern Tennis Foundation established the John Callen Scholarships to fund annual scholarships for Southern college students. The Callen family asks that any donations go to those scholarships. To donate, go to the Southern Tennis Foundation website

John was dedicated to volunteerism in the Southern Section. He was a founder of the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame, founding member of the Georgia Tennis Patrons Foundation and founding member of Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) Foundation. He served as Georgia Tennis Association President from 1982-1983. He was also elected to ALTA’s Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of the Georgia Professional Tennis Association. He coached winning Georgia Junior Davis Cup teams. He served as USTA Southern Vice President along with being a member of numerous USTA committees.

In 1989, John was named the USTA Southern Section Executive

Director. During his tenure the section’s membership rose to a high of more than 187,000, representing 25 percent of the national membership. The Section has been at the forefront of growing grassroots tennis, including fostering USTA League expansion, Junior Team Tennis formation and growth, an array of junior and adult tournaments in the section’s nine states. The Section has a robust adult program, including the largest Combo and Mixed Doubles leagues in the country.

In June 2021, he announced his retirement and worked into March 2022. At that time, he was the longest serving USTA section executive director.

“Announcing the retirement plans of our beloved and respected executive director of 33 years is not done without a lot of mixed emotions," USTA Southern President and CEO Randy Jackson said. “It's difficult to describe the significance of a John Callen to an organization like ours. John’s experience, intelligence, personality and character have made him a most respected leader in the tennis world. There is no one who deserves more credit for the incredible success of the USTA Southern Section than John Callen."

In his typical gracious and humble manner, John stated, "I could not have been more fortunate to be around some of the very best staff and board members and volunteers over the decades."

USTA Chairman of the Board and President Mike McNulty shared. “John led the Southern Section for 33 years and was the face of tennis in the South. I had the incredible opportunity to serve with John as one of his many ‘Callen Presidents.’ It was an honor and a privilege to serve with my friend, a soft-spoken leader who was loved by all. He was a special person with an inimitable personality, contagious enthusiasm, disarming humility and smiling wit. All of us in the sport of tennis who have been associated with John have lost a true friend and tennis has lost one of its most passionate proponents.”

Early Years
Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, his leadership skills were developed and recognized early on. He was elected Student Body President, Athletic Club President, a member of the National Honor Society, and his high school varsity tennis team.

After graduation he continued his education and tennis at Georgia Tech from 1970-1974. He served as team co-captain and played No. 1 to No. 4 singles and No. 1 to No. 2 doubles over his four-year career.

In 1974, he began a 15-year tennis pro career in Georgia that included the head tennis professional at Big Canoe, Director of Tennis at the Indian Hills Country Club, and Athletic Director at Standard Club in Jones Creek.

During these years he continued to hone his skills as a player, winning numerous Southern tennis titles and reaching the No. 1 ranking in the section for multiple years across many age groups.

John is a member of four Halls of Fame: the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame (inducted in 2013), the Alabama Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame (2000), the Georgia Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame (2004) and the Georgia Professional Tennis Association Hall of Fame. He is also an honorary member of the Georgia Professional Tennis Association.

Graydon Nichols: Passed away on Mach 24, 2022 at the age of 97
by Jimmy Parker
prkrtennis@aol.com
March 2022

Senior tennis lost one of its elder statesmen with the passing of Graydon Nichols on March 24 at the age of 97 in California. He leaves behind a family steeped in tennis, with wife Virginia, daughters Carolyn (yes, the Carolyn Nichols), Eileen, and son Chuck, all who played competitively. Graydon was also the founder of Nichols Farms, a giant agricultural enterprise employing over 400 people near Hanford California.

Graydon played tennis from the get-go with his seven brothers and sisters on the family’s homemade court. He attended Fresno State where he played his collegiate tennis, and later transferred to Cal Berkeley. Virginia, his wife since 1954, also plays a fair game herself - she won the World Championships in the 75 Women’s Doubles! And we wondered how Carolyn has been able to compile one of the finest-ever women’s senior records??

Interestingly, Graydon didn’t win a gold ball until age 71. (He won his first gold ball on the day that Gardnar Mulloy won his 100th.) In the next twenty years, the floodgates opened as he garnered 63 more!  Along the way, he and his buddy Tony Franco won two doubles Grand Slams. He was ranked #1 in the world in the 80 & over, represented the US on ten teams in the ITF World Team Championships, and served as Captain of several of them. Not bad for a late starter!

Graydon was proud of the fact that he was able to beat some of the senior players who had reached Grand Slam finals in their younger days. “I guess I just wore these guys out,” he says. “Tennis has been a pleasure and my life is all the better for it.” He was inducted into the NorCal Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009.

Like many senior competitors, Graydon had a whole other life off the court. His farm near Haydon, California produces almonds, pistachios, berries, and tomatoes. But more than that, the enterprise is a prime employer in the region. Graydon was known to look out for his employees. “He wants to take care of people,” it was said. What better accolade than one from his son Chuck, who summed it up simply, saying “He just was a very good man who made things better.”

James Harvey Nelson: August 11, 1935 - March 21, 2022
March 2022

Game, set, match. James Harvey Nelson, one of the greatest non-professional tennis players in American history, passed away peacefully at home after a long illness. His wife, Barbara, and his two sons, Brian and Brad were by his side. He was born August 11, 1935 in Los Angeles to Lyle and Dorothy Nelson. A sister of Jim’s, Beverly Nelson predeceased him.

Jim graduated from Huntington Park High School in the Class of 1953. As a college student, he attended several institutions, playing tennis for the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of Utah. He graduated from the University of California at Angeles (UCLA). While serving in the US Army during the Korean War, he played on the All Army Tennis Team, where he met top players from all over the United States. Jim worked for AT&T and married Marjorie Neuman, with whom he had his two sons. At about that time, he earned his stock brokerage license and embarked on a profession he pursued until retirement.

When he wasn’t investing or playing recreational tennis with celebrities at such venues as the Los Angeles Tennis Club, be became a major force on the amateur senior tennis scene (ages 35+), earning 107 U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) gold balls in age-group national championships, 11 World titles, and six Grand Slams. Many of those titles were in doubles, mostly with his favorite California partners--three with Lenny Lindborg and many more with Bob Duesler. Jim represented his country on 22 Senior Cup teams played all over the world and ranked fourth in US All-Time National Championship victories.

Off court, he founded the Southern California Senior Tennis Association, which became part of the USTA. He volunteered on many of that organization’s committees. He was also a member of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Club (IC).

For his many contributions to tennis, Jim was inducted into the Senior Southern California Hall of Fame in. Upon retiring to Palm Desert, he continued to play tennis and golf, which he also loved, at the Shadow Mountain Tennis Club and the Shadow Mountain Golf Club. Besides the international tennis trips Jim arranged, he nd his wife, Barbara, traveled the world with family and friends. Tennis took Jim to every continent with the exception of Antarctica. While deeply missed, Jim is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Barbara, two sons, son Brian’s wife Lina, and grandchildren Carly, Emily and Parker Nelson. His family and friends will miss his gregarious nature, his joke telling and his loyalty. Several friends and family are planning tributes. Cremation will be handled by the Fitzhenry Mortuary in Palm Desert.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.

Henry R. Tiberio: June 28, 1922 - November 27, 2021
lincjeff1@comcast.net
December 2021

The family of Henry Tiberio mourns the loss of a youthful spirit who passed on at the age of 99 after living a full and meaningful life. Henry grew up in Malden with his eight siblings surrounded by extended family who, like his parents, had emigrated from the Abruzzi region of Italy. The Tiberio family moved to Wakefield where they farmed the land around their home and where Henry was fortunate to have an enriching childhood, swimming in Lake Quannapowitt and playing tennis on the public courts in the town. This was the start of a lifelong passion for the game of tennis.

Henry Tiberio served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, stationed in Washington, D.C., then graduated from Duke University before he received his master's degree in Social Work from Boston University. While a student at BU, he met Frances Minton of Beverly while playing tennis at the United Shoe Golf and Tennis Club. They were married at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in January 1951. Together, Henry and Frances are known for their devotion to one another and the joy they found in marriage, pride in family, and in shared experiences through the sport of tennis and a community of loyal friends.

Frances was by his side throughout a 35-year career in public service for the protection of children and families and later served as a Regional Director for the Department of Public Welfare in Massachusetts. Henry believed that respecting all members of a family was necessary for the nurturing of children and was recognized by the Commonwealth for his exemplary work in a commendation from Governor Dukakis in 1983.

Henry and Frances raised their children in Beverly and he is survived by David and Judith Tiberio of Narragansett Rhode Island, Christine Bobek of Newburyport, Jeanne Tiberio of Salem and Margaret Tiberio also of Salem. He advised them to stay engaged in every stage of life. His counsel was that no matter what occurs, you can always make good decisions. Henry will be missed by his grandchildren Emily Anderson and husband David Anderson of Scituate, Matthew Tiberio and his wife Genevieve Aguera of Oakland, California, Eliza Bobek and husband Daniel Ramirez of Newburyport, and Molly Bobek and husband David Robles of Brooklyn, New York. Henry also found joy in his great-grandchildren Calvin, Isla and Harper Anderson and Lucia and Joshua Ramirez. He will also be mourned by Henry and Frances' caring nieces, nephews, and their children.

Later in life, Henry was known for his achievements as an amateur tennis player, teaching professional, and promoter of the game. A Boston Globe feature article in April 2011, "Ultimate Late Bloomer Rolls on in Beverly" describes those contributions made as a senior player. Winning his first national tournament at age 85 followed by winning consecutive national amateur tournaments in the 90-plus age group was a testament to his belief in setting high standards at any age. Henry was inducted into the New England Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995. He was the driving force behind the organization of tennis teams at Bass River Tennis Club in Beverly that allowed senior players to practice and compete nationally. Recently, Henry was recognized by USTA New England for 60 years of service to the sport of tennis.

The defining thread woven throughout Henry's life was to be of service to others: the tennis community, those in need, and his family.

In lieu of flowers, Henry's family welcomes donations to Tenacity, a nonprofit whose mission supports youth in Boston and Worcester through tennis, literacy, and life skills development (www.tenacity.org) as an expression of sympathy. Information, direction, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.

Mas Kimball: July 14, 1949 - November 16, 2021
By Jimmy Parker
prkrtennis@aol.com
November 2021

Sometimes we’re fortunate enough to have an extraordinary person touch our lives. Mas Kimball was such an individual; he reached the end of his journey last week after a courageous year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He managed to pack an astounding array of accomplishments into his foreshortened time with us. And he did it all with humility and respect for others. The challenge is always to enjoy the relatively brief period we have here and experience aliveness. Mas showed us how to do that.

Mas came to tennis thirty-five years ago. He was in the midst of a career where he developed several computer service companies. He continued to work in the field of IT, design, development, and implementation throughout his life. After he “retired,” he worked as a political activist in local, regional, state, and national arenas. He was almost always balancing responsibilities in several endeavors at once.

As in everything that he undertook, Mas threw himself into the game of tennis wholeheartedly. He not only worked on his game, but began to become an administrator par excellence. He started running tournaments, organized and ran several clubs, and became a teaching pro. He was Pro of the Year in the Eastern section in 2001. He branched out and became the Co-Director of a club in the Caribbean. He became the Tournament Director of some international events.

In the process of all this, he managed to accumulate 17 gold balls with then-wife Sue Kimball. They won the Grand Slam of Husband & Wife 140 in 2017. As the Senior Pro and Program Co-ordinator of the Farm Neck Tennis Club on Martha’s Vineyard, he ran numerous fund-raisers for various causes. He was a great team-builder, and always seemed to be looking for a way to make the planet a better place. We were all the beneficiaries of his passion to give back. He felt that that was the greatest gift he could give.

As was probably inevitable, Mas was tapped to serve on the USTA’s Adult Competition Committee. He has done so up until the time of his passing. His contributions there were voluminous. He also inaugurated the Level 3 NSMTA senior men’s tournament on Martha’s Vineyard that received rave reviews.

My own contact with Mas began with our efforts to inaugurate the National Senior Men’s Tennis Association. Five of us, along with Mas, began trying to figure out what it would take to get such an organization underway. (The women had done so forty years ago!) I don’t know where we’d be without Mas’ input and knowledge – he was an invaluable member of our Board. He was a great listener, able to bring together disparate points of view.

Our hearts go out to Keiko, Amy, and members of his family. We’ll not see Mas’ smiling face again, but it will always live in our memories.

George Stephen Wachtel: 1943 - 2021
By Jeremy Wachtel
jeremydwachtel@gmail.com
May 2021

We are extremely sad to let everyone know that dad unexpectedly passed away yesterday in his sleep. As you all know, it was a very trying few months from his heart surgery through the diagnosis of blood cancer/treatment… and we think it all finally got the better of him. A lot of you have already reached out to us and we are very grateful and comforted that he touched so many lives and was a positive force in the world.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

George Stephen Wachtel, 77, of Naples, Florida and Sunapee, New Hampshire died May 20, 2021, at home. George was born June 3, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York the son of Herman and Zelda (Fleisher) Wachtel. He was the loving husband of Deirdre (Dane) Wachtel for 52 years. George is also survived by his son Chris, his wife Ally and their two boys Lucas and Jayson of Enfield, Connecticut, as well as his son Jeremy, his wife Erin and their son Tyler of Savannah, Georgia. Additionally survived by his brother William Wachtel and his wife Elaine, niece Beth and nephew Michael, his aunt Norma Mukai and many cousins.

George was a graduate of Valley Stream High School and Hofstra University where he received his bachelor's degree in English. He was a lieutenant in the US Army serving a tour of duty at Camp Casey in Korea. His first civilian job was with Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company in Hartford, Connecticut and he raised his family in Ellington, Connecticut. George was bitten by the tennis bug and built a tennis court in the backyard of each Connecticut home!

George's strong belief in himself and his talents led him to partner with a fellow tennis player (William McMillen) to form WordCom, a target marketing company, in 1981. When Bill passed away in 1988, George took that as a sign to enjoy life. While continuing to own WordCom, George and Dede transitioned to living in Naples, Florida and Sunapee, New Hampshire. He officially retired in 2016.

George's passion was tennis! He was very active in the Naples tennis community and he participated in many USTA tournaments in Florida and New England. He was rated a 4.5 player and had reached a ranking of #3 in the country for doubles in his age group with his partner Noble Hendrix. He was the author of the book "Senior Tennis and Fitness" and wrote a tennis blog of the same name for the last 18 years. The highlight of his year was attending the John Newcombe Tennis Fantasies camp (which he has attended since 2003) where he got to play with tennis legends and reunite with his tennis friends from around the country. The friendships he developed through tennis meant the world to him and he truly cherished his tennis buddies.

Tentative plans for a celebration are scheduled for Ellington, CT on July 1 with details to follow and a Naples remembrance will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in George's name can be made to the Shih Tzu Rescue (4474 Weston Road, #175, Davie, FL 33331 - shihtzurescue.org) or the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (PO Box 683, Sunapee, New Hampshire 03782 - lakesunapee.org)

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Please share your condolences and memories of George on our Forum

John Powless – A Fond Remembrance
By Jimmy Parker
prkrtennis@aol.com
May 2021

Senior tennis lost one of its greatest ambassadors last week [May 20, 2021] with the passing of John Powless at age 88. His tennis life goes back decades to his beginnings in tiny Flora, Illinois, where his father KO (or Cecil, or CJ) was instrumental in getting some tennis courts built in the local park —and founding the Frog Island Tennis Club! Flora became an Illinois tennis hotbed.

I’ve known John throughout most of my years in tennis. I first encountered him in the finals of the National Clay Father/Son in 1958 when I was 15 and John was 25. He was a strapping 6’5,” and I was barely more than 5 feet tall. Not surprisingly, the Powlesses prevailed. The next time Dad and I went to play the Flora Open, a huge billboard at the edge of town announced, “Flora – Home of the National Father/Son Champions!” (If Dad and I had won, we might have gotten an inch of coverage in our local St. Louis newspaper!)

At that point, John had already had a storied career as a multi-sport athlete in high school and then at Murray State. He went undefeated in three years of varsity tennis there and also starred on the basketball team. After graduation, he became Assistant Basketball Coach at the University of Cincinnati, a national championship team that included Oscar Robertson, and twice won the NCAA title. 

But he had not forsaken tennis! John also became the coach of the U.S. Junior Davis Cup team and traveled the summer circuit as it existed then with future stars like Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell, and Stan Smith under his wing.  

I was also on those teams, and John was the perfect coach for us. He was knowledgeable, perceptive about what each of us needed to work on, and friendly with everyone we encountered. One year at Southhampton, one of the patrician clubs on the eastern grass-court circuit, John had us all dressed up in our JDC blazers for the famous Saturday night party. I remember seeing him on the veranda, schmoozing with the club president, meanwhile scratching his privates and kicking his leg. “You can take the boy out of the country, but….” Even after years of traveling the world, John never lost that unpretentious mid-western country-boy flavor.

After World War II, a lot of the tennis-playing veterans in the U.S. had banded together to form Super Senior Tennis – SST. C. Alphonso Smith was their leader for years, and at some point, he began to look around for a worthy successor. John was the ideal choice. He knew just about everybody, was friendly with everyone, and by that time was dedicated to senior tennis. John took the reins and has been the flag-bearer for men’s senior tennis in the decades ever since. 

During that time, John founded the John Powless Tennis Center, became the moving force behind the Gordon Trophy (the team competition between U.S. and Canada), and continued playing competitively. Eventually, John began another iteration as a USTA Team Captain, going overseas with some of the age-group teams for the ITF World Team Championships. Again, I was fortunate to play on several of his teams, and I think he was absolutely the best captain the USTA ever had. Because he knew all the players, he had a knack for selecting lineups and coaching on-court. As a result, he was responsible for multiple World Championship team titles coming back to the U.S.  

But his winning record nowhere near told the whole story of his contribution to tennis. Frequently he would arrange for local juniors to come to clinics we as a team would put on. He would hand out rackets to kids who couldn’t afford socks. The gleam in their eyes was payment enough for John. And it made heroes out of Team USA, so we always had a lot of locals pulling for us.

In the meantime, his own tennis just kept getting stronger. He loved to hit balls! He won 78 USTA National Championships, including 21 gold balls with his perennial doubles partner Dick Doss, both in the Top Ten all-time. His best world rankings occurred in the older age groups: he was ranked #1 in the world in the 70’s, 75’s, 80’s, and 85’s. So all-encompassing were his contributions and accomplishments that he was named “U.S. Senior Player of the Millennium.” It doesn’t get much better than that!  

Like most senior tennis players, John dealt with various injuries, ailments, and re-habs over the years. He had knee replacements, surgeries on both shoulders, and a bout with colon cancer five years ago. One time during that period of chemo treatments, I called his son Jason to find out whether John was strong enough to talk on the phone. I found out that he was in South America playing a tournament….which he won!

All of John’s titles and awards don’t come close to making the measure of the man. Even more significant was his ability to spread joy and exude optimism, and promote the game he loved. He was a raconteur par excellence, and never, to anyone’s recollection, did he ever run out of stories. He had friends all over the world and treated everyone the same – the stars of the game, players who were playing their first national tournament, and club members in Madison. 

He did so many things that we’ll never hear about, but the people he touched will never forget. Thank you, John, for giving me a glimpse of what A Life Well Played, the title of his biography by Dan Smith, looks like from up close!

Please share your condolences and memories of John on our Forum

Coach Jerry Hirst - January 22, 1942 - March 16, 2021
April 2021
*This tribute was originally published on Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home’s website

Coach Jerry Hirst, 79, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 16, 2021. Born in San Francisco, CA, on January 22, 1942 in the middle of a blackout, Jerry was the second son of Minerva (Gundersen) and Wayne R. Hirst. Jerry’s family moved to Oklahoma where he found his love of tennis in middle school.  He and his older brother Wayne began going to a park near their home where men like Thurston Land, Colonel Drake and Colonel Stephenson showed them how to play tennis after noticing that the brothers were playing according to ping pong rules. Jerry and Wayne made a promise to each other to practice every day, even if it meant shoveling snow off the courts, and eventually won the Oklahoma State Doubles Championship two consecutive years representing Harding High School. Jerry was then crowned the State Singles Champion his senior year.  As a nationally ranked tennis player, Jerry was awarded a full scholarship to East Texas State University in Commerce, TX where he and Wayne led the Lions to multiple Lone Star Conference Championships and the NAIA National Championships. Jerry graduated from ETSU with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree.

While at East Texas State, Jerry met the love of his life and wife of over 56 years, Alice Etter Hirst. After graduating, Jerry began his career as a public school educator. Over the next 5 years, he coached high school football, boys’ and girls’ basketball, and boys’ track. 

Jerry became the Head Tennis Coach at Harlingen High School in 1966. He worked tirelessly to promote and grow the game of tennis in Harlingen and the entire Rio Grande Valley.  The Cardinal Tennis Team won 29 District Team Championships and numerous individual championships during his career. A special highlight was when the 1991 Cardinal Tennis Team reached the finals in the State Championship Tournament. He was instrumental in establishing the South Texas Tennis Coaches Association where he served as President and Treasurer. He also helped form the Greater Harlingen Tennis Association and served on the Board of Directors for many years. Both organizations were established to promote tennis in schools and community for students and adults. Coach Hirst retired from Harlingen High School in 2004 after 39 years of service.  During those years, he had 36 tennis players receive tennis scholarships to various colleges and universities. In addition to the athletic scholarships, he and his former player Walter Ingram created the Dorothy Ingram Scholarship to raise money for Cardinal tennis players to go to college. Coach Hirst never forgot his roots and how much his life changed because of the group of men that spotted a couple of boys playing with ping pong rules on public courts.

While serving as coach for the Cardinals, Coach Hirst was awarded:

• Texas Tennis Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1989

• East Texas State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991

• Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 1994

• Texas Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2005

• Missouri Valley/Oklahoma Tennis Hall of Fame in 2008

In July of 2000, Jerry was invited to represent the United States of America as a member of the Gordon Trophy International Team. He remained a member of the team and enjoyed the annual competition with the Canadian National Team. He also played national Father/Daughter tournaments with his daughter Katy, and Father/Son tournaments with his sons Steve and John. He was extremely proud that he was able to achieve national rankings with each of his children. In 2009, Jerry founded the South Padre Island Hirst Tennis Classic for senior men’s tennis – an event whose proceeds supported the Gordon Trophy. The 13th annual “classic” was held February 19-20, 2021 in spite of the extreme cold weather! 

Jerry was the devoted husband to Alice Etter Hirst for over 56 years. He had the great fortune to coach both his younger brother Dan Hirst, daughter Katy Lucci, son Steve and Howard Kasanoff on his Cardinal Tennis teams.  His older son John chose to follow his father by coaching basketball.  All of his grandchildren and their friends called Jerry “Coach”. He was blessed with seven grandchildren: Jordan Hirst, Neely Kasanoff, Jacob Hirst, Merrill Kasanoff, Mary Alice Hirst, Charlie Hirst, and Evaline Hirst. He loved nothing more than spending time with each of them and following all of their successes.  In addition to his grandchildren, he is survived by John (Christie) Hirst, Katy (Tom) Lucci, Steve (Kay-Lynn) Hirst, Dan (Gena) Hirst, and Glenn (Imelda) Hirst.

He was a friend to everyone he met, a mentor to all he taught, a fierce competitor, a champion in every field of endeavor and a best friend to each member of his family. “They say you only live once, but if you live like me, once is enough.” Frank Sinatra

A Memorial Gathering with the family present was held at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home in San Benito from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Coach Jerry Hirst Memorial Scholarship Fund through the following GoFundMe link or a charity of your choice.  http://bit.ly/coachhirst

To send sympathy gifts to the family or plant a tree in memory of Coach Jerry Hirst, please visit our tribute store.

Miguel Mejia
By Barbara Mejia
bhmejia@comcast.net"
March 2021

My soul mate, Miguel Mejia, left this world on January 18, 2021, after a month-long battle against Covid-19. My memories include so many wonderful tennis friends, mentors, competitors, and life-long enthusiasts who shared his passion for the game.

But it wasn't just a game to Miguel. It was a way of life. He lived out his ideals on the court, striving to play his best, to enjoy the dance, and to demonstrate fairness and integrity. He once told Ed Trost, "Winning and losing do not define us, it's what's in our heart that matters, playing with integrity and gratitude."

Miguel took lessons from pros wherever we traveled and certainly at his home club, Chamisal Tennis and Fitness Center in Salinas/Monterey. General Manager, Luis Reis, said of Miguel, "His desire to continue to improve his game and skills was the most incredible thing I've ever seen. He took my Saturday clinic for almost a year to try and adapt his game and learn how to compete more efficiently, at 88 years of age. Another thing, Miguel never said no to anyone that wanted to play with him. It didn't matter the level or age. He played with everyone. Tennis was a better sport because of him."

During the pandemic, Miguel studied Brent Abel, Fuzzy Balls, and Tennis Summit videos, to name a few, followed by practice, practice, practice. One of his greatest delights was Louie Cap's Boomer Clinic at Van Der Meer Center on Hilton Head Island in 2019.

The Covid battle was a marathon. For those who don't know about the disease, the lungs harden and then rupture. In the end, the air was outside his lungs, which could not function as they were meant to. His dying wish was that everyone take the Covid precautions seriously. He didn't want any of us to go through what he did.

Life was a glorious adventure with Miguel. Some say he's playing on heaven's courts. I'm just grateful he's at rest. Stay safe, and play with joy as long as you are able.

My thanks to all who knew, supported, and cared about him,
Barbara Mejia

Read the Member Spotlight about Miguel by Ed Trost, April 2020

Gene Cantin - A Tennis Life
By Bill Simons
simons@insidetennis.com
March 2021

Gene Cantin had a slight smile, yet it beamed. He was a tall, quiet, smart man with a certain dignified presence. You couldn’t miss him. Plus, he was good – real good – at tennis. He won tournaments from Israel to the Bay Area. A prime disciple of the singular Bay Area teaching master Tom Stow, Cantin was a longtime San Rafael resident who taught for decades in Marin. Sadly, on February 26, at 77, he passed away due to a brain hemorrhage. A leader on Chet Murphy’s teams at UC Berkeley, he was a longtime and popular member of the Berkeley Tennis Club, where he once took a set off of Stan Smith. He also was the author of Topspin to Better Tennis and a knowing tennis historian. When the selection committee of the NorCal Tennis Hall of Fame wanted data, Gene was their go-to guy for years. As Gene’s friend Steve Cornell, noted, “He was a gentle man.

Stephen F. Carter: October 29, 1943 - January 26, 2021
By Billy Crawford
billyecrawford@gmail.com
February 2021

Steve Carter graduated from University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge. He continued his education at LSU in 1961 where he was a three-time Athlete of the Year, while also serving as Student Government Association President in 1965. During his time at LSU, he was a three-year letterman, team captain for two years, on the LSU Tennis Team coached by legendary W.T. "Dub" Robinson.

After graduation in 1967, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. During his military career, he was a member of the Air Force Tennis Team that competed against other military branches in the Armed Forces Championships. Jimmy Parker, who many of you know, was a member of the team.

After his Honorable Discharge as a Captain in 1971, Steve began his career with the LSU Athletic Department as Assistant Athletic Director. A few years later he was named Head Coach of the LSU Tennis Team. Twice he was selected SEC Coach of the Year and brought LSU to their first SEC Championship in 43 years.

Drew Meyers shared this story. "Coach was a very talented and smart guy. He recruited me and then coached me at LSU. He challenged his players and worked them extremely hard. His teams always competed like 'Fightin Tigers.' His players loved him. Coach Carter was a player's coach."

In 1979, Steve channeled his love for tennis and working with children into founding and leading Pelican Tennis Camp where over the following summers camps over 10,000 youth from throughout the South participated in the advancement of athletic and leadership skills. Steve had daily reminders of these years at camp, as warm greetings and memories came almost daily when running into former campers.

He returned to LSU as an Associate Athletic Director in 1987 under then Athletic Director Joe Dean, and retired in 1996.

After his retirement, Steve worked for the Olympic Games in Atlanta, was named to the University High Hall of Fame, and inducted into the Louisiana Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006.

Billy Crawford remembers the night of the induction in 2006. “Callie and I were then living in New Orleans. His wife Gloria arranged for a large motor home to bring family members and friends from Baton Rouge to the Induction Ceremony held at the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club. I was picked up in front of the Columns Hotel--joining in on a "joyous party going on." It was also a special night since Ron Holmberg, the well-known Tulane tennis player and esteemed tennis coach, was also inducted. When Ron learned of Steve's death from Covid-19, he sent his condolences and was shocked and saddened.

Lester Sack, also a member of the Louisiana Tennis Hall of Fame, remembered Steve, " I was a fan of Steve's and will miss his very pleasant, smiling, friendly attitude."

Lester, we all will.

Donate to the Tribute to Turville Memorial 
Keiko Kimball Gouty
kkimball@nsmta.net
October 2020

Tennis lost a great player and pioneer to the game on October 10, 2020. There have been many beautiful tributes dedicated to Larry, one of which was written by NSMTA President Jimmy Parker that you can read here.  

Both Larry’s wife, Kelli, and the NSMTA, have received an outpouring of messages filled with memories, condolences and love for senior tennis player and contributor, Larry Turville. (Click here to view them and leave your message on our Forum.) Many of our members have also reached out with ideas on how to pay homage to Larry. 

Larry’s home tennis club, The St. Petersburg Country Club in Florida, is planning to honor his memory with a celebration of his life and unveiling of a bronze plaque with Larry’s likeness and accomplishments. The newly named NSMTA Larry Turville Memorial Super Senior Doubles Championship will take place from January 6-10, 2021, in Naples, FL. (This tournament has been cancelled due to COVID as of 11/15/2020)

If anyone would like to contribute to cover the cost of the plaque, celebration of life and unpaid medical bills, a special bank account has been established by long-time family friend of the Turville’s, Gary Pederson. 

There is a Wells Fargo account you can donate to the Tribute to Turville Memorial Account. Any donor may simply go to any Wells Fargo Bank branch and make a deposit to account #8713177130. You may also send a check made out to “Tribute to Turville Memorial Account” and mail to:

Gary Pederson 
P.O. Box 2623
Avila Beach, CA 93424

“I know Larry’s smiling down on everyone, and very grateful!” says Kelli.

The NSMTA will continue to inform everyone with additional information about acknowledgments regarding Larry as we receive them. 

A Giant Passes
by Jimmy Parker
prkrtennis@aol.com
October 2020

Larry Turville of Dunnellon, Florida died on October 10 at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer.

Giants tend to cast long shadows, and Larry Turville certainly did that. But it wasn’t just Larry’s 6’7” prepossessing on-court presence that loomed large, but also the indelible imprint that he left on the game of tennis. Having grown up in St Petersburg, FL in a family of tennis enthusiasts, it was probably somewhat inevitable that he would immerse himself in numerous facets of tennis. His father had been President of the US(L)TA in the Sixties, and a Davis Cup Captain in the early Seventies. His older brother Ed was a member of the US Junior Davis Cup Team, and a teammate of mine at Rice.

First, Larry was a player – the #1 junior in Florida and a two-time All American at Georgia Tech. Larry began playing the nascent professional tour after graduation, and personally experienced the difficulty of gaining access to the main ATP Tour. At the time, it was hard for young players to break in against the established stars. So, he and his buddy Armistead Neely took the initiative, co-founded the first satellite circuit, and ran it for the next five years. It was called the WATCH Circuit (World Association of Tennis Champions), and was the first one to offer ATP points. All satellite circuits that have followed hearken back to that beginning.

While playing the professional tour, he qualified for Wimbledon, the US Open, and the French Open. Upon retiring from the tour, he coached the Rice University Men’s Team for the next twenty years.

But Larry did not put his own tennis racquets in moth balls! At age 35, he began playing USTA age group tennis, and ended up establishing one of the most distinguished records in US senior tennis. In all, he won 22 National Singles Championships, and 24 National Doubles titles. In addition, he represented the USA on 11 occasions in the ITF World Team Championships, accumulated five World Doubles Championships, one World Singles Championship, and the #1 ITF World Ranking in the 60 & Over.

Meanwhile, Larry’s off-court involvements in our game kept him from gathering much moss. In a bit of a déjà vu, he was instrumental in the founding and running of the Florida Super Senior Grand Prix while chairing the USTA Florida Competition Committee. It was a bit reminiscent of the old WATCH Circuit, with prize money, points, and a Grand Prix, but organized for players 55 & Over. And we geezers love it! He was then asked to serve on the USTA Adult Competition Committee, which he did for four years.

And then, of course, there is the NSMTA. Along with Steve Duffel and Jerry Thomas, Larry was one of the first ones to actually do something about forming a men’s senior tennis organization that would parallel what the women had done forty years ago. I can say without exaggeration that Larry has been one of the most creative, energetic, and valuable members of our Board of Directors. We already feel the loss, and he’s barely gone. Our hearts go out to Kelli, who has been his rock of support throughout these extremely challenging times. At a personal level, his too-soon passing makes me want to better appreciate whatever time I have left.

Please share your memories and condolences in our Forum

Click here to read A Giant Among Us: Remembering Larry Turville by USTA Florida

Click here to read ITF Obituary: Larry Turville

Florida Tennis Legend, Frank Froehling III
by Nicole Hardenstine
Hardenstine@ustaflorida.com
January 2020

Frank Froehling III, a legendary player in Florida tennis history, died at the age of 77 on January 23, 2020 in Stuart, Florida. Froehling, whose full name was Frank Arthur Froehling III, had been battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia for several years.

The Florida legend, who was raised in Coral Gables, was a college standout at Trinity University in Texas. During his college career he recorded 46-5 in singles matches and won nine singles titles.

From 1961 to 1971, Froehling was a mainstay on the U.S. top 10 men’s circuit. At just 21 years old, he was runner-up at the U.S. National Championships at Forest Hills in 1963, making him the first American to reach the final round of the championships since 1955. Despite being unseeded, he defeated Australian Roy Emerson to advance to the quarterfinals, where he snuffed out the UK’s Bobby Wilson and Brazil’s Ronald Barnes before losing to Rafael Osuna in the final. That same year Froehling was ranked World No. 6. He was also a runner-up in the 1965 U.S. Nationals Championships doubles competition and a two-time runner up in the mixed doubles competitions held in 1962 and 1965.

Following five years off to pursue corporate endeavors, he returned to the tour in 1970 and eventually reached the 1971 French Open where he reached the semifinals after a victorious win over fellow American phenom Arthur Ashe in the quarterfinals. He was also part of the 1971 U.S. Davis Cup team, where his win over Ion Tiriac in five sets helped lead the U.S. past Romania in a challenge round.

In 1981 Froehling’s legacy was cemented into Florida tennis history when he was inducted into the Florida Tennis Hall of Fame as part of the first-ever class alongside Chris Evert, Doris Hart, Gardnar Mulloy, Edward Turville, and Clarence Varner.

After retiring from the tour, Froehling had won numerous senior events and was named the USTA Florida Section’s Male Player of the Year in 1997. He also won five national Father-Son championships with his father, Frank II. In his retirement, Froehling’s mission for several years was to improve the quality of tennis in communities throughout Florida, through a court construction business that built more than 5,000 courts across the state.

Friends and family say Froehling will be remembered for his kindness, candor, humor, loyalty, work ethic, legendary competitive spirit, unusual generosity, and his contributions to the tennis world.

Lorne Main - Canada’s Best
by Mark Winters
mwinters@nsmta.net
October 2019

 Naming Canada’s best player from the “good old days” – the pre-Open Tennis Era –  some National Senior Men’s Tennis Association members might suggest Don Fontana, Keith Carpenter or perhaps Bob Bédard. Mike Belkin, Tony Bardsley and Harry Fauquier’s career might also be parsed, so to speak. Don McCormick and Bob Puddicombe are additional standouts who could receive mention. While each of these competitors had notable careers, tennis historians would be unlikely to select even one of the aforementioned individuals.

 The reason is simple. No one was more remarkable than Lorne Main. For many in the game, the British Columbia native, who passed away October 14th at 89 in a Vancouver hospital, was the top men’s player in Canada’s tennis history.

When he began to play as a nine-year-old, at Oak Park in Vancouver, Main was small. (He eventually grew to be five feet, eight inches tall.) The late Bud Collins, the 1994 International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, in his epic book “The Bud Collins History Of Tennis”, called attention to the fact that “Lorne Main was the inadvertent father of the then rare two-way, two-handed style, both forehand and backhand.” He explained the reasoning behind his adapted style of playing tennis to Collins saying, “Seemed natural to me as a boy since I was a baseball switch-hitter.”

Main opened the door and held it, naturally with two-hands, for Monica Seles, Fabrice Santoro, Marion Bartoli and Gene Mayer who have since been feted for playing shots with two-hands off both sides. In “A Senior Legend - an interview with Canadian tennis champion Lorne Main”, a SeniorsZen story posted July 18, 2017, he admitted never really having a coach because “Nobody plays that way.” He went on to point out that he played tournaments, (Davis Cup and even in 1949-50 when he was at University of California, Berkeley), two-handed, but when he moved into the senior ranks, he became solely a right-hander.

Main was Canada’s top junior between 1946 and 1948. In 1949, he earned a Top 5 men’s national ranking and remained among this elite group until 1958 (He was No. 1 in 1951, and again from ’53 through’55). He became a member of the Davis Cup team in ’49 and concluded his involvement in 1961, (He was the non-playing captain from 1958 until ’61).

With all his on-court successes, Main’s 1954 Monte Carlo victory has been called the most significant title won by a man from Canada prior to Open Tennis. In the final, he defeated New York’s Tony Vincent, 9-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. (Vincent was again a finalist two year later dropping a 1-6, 8-6, 6-0, 6-2 decision to Hugh Stewart of Los Angeles.)

As important as the Monte Carlo victory was, there was more that made the year stellar for the 24-year-old. He reached the round of 32 at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Nationals. All in all, 1954 was memorable for the affable star who was a marvelous recounter when he was visiting with anyone in and around the game.

It may seem hard to believe after his many years of competitive consistency on the circuit, he became even better as a senior. After his days as an amateur, he worked in magazine and newspaper advertising but remained formidable on the court. As an International Tennis Federation (ITF) stalwart, Main was ranked No. 1 in age divisions from 55 to 80. In the process, he claimed 12 ITF singles and 13 doubles trophies (12 with Ken Sinclair and one with Gordon Verge). He teamed with Sinclair to lead Canada to ITF World Team Cup triumphs in 55 to 80 competition.

Main was so exceptional that at the 2012 ITF World Champions Dinner, held annually during Roland Garros, he received the Outstanding Services to Senior Tennis Award. It was fitting that Main, who became a member of the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum in 1975 and was inducted into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame in 1991, was duly recognized. In addition, he became a member of the prestigious International Lawn Tennis Club of Canada in 1961.

Throughout his career, Main enjoyed tremendous respect from the tennis community at large and from his fellow competitors. When Jim Perley was inducted into the Southern California Tennis Association’s Senior Hall of Fame in 2014, he said, “I really enjoyed playing on all of the ITF Cup teams. The competition was always challenging, the locations were great and I have a lot of fantastic memories.” 

He continued, admitting his fondest recollection was, “I played Lorne Main, Canada’s best player, in the ITF Men’s 65 final. I won the first set, 6-1. He took the second, 6-1 then I won the third set, 6-1. It was my first World Championship, and I don’t know if anyone has had a match like this?”

 Especially, a match against Lorne Main. The game lost a legend on October 14th but in his absence everyone will remember that he was a very special and unique individual.

(The National Senior Men’s Tennis Association extends condolences to his family, including children Kelly, Kevin, Kristine and Kasey whose mother, Ivy, preceded him in death, and to his widow, Adrienne Avis, the Australian tennis star, who he met at the ITF World Championships in 2010 and married in 2016.)

Remembering Ralph Grieco
by Hugh Thompson
aht345@gmail.com
September 2019

The tennis community suffered a tragic and unexpected loss the last week of August when Ralph Grieco passed away in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Ralph and I played together, against each other and practiced together for 24 years. In the late 90’s, we played at Ansley Golf Club in Atlanta almost every Monday afternoon for close to seven years. Recently, we had been practicing together two or three times a week, and in typical Ralph style, he was helping me rehab my game after an injury. He was always helping other people achieve their goals, and he never asked for anything in return. At the same time, he was always grateful for any help offered to him.

In all the time we were on the court, I never remember Ralph being anything but a great competitor and a very fair opponent. He had his priorities in order – God, family and then tennis. He was passionate about photography and anyone who played a tournament he was in, saw themselves in a photo montage more than once. I will miss the photographic history of tournaments that he would have recorded in the future.

Another passion Ralph had that few people were aware of was that he and Kristi had eight (yes, eight) house cats, each with a unique story of how they joined the Grieco family. Anyone that will be “house daddy” to eight rescued cats is, in my opinion, a person of great stature.

A caring, compassionate man, Ralph was instrumental in tying together the NSMTA and needy local tennis organizations at some of the larger national events. He went to the NSMTA board and suggested that many of the players would likely be happy to give back to the great game of tennis that had treated all of us so well. He was right and several tennis organizations have benefited from his vision.

An excellent player, but a more wonderful person and a great friend, he is another sad loss to our community this year. Steve Powell, Richard Johnson, Eben Hardie, Dale Quigley, Woody Hoblitzell, Hersh Herschman and now Ralph Grieco have left us saddened with their departures.

For those of us that remain, be thankful for every new day we have been given. Remember to tell our loved ones and acquaintances how much we appreciate them, because we have no guarantee that we or they will be here tomorrow.

When Ralph and I were practicing two weeks ago I never expected to be writing about this tragic loss to our tennis community.

Dennis Van der Meer Defined Innovative Tennis Instruction
by Mark Winters
mwinters@nsmta.net
August 2019

Attempting to explain the impact Dennis Van der Meer had on tennis is next to impossible. He did so much for so long that his accomplishments as an instructor overwhelm definitive record keeping. Not attempting to be cliched, the “Game’s Einstein” passed away on July 27th at the age of 86, in Hilton Head, South Carolina. (He had been in ill health for a lengthy period of time.)

It is often said “if you can’t play really well, you should teach.” That is basically what happened with Van der Meer. He was born in Namibia to parents who were South African missionaries and raised in the Cape Town area. He became good enough to be invited to try out for South Africa’s Davis Cup team. In his candid fashion, years later he admitted to “choking.”

Self-doubt stalled his high level competitive career, but at the suggestion of a coach he began teaching, in order to restore his self-esteem. Not only did he blossom, he excelled in his new profession. For those in the tennis industry who knew him, the idea that Van der Meer, at any time, lacked confidence is really difficult to grasp.

It seemed that the bigger the stage, the more dynamic he was. He could be boisterous and bossy (and this I know from personal experience). On court, he was “The Boss.” He was strict and could, on occasion, be crusty when offering an opinion regarding an instructor’s teaching skill and/or playing ability.

But, away from the court, he transformed. He became engaging and entertaining, often telling wonderful stories. He was quick witted, humorous and from time to time, self-deprecating. Actually, he was captivating wherever and whenever.

Van der Meer arrived in the US in 1961. He began teaching at the Berkeley Tennis Club in the eclectic City by the Bay. Eric van Dillen and Jeff Borowiak were among the elite juniors he guided. He also worked with Billie Jean King and Margaret Court, too. But, he was truly in his element dealing with youngsters under ten, who were just beginning to play.

He did it with off-the-charts creativity. Because of the court restrictions he often faced, he used ropes to divide a single court into play areas and involved the kids in games in which they realized success.
​
As a teaching professional who worked for him for ten years said, “He taught kids how to learn tennis…and they had fun doing it.”

He regularly invented methods to develop proper stroke technique. One of his all-time best was a way to help those who opened up too soon, pulling the elbow away from the body, when hitting a backhand. To correct the error, he had the player place the top from a metal tennis ball can, (yes, this was in the old days), under the arm pit. If the player opened up too soon, the top dropped, and clattered on the ground. Keeping the elbow tucked appropriately produced a clean stroke and the top would drop as the ball was struck.

In 1963, he married Linda Vail, a talented player from San Francisco, who is one of only five women to sweep the National Collegiate titles. In 1960, competing for Oakland City College, Vail claimed the singles championship and teamed with Susan Butt of University of British Columbia to take the doubles. The year before (1959), she was a Wimbledon competitor. Over time, she became better known for her relationship with the rising teaching star and the fact that they had a Cheetah named “Drop Shot” that they kept at their home. (They divorced in the 1970s.)

He teamed with King to start Tennis America. Under that banner, the organization held summer Van der Meer-King Tennis Camps at the Incline Village Tennis Club on the shores of Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Always a keen observer he soon realized the instructors who were working for him didn’t use similar approaches. One taught one way, and another went about teaching in a completely different fashion.

This led Van der Meer to launch Tennis University. It focused on establishing a Standard Method of Teaching (SMT) the game. In 1976, he founded the US Professional Tennis Registry (USPTR) that has become the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR). It is acclaimed nationally and internationally for certifying teaching professionals who utilize the instruction format he developed.

Around this time (in the ‘70s), he moved his operation to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and opened Van der Meer Tennis University. He worked constantly to inform the tennis community about the importance of standardized teaching. During one of his presentations in 1980, a clinic attendee caught his eye. In truth, it did more than that since the individual was not only striking, but a former player who had decided to become a certified instructor. That special lady became Pat Van der Meer in 1981.

During his career, he received more accolades than a head of state. He was named Tennis Coach of the Decade in the 1994 Tennis Buyers’ Guide Readers Poll; Development Coach of the Year, US Olympic Committee in 1997; US State Department Exceptional Coaching Performance in the Middle East in 1972. He has receive countless other tributes, but the most meaningful was becoming the first PTR Hall of Fame inductee in 2013.
​
In 2011, at 78, he suffered a debilitating stroke at Hilton Head. In life and love, what comes around regularly goes around. Pat had been critically ill years before and Dennis nursed her back to health. For the past eight years, she has done her utmost to make his life fulfilling. (She was by his side at the PTR Hall of Fame ceremony.) Together, they worked even harder (because of his incapacities), on ways to make wheelchair tennis more rewarding to play. Until the end, they shared over thirty years of special memories…
​
While Dennis Van der Meer was bigger than any story that can be told about a tennis educator, Pat played a critical role in making the book a bestseller. Her importance should be recognized as the deserved tributes are paid to the individual who defined innovative tennis instruction.

Dick Johnson
by David Nash
ballsogold@comcast.net
May 2019

​On Monday, April 8, I awoke to the news that one of my best friends, Richard (Dick) Johnson, had died in his sleep. This is a huge loss to so many. Dick’s wife, Liz, lost the love of her life. Dick was a father, grandfather, coach/teacher, a son-in-law, and a friend to many. The tennis world lost one of its most legendary competitors. We are all stunned and sad.

A week ago, Dick and Liz spent five days with us in Florida. Typical of tennis players, we discussed old matches, and I asked him, “What would you say were your most memorable career moments.” Dick was typically humble, but he shared some great stories. Dick was looking forward to playing a National Tournament in May and planned to join Jimmy Parker, a long-time friend and competitor from St. Louis, at the World Championships in Croatia. His only dilemma was how he would manage to juggle his tennis and pickleball tournaments (a recently acquired sport where he had already won a National title.)

He was born in Rockford, Illinois, but lived most of his life in St Louis, Missouri. He played tennis for Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University. He spent a year on the tour but gave it up to become a teaching professional. He recently retired as the head tennis professional at the Country Club of St. Louis. In 1997 he was named to the Missouri Valley Tennis Hall of Fame.

Dick loved tennis and was a fierce, classy, well-respected player. At age 74, he looked and moved like a much younger player. Throughout his life he spent most of his vacation time competing in tournaments; locally, nationally, and internationally. As a singles player, he was consistently ranked in the top four in his senior age division, but he was especially known as a brilliant doubles player. Every player felt confident and lucky to have Dick as a partner. I was fortunate to share the court with Dick numerous times. He earned over 60 gold balls, the coveted award for winning a National tournament. Since the 1980s, almost every year, Dick was elected to the U.S. team participating in the ITF World Team and Individual Championships. In 2015, Dick won the senior World Singles Title in Croatia, gaining his highest ranking ever. Dick participated in tournaments throughout the U.S. and across Europe, competing in England, France, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic as well as South Africa.

We will miss him immensely and treasure the good times we all shared with him.

Ken Murphy
by Hank Irvine
hankpro1@comcast.net
May 2019

Ken Murphy, the long-time Tournament Director of the USTA National Men’s 65 Grass Court Championships, held at Seabright Lawn Tennis Club, in Rumson, New Jersey, passed away suddenly on March 30th of this year.
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Ken had run the tournament for the past 15 years. He loved overseeing the event. The hundreds of players who participated in the tournament over the years will always remember his laid-back approach and quiet demeanor in getting the job done.

He is going to be missed by everyone who played at Seabright. Our deepest sympathies and condolences are extended to all his family.

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