Net Gains
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Tennis, anyone? In Charlottesville, the answer is an emphatic “Yes!”
Whether it’s hosting the pros, toasting collegiate champions, grooming the next generation of tournament players or improving the skills of recreational league members, Charlottesville’s burgeoning tennis scene serves up exciting action. After all, this is home court for two-time NCAA men’s singles champion Somdev Devvarman, who helped cement the University of Virginia’s reputation as a tennis powerhouse.
Beth Gould, founder of Charlottesville Tennis online, says the title of most popular tennis city per capita, conferred upon the city more than a decade ago by the National Demographics and Lifestyles Survey, is well deserved. Gould credits the late Roger Flint, known as “Mr. Tennis,” with helping build the depth and breadth of programs enjoyed today.
“He started a lot of the leagues and clinics in the 1960s,” Gould says. “He just loved tennis and really did a lot for our community.”
Taking Flint’s tennis newsletter to the next level, the Charlottesville Tennis Web site located at www.cyberstrong.com/tennis features information on clinics and leagues, tournament registration forms, maps to each court and e-mail alerts regarding upcoming events.
“It’s a central place where you can get all of your information,” says Gould, adding the site is also an invaluable tool for introducing newcomers and visitors to the city’s many opportunities for competitive play through the MatchMaker program – a free service that uses a questionnaire to connect players based on skill level, proximity and desired playing time.
“We had a gentleman from England who was here for two weeks each summer. He used the site to pick up matches in the evenings,” Gould says.
A bustling hub for local tennis activity is the renowned Boar’s Head Sports Club, which is widely recognized as being among the nation’s elite tennis resorts. U.Va.’s home court during the winter, the club recently hosted the 2008 National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships, drawing the nation’s top college players to Charlottesville. Each spring, BHSC is also the site of the Boyd Tinsley $50,000 USTA Women’s Pro Tennis Championships.
Club Manager James Neiderer says in addition to hosting guests, BHSC also fields close to 20 of its own USTA teams.
“We really service more than 2,000 tennis players,” Neiderer says. “We cover the gamut in terms of range of play and what you’ll find when you come here.”
BHSC features 26 courts, including 12 indoor for year-round play.
“We have something for everyone,” Neiderer says. “One of our goals is to create the best tennis experience for anyone who walks through the door.”
To help reach those goals, BHSC brought in Tim Bauer in October of 2008 to serve as director of tennis. Bauer, who has spent more than a decade coaching at the collegiate and tour level, is happy to put down roots in Charlottesville and at the Boar’s Head. One of his top priorities is to instill a love of the sport in the next generation of players.
“We will have one of the top junior programs in the country,” Bauer says. “We’re bringing in coaches with exceptional experience to build out the elaborate plans and programs I have as a vision for the club.”
Story by Cindy Sanders
Photo by Todd Bennett
