Southern players and organizations are constantly making their mark in the world of tennis. Here's a list of recent awards, achievements and news in May 2019.
Barth inducted in Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame
Roy Barth has been inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) 2019 Men’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame. Barth is founder and director emeritus of Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s internationally ranked tennis programs. Roy is one of two coaches and four players inducted in this year’s class.
Coaches Dave Fish and Greg Patton and players Somdev Devvarman, Sargis Sargsian, and Doug Verdieck joined Barth in receiving the 2019 honors at an induction luncheon held on May 19 in Orlando, Florida. Immediately following, the class were recognized on-court before the beginning of the NCAA Men’s Team Finals.
“On behalf of the ITA, I am delighted to announce that this distinguished class will be entering the ITA Men's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame,” said Timothy Russell, ITA Chief Executive Officer and 2015 Hall of Famer. “These six inductees showcase the very best of the college tennis, and exude incredible talent, dedication, and commitment to our sport.”
“The 2019 class is very accomplished. We are extremely excited to add all six members into the Hall of Fame,” added John Frierson, ITA Collegiate Tennis Men’s Hall of Fame curator.
After a distinguished junior, collegiate and professional career, Barth established tennis at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in 1976 and built it into a world-class program over the course of his forty-one year career as director. The resort’s internationally number-one ranked Roy Barth Tennis Center is named in his honor.
Barth was a two-time All-American at UCLA. He reached the NCAA Doubles Championship semifinal and final during his Bruin career. Barth played professional tennis for seven years, ranked as high as eighth in singles and second in doubles in the United States, ranked in the top 50 in the world’s singles, and reached the round of 16 at the 1969 US Open. Barth has distinguished himself as a player, coach and teaching professional. Barth is a founding member of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and serving on the Board of Directors for the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) for nine years, three years as President.