2015 Award Information
The USTA Georgia Awards program provides a chance to recognize and honor those groups and individuals who are dedicated to growing the game! The nominees are to be considered for the time period between September 2014-August 2015.
** The 2015 USTA Georgia award winners have been announced! Congratulations to all the award winners. Each winner is listed next to the award description below. **
The presentation of this year's awards will be on Saturday January 30th, in conjunction with the GTA's Community Tennis Development Workshop at the Marriott Perimeter Center in Dunwoody.
Below you will find a brief description of the award, along with the 2015 winner. If you have questions about the awards process, please contact Izzy Hortman.
If you see a ** next to a certain award, that means that the winner will automatically be submitted to USTA Southern for consideration with the corresponding Southern award.
Thank you and congratulations to all of this year's nominees!
Ruth Ryner Lay Award for Lifetime Achievement - **The 2015 winner is Peter Howell of Atlanta (Head Tennis Coach at Oglethorpe University)**
Jerry Baskin Scholar Athlete – This award is presented to a high school player who has demonstrated excellence in scholastic achievement, tennis accomplishments and other activities. **The 2015 winner is Jasmine Keiler of Newnan**
Dr. Robert Bunnen Community Tennis Association (CTA) of the Year – Presented to the CTA that has shown outstanding performance in the following areas: Increase in tennis participation, member service and the promotion of tennis in their community. Given by Robb Bunnen in memory of his father, whose work in CTAs was significant and so important to his belief of opening play foreveryone who wanted to play tennis. **The 2015 winner is Clarke-Oconee Tennis Association**
** Richard C. Botsch Educational Merit Award – This award is given to any individual who has developed an outstanding tennis program, which provides leadership and inspiration in junior programs for schools, colleges, parks, and playgrounds benefiting the growth of tennis in Georgia. This award is given in loving memory of Richard Botsch by his wife Patty Botsch. Richard served tirelessly on the USTA Georgia and Georgia Tennis Foundation Boards. Richard's son, Mark has followed in his dad's footsteps and serves on the USTA Georgia Board presently as Treasurer. **The 2015 winner is Jennifer Hornsby of Newnan**
** James Kincaid Family Award for Family of the Year – Presented to the family who in recent years has done the most to promote amateur tennis, primarily on a volunteer basis. All members of the family should participate in some way, either as players or by offering their services in running programs, tournaments or junior development. This award is iven by Glenn and Jim Kincaid as a gift from Georgia Tennis Foundation's Second Serve program. **The 2015 winners are the Eddie Gonzalez family of Atlanta**
Signature Tennis Courts Award for Tennis Director of the Year- Presented to a PTR and/or USPTA certified tennis professional who has demonstrated a high level of involvement with the profession and growth of tennis and makes significant contributions to USTA Georgia. **The 2015 winner is Darrio Williams of Legacy Park Tennis Club**
Local League Coordinators of the Year (Junior Team Tennis & Adult League)
Presented to the individual who has demonstrated excellent volunteerism, leadership, management and growth of league play at the local level. **The 2015 winners are Heather Chadwick (JTT, Clarke-Oconee TA) & David Ragsdale (Adult, Clarke-Oconee TA)**
** Janet Louer Junior Team Tennis Coordinator of the Year
** Adult Local League Coordinator of the Year
** Marc Kaplan Media Excellence Award – Presented to the individual or organization (written or broadcast) who has made significant contributions to the sport of tennis through media promotion and coverage of events & persons involved in tennis. **The 2015 winner is Leslie Olejnik of Atlanta**
** Mac MacDougal Tennis Official of the Year Award – Presented to a USTA certified tennis official who has made outstanding contributions to the cause of tennis officiating in Georgia. **The 2015 winner is Eva Marie McCravy of Lawrenceville**
** Member Organization of the Year – This award is made to recognize the outstanding services rendered by a USTA member organization in Georgia. Selection is made on the basis of service to the tennis community, service to the organization’s members and service to the game of tennis. **The 2015 winner is Washington Park of Atlanta**
** National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) Chapter of the Year – Presented to the NJTL Chapter that has demonstrated excellence in administration of the NJTL program. The winner must be a registered NJTL program with the USTA and be an active organizational member. **The 2015 winner is Atlanta Youth Tennis & Education Foundation of Atlanta**
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Players of the Year (Junior & Adult)
The following awards are based upon participation and results at national, sectional, state league and/or tournament events. The recipient of this award will be determined by the achievement of an exemplary win/loss record, ranking(s), and exhibition of high levels of sportsmanship. Only amateur players will be considered. Award recipients must reside in Georgia.
The Al Parker Junior Player of the Year - Thanks to the leadership of Allen Miller and Kevin Sessions, as well as contributions in Al's honor, the junior player of the year award will be named after Al Parker who put Georgia on the map in junior tennis. Al was arguably the greatest junior player in the history of the United States, capturing more junior national titles than anyone in history. **The 2015 winner is Alex Phillips of Peachtree City**
Charles H. Cox, Jr. Award for Adult/Senior Player of the Year - Given in honor of fellow GTA Hall of Famer Charles Cox by his wife Ann Cox, daughter Catherine Cox Zampini and son-in-law Hall McKinley, who is a dedicated Georgia Tennis Foundation board member. **The 2015 winner is Jennifer Vasilescu of Columbus**
Wheelchair Player of the Year - This award is based upon participation and results at USTA, USTA Southern Section & USTA Georgia tournament events. Sportsmanship will be a determining factor in the selection process. Only amateur players will be considered. Award recipients must reside in Georgia. **The 2015 winner is Rob Popelka of Atlanta**
** Randy Stephens Award for Volunteer of the Year – Presented to the key volunteer who made significant contributions to USTA Georgia and/or one of its program services, working above and beyond the normal call of duty. **The 2015 winner is Barbara Wilson of USTA Atlanta**
Tennis Events of the Year
** Special Tennis Event – Presented to a tennis event other than a sanctioned tournament that brought recognition to the sport of tennis or particular association. **The 2015 winner is Kimberley Chance Atkins Tennis Tournament (held at Summit Chase Country Club)**
** Team Tennis Event / Program – Presented to a USTA Georgia sanctioned event that demonstrated outstanding execution of a team tennis event/program. **The 2015 winner is the USTA Georgia 55 & 65 and over Adult League State Championships, conducted by Savannah Area Tennis Association**
Tournaments of the Year
Presented to a USTA sanctioned tournament that exceeds expectations with regards to tournament organization, play, hospitality and facility amenities.
** Junior Tournament of the Year - **The 2015 winner is the One Love Tennis Junior Open Singles & Doubles Championships (held at Lifetime Athletic in Peachtree Corners)**
** Adult Tournament of the Year - **The 2015 winner is the Georgia State Adult/Senior Open Championships (held at Bitsy Grant Tennis Center in Atlanta)**
** Wheelchair Tournament of the Year - **The 2015 winner was the Clocktower Classic Wheelchair Tournament (held at Rome-Floyd Tennis Center in Rome)**
Kathleen and Cannon Carr Award for USTA Georgia High School Coach of the Year – Presented to a high school tennis coach who has developed an outstanding high school tennis program through his or her leadership, coaching and inspiration. His or her work benefits the growth of tennis and of well-rounded student athletes coming out of the program. Given by Kathleen and Cannon Carr in honor of the dedicated high school coaches who mentored Cannon as he played during his high school years. **The 2015 winner is Amy Thomas of Bainbridge High School**
** Iberia Bank USTA Georgia Professional of the Year – Presented to a PTR and/or USPTA certified tennis professional who has demonstrated a high level of involvement with the profession and growth of tennis and makes significant contributions to USTA Georgia. Not only is Iberia Bank a Georgia Tennis Foundation Partner in Tennis, but thanks to Iberia Bank's CEO Mark Tipton's leadership, they will honor an outstanding tennis professional each year. **The 2015 winner is Nita Perry of Columbus (Willow Creek)**
USTA League Captains of the Year (Male & Female)
Presented to the person who has served as captain for at least two seasons in the nominated year. Specific examples should be listed to distinguish and describe the captain's exemplary leadership ability, great enthusiasm for tennis, good organizational skills, and dedication to achieving goals of USTA Georgia.
Male Captain of the Year - **The 2015 winner is Byron Sturgis of Peachtree City**
Female Captain of the Year - **The 2015 winner is Wanda Young of Macon**
USTA Junior Team Tennis Captain of the Year – Presented to a Georgia USTA Junior Team Tennis Captain who has served as captain for two seasons in the nominated year. Specific examples should be listed to distinguish and describe exemplary leadership ability, great enthusiasm for Junior Team Tennis, good organizational skills, and shown a dedication to achieving the goals of USTA Georgia. **The 2015 winner is Donna Cook of Snellville**
Hardie Family Award for Junior Sportsmanship of the Year - This award is presented to a junior player that has great enthusiasm for tennis and displays good sportsmanship on and off the court. **The 2015 winners are Ryan Grunert (Roswell) & Jace Sanford (Chatsworth)**