Every year, USTA Georgia recognizes the outstanding accomplishments made by tennis players, coaches, tournaments directors and other professionals across the state. Below you'll find the list of award winners for 2022. They were officially recognized at the 2023 Community Tennis Development Workshop at the JW Marriott Buckhead. Congratulations to all of them on their achievements in tennis across the state of Georgia! (photos courtesy of Dane Sponberg).
Special thanks goes to Sam Crenshaw of 92.9 The Game for being our Master of Ceremonies.
Special recognition goes to the USTA Atlanta Combo Doubles Tournament (Adult Tournament of the Year) & Darren Potkey (Mac MacDougal Tennis Official of the Year) for also receiving the USTA Southern award in their respective category.
Information regarding our 2023 awards process will be forthcoming in August 2023.
Ruth Ryner Lay Lifetime Achievement Award – Jim Hamm
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John Callen Excellence in Leadership Award - Robin Stevens
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Presidents Award - Marcy Hirshberg
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Adult Tournament of the Year - USTA Atlanta Combo Doubles
(accepted by Tournament Director Maegan Kulich)
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Al Parker Junior Player of the Year - Chase Fralick
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Charles H. Cox, Jr. Award for Adult Player of the Year – Maxime Buyckx
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Dr. Robert Bunnen Community Tennis Association of the Year –
USTA Atlanta
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USTA League Female Captain of the Year – Arrie Lugar
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Hardie Family Award for Junior Sportsmanship of the Year – Aidan Atwood
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Iberia Bank Tennis Professional of the Year – Jaleel Riaz
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James Kincaid Family Award for Family of the Year - The Sungwoo Jung Family
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Janet Louer Junior Team Tennis Coordinator of the Year – Wendy Chadwell
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Jerry Baskin Scholar Athlete - Kennedy Bell
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Junior Team Tennis Captain of the Year – Diane Freeman
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Junior Tournament of the Year – Peach State Junior Closed
(Accepted by Tournament Director Turhan Berne)
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Kathleen & Cannon Carr High School Coach of the Year – Derek Lashley
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Local League Coordinator of the Year - Sara Dismuke
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Mac MacDougal Tennis Official of the Year – Darren Potkey
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Male Captain of the Year – Paul Carrington
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Marc Kaplan Media Excellence Award – Talking Tennis Southern Style podcast
(Accepted by Ron Cioffi, USTA Southern)
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Member Organization of the Year –
Central Savannah River Area Tennis Association
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NJTL Chapter of the Year – Atlanta Youth Tennis & Education Foundation
(Accepted by Executive Director Kirsten Robles)
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Randy Stephens Award for State Volunteer Service – Stewart Atkins
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Richard C. Botsch Educational Merit Award - Sandy Rodney
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Signature Tennis Courts Award Tennis Director of the Year – Dave Neuhart
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Special Tennis Event of the Year - Breast Cancer Awareness Scramble
(Accepted by Linda Gordon, CORTA)
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Team Tennis Event of the Year - USTA Georgia JTT State Championships
(Accepted by Tournament Director Elizabeth Beaver)
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Wheelchair Excellence Award - Cole Wooten