2007 USPTA member of the year: Mike Van Zutphen
With 30 years of experience in instructional tennis program management, USPTA Master Pro Mike Van Zutphen of Mesa, Ariz., has a résumé that fills four pages. Among his qualification highlights, however, one stands out: “I know which ladies take cream in their coffee.”
“Anytime I get a beginner or new customer, I go to the nth degree to take care of that person,” says Van Zutphen, founder of the Arizona Tennis Association and director of tennis at the Mesa Country Club for 14 years. With practice and encouragement, he notes, a beginner evolves into an intermediate and then advanced player who may take lessons, play in leagues and club tournaments, purchase equipment and recruit friends to join the fun.
While some coaches focus on one level of player, Van Zutphen has utilized the USPTA’s resources to offer programming for the complete spectrum: from the players in the Arizona Special Olympics tennis division he founded and directed for 25 years, to protégé Wesley Whitehouse, the 1997 junior Wimbledon champion who finished within the top 400 in 2006 with wins over Marat Safin and Justin Gimelstob.
Because of his dedication to the organization and profession, Van Zutphen is RSI’s 2007 USPTA Member of the Year.
“Mike, a former Southwest Division president, is a great supporter of the USPTA,” says CEO Tim Heckler. “He is a dynamic teaching pro who contributes to the sport through teaching, administration and volunteering. We are truly pleased to have such an outstanding member who is committed to growing the game in all aspects.”
Tips for success
- Introduce yourself. Share details of your tennis experience along with your enthusiasm for teaching this particular player in this particular class.
- Learn each player’s unique challenges. Offer encouragement and support in addition to technical adjustments.
- Say thank you. Tell players you hope to see them in future classes. If they have a scheduling conflict, offer private lessons.
See all articles by Cynthia Cantrell
About the Author
Cynthia Cantrell is a contributing editor of RSI magazine.
RSI magazine search
RSI magazine articles
RSI magazine categories
- Ask the Experts
- Associations
- Awards
- Ball Machines
- Balls
- Business/Marketing
- Clothing
- Courts/Lighting
- Education
- Footwear
- Frames
- Grips
- Industry News
- Media
- Miscellaneous
- Our Serve
- Peoplewatch
- Playtests
- Racquetball
- Review
- Reviews
- Science
- Squash
- Stringing
- Stringing Machines
- Strings
- Tennis
- Tips and Techniques
- Tournaments/Events
- Your Serve
RSI magazine archives
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- November 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- November 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
- November 2005
- September 2005
- August 2005
- July 2005
- June 2005
- May 2005
- April 2005
- March 2005
- February 2005
- January 2005
- November 2004
- October 2004
- September 2004
- August 2004
- July 2004
- June 2004
- May 2004
- April 2004
- March 2004
- February 2004