5th Annual PATA Park of Tennis Fame Clinic and Inductions

It’s hard to imagine that this will be the fifth year that the “PATA Park of Tennis Fame Clinic and Induction” event will be once again be taking place Sunday, October 6th at the beautiful Yavapai College Tennis Facility.

The tennis clinic, which costs $40.00 per person and includes a brown bag lunch, is a very special event all on its own merit where the participants will meet at the tennis patio at 8:50 to 11:30 a.m., be put into groups of 5 to 6 players of similar ability and then will rotate every 25 minutes from court to court covering different drills of interest.

This clinic will have two pro’s on each court to teach a special theme, most of them local, talented and enthusiastic…groundstrokes, volleys, serves, return of serves, doubles strategy, singles strategy, cardio, it’ll be the best 2 ½ hours you’ve enjoyed on the tennis courts since last year at this time.

Each of the following pro’s are donating their time and the money made goes to promote the game of tennis in the area for youth/students, adults, facility improvements, scholarships, etc.

Jason Jamison USPTA/PTR – former SW Player Development/Community Tennis (10 years), USTA National Manager for School Tennis (11 years), now consulting around the country.  USPTA or PTR Pro’s – Larry Lineberry (Master Professional), Sterling Fetty, Bernie Adam, Zack Hackerott, Fay Matsumoto, Chris Howard, Tim McClintock, Nick Cristea, as well as Cathy Low, Taylor Harris, Dick McGaw and Donnie Jones the Human Ball Machine.

At the conclusion of the clinic, lunch will be provided to all participants on the patio at court #7 where the inductions will take place from 12 to 12:30 p.m.

This year the inductees are locally – Eric Bourdone who was a very respected player, promoter and captain, at the Prescott Racquet Club as well as USTA league coordinator and liaison for Prescott and Northern Arizona for many years.  Eric recently passed away.  Bernie Adam will speak on his behalf.

And nationally, Dr. Allen Fox, who has made the journey to Prescott twice now to give of his knowledge. A NCAA Tennis Champion in singles and doubles at UCLA, ranked nationally in the top ten 5 times, winner of many national titles, Davis Cup player, tennis coach at Pepperdine (17 years), writer, lecturer, business owner, psychologist and all round good guy.  Chris Howard will speak on his behalf.

They will have a 12 X 12 block set in our “Tennis Park of Fame” sidewalk as a gesture of thanks for their exemplary accomplishments promoting the game.

Some ask me, why this is important to do.  

To me it all comes down to why this game means so much to so many, how it came about (now all over the globe) – still going strong, and those who have gone over and beyond in helping others gain that same thrill of satisfaction in and of what the game of tennis has to offer.

Without the people who promote the game, build the facilities, manufacture the equipment, organize and run the tournaments, compete at its highest and lowest levels, teach the game, write about and publish its history – it wouldn’t be where it is today.

So, there are 36 spots for the clinic and they’ll go fast.  To grab a spot send an email to:

choward4541@gmail.com with your name, ability level and phone number.  If you have any special lunch needs, please mention them as well.  You will pay the morning of the clinic…cash or check.

We look forward to a wonderful day and hope many of you join us!

Chris Howard is a local USPTA Tennis Professional with over 50 years in the racquet and fitness industry.  He can be reached at 928-642-6775 or choward4541@gmail.com.