We would like to officially welcome Kris Shumway to our teaching staff. Kris is from Towanda Pa, where he was a high school standout in tennis & basketball. Kris attended Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, where he played #1 singles & doubles three of his four years. Kris helped lead his team to a Division 11 national ranking, achieved a top 50 national ranking in singles, and a top 15 national ranking in doubles. Kris received his undergraduate degree in physical therapy.

Kris also achieved the lofty status of gaining 3 ATP points in doubles in 2003 along with none other than Billy Mendler. Kris’s tennis resume includes teaching at the Italian Tennis Center in Stamford Ct , the Bakersfield Racquet Club in Ca. and Sport Health Residence in Washington, DC. Kris has also assited with GETA in Elmira and Bloomsburg University summer tennis camps. Kris’s easy going and friendly personality combined with his tennis expereince will make him a natural among both adults and juniors. Kris is 25 and single. Welcome aboard Kris!

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BTC will be holding their first ever Parent-Junior Seminar Wednesday, October 11 6:30 pm in the upstairs lounge. The seminar will cover all aspects of junior development from beginning tennis to players aspiring for division 1 college scholarships and beyond. The seminar and is open to any parent or junior of any level. While detailed information will be available regarding advanced level juniors, there will also be helpful information for juniors just starting out.

Guest speakers include BTC staff members Billy Mendler, Head Pro, Collin Crawford, director of junior development, Libby McGovern, former all star standout at Ball State and our junior tournament director, Michael Starke, owner manager of the Binghamton Tennis Center, and Dave Constantine, principal at Coolidge Elementary and father of Ashley Constantine, a senior and full scholarship player at West Virgina.

The seminar will include guidance for training juniors, an explanation of the Eastern Tennis Association tournament structure, the unveiling of a new upcoming Western Region Junior Circuit s well as handouts. We hope to not only present a comprehensive guide but to also answer lots of questions as we help our junior move forward and reach for their dreams and vision.

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Our 26th annual BTC Clay Court was held June 9-11, amid an Alaskan cold front. Neither frigid temperatures nor arctic winds could put on damper on the mood, and some excellent tennis was displayed.

Newcomer Liz Koban of Birchwood Fitness defeated Colleen Hanzes in a great women’s final, winning a 3rd set tie break. The men’s “B” singles was an all Elmira junior finale, with Don Sherman defeating Dan Freeman 6-2,2-6,6-1 in a very well played final. men singles winner Mustafa Genscoy

The men’s “A” singles title went to Mustafa Genscoy of Turkey who defeated Sardor Pulatove of Uzbekistan 7-6,7-5. This was our 1st all interntional final. Mustafa plays #1 for George Washingto University and Sardor competes on the futures tennis circuit. Perhpas the finest best match was the dobubles finals, where BTC Clay Court veterans Gregg Schwartz & Greg Munoz defeated teaching pros Kiril Popov & Aland Price of Birchwood Fitness, 6-0, 5-7, 7-6.

doubles winners Gregg & Greg with “coach” and tournament director Michael Starke After winning the 1st set handily, suddenly Kiril & Aland stepped up their games, and the last two sets were thrilling tennis.

The lone local winners were Sue Vail & Jordy Asher, who defeated Marey Ellen Halm & Steve Forrest of Elmira, 7-6,2-6,6-1 iin the Mixed Doubles finals, thanks to Sue carrying Jordy during the 3rd set. Both Sardor Pulatov & the doubles team of Gregg & Greg as a result of their efforts, got to play in the $50,000 dBI Tennis Challenger August 5-6 & Rec Park! It was great to see so many out of town entries, which really spruced up our event. We hope to gain more local entries next year.

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Now that full season is in full swing, we would like to announce our 2005 Most Improved Players, John Scanlon & Debbie Karst. This year’s polling was closer than ever, especially on the women’s side, in which Sandra Starke was a very close, and two others in the running.

Our winner approved this pic
Debbie’s two fisted forehand is not the first to have received this award, which shows that we pros can be flexible. Debbies thirst for improvement, unbridled passion and courage nosed her into the winners circle. Debbie also attributes some of her success to pros Collin Crawford & Billy Mendler.

John did not approve this pic John started two years ago a rank beginner. Besides his marked improvement, his never say die attitude and flair for the dramatic tipped the scales in his favor. That and Molly taking the oath on stand that she was not taking responsibility for his backhand. Molly smartly turned that task over to pro Billy Mendler, who is molding

John in his own image. John gives all the credit to his rcqt.
Both players received a plaque, a free 1/2 hour lesson and have their named engraved on our new and improved Most Improved Player Award Placque located in the lobby. Congratulations Deb & John!

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In May of 2006, we undertook the first of two major summer renovations, the replacement of our ceiling insulation system on courts 5 & 6. We first had to tear down all the existing insulation, and performed that task in house. We then hired Commercial Retrofit out of Michigan come in and install the new insulation.

Protective masks a mustThe insulation goes up in 8 ft wide by 120 ft long strips. This was done with 2 forty foot boon lifts and a competent crew.Tarps and plywood were laid down the entire court to avoid damage. The entire job took 7 full days, and came in ahead of schedule, in time for the USTA season.

This was a significant upgrade to our facility. The insulation is hung much tighter, will not flake, will remain hole free, and better reflects light making these courts brighter and more evenly lit. Special thanks to the entire Commercial Retrofit crew as well as Dickey, Sam & Frank.

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