09/05/2024
Hello Tennis Friends and Followers!
Typically, I like to go about my business running a cute and quaint tennis and swim club, but today I’m sharing something personal because so much of who I am and why I’m teaching tennis in Pinehurst is due to the first tennis tournament I played 30 years ago. It’s almost unimaginable to me!
Phyllis Laurila was our community tennis professional and the coach of my hometown high school team -- a dynasty for almost 40 years. Phyllis ran tournaments in the summers. One of the tournaments she ran was the Dickinson County Closed (the county in which I grew up). It was a tournament that was accessible for young players who needed to play in a real event-- like me when I was 8 years old, and competitive for players who wanted the bragging rights for being the best in the county--like me as an 18 year old. When I was 22 years old, home from school on summer break, some non-tennis friends convinced me to run some of my favorite drills with them. We were playing on the same courts where I played my first Dickinson County Closed when Phyllis showed up with her husband Chuck, kids, and grandkids, and asked to use the three courts beside us. I had a nice talk with Phyllis after we finished and that very night I signed up to take the USPTA test (tennis professional certification). Not too long after passing the test I moved here, to Moore county, and started work at The Lawn & Tennis Club of North Carolina in the Village of Pinehurst.
October will mark a joyful eight years that I, like Phillis, have been helping run the community tennis program for Pinehurst Parks and Recreation. It is the perfect time to bring my hometown tournament here to Moore County. The Moore County Closed will be held October 18-20 at the Lawn and Tennis Club of North Carolina. The aim is to establish an event where young tennis players can get tournament experience and more experienced youth in our county can exhibit their skills. Join us in making this a great event!
Link to Pinehurst Parks and Recreation: https://secure.rec1.com/NC/village-of-pinehurst-nc/catalog/index/4bcaeeeb26eb55187d5a593163040f8e?filter=c2VhcmNoPXRlbm5pcw==
The Moore County Closed hosted by The Lawn & Tennis Club of North Carolina is a Non-USTA-UTR Tournament (Closed) for players who live in Moore County.
This will be a great place for your child to play their first tournament or for a skilled player to see if they’re the best in town!