INDIAN WELLS – The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) honored those members who stand out and go above and beyond in all aspects of the tennis industry at the 2016 USPTA World Conference this week. USPTA, the world’s oldest and largest association of tennis-teaching professionals, recognized tennis coaches, industry leaders and volunteers during its annual national awards presentation at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, Calif.

Peter Burwash (Carmel Valley, Calif.) joined the ranks of only 18 others when he was inducted into the USPTA Hall of Fame. The association’s highest honor recognizes excellence in the tennis profession and commitment to USPTA.

Kirk Anderson (Portland, Ore.) received the USPTA Alex Gordon Professional of the Year Award, the association’s top annual member award. 

The George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award went to Ben Press (Coronado, Calif.), the second time the award has been presented since 2008.

Aki Takayama-Wolfson (Flushing, N. Y.) received the USTA/USPTA Community Service Award for her contributions to her community through tennis, presented annually by the United States Tennis Association as part of the USPTA’s awards program.

Six USPTA members earned Master Professional status, the highest professional rating within the tennis profession: Larry Dupleich Puña (Tokyo, Japan), Jack Foster (Sugar Land, Texas), Paul Marcum (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Michael Mercier (Beverly, Mass.), Mark Rearden (Sumter, S. C.) and Mark Savage (Wallkill, N. Y.).

In recognition of his business acumen and advancing the sport of tennis in his community, Jeff Bearup (Duxbury, Mass.) received the USPTA’s Industry Excellence Award.

Patrick LaSalle (Coventry, R. I.) was awarded the USPTA Star Award for his efforts to bring tennis to socioeconomically challenged communities as the tennis program director with the Town of Coventry Parks and Recreation.

Josh Jorgensen (San Diego, Calif.) was named the Top Education Credit Earner for 2016 after earning an outstanding number of education credits as part of the USPTA Career Development Program.

Angelo and Ettore Rossetti (Hamden, Conn.) are the recipients of the Lessons for Life Award for their extensive contributions to their community.  In 2015, they helped raise more than $104,300  for the Save the Children charity organization through tennis.

Ronald Elizondo (Corpus Christi, Texas) received the association’s Diversity Award for his work to increase diversity within the USPTA.

Dion Crupi (Irving, Texas) is this year’s recipient of the Tim Gullikson Touring Coach of the Year Award. His coaching experience includes serving as a development and travel coach for juniors and professionals at both national and international levels.

Dick Johnson (Albuquerque, N. M.) was named the High School Coach of the Year. As the head boy’s tennis coach at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, N. M., Johnson led his players to the state championships in 2016, winning several state titles.

Kim Gidley (Colorado Springs, Colo.) was named the College Coach of the Year after leading the Air Force Academy’s women’s tennis team to an 18-9 overall mark last season, its sixth consecutive winning season.

J. Weston Reese (San Francisco, Calif.) was named the George Bacso Tester of the Year.  Reese is a USPTA Elite Professional and has been a tester for 35 years, 33 of those as a head tester. He administered the USPTA certification exam to 68 people over the last year.

Dan Miles (Bonita Springs, Fla.) was named the Facility Manager of the Year.  Miles has been the general manager of the Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Springs, Fla., for more than 25 years and has continually made the commitment to support tennis and tennis-teaching professionals.

Ryan McDaniel (Evansville, Ind.) is the second recipient of the U30 Award, new to the awards program in 2015. The U30 Award recognizes a USPTA Professional aged 30 or under for their contributions to tennis.

The USPTA National Awards program is conducted annually. Nominations are submitted by the organization’s 17 divisions and by individuals. Recipients in each category are decided by the USPTA Awards Committee.

2016 USPTA Annual Awards
Peter Burwash, USPTA Tim Heckler Hall of Fame Award
Ben Press, George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award
Kirk Anderson, Alex Gordon Award for the USPTA Professional of the Year
Aki Takayama-Wolfson, USTA/USPTA Community Service Award
Jeff Bearup, USPTA Industry Excellence Award
Patrick LaSalle, USPTA Star Award
Josh Jorgensen, Top Education Credit Earner (2015)
Angelo and Ettore Rossetti, Lessons for Life Award
Ronald Elizondo, Diversity Award
Dan Miles, Facility Manager of the Year Award
Dion Crupi, Tim Gullikson Touring Coach of the Year
Dick Johnson, High School Coach of the Year
Kim Gidley, College Coach of the Year
J. Weston Reese, George Bacso Tester of the Year
Dan Miles, Facility Manager of the Year                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Ryan McDaniel, U30 Award