By Brian Hartz
Photo credit: Amber Leino/North Star Photography
Pickleball might be having a moment but don’t forget about tennis. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred a huge increase in tennis participation nationwide, and even with a return to normalcy, the surge has continued. According to the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA), 23.6 million Americans played tennis in 2022, up from 17.7 million in 2020, an increase of 33 percent.
There are so many outdoor public places to play in our county such as Roselli Park, Azalea, Walter Fuller, North Shore, Northwest, Childs Park, and other sports complexes. stpeteparksrec.org/athleticscourts
You don’t need to be a member of a tennis club to benefit from lessons from a professional instructor. For example, Sunshine City Tennis is a new coaching business founded by local Brian Hartz. A former journalist who’s played competitive tennis most of his life, Hartz obtained his associate instructor certification in 2019 from Professional Tennis Registry, one of the sport’s major credentialing organizations. Hartz rents a public tennis court at Willis S. Johns Recreation Center in St. Pete.
Hartz also helps David Archer, director of tennis at Shipwatch Yacht and Tennis Club, develop a new kids’ tennis program there. The program is open to the public; sessions are available for ages 3 to high school students. The Sprouts (3- and 4-year-olds) program meets from 4-4:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays while the Orange Ball (ages 5, 6 and 7) group meets from 4:30-5:30pm Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Green Ball (ages 8-12) group meets from 5:30-6:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Archer also offers a high school prep program for older kids. Those sessions take place from 5:30-6:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Archer was the director of junior development at Countryside Country Club in Clearwater from 2013 to 2015 and has also worked at tennis clubs in California, Texas, and Utah. His teaching methodology inspired him to write the book, “8 Weeks to a Lifetime of Tennis,” available on Amazon. FYI: davidslcman@gmail.com or 530-864-4255.
For a private lesson, hitting session, or group clinic with Hartz, brian@sunshinecitytennis.com or 727-481-6375. FYI: sunshinecitytennis.com