2012 USTA/Midwest Section Year In Review - 2012 | Page 30

USTA/Midwest Section Wheelchair Tennis During 2012 there was considerable progress made in growing wheelchair tennis. The wheelchair tennis leadership and USTA/Midwest volunteers and staff worked together to offer new training opportunities, one-day events, programs and tournaments. The wheelchair tennis consultants and community leaders played a huge role in achieving the accomplishments during 2012. Following are key highlights of the success and opportunities that helped increase the number of people who play wheelchair tennis. The USTA/Midwest Section continues to be a leader in recruiting new players and providing successful events and programs to individuals who play tennis in wheelchairs. The USTA/Midwest Section hosted several tournaments, clinics, and other events throughout the year, and many players enjoyed success in Section events as well as other competitions throughout the country. Programs/Clinics Update 1)  SU Men’s Head Tennis Coach Gene Orlando: M Coach Orlando runs a Wednesday night program for students and individuals in the Lansing area, utilizing MSU tennis students as assistants. The first MSU wheelchair tournament took place Saturday, August 25 with 15 participants. 2)  idland Community Tennis Center: M After conducting a clinic in 2010, Mike Woody began a weekly program that is now serving wheelchair tennis players and other wheelchair athletes in the Saginaw, Mich. area. 3) Milford/Saginaw/Detroit areas: Many athletes attended a camp conducted September 7-8 in Milford, Mich. sponsored by the Michigan Adapted Sports Program. The event generated a lot of new interest in wheelchair tennis with over 40 athletes from the East side participating. 4)  est Hills Athletic Club: W Kalamazoo, Mich.: An up/down event took place Nov. 17 with eight Grand Rapids players and eight able-bodied players from Kalamazoo, Mich. participating. Lynn Bender conducted a teaching clinic Dec. 8 for future coaches and volunteers; the event had over 18 participants and teaching pros participate. 5) Diversity Coaches Workshop: Indianapolis, Ind.: The workshop took place May 18-19 which included a wheelchair tennis instruction session. In addition, two top wheelchair players – Dan Bolhouse and Paul Moran – played an exhibition match for the coaches and assisted with instruction. Other Wheelchair Tournaments Hosted by the USTA/Midwest Section: 1) IPFW Tournament, Fort Wayne, Ind. – June 2-3: 25 players, USTA sanctioned 2)  ichigan State University Tournament, M Lansing Mich. – August 25: 15 players, USTA sanctioned Juniors Krystal Kelly, age 16, from Grand Haven, Mich., attended the USTA/ITF junior tennis camp in July in California under the direction of USTA Staff and Dan James, USTA National Wheelchair Tennis Manager. As of September 2012 Krystal was selected to join the USTA National Development team as a potential future top junior player! Competitions Pro Exhibitions Players Curt Bender and Dan Bolhouse (West Michigan) participated in the Dow Corning Womens Pro event in February 2012 in an up/down exhibition prior to the women’s finals. Other Wheelchair Tennis News Tennis Professional Careers Dan Bolhouse of Caledonia, Mich. is employed by Orchard Hills Tennis Center teaching tennis part time, offering private lessons and assisting in group lessons. He is also the new Forest Hills Central High School JV boys head coach and assistant Varsity coach. July 13-15 –USTA/Midwest Section Wheelchair Championships The 2012 Midwest Section Wheelchair Championships took place July 13-15 in Grand Rapids, Mich. This was the highest attended championship in several years with 70 players participating, up 15 from 2011. The event included a professional up/down exhibition featuring the top two men’s seeds: Joel Dembe, the number one player from Canada, and the number one ranked US player Steve Welch, who both traveled to London to compete in the Paralympics. Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adapted Sports Program Due to its rapid growth and the need for more support and financial backing, the former Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association out of Grand Rapids, Mich. is now supported and sponsored by the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. The program is a leader in wheelchair sports and is now called the Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adapted Sports program. Wheelchair Championship Results Men’s Open Wheelchair Singles: (1) Stephen Welch d. (2) Joel Dembe 6-0; 6-1 Men’s Wheelchair A Singles: Scott Bonk d. (4) Kevin Green 6-1; 6-2 Men’s Wheelchair B Singles: (1) Patrick Besta d. (2) Nick Burnham 6-4; 6-4 Men’s Wheelchair C Singles: Earl Jordan d. (1) David Briggs 7-5; 3-6; 10-7 Women’s Open Wheelchair Singles: (1) Emmy Kaiser d. (2) Mackenzie Soldan 6-2; 3-6; 6-2 Women’s Wheelchair A Singles (2) Krystal Kelley d. (1) Denise Esrey 7-5; 1-6; 14-12 Quad Wheelc ??"?V?6??v?W3???GF?WrFWf?VvW"B???v'??V?W"b?C?b?@??6V7F?????B?F????f??V?FVW"WFFP??( "rW'B?B???&V?FW"6??F??VVB2U5D?GvW7Bv?VV?6??"6???GFVR26??7V?F?G2?BF?fW'6?G?6???GFVR?V?&W'2??( "rW'B&V?FW"6???WFVB??2f?'7BGv??V"FW&?2F?R6??'W'6???bF?R2U5D?F????6???GFVR??( "rW'B&V?FW"v2?6?6V?V7FVBF?6W'fRGv??V"FW&??#"?#2???2F?R?Dbv?VV?6??"FV???26???GFVR?????'?7F??V??W???7F????3??U5D?EtU5B( ?#"?V"??&Wf?Wp???