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Member Spotlight: Deborah Larkin
Deborah Slaner Larkin, at 76, is a solid 4.5 tennis player, who enjoys playing for fun as well as in leagues and tournaments. She loves the game. Or as she succinctly puts it, “I’ve got tennis in my DNA.”
But that’s just the beginning of her partnership with tennis…
Member Spotlight: Carol Wood
How many women at 88-years-old can claim to have been a junior tennis star, give it up for a while to go to college to become a physical therapist, become a nationally ranked badminton player, a golfer, taking up tennis again, and many years later, still being selected for USTA Cup Teams?
Member Spotlight [and incoming co-president]: Liane Bryson
Liane Bryson’s energy is never-ending and inspiring. Here’s a day in her life: “I play three sets of doubles, followed by an hour of pickleball, then I finish up my workout with half an hour on my Peloton...”
Member Spotlight: Judy Dixon
I spoke with Judy in May when she was relaxing on the porch of her home in Amherst, MA. She had just returned from the national hardcourt tourney in Kentucky where she won gold in the 75s singles and doubles. A successful day at the office you’d say.
[New Board]Member Spotlight: Bryn Auld
Bryn Auld grew up in Atlanta, GA and started playing at age 11. She competed in both junior tournaments and high school matches. She went on to play her freshman year at Florida State University in 2001 but developed what she described as a heavy case of burnout from tennis…
Member Spotlight: Kim Kouwabunpat
I first met Kim Kouwabunpat like a lot of us tennis players do, as opponents, during the 2022 USTA Hard Court Championships in Palm Springs. When you first meet Kim, her laugh, warmth, and kindness shine through…
Member Spotlight: Ginny Beneke
At the 2024 USTA National Clay Court Championships played in Palm Beach, a new champion emerged in the 70s division. Wendy McCloskey defeated Becky Timmis for the gold and silver, respectively, in the final. …
Member Spotlight: Heidi Clemmer
Heidi Clemmer’s life has always included tennis. Before she was born. When she was a toddler. When she was in school. In college. During her extended business career, though not as much as before or after. Now, even as her health has temporarily sidelined her from the courts, the National Women’s Tennis Organization is counting on her as its new treasurer…
Member Spotlight: Kathy Settles
Synonymous with the name Kathy Settles are the words “family” and “sports.” And as she prepares to serve as co-president of the NWTO next year, knowing this about our leadership ensures us Kathy is a perfect pick for the role…
Member Spotlight: Ingrid Rehwinkel
What are the odds that an 83-year-old tennis player, teacher, always smiling, happy German who sings at the drop of a hat, could survive a tumor that was wrapped around her brain and probably should have killed her? Continue reading to find out…
Member Spotlight: Vickki Schlappi
As we think over which tournaments we are going to play in 2024 and how we will build our playing schedule, we’d like to introduce you to NWTO member Vickki Schlappi, who has spent her career as a licensed general contractor, building and remodeling homes…
New LIFE Member Spotlight: Kristen Bleakley
Eventually, she started to play again and began competing in a local league…A gold ball and competing for the USA sounded pretty cool to Kristen so she began seeking out tournaments to play in 2023…
Member Spotlight: Erin Portman
We’ll get to the improbable story of Birds Barbershop in Austin, Texas, in a moment, y’all (as its website says). But first, we’ll tell y’all about Erin Portman’s pandemic bicycle accident because, after all, Erin is the tennis player we’re spotlighting and the accident has everything to do with her spiraling tennis game…
Have an experience to
share with other members?
We want to hear from you in your own words about your tennis experience – whether it be a tournament, photos of you and your tennis buddies, or words of tennis wisdom. We look forward to hearing from you! Please submit to info@nwto.us.