Lynne Rolley, PTR Board Chair
As we approach a busy summer season in the Northern Hemisphere, we are entering a new season in the history of the Professional Tennis Registry. On June 1, we are going to officially open our new global headquarters at the famed Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Florida, just outside of Tampa. Not only has Saddlebrook been the training ground of some of the best players in the history of the game, most notably Pete Sampras, Jim Courier and Jennifer Capriati, but it was founded by Harry Hopman, the Australian who was one of the most notable and famous coaches in international tennis. Saddlebrook is one of the world’s great cradles of exceptional players and exceptional coaches, which make it an especially symbolic location for our new workplace.
Our new relationship with Saddlebrook is also especially appropriate because we are both in periods of new growth and improvement. Saddlebrook’s new ownership group, Mast Capital, has enthusiastic plans and desires to upgrade and improve the resort. The PTR is also looking forward to bringing the organization to greater heights as we enter a new era in our history.
The PTR was founded in 1976 by the world-renowned and future International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Dennis Van der Meer, who steered the organization until Dan Santorum took over the reigns in 1986. Now, the PTR is entering a new era of leadership where we will continue to improve our education programs, add even more exciting special events and grow our membership while adding even more member benefits. The search for our new CEO will be headed by the search firm of Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace.
There are exciting times ahead and we look forward to celebrating all of our successes in this new era of growth. We want to wish all of our PTR members the best of good fortune in this upcoming busy season. You are our extended tennis family and we will always be here for you.
