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PTR Foundation

Our mission is to make tennis available
to everyone.

Dennis Van der Meer

Our Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Established in 1978, as the charitable arm of PTR. Each year, PTR members generously donate to the Foundation. These funds are used for various charitable and research activities including but not limited to:

Our Foucs

The PTRF provides support to deserving
individuals and organizations globally.

Develop Coaches / Coaches Continuing Education

For coaching workshops including and not limited to the certification of more multi-cultural and women coaches, as well as supporting the continuing higher education of PTR coaches.

Grants/Scholarships For Under-Resourced Youth

To organizations that have a strong, demonstrable reputation for providing services to under-served youth in under-resourced communities to apply for grant or scholarship support.

Special Population / Adaptive Tennis Grants

For the rehabilitative benefits of the game and people that are using tennis for such purposes – this would include but is not limited to Special Olympics, Wheelchair Tennis, Stroke Rehabilitation, etc.

Nehemiah Atkinson Humanitarian Grant

A grant emphasizing the high value that PTRF places on giving and service to others that is given to an individual who has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to improving the lives of others.

Grants To Enhance Global Goodwill

To enhance goodwill will include new facility development and or re-development, as well as refurbishment and improvements at existing facilities both in the United States and Internationally with a particular focus on underrepresented and/or devastated areas.

Dennis Van Der Meer Higher Education Scholarship

PTRF provides a $1,000 scholarship each year for an incoming college freshman. This is targeted to deserving young men and women from the USTA/Southern Tennis Section whose lives have been positively impacted by the sport of tennis.

Nehemiah Atkinson Humanitarian Grant

Our Story

Dennis Van Der Meer, PTRF Founder

Gallery

Tennis For Everyone

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Gallery

Award Recipients

Got Engaged

Looking for ways to engage with the
foundation?

VDM Alumni

We share our stories to inspire and instruct the next generation of tennis players across the globe

Support Our Work

Through the Foundation, tennis programs have been developed in low-income housing projects, after school latch-key programs, at-risk, youth programs and wheelchair tennis rehabilitation programs.

PTRF Grant

The PTRF proudly supports projects that promote and preserve the legacy, vision, and spirit of PTR Founder, Dennis Van Der Meer. Consideration for funding will be given to educational, life enrichment, mentoring, and tennis programs.

Our Impact

Luigi Bertino | PTR Italy Director of Education

Thank you for giving PTR Italy important support to help us develop the Next Gen Coach educational program that we will offer in Italy, Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The PTRF / Dennis Van der Meer Educational Scholarships will be aimed at young tennis players aged 18-22, with better school curriculums and lower family incomes to start a career as a tennis teacher. The training course we have specially created wants to transmit the principles fundamentals of tennis teaching (Standard Method) and the human and professional values that Dennis Van der Meer passed on to us and that otherwise young people could no longer obtain.

Jerry Wang | Tennis Clinic Participant

Thank you so much PTRF for hosting the National Tennis Month tennis clinic! My daughter, Ava and I really enjoyed it and are very glad we went. We kept telling each other how nice it was, especially for a free event. Sorry we were too tired to stay until the end. We have practiced a couple times already, keeping your feedback in mind, and are now even trying to approach the net to volley sometimes when we practice. The drills and games were a lot of fun and the coaching feedback was really helpful

Carol MacLennan | Director of Tennis, Laurel Creek Country Club Mount Laurel, NJ

The PTR has given me so much over the past 25 years. Not only have I grown as a teaching professional and tennis director, but I’ve created valued personal relationships. As a longtime PTR member, it’s an honor to give back to support the mission of the PTR foundation.

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Board of Directors

Tito Perez Rios

Treasurer

John Borden

Secretary

Doug Cash

Director at Large

Martin van Daalen

Director at Large

Karl Hale

Immediate Past President

Ron Manilla

Chairman Appointee

Rodney Harmon

Chairman Appointee

Mike Barrell

Chairman Appointee

Our Partners

What Our Members Think

“Professional organization with excellent administration, outstanding professional development, benefits and networking!”

Jody Bingham

“As a USTA accredited organization, the Professional Tennis Registry is working to elevate the resources available to coaches pursuing certification, while enhancing the growth and success of your coaching career”

Philippe Ghostine Matta

“Unparalleled in its education for coaches globally. Proud member for 15 years and will be for as many as I can pick up a racquet.”

David Mountford

Join Our Team

Tito Pérez

Treasurer

A native of Bolivia, in 2007, Perez was Captain of his country’s team at the ODESUR Games in Buenos Aires & captain for the Bolivian team on the Cosat Junior Circuit in 2005.   He has worked in the tennis industry for more than 25 years and is both a PTR and USTA Clinician.  Perez, a 20-year member, is a Level II Certified Professional with PTR and is the PTR Regional Director from NY.   He has also served on the Board of USTA Eastern for 4 years and is the USTA Eastern Instructors & Professionals Committee Chair.

Tito has conducted several presentations at PTR International Tennis Symposia as well as being a faculty member for the PTR & USTA Eastern.  Also, Pérez is the President of Response Sports Consulting, a company that focuses on helping tennis businesses on and off the court.

John Borden

Secretary

John, a 20-year PTR Professional, was recently promoted to President and CEO of the WTEF (Washington Tennis & Education Foundation). WTEF, founded in 1955, is located in Washington, DC and spread over two campuses, one of which is the site of the Citi Open. Prior to joining WTEF, John was General Manager of the Junior Tennis Champions Center (“JTCC”), a global leader in producing world class junior and collegiate tennis players as well as introducing new players to the sport. John, a former Division I athlete and graduate of the Howard University School of Law has over 15 years of tennis industry experience. Presently, John oversees all operations at WTEF

For PTR, John was the Director of the PTR Regional Training Center at JTCC. John, a life-long athlete, proven leader, and innovator, is a recognized speaker on growing the sport of tennis and other relevant industry topics. He has given his time to speak and present at countless PTR Symposia and Conferences.

Doug Cash

Director at Large

Doug Cash is a highly esteemed figure in the tennis coaching realm, boasting over 40 years of experience in the industry. As the founder of Cash Flow Tennis, Cash is celebrated for his innovative approach to coaching and tennis business development. He holds the highest professional ratings from the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) and the Club Management Association of America (CMAA). His vast knowledge, leadership, and commitment to tennis make him an invaluable asset to the PTR board, continually shaping the future of the sport. Brian’s evolution in the organization began long before he joined the staff. Coincidentally, he started his career as Head Pro and Director of College Placement at the Van der Meer World Class Academy (Dennis Van der Meer founded PTR), before going on to serve as director of some of the largest public and private clubs in the country.

Martin van Daalen

Director at Large

Martin van Daalen has been coaching for over 35 years. He currently serves as the Director of Programming at the Miami Beach Tennis Academy. After becoming a national coach and director of women’s tennis in Holland, he worked for a long period of time with top juniors and professional tennis players at Saddlebrook Resort in Florida, coaching Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Jennifer Capriati, Mary Pierce, and Jared Palmer. He worked as a national coach for the USTA for over 11 years, developing many top juniors, college players and professionals. Many of them are still playing on the ATP and WTA tour today. In 2013 and 2014 he worked as Director of Player Development for the Finnish Tennis Federation. He has published two books, Teaching Tennis Volume I & II. Brian’s evolution in the organization began long before he joined the staff. Coincidentally, he started his career as Head Pro and Director of College Placement at the Van der Meer World Class Academy (Dennis Van der Meer founded PTR), before going on to serve as director of some of the largest public and private clubs in the country.

Karl Hale

Immediate Past President

Karl is the immediate past President of the PTR Board. He has an accomplished tennis history. He played competitive tennis internationally, participating as a player and a coach in Davis Cup for Jamaica and as a Fed Cup Coach for Canada. In 2006, Karl was named PTR Professional of the Year. As a player, Karl was the World #1 in over 40 in 2007 and was awarded PTR Player of the Year in 2010. Now Karl serves as the Tournament Director for the National Bank Open, formerly Rogers Cup, which is the largest one-week tournament in the world with past champions, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Simona Halep, and Serena Williams. Along with his duties at the National Bank Open, Karl founded the Daniel Nestor Charity Event, which raised over $1,000,000 for North York General Hospital and Tennis Canada Go for the Gold Fund. Karl also founded the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation, which raised over $500,000 in his native Jamaica while building five new schools. For his extensive work with Helping Hands, Karl was named PTR Humanitarian of the Year in 2017. Most recently, Karl was the host of the successful PTR Hour. His insightful and entertaining interviews gave coaches an inside look at the most exciting names in tennis. Karl is a PTR International Master Professional.

Ron Manilla

Chairman Appointee

As a teaching professional with more than 30 years of experience, Ron has made a tremendous impact on the tennis communities at The Sports Club at Boar’s Head Resort and in the Charlottesville area. Through tennis, Ron has touched the lives of many players around Charlottesville, including his own children. This led to numerous honors and accolades including the 2002 PTR Virginia Member of the Year and the USTA Virginia Family of the Year in 2008. In February of 2010, Ron received the Professional Tennis Registry’s highest honor, Master Professional. He is one of only 31 in the world to receive this designation. Ron’s current priority is the direction of tennis tournaments at Boars Head Sports Club, including the Women’s Clay Court Classic, the Charlottesville Men’s Pro Challenger, Special Olympics “Xperience” and numerous USTA junior tournaments. Ron is a member of the Head/ Penn Advisory Staff and president of the Charlottesville Area Tennis Association.

Rodney Harmon

Chairman Appointee

Rodney Harmon is in his 11th season as the head women’s tennis coach at Georgia Tech. In his 10 seasons as head coach at Georgia Tech, Harmon has posted a 180-91 career record.

Harmon has guided the Yellow Jackets to nine-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the NCAA Semifinals to cap the 2017-18 season. The Jackets made three-straight NCAA Sweet 16 appearances dating back to the 2016. Most recently, Tech reached the NCAA Second Round in 2022.

Harmon has mentored 10 All-Americans, 21 all-ACC selections and has been twice-named ACC Coach of the Year (2016, 2017).

Prior to his arrival on The Flats, Harmon served as the men’s tennis head coach at Miami (1995-97), director of tennis at the Deerwood Country Club and as the USTA national coach. He also served as the U.S. men’s tennis coach at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Mike Barrell

Chairman Appointee

Based in the UK, Mike has taught tennis for over 30 years working with players of all levels and is the Founder and CEO of evolve9. Mike has presented at numerous National and International conferences and authored magazine articles and manuals, almost all in the area of Junior Development.

He has worked on programs for USTA, Tennis Australia, LTA (GB), the Netherlands and Norway. Mike was the author of the ITF Tennis10s Manual and has a been a major contributor to Under 10 programs around the World.

An LTA Level 5 Licensed Coach, he was also the 2007 PTR Professional of the Year.

WeCare

June is Member Appreciation Month

Throughout June, we will feature members and partners who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and passion, share exciting giveaways and partnership discounts, highlight member benefits, and more!

Keep an eye on our social media platforms and newsletters each week throughout the month of June!

Social & Netowrking Events

Here is your opportunity to connect and network with like-minded professionals! Your PTR International Racquets Conference includes several exciting networking events like cocktail receptions, dinner parties, and an industry breakfast. These are always exciting events that allow our PTR family to get to know one another while enjoying a beautiful resort!

Join Us at the Incredible SaddleBrook Resort

We’re covering it all… tennis, pickleball, and padel! At the PTR International Racquets Conference, you will find several days dedicated to tennis, pickleball, and padel to round out this total racquets conference! There will also be workshops available to become certified in various racquet sports- this is a great opportunity to become a dual impact member and elevate your coaching career!

Join Us at the Incredible SaddleBrook Resort

Nestled in the beautiful Tampa Bay area, this legendary resort is not only a premier vacation destination, it’s also one of the world’s most preeminent athletic training facilities. Don’t forget to explore the nearby world-famous beaches for an unforgettable coastal experience!

Enjoy an incredible resort minutes from the Gulf of Mexico while gaining career-changing insights in the world of coaching!