Fall '08 Newsletter
Next on the list for GSI Bollettieri Tournaments will be the 3.0 and 4.0 women's Singles and Doubles Championship
On Saturday November 8th at 10:30 AM, North Shore Tennis Center will host a 3.0 and 4.0 Women's Singles and Doubles tournament. The format of this tournament will include a qualifying round robin followed by a single elimination session (i.e. quarter finals, semi finals and finals). Whether you are preparing for the upcoming league season or just want to play for fun, you and your friends are all invited. Click here for more details.
The first of the GSI Bollettieri Tournament series was a great success!
Even though it was raining all around us, the North Shore Tennis Center Championship succeeded with flying colors. Close to sixty tennis patrons ranging from women and men "B" players to top flight "Open" men players competed for the right to claim they are the "BEST" at North Shore Tennis Center.
Here are the results: "B" Singles Winner - Adrian Azucey, "B" Singles Finalist - Danilo Espinal, "B" Singles Consolation Winner - Victor Kong, "A" Men's Singles Winner - Jayson Wingfield, "A" Men's Singles Finalist - Thibault Villeneuve, "A" Men's Singles Consolation Winner - Adrian Cambell, "Open" Men's Singles Winner - Freddie Azucey, "Open" Men's Singles Finalist - Renick, "Open" Men's Consolation Winner - Mario Porchelli and "Open" Men's Doubles Results - Rain delay.
GSI Bollettieri will host a series of tournaments for the '08 - '09 season
As they say," necessity is the mother of invention". Since the beginning of our relatively short run as the management team for the two public Miami Beach Tennis Facilities, we (GSI Bollettieri) have quietly implemented over 10 Junior and Adult programs that accommodates Miami Beach residences and our visitors. As a result, participants are getting better and desire more challenges. In response to public demand, we will be hosting a number of Junior and Adult tournaments throughout the year which includes USTA sanctioned tournaments as well.
To kick off the series of tournaments, GSI Bollettieri will host the first tournament (the North Shore Tennis Center Championship) on September 27th and 28th. Everyone is invited! Whether you are regulars in our adult clinics, Match Tough program, challenge ladder, leagues or even an avid player practicing on your own, you are all invited to test your skills in our first Club Championship. May the best man or women win! For more information about this tournament click here. To read more about our tournament program click here.
Two new Junior programs coming this Fall
Starting this Fall school semester, North Shore Tennis Center will host two new Junior programs (Tournament Juniors and Pee Wees).
The Tournament Juniors (Jr.s) program will specifically focus on preparing our students for the up-coming tournament season. Practices include, fitness, live ball drills, weapon building, simulated match play, tactic and strategy sessions and competitive match play (pros are available to play top flight players). To qualify, the student must be an advanced player with some tournament experience (either USTA tournaments or High School Team matches). The cost is $50 per class and requires students to try-out for the class. 4.0 and up adult players are welcomed for $50 per class ( $25 for adults with children in our Academy, Tournament Jr.s or Tournament Pee Wees program). This program starts Tuesday August 19th. No reservations required, just show up and register in person. For new students, coaches will conduct an evaluation session (at beginning of class) to determine whether or not the student qualifies.
Also new this fall, Tournament Pee Wees will begin after Labor Day on September 8th. Exclusively coached by Tom Mar, this program is designed to prepare our future stars for USTA (10 and under) tournaments. Inspired by Jackson (son of Tom Mar), this program will focus on all the fundamentals leading towards successful tournament play such as: keeping score, having good etiquette on and off the court, warm-up and prepare properly before matches, knowing how to win or how to lose, have good practice habits and most importantly, have fun! This program cost $40 per class and requires an individual evaluation session with Tom Mar. If you have any questions, send an e-mail to Tom Mar at info@gsibollettieri.com. Be sure to leave contact information in your message.
These new After School programs are offered during the Fall and Winter School Semester on Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 PM at North Shore Tennis Center only.
Match Tough resumes October 11th and 12th
With tennis season approaching, our Match Tough program is coming back on October 11th and 12th at Flamingo Park Tennis Center and North Shore Tennis Center respectively. Match Tough at Flamingo Park begins at 2:00 PM and ends approximately at 4:00 PM. North Shore starts a little earlier at 1:00 PM and ends around 3:00 PM. Each program has its own personality. Match Tough at Flamingo Park (directed by Frank Ferrera) is more suited for the advanced club player (4.0 - 4.5). Match Tough at North Shore Tennis Center, who is directed by our Tournament Jr. program coach (Rodrigo "Chico" Varas), tends to attract Open Level Players (5.0 and up) by blending top flight Junior Tournament players into the mix. Both programs include refreshments and free credit to the next Match Tough class to the winner. Cost: $20
TIP OF THE MONTH BY TOM MAR
Improve your volleys by making your first move towards the ball
When at the net, most players' first move is usually away from the ball in the form of a back swing. By that time, the ball is right on top of them causing the player to swing at the volley without stepping forward. As a result, the player has less control from swinging and makes contact on the ball further from the net and lower than ideal.
Years ago, I learned that if you commit yourself to moving forward with your feet first your hands will know what to do. But if you move your hands first, nine out ten times you will not move your feet at all which could result in a weak volley or an error.
HERE’S THE TIP - Keep your eyes glued on the ball and the player. As the player begins to swing, take a leap forward into a split and anticipate a step towards the ball as it comes towards you (split step). Your hands will naturally go into a catching motion (as opposed to a swinging motion), then finish through the ball towards your target to place the shot.
The new GSI Bollettieri Jr. Traveling team shows progress
The GSI Bollettieri Traveling Team went to their first tournament last weekend in Orlando and brought back 3 trophies. But, the real story here is not the trophies, it's the the way our kids are responding to our programs. The New Traveling Team is an advanced program that focuses on live ball, match play, strategy sessions and tournament play (modeled after Nick Bollettieri's Traveling Team program at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida).
The GSI Bollettieri Traveling Team is the direct result of all our other programs working. Some started in our Pee Wee program like Nickolas Berone who now is a top Florida ranked player in the boy's 10 and under. Some came in through our academy who already had excellent skills and are now doing very well in their standings.
After 5 years of training our local kids (mostly Miami Beach residence), there are a number of them (approximately 10 to 15) who are now traveling and playing tournaments all over the area. As mentioned, we now have a few players who are ranked highly in the State of Florida and some with respectable national rankings. We are proud to say that our grass roots programs are working.
For more details click here. For club directions click here. For prices click here.
New services offered!
Private Surfing lessons - attention "want to be surfers", James Bollettieri is available to give private surfing lessons available by appointment only and limited to ideal surf conditions. For more information - write to info@gsibollettieri.com or call North Shore Tennis Center at (305) 604-4080. For rates click here.
Tutoring - as an added service to our tennis patrons, GSI Bollettieri will offer private educational tutoring from Tom Mar's wife, Michele Mar. Michele has been teaching for fifteen years as a gifted program Instructor. Michele has two Masters' Degrees and is currently working on a Ph. D in education. For more information - write to info@gsibollettieri.com or call Michele Mar at (305) 756-1832. For rates click here.
Your suggestions are important to us!
To all members, if you have any suggestions or complaints regarding club issues, please send us an e-mail at info@gsibollettieri.com. It is very important that you do not take action on your own in that you may cause other problems. Greensquare Inc. and the City of Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department are doing everything possible to provide you with the "best tennis courts in Miami". Thank you for your cooperation, Greensquare Management.
Please follow club rules
We have had several conflicting situations from patrons not following court reservation rules, like booking consecutive hours, hopping from court to court, refusing to leave the court when their hour is up, not checking in or refusing to pay fees. Keep in mind that in order for everyone to enjoy these popular beautiful tennis courts, we must all follow club rules. The system is designed for busy clubs like ours (North Shore and Flamingo Park Tennis Centers) and only works if everyone is on the same page. Thank you for cooperating and lets all have a good time.
Vending machines are not ours
Please note that if you have any problems with those vending machines, we are not responsible. You can contact the number on the machines or call the City of Miami Beach. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Senior Clinics – we decided to offer this program shortly after one of our principals (we won’t mention who) became a senior. He made us realize that seniors need to practice too. But, all kidding a side, we will be offering a Free Clinic for seniors who are Miami Beach Residents sometime this fall.