NATE SCHULMAN CUP

NATE SCHULMAN CUP

... Palm Springs

VegasTennis.com took numerous players down to the NATE SCHULMAN CUP in Palm Springs and many had trophy's to show for their valiant efforts. What amazed me was that the Vegas kids not only could handle California competition, but in many cases dominated. I always knew the notion that other states had more to offer was false. In reality, there is enough great talent in Las Vegas. It was just a matter of getting all those players together often to compete and challenge one another so all can continue to rise. That is now happening.

On the trip were Frideric Prandecki, who beat the number one seed in the 18's in an amazing 3 set semi final. He then went to take second place. Trenton Alenik won the back draw of the 18's. Julia Baltas played two divisions reaching the semi finals of the 18's and winning the 16's. Exchange student from Russia Anya Bukina reached the semi-finals in the girls 16's. Kimberly Yee played incredibly reaching the finals of the girls 12's, and Kimberly is only 8 years old. Tiffany Taveras played very well reaching the semifinals of the girls 12's. Anita Lee won the girls 14's consolation.

One of the better matches had to be Anya Bukina vs Kaja Banas in the girls 16's. Anya won in a very close battle. Also on the trip was Ozzie Taveras, German exchange student Emanuel Haug, new local players Kaja and Maia Banas and their mom. Zack Macareag , who reached the 16's consolation final and Jesse Capps also came down, as did Chris Painter and his parents.

Palm Springs weather was incredible and the Rancho Las Palmas Country Club was one of the most beautiful tennis centers I have ever seen. I can understand why Bob Schulman's dad Nate loved Palm Springs so much. Every club is extravagant and tennis is every where. This tournament is a tribute to Nate Schulman's love of life, and nothing more expresses this passion then the picture of him hitting a back hand at 94 years old.

Harry Fritz, a long time friend of Marty Hennessy, ran the tournament and told me of the stories of Hennessy and himself having fun over the last 30 years with tennis. Fritz, who was the #1 pro in Canada and a touring pro for a number of years said Hennessy was better then many of the touring pro's, but seemed to love teaching tennis and living in Las Vegas with his wife and kids instead of the life of the men's tour. They use to call him "The Iron man" for his unbridled work ethic and ability to teach lessons all day and then go and take sets off these touring pro's at tournaments.

The trip was a great success, with the kids performing well. Most of all, the kids got to know one another and in the end this will be the greatest benefit of all. Creating a tennis community in the real sense comes from trips like this. VegasTennis.com can continue to do it's part to bring tennis alive in the Valley one match at a time.

Thanks to VegasTenis.com's Marty Hennessy Jr Tennis Foundation and Bob and Winnie Schulman, who made it possible for this trip to happen. Without the financial help of many of you it would not be possible to offer the advanced kids these chances to compete. In the future, VegasTennis.com's Marty Hennessy jr. Tennis Foundation will be looking for a van or SUV to use in taking kids to these types of tournaments. If you have the ability to donate such a van it would make a huge difference.

Junior tennis has come a long way since 3 years ago when each club and even players were segregated from one another. Now, in the spirit of cooperation, all organizations and clubs are working together, and in the end that means better and more advanced tennis for everyone. Because in fact, if all of us just do our part the end result is a VegasTennis that is on fire. Look at the evidence with Tim Blenkiron's students Cristala Andrews reaching the quarters of the Orange Bowl in Florida. Asia Muhammad beat the #1 girl in France to reach the quarters in the Orange Bowl. Then Simone Kalhorn, who is coached by David Pate at BALLY'S , reached the finals and took second in the California Bowl. Just weeks ago in an open national, three of the 4 semifinalists were Vegas girls. In this past sectional a Vegas girl was in every final, and Tim Blenkiron's Vegas girls won the 14's, 16's, and 18's. His two boys Kamran Linden won the boy's 12's, as I predicted, and Rishi Daulat took 2nd in the 16's. Tim Blenkiron students had a big year.

Thanks to the Nevada Tennis Association, devoted coaches and clubs like David Pate, Tim Blenkiron, Saad Ashraaf, Ben Coates, Zdenek Cernoch, Marty Hennessy, Kevin Bradley, Jeff Foley, Ken Shioi, Adolph Huddleston, Rob Merriman, Michael James, Owen Hambrook and many others, Las Vegas juniors are thriving. This could not be possible without the feeder programs that exist all over town, and most notably George McCall's Foundation which has been developing Champions for years. Leon Vernon's tennis program has helped introduce the Mc'Call kids into tournament tennis and ultimately into a better life, with scholarships and a sense of self worth. With something positive to do, kids no longer need to fill the boredom with meaningless

activities. Instead of smoking cigarettes at the mall, chasing trouble, many kids now play tennis on the weekends chasing glory; And this makes a huge difference. Kids need something to do, and with a productive activity available to them they can keep occupied while developing characteristics that will carry them through all of life's challenges. "NO QUIT," hustle, focus, honesty, patience, respect... these are just a few.

Thanks to everyone involved, 2004 was a very successful year. The tournaments were once again larger then they have ever been and the good will and enthusiasm as good as I have ever seen it. Now we move forward into 2005 forgetting yesterday to make an even better tomorrow. Thank you for your participation and love of life.