USTA Northern California is proud to present the Awards Celebrating Excellence in Service (ACES), honoring the section’s best organizations, volunteers and players for their outstanding achievements and service to the game of tennis for 2019.

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Sunday, February 9, 2020

11:00 AM - 12:00 NOON
Welcome Reception

12:00 NOON - 2:00 PM
Luncheon & Awards Presentation

Chateau Hall at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center

233 Gregory Lane
Pleasant Hill, California 94523
www.pleasanthillrec.com

2019 President's Awards

Betty Cookson Lifetime Achievement Award

John Sharpe

Fred A. Earle Teaching Pro of the Year

Dale Evans

Member Organization of the Year

Lafayette Tennis Club

2019 Community Tennis ACES

Outstanding Community Tennis Volunteer

Garry and Marylin Hurlbut

Outstanding Community Tennis Association

Rancho Calaveras Community Tennis Association

NJTL Chapter of the Year

San Francisco Recreation and Park: Tennis Learning Centers

2019 Diversity ACES

Diversity & Inclusion Service Awards

Larry J. Platt

Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer Award

Lou Maunapau

Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Award

Francisco Ruiz

2019 Wheelchair ACES

Outstanding Wheelchair Volunteer
Jesse Scott

Ned Mansfield Memorial Award
Lisa Cummings

2019 Tournament ACES

Most Outstanding Senior Tournament

Marin Championships
The Marin Championships is going into its 44th year in 2020. Mill Valley Tennis Club has been the host and principal site since it started. The tournament offers age categories 30-75 and awards over $25,000 in prize money. A Category 2 National tournament, it has almost 300 entrants each year from around the country. The tournament wouldn’t be successful without the support of the Board, staff and members of Mill Valley Tennis Club, the tireless volunteers and the satellite sites.

Most Outstanding NTRP Tournament, Co-Awardees

Napa Valley Tennis Classic
Many players love playing the Napa Valley Tennis Classic.  Players comment that the staff at the Napa Valley Tennis Classic goes above and beyond to put the players first and ensure a wonderful tournament experience.

The 11th Annual Pam Krone Memorial NTRP Tournament
The Pam Krone Memorial NTRP Tournament will be going into its 12^th year in 2020.  Players who play this tournament like the format of the tournament, the amenities and the hospitable staff.   This tournament consistently gets high ratings from the players.  Some players consider the  Pam Krone Memorial NTRP Tournament to be one of the best run tournaments in Northern California.

Most Outstanding Open Tournament

Rollingwood Cinco de Mayo Open
May players enjoy the Rollingwood Cinco De Mayo Open and gave the tournament high evaluations.  Players enjoy the friendly and hardworking staff.  They also enjoy the amenities that are given out at the tournament. 

Adult Tournament Volunteer of the Year

Anna Elefant
Anna has contributed many volunteer hours in 2019 to help make Adult Tournaments better.  She is currently a member of the USTA NorCal Adult Tournament Committee and has attended many meetings including meetings to work on new pilot tournaments.  Anna also volunteered at a number of events including the Tri-level Mixed Team Tournament and the 2019 Adult Grand Prix.

Adult Tournament Director of the Year

Ian Mindell
Ian does a fantastic job hosting a number of tournaments throughout the year at Tahoe Donner Tennis Club.  Players enjoy the tournaments that Ian is the tournament director of.  Ian continuously goes above and beyond to make the tournament enjoyable for all players.   

2019 Umpire ACES

Umpire of the Year

Kevin Ware
Kevin has been a USTA certified umpire for 6 years.  He has grown tremendously as an umpire; excelling in all areas of officiating including being a referee, line umpire and chair umpire.  Kevin has recently been selected to work the 2020 Australian Open.  His peers say that he is friendly and approachable and is always ready to help out with any situation.

Rookie Umpire of the Year

Vinod Herur
For being only his second year as an umpire, Vinod has excelled in many areas of officiating.   Vinod has been working events in the NorCal section as well as being hired to be a line umpire at professional events such as WTA San Jose, ATP Cincinnati and Winston Salem.  He is a great team player and is always open to learning more and improving.

Referee of the Year

Joan Vormbaum
Joan is currently in her 39th year of umpiring and loves what she does.  When being the referee at tournaments, her experience, organization and knowledge of the rules help for making a smooth tournament.  Joan is a great team player and is always willing to share her knowledge with others and help mentor other umpires at the tournaments she is working at. 

2019 Adult Leagues ACES

Service to Leagues

Larry Olmstead

League Volunteer of the Year

Henry Chang

League Facilities of the Year, Co-Awardees

Laguna Creek Sports Club

Local League Area Coordinator of the Year

Helen Berott

2019 Adult League Captains of the Year

Diablo North – Annette Clear

Diablo South – Vicente Belizario

East Bay – Yen Lim

South Bay – Nathan Michael Mertz

Mid Peninsula – Paula Guslani

Lower Peninsula – Gwen Tran

Monterey Bay – Karen Ehlers

North Counties – Rosie Gilbert-Ahrens

Napa/Solano – Imelda Lee

Reno/Tahoe – Jean Van Well

Sacramento – Betty Williams

Marin – Sean Maher

Sonoma/Mendocino – Allison Hackett

Fresno – Doris Harpain

San Francisco – Gillian Khoo

Upper Peninsula – Dave Kling

2019 Tyler Nii Memorial Scholarship Award

Kate Duong

From Cupertino, CA. Attends Cupertino High School.

Dean Babb

From Roseville, CA. Attends Jesuit High School.

Should you have any questions, contact John Franco.