Oklahoman Gary Trost Presents at Japanese Tennis Conference

Gary Trost, Director of Tennis and Fitness at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, is returning home following a multi-day conference in Tokyo, Japan. The conference was hosted by the Japan Professional Tennis Association (JPTA), who invited Trost to present on the USPTA accreditation process for new tennis professionals. The JPTA, like the USPTA, currently has the most rigorous certification process in their country.

Speaking to attendees, Gary credited the process used here in the U.S. for helping increase the overall education level of new tennis professionals, improve the employment market, and increase the number of overall tennis player taking the court. 

He also spent time observing how the testing process worked in Japan. “They are very professional and knowledgeable,” said Trost. “They have the best testers and are always wanting to improve the process.”

Gary Trost is President of the Board of Directors for USPTA, a national, democratically elected Executive Committee and Board of Directors.  

What is USPTA?

Founded in 1927, the USPTA is the global leader in tennis-teacher certification and professional development and is now the first and only USTA accredited association under the USTA Accreditation Program.

With more than 14,000 members worldwide and 17 divisions nationwide, the association’s mission is to raise the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches and to promote a greater awareness of the sport.

The USPTA offers more than 60 professional benefits to its members, including on-court liability insurance, health insurance assistance, a supplemental savings plan for retirement and offers more than 200 educational events per year for members to improve their teaching skills and increase their business knowledge.

USPTA Master Professional is the highest, most esteemed category of membership. Qualified applicants must hold an Elite Professional rating for 10 years, complete a required number of continuing education hours and fulfill a broad spectrum of industry service. 

There are only a few USPTA Master Professionals in Oklahoma, two of which being Gary Trost and USTA Oklahoma Executive Director David Minihan. The others included in this elite group are Phil Lancaster, James Shaughnessy, and Russ Warner.  

Find out more information regarding USPTA.