San Diego Honors Local Standouts, Service Award Winners

Passion, dedication and excellence were at the heart of every recipient who recently received an award sponsored by the San Diego District Tennis Association (SDDTA).

Eight people and three organizations or events were honored by over 125 in attendance at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.

Among the honorees was tennis advocate Jim Winters, who received the District’s Community Service Award for his excellence in leadership, volunteering and a lifetime of making the San Diego tennis world a better place. A longtime supporter of the LGBT tennis community, Winters received a standing ovation for his drive and determination that produced multiple pathways and playing opportunities. He has also contributed to under-served youth tennis, taught free local clinics to players of all ages, and so much more.

“I’m always in awe of community service winners like Jim and I feel a little bit guilty thinking I’m not doing more,” said Jim Lackritz, a longtime friend and the event Master of Ceremonies.“ Jim Winters has a long list of accomplishments and we may not have time to list them all. I wonder, when does he sleep?”

Winters’ influence goes back to 1983 when he founded the San Diego Tennis Federation, the first ever LGBT organization in San Diego for open and elite gay players as well as anyone who wanted to play tennis. The Federation offered informal open pot luck round robin play, a challenge ladder, and an annual dual club match with the Los Angeles Tennis Association. Winters also helped organizational efforts that have raised money for The AIDS Walk of San Diego, Feed America SD, SD Pride Festival, Toys For Kids in Imperial County and We Care, the latter a holiday charity event for at risk kids and low income families.

Read the complete "San Diego honors local standouts, service award winners" article from the Southern California Tennis Association.