2020 Cliffy Awards

Despite an extended close period and extremely limited programming options this spring and summer, Director of Tennis Dominic Mahboubi and his team at Crandon Park have grown their business and have the courts bustling with action at this historic tennis center. From the high performance academy to the active adult programs, Crandon Park is back to being a major hub of tennis in South Florida.

 

“I’m so proud of the team at Crandon Park for the culture they have created at the club,” said Scott McCulloch, Vice President of Operations. “It was a challenging few months, but they have come out of the lockdown operating more efficiently than ever, and the future looks incredibly bright, as 2021 could be the biggest year they’ve ever had.”

Perennially known as one of the busiest clubs in the Hamptons each summer, Southampton Racquet Club showed record membership and programming growth all while adding enhanced safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Elliot Pegg and his team gave New Yorkers a safe and social outdoor escape when they needed it most.

 

“It’s not easy to make major changes at a place that has done so well for so long,” said Scott Colebourne, Chief Operations Officer for Cliff Drysdale Tennis. “Elliot and his team embraced safety and social distancing from day one, and it ended up leading to their most successful summer since we started managing the club.”

Taking the lead at one of the most prolific and acclaimed tennis resorts in the U.S, Robert Wright has prioritized the small details to enhance the guest experience. Improved internal and external communication combined with a focus on growing the local pro-gram has led to a record number of junior players and dozens of new beginner players taking up the sport. With travel beginning to pick up again, Wright has also introduced a safe and engaging experience for adult tennis camps.

In his second year leading the program at Chateau Elan, Kirkham has substantially improved offerings for both tennis and pickleball players. Kirkham has grown the local USTA and ALTA teams at the club, as well as introduced weekly Pickleball social sessions and instructional clinics. He also led efforts for the first ever Tennis and Wine Weekend with Cliff Drysdale Tennis, an adult tennis camp hosted in September that saw 20 players enjoy a unique on and off court experience.

An incredibly experienced and talented pro, Jose Carlos Hidalgo leads the High Performance Academy at Santa Ana Country Club, where many of the top ranked players in Costa Rica train day in and day out. He sets the tone for their work ethic, sportsmanship, tactics and mental strength. Hidalgo also has been a crucial part of building the tennis membership at Santa Ana, which has quickly become a hub for social tennis play in Costa Rica.

 

“Jose sets a great example for all of our players, and has made our high performance academy one of the best in Costa Rica,” said Daniel Lopez, Director of Tennis at Santa Ana Country Club. “We are very lucky to have him here, and I know that all of our members and junior players are very appreciative of his coaching expertise.”

One of the key figures at Weston Racquet Club, Carolina Costamagna has gone above and beyond to help the club in any way possible. She has gone out of her comfort zone to attract new clients, and has become one of the member favorites in clinics and lessons. There’s no doubt that the future is very bright for Carolina!

 

“Carolina started with us as a very raw pro with a lot of knowledge, but she has grown into such a great member of the team who engages with all of our players and is always up for whatever challenge comes her way,” said Albert Fernandez, Director of Tennis at Weston Racquet Club.

Having joined the corporate marketing team early in 2020, Moeller has quickly become a key resource for all CDT managed clubs in developing and executing effective content plans to help drive business and participation. From daily social media production to implementing new email marketing procedures, Moeller has streamlined the marketing process for tennis directors and pros across the world, and the results have been clear!

Anya Egorova-Coerver has played a number of key roles during her career at Cliff Drysdale Tennis, including most recently at both Tyler Athletic and Swim Club, and the newly managed Southern Trace Country Club. Whether it’s on or off the court, Egorova knows how to connect with members, quickly resolve issues, assist with marketing of events, and always be there to help out the team.

A graduate of CDT’s Professional Tennis U (PTU) program, Teg Lozano epitomizes the Ultimate Tennis Experience. Now the Director of Tennis at The Club at Castlewood, Lozano is one of the clearest examples of somebody who truly loves tennis, and his energy on the court and in life exudes just that. He has lifted the CDT brand through his entertaining and engaging social media profiles, and through his work at special events around the nation.

A self-described tennis nomad of sorts, Mitch Joyce has delivered tennis experiences around the globe. Now based at John Newcombe Country Club and as a traveling pro for CDT, Joyce has taken tennis ambassadors to the next level through his unmatched on and off court style. Whether you’re in the middle of a clinic or scrolling through Instagram, you’ll be sure to see Joyce’s positivity and passion for tennis shine through.