USTA Georgia Awards

2023 USTA Georgia Award Winners

USTA Georgia announced the recipients for the organization’s 2023 awards, which recognize outstanding achievements statewide in tennis both on and off the court. Thirty awards comprise the full list of honors, and the award winners will be officially recognized at the USTA Georgia Community Tennis Development Workshop in February. This annual awards ceremony seeks to distinguish outstanding individuals in discipline categories. Winners are nominated by their peers, with the USTA Georgia Awards Committee having the final authority on awards selections.

The list is highlighted by Mark Botsch receiving the Ruth Ryner Lay Lifetime Achievement Award along with Maegan Kulich being named the John Callen “Excellence in Leadership” Award recipient. USTA Atlanta Executive Director Amy O’Connell will receive the coveted Presidents Award.

The awards ceremony will take place the evening of Saturday February 10th at the JW Marriott Buckhead.

Below is the list of the 2023 winners:

Adaptive Tennis Award – Macon Area Tennis Association “Net Therapy”
Adult Tournament of the Year – Mercer Tennis Classic (Macon)
Al Parker Award for Junior Player of the Year – Ethan Lashley (Macon)
Charles H. Cox, Jr. Award for Adult Player of the Year – Jan Kirkland (Fayetteville)
Dr. Robert Bunnen Community Tennis Association of the Year – Columbus Regional TA
Hardie Family Award for Junior Sportsmanship of the Year – Ava Rodriguez (Gainesville)
First Horizon Tennis Professional of the Year – Giorgia Vitale (Columbus)
James Kincaid Family Award for Family of the Year – The Will Ku Family (Woodstock)
Janet Louer Junior Team Tennis Coordinator of the Year – Brittany Mize (Coosa Valley TA)
Jerry Baskin Scholar Athlete of the Year – Andy Jung (Columbus)
John Callen “Excellence in Leadership” Award – Maegan Kulich (USTA Atlanta)
Junior Tournament of the Year – Junior Banana Open (Columbus)
Kathleen & Cannon Carr High School Coach of the Year Award – Robert Woodworth (North Hall)
Local League Coordinator of the Year – Eddie Stokes (Coosa Valley TA)
Mac MacDougal Tennis Official of the Year – Linda Edmonds (Newnan)
Marc Kaplan Media Excellence Award – Doug Walker (Rome News Tribune)
Member Organization of the Year Award – Above the Net (McDonough)
NJTL Chapter of the Year – Tennisworks! (Columbus Regional TA)
Outstanding Parks & Recreation Department – Bibb County Parks & Recreation
Presidents Award – Amy O’Connell (USTA Atlanta)
Randy Stephens Award for State Volunteer Service – Eric Schmook (Sandy Springs)
Richard C. Botsch Educational Merit Award – Nathaniel Mercer (Flowery Branch)
Ruth Ryner Lay Award for Lifetime Achievement – Mark Botsch (Atlanta)
Signature Tennis Courts Award for Tennis Director of the Year – Terry Alexander (Sugar Creek)
Special Tennis Event of the Year – Christmas Toy Tournament (Columbus Regional TA)
Team Tennis Event of the Year – USTA Georgia Tri-Level State Championship
USTA Junior Team Tennis Captain of the Year – Jennifer Hornsby (Macon Area TA)
USTA League Female Captain of the Year – Dayna Johnson (Columbus Regional TA)
USTA League Male Captain of the Year – Todd Smith (Macon Area TA)
Wheelchair Excellence Award – Mark LaRotonda (Alpharetta)

2022 USTA Georgia Award Winners

Every year, USTA Georgia recognizes the outstanding accomplishments made by tennis players, coaches, tournaments directors and other professionals across the state. Below you’ll find the list of award winners for 2022. They were officially recognized at the 2023 Community Tennis Development Workshop at the JW Marriott Buckhead. Congratulations to all of them on their achievements in tennis across the state of Georgia! (photos courtesy of Dane Sponberg).

Special thanks goes to Sam Crenshaw of 92.9 The Game for being our Master of Ceremonies.

Special recognition goes to the USTA Atlanta Combo Doubles Tournament (Adult Tournament of the Year) & Darren Potkey (Mac MacDougal Tennis Official of the Year) for also receiving the USTA Southern award in their respective category.