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 2023. They were officially recognized at the 2024 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 John Harrington – Raftermen)
Special thanks goes to Sam Crenshaw of 92.9 The Game for being our Master of Ceremonies.
Special recognition goes to the Macon Area Tennis Association “Net Therapy” (Adaptive Tennis Award) for also receiving the USTA Southern award in their respective category.
Not pictured: Ava Rodriguez (Hardie Family Award for Junior Sportsmanship), Giorgia Vitale (First Horizon Tennis Professional of the Year), Terry Alexander (Signature Tennis Courts Award for Tennis Director of the Year).
Ruth Ryner Lay Award
for Lifetime Achievement
Mark Botsch
John Callen “Excellence in Leadership” Award
Maegan Kulich
Presidents Award
Amy O’Connell
Adult Tournament of the Year
Mercer Tennis Classic
Al Parker Junior Player of the Year
Ethan Lashley
Charles H. Cox, Jr. Award
Adult Player of the Year
Jan Kirkland
USTA League Male
Captain of the Year
Todd Smith
USTA League Female
Captain of the Year
Dayna Johnson
Jerry Baskin Scholar
Athlete of the Year
Andy Jung
Junior Tournament of the Year
Junior Banana Open
Kathleen & Cannon Carr High
School Coach of the Year
Robert Woodworth
Local League
Coordinator of the Year
Eddie Stokes
Mac MacDougal Tennis
Official of the Year
Linda Edmonds
Marc Kaplan Media
Excellence Award
Doug Walker
NJTL Chapter of the Year
Tennisworks!
Randy Stephens Award for
State Volunteer Service
Eric Schmook
Richard C. Botsch
Educational Merit Award
Nathaniel Mercer
Special Tennis Event of the Year
Christmas Toy Tournament
Team Tennis Event of the Year
USTA Georgia Tri-Level State
USTA Junior Team Tennis
Captain of the Year
Jennifer Hornsby
Wheelchair Excellence Award
Mark LaRotonda
Adaptive Tennis Award
Macon Area Tennis Association “Net Therapy”
Dr. Robert Bunnen Community Tennis Association of the Year
Columbus Regional Tennis Association
Janet Louer Junior Team Tennis Coordinator of the Year
Brittany Mize
Outstanding Parks & Recreation Department
Bibb County Parks & Recreation
James Kincaid Family Award for Family of the Year
The Will Ku Family
Member Organization of the Year
Above the Net
