The highest annual honor in recognition of a Professional Tennis Coach for the state of California has been awarded to Mike Van Zutphen. Mike was named California USPTA Professional of the Year. No stranger to honors, this is another deserving achievement, recognizing his tremendous contributions to the sport of tennis. Mike is a dedicated, passionate, fun and hard worker, bringing his love of tennis to so many players around the world.

In addition to the 2015 award Mike has also earned a number of other tennis honors, including:

  • 5 Time Southwest Professional of the Year
  • 2007 Champions of Tennis USPTA ( Member of the Year)
  • 2 Time Southwest Coach of the Year
  • 2 Time Recipient of the National USTA Community Service Award
  • 20 Years Southwest Tester of the Year
  • Winner and #1 World Ranking Men’s 45 Singles USPTA 2000
  • Winner and #1 World Ranking Men’s 35 Doubles USPTA 98
  • Inducted into the Tennis Teachers Hall of Fame 1995
  • 9 Time Convention Chair for SWPTA Convention held at Mesa Country Club with Governor and World Champions as attendees and Speakers
  • Host of own TV show “Strokes and Strategies” for public television. Shown on ASPN, Channel 34, and Channel 19, the Educational Channel.
  • National Board Member Testing committee designing and administering content and certification for USPTA.
  • Member of USPTA Executive Committee representing the Southwest for 5 years and Divisional President 4 years.

About Mike Van Zutphen

Mike lives in Newport Beach California and is the Director of Tennis at SeaCliff Country Club in Huntington Beach. He has 2 daughters and a wonderful wife of 35 years. He is still coaching tour players in the 200 level ATP and 100 Level WTA. He works on his website the one minute tennis lesson to help his members and clients with mechanical proficiency. Mike trained 2 NCAA Division 1 National Champions and the Junior Wimbledon Champion Wesley Whitehouse. He played World Team Tennis for Phoenix Racquets and also worked with Pat Dupre who achieved ATP world ranking of 12 and had wins over John McEnroe. Mike has worked with some of his heroes teaching clinics for, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Vic Braden and Dennis Van Der Meer. I have taught in New Zealand for a year working with top Juniors and did testing for the USPTA. Mike is a USPTA Master Professional and Inductee into the Tennis Teachers Hall of Fame. I enjoy teaching all levels of players from tiny tots to young up and coming stars. The method of progressions I use can and does developing players quickly. The majority of my lessons are club players who want to climb the NTRP ladder to the next level. I look forward to working with you to develop your game.

 

Mike’s Philosophy on Tennis

The stages of development are very important to the experience every tennis player has to get better in the game. The type of lesson given and style of teaching is also a factor in the fun and enjoyment of your lesson. The coach that can help a student and keep them in tennis is helping the game. The best coach can diagnosis and cure and follow an effective plan with progressions to help the student learn and retain the information given. He can communicate well with enthusiasm, clarity and brevity following a outline or stated plan organized in logical steps that challenges the student and achieves success. This coach can keep the student moving and also learning with good action and explanation when necessary to maximize time efficiently. This is planned development organized and structured