Tennis: Teaching Staff

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Tennis Teaching Staff

The Aspen Hill Club’s staff is a blend of PTR professionals who are involved in state regional and national competition. They are skilled in the latest teaching techniques for private and group lessons for all ages and abilities.

Jeff Klein (PTR) – Director of Tennis – Jeff has worked at the Aspen Hill Club since 1979. He has coached players from beginners to professionals playing in the US Open. Jeff has been Co-Director of the AHC Junior Program, Head Pro and the first Head Coach of the USTA Area Training at the AHC. Jeff brings a deep knowledge and commitment to all members, as well as an innovative and light-hearted teaching style.

Geoff O’Neill (PTR) – Assistant Director of Tennis – Geoff joined our staff after being a Club member for many years. He is a former instructor for the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation. Geoff is involved in the adult drills and has developed the Hit and Run programs, which are some of our more popular programs.

Ken Guendel (PTR) – Director of Junior Tennis – Ken has been at the Club since 1988. He has been Head Pro and the Head Coach for the USTA Area Training Center here at AHC. He has been ranked #1 in Mid-Atlantic in both singles and doubles in the Men’s 40’s division. He has had a ranking of #30 in the US in singles and has been ranked in the top 10 in doubles. He coached Ryan Martin, world #1 wheelchair player in the ‘A’ Division and Mike Goodwin, former Mid-Atlantic #1 junior standout and Division III National Rookie of the Year of 2005.

Additionally, Ken has coached the National Championship Junior Team in Ecuador. He has been a featured speaker at the USTA National Teachers Conference and the PTR International Tennis Symposium. Ken was also awarded the First Annual USTA/Maryland Teaching Pro of the Year award in 2003.

Claude Grady – Assistant Director of Junior Tennis – Claude has been involved with the Junior Program for the past six years. Currently, he heads up our Advanced Juniors. After being ranked as a top Mid-Atlantic junior and being selected for the prestigious USTA Player Development Program, Claude went on to start for the University of Kentucky Men’s Tennis Team. He coached at the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation for several years before joining our staff.

Norma Baker (PTR) – Staff Pro – Norma has been at the Club as a member and coach for over ten years. She heads up our Little Tennis and Beginner Programs using the Quick Start Method. Norma played her collegiate tennis at Hillsboro College in Florida and has also been a Tennis Coach at Jay Reynolds College in Richmond, Virginia.

Jeff Fretwell (PTR) – Staff Pro – Jeff joined the staff at AHC this past summer and is a recent graduate of The Citadel in South Carolina, where he played his collegiate tennis. Jeff worked with the Van der Meer Tennis Academy in South Carolina for two years and at their satellite site in Sweetbriar, Virginia.

Merritt Johnson (PTR) – Staff Pro – Merritt has over 10 years teaching experience and 2 years experience playing USTA Professional Satellites. He has been ranked as high as #2 in the Mid-Atlantic in the Men’s 35 and over and as high as #36 nationally. Merritt is a graduate of Norfolk State University where he played his collegiate tennis. He worked with Washington Tennis and Education Foundation for five years before coming to AHC. Merritt has experience working with juniors and prides himself in his ability to help contribute to their growth both as players and individuals.

Linda Baim (PTR) – Staff Pro – Linda has been involved in tennis as a competitive player, instructor and manager since 1980. For many years Linda was the Tennis Director at the Aspen Hill Club until she retired in 1998. During those years she was ranked both in the Mid-Atlantic and the Nation in doubles. She has since returned to the club to add her administrative and teaching experience to many areas of the tennis program.

Carole Ford – Staff Pro – Carole has been at the club since 1990. Since retiring from the Pro Tour, Carole continued playing National tournaments and racked up a couple Senior Women’s doubles Gold Balls. She does an exceptional job with Linda Baim working with many of the club’s competitive women’s tennis teams.