Jorge Capestany, manager of the DeWitt Tennis Center at Hope College, has earned Master Professional Status with the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), becoming only the ninth person worldwide to hold Master Pro distinction with both the PTR and the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA).
PTR Master Professional certification recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to tennis throughout their careers. Considerations include teaching, coaching and playing experience; service to the community to facilitate the growth of tennis; service to the PTR and other tennis associations; professional development; publications, presentations and/or research; and tournament administration. The eligibility requirements also include having been certified at the Professional Level for at least nine years.
The USPTA had named him a Master Professional in 1992. He was the youngest Master Professional in the USPTA's history.
Capestany has managed the college's DeWitt Tennis Center since the fall of 2003 and is a 27-year veteran of the tennis industry.
His new Master Professional certification marks the second time this year that he has earned recognition from the PTR. In February the registry named him the "Michigan Pro of the Year," the sixth time that either the PTR or the USPTA had awarded him the honor.
In February 2006 he was named "Facility Manager of the Year" by the Midwest Division of the USPTA, which had twice previously named him "Midwest Professional of the Year." Other honors that he has received through the years have included being named "Man of the Year" by the Grand Rapids Tennis Patrons and receiving the Cap Leighton Award from the Midwest section of the United States Tennis Association (USTA). He has developed hundreds of ranked juniors, including three national champions.
Earlier this year he launched a new video-based tennis instructional Web site ( www.tennisdrills.tv) that has more than 660 video clips of tennis drills and tips. He has spoken at several national and world tennis conventions, and has served as a consultant to many clubs and professionals. He is a past president of the Western Michigan USTA district and the USPTA Midwest Division.
He is a 1984 graduate of Grand Valley State University, and is USTA Sports Science level 1-certified.
Founded in 1976 and one of only two organizations that certify tennis professionals to be teachers, the PTR is the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals, with more than 13,000 members in 126 countries. The registry's mission is to educate, certify and serve tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to grow the game.