The courts were professionally constructed by Whalen Tennis Construction, a company in Asheville that also built the courts for Duke University and hundreds of clubs and schools all over the southeast. After the clinics, participants will be able to enjoy a woodfired pizza buffet in the garden pavilion by the courts.
Laudisio and his wife, Mary Lyth, are the owners of Giardini Trattoria, but in a “former” life Laudisio was a teaching pro for many years. In 1986, Laudisio first trained at Van der Meer Tennis Academy in Hilton Head, S.C., one of the premier facilities in the country for training professional tennis teachers. Personally mentored by the legendary coach Dennis Ven der Meer, Laudisio has been playing USTA competitive tennis, as well as coaching USTA teams, for more than 20 years.
“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to coach once again,” says Laudisio. “The restaurant takes a lot of my time, but with these beautiful courts in my own backyard, tennis can once again become a focal point of my day.”
Greene, who lives just outside Tryon, started playing at age 8, and since then tennis has been a lifelong passion. He also trained at Van der Meer Tennis University and has been a certified teaching professional since 1996. He has worked under the tutelage of Paul Scarpa, men’s head coach at Furman University, recognized as “the winningest coach in NCAA history.”
Serving as assistant director at Furman Tennis Camps in Greenville, S.C., Greene is presently the instructor for Furman University’s OLLE tennis programs. Throughout his career as head coach or head pro, Greene strives to provide quality and retainable instruction for all skill levels.
“I promote process over outcome,” said Greene. “This style challenges my players to grow and learn each time they walk out on the court, no matter what level they might be playing at.”
The Giuseppe Matteo Tennis Club has several different membership opportunities. There are charter memberships with unlimited play, out-of-town memberships and pay-as-you-play memberships, as well as the ability to take individual lessons. The club will have the convenience of an innovative online reservation system so individuals can sign up for their own court time.
“The ease and convenience of organizing a small business through Internet services these days is truly revolutionary,” said Laudisio.
For more information, email JoeTns@aol.com or call 828-817-4939. Laudisio and Greene request that you call to register to attend the free open house so they are able to organize the afternoon activities for everyone’s optimum benefit.
– article submitted by Mary Lyth