The Punta Gorda Club

The depth and experience of our professional coaching staff is unrivaled in Florida. Our staff of four teaching professionals have over 75 years of coaching experience between them. They have taught at quality resorts and clubs throughout the world, and have coached for years on the international tennis tour.

In addition to this impressive experience, they have also coached Olympic medalists, Grand Slam champions, and highly ranked juniors. Moreover, they have experience in instructing for wheelchair tennis, programs for the blind, and the Special Olympics. Our professionals have written books and produced tennis videos, inspiring thousands of people of all ages and ability levels to begin to play the wonderful game of tennis.

Most importantly, our professional instructors teach tennis from the heart. They truly love the game of tennis and care about making every lesson a special experience for each and every student. They strive to make the game easy and fun to learn, whether you are a four-year old or an eighty four-year old, just taking up the game for the first time.

Ted Murray, Club Owner and Manager

Education:
Ball State University - Division I Tennis

Certifications:
USPTA Pro 1 since 1976 USPTA Sports Science Levels 1 & 2 Cardio Tennis Speakers Team Member

Special Expertise:
Teaching all levels of tennis players
Coaching competitive teams & Juniors

Outstanding Accomplishments:
Has taught tennis in 35 countries
Coach Leander Paes, Olmypic medalist and winner of 6 Grand Slam doubles titles
Author of book, Tennis Unlimited
Speaker at USPTA, USPTR, & IHRSA conventions
Competitive runner and triathlete

Along with his 28 years teaching experience, he has developed and run tennis programs in 5 countries. He is co-author of the book Tennis Unlimited and loves to make the game fun and understandable for complete beginners up to touring professionals.

Jim McGarry, Tennis Professional and Tennis Director

Education:
University of South Florida - B.A. Business

Certifications:
USPTA - Pro 1 since 1992
USTA - Sports Science Level 1

Special Expertise:
Making tennis fun and building enthusiasm for the game
Teaching all levels of tennis players

Outstanding Accomplishments:
Teaching over 10,000 players in 10 years
Coaching tennis and living in 8 countries
Tennis Director at Disney Resorts for 5 years

Jim was the former director of tennis at the Dorado Beach Hotel in Puerto Rico and the Tennis Director at the Disney Resorts from 1997 to 2004. Jim has authored numerous articles in international tennis magazines as well as the tennis instruction editor at at www.lifetips.com since 2001.

Alan Karam, Tennis Professional

Education:
International College – Sports Psychology
Univ. of Koblenz – Biomechanics & Fitness Training

Certifications:
ITF Certified Coach – S. African Tennis Assoc.
USPTR Certified Coach
USPTA Sports Science Levels 1 & 2

Special Expertise:
Coaching top juniors and circuit players
Making tennis fun for players of all ages

Outstanding Accomplishments:
National Coach – S. African Tennis Assoc. for 5 years
Coached on Professional Circuit – 10 years
Coached S. African Junior Team to Hopman Cup Victory
Played professionally on the ATP tour for 4 years

For more information, please contact: Jim McGary, Tennis Director
(941) 505.0999 or by email