Meet the Pros
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Chris Dobson Chris is the former Director of Personnel for Baseline Tennis, where he oversaw the instructional staff at six clubs in southeastern Michigan. He will now spend his time on court at the Birmingham Racquet Club during the indoor season. His background in the industry is extensive and has included teaching at Franklin Athletic Club in the early to mid-nineties and owning and running Square Lake Athletic Club from 1998 to 2005. Chris is extremely versatile working with players of all ages and abilities but considers working with children his specialty. He has developed and worked with many national level juniors over the years. He played tennis at Oakland University and is committed to making a positive impact with the programs, staff and membership at the Birmingham Racquet Club. |
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Mike Graff, USPTA Currently, Mike is the President of Baseline Tennis. Mike's previous assignments with Baseline Tennis include, General Manager if Farmington Tennis Club, head pro at Birmingham Athletic Club and ran the day to day operations at the Birmingham Racquet Club. He previously spent six years as the Sports Director at The Sports Club of West Bloomfield where he had worked since 1987. He has been very involved in all aspects of Southeastern Michigan tennis, serving on the SEMTA board, USPTA Midwest Board, Competitive Training Center Coach, USTA District Endorser, Cystic Fibrosis Tennis Auction Ball and many others. He played four years of Varsity Tennis at Oakland University and graduated with a degree in Marketing in 1991. His top tennis achievement may have come when he and three other Michigan professionals were inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for 111 hours of continuous doubles play in 1990. |
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Matt Parker, USPTA – Director of Tennis Matt has taken over as the Director of Tennis at BRC after three years as the Adult Director. He graduated from Ferris State University’s Professional Tennis Management Program in May of 2004 and since then has served for five years as the Director of Tennis at the Birmingham Country Club and spent last summer as the Head Pro at the Birmingham Athletic Club. Matt’s teaching experience includes time at the Westmoreland in Chicago as well as the well-known Van de Meer Tennis Academy in Hilton Head, South Carolina. He enjoys working with all ages and levels of play and looks forward to serving all of BRC’s clientele. |
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Keri Pilkey , USPTA Keri graduated from Michigan State University in 2006, where she earned her degree in kinesiology. Keri was a member of the Michigan State tennis team. She played # 1 singles and #1 doubles for most of her career on the team. Her senior year, she was nationally ranked among the top 100 in the NCAA. Before her college career, she played at Jackson Lumen Christi High school, where she played #1 Singles for all four years and won two state championships. Keri coaches the Derby Middle School girls team and has been an integral part of BRC’s year-round staff. Keri enjoys working with all ages and levels. She brings her competiveness and enthusiasm to her students |
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Mark Reznich Mark returned to the Detroit area after spending 22 years in Europe coaching tennis. He has a long list of accomplishments with over 30 plus years of teaching tennis. Some of Mark's credentials include: Chairman of Junior Development of SEMTA for four years in the early 80's, travel coach for many internationally ranked juniors, as well as he was the National Coach of Malta which included captaining their Davis Cup and Federation Cup teams. Mark has developed himself as a high-level instructor and coach who cares deeply about getting the most out of his students. |
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Lincoln Wirgau, USPTA Lincoln is a graduate of Ferris State University's Professional Tennis Management Program and has taught at Birmingham Country Club, Dearborn Racquet and Health Club, Orchard Lake Country Club as well as the Birmingham Racquet Club. He is the varsity coach at Birmingham Marian High School and the junior varsity coach at Brother Rice. Lincoln is popular with players of all ages and abilities specializing in cardio tennis and junior development. |
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John Kanyo John believes tennis should be fun first and foremost! John has coached both boys and girls high school tennis for many years, saying, “developing young players is the most rewarding part”. John coaches and coordinates USTA Team Tennis, serves as a clinician for after-school tennis and is a USTA Official. John initiated and ran the Youth Tennis Program for Hamtramck Public Schools Park and Rec. Dept. and today enjoys working with BRC players of all ages and abilities. |
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Bill Smith, USPTA Bill is the Director of Tennis and Platform Tennis at the Birmingham Athletic Club and has come to the Birmingham Racquet Club after serving as the Director of Tennis at the Dearborn Racquet and Health Club. Previously he spent 12 years as Director of Tennis then the last 2 years as Director of Athletics and Tennis for The Fairlane Club. Bill’s tennis experience includes coaching High School boys and girls tennis, the Varsity Tennis coach for Henry Ford Community College for 6 years, overseeing the City of Dearborn Summer Tennis program and teaching at Plum Hollow Golf and Country Club. |
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Charlie Schuster, USPTA Charlie is a recent graduate of the University of Delaware. He played four years of varsity tennis at Seaholm High School and continued playing on the club team at Delaware. Charlie has taught for two years at Orchard Lake Country Club. He enjoys working with all levels of players and his high energy and love of the game are contagious.
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