b'FROMANCHORAGE TOFORT LAUDERDALEB orn and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, new PD DirectorNothing bounces like a ballof Racquets Colin Gillam says he feels right at homeIf you take some of the air pressure out they bounce less here, smack dab in the middle of the country. Hisaggressively and make the game more approachable for our coast-to-coast journey included stops in Georgia, Texas,growing youth. Gillam has implemented a youth-friendly, Idaho, Oregon and Montana along the trekage-staged PD Junior Racquets development program. to Hutch while competing, teaching andA variety of different-colored tennis balls with varied coaching. performance characteristics are employed for each age group. Court size and net height are also adjusted to match the Everyone Ive met here has been soappropriate age and skill level. As our youth progress through friendly and welcoming, he says. Ivethe age ranks they are rewarded with a PD Junior Racquets settled in and feel just like Im back int-shirt with vibrant colors to match the balls. Junior Racquets my hometown. has been an immediate success. Juniors can sign up for the three fall sessions, the full season, or drop in for individual The elephant on the court clinics.Prairie Dunes is internationally renowned for golf, not racquet sports. Gillam acknowledges this and is eager to levelHeres what the kids are saying. up the competition. I understand the challenge and plan to leverage the worldwide uptick in racquets popularity to help gain traction for our programs. I want to build the next PD racquets program from the ground up. Im starting with our kids, hoping to grow a new generation of tennis fanatics.FUN. HARD. FRIENDS. He also hopes to entice members of the Dunes olderSUPER FAST. COACH. generationthose who have never played or given upCOOL. SMASHING IT. LIKE SERENA.playing tennis for one reason or anotherwith lower stressMONSTER SMASHER.play and more social programs and learning opportunities. Red ball for adults and, of course, Pickleball are two crowdROCKET BAT.favorites.Speaking of crowd favorites, PD cardio tennis has never beenmore popular at the Club. Gillam notes, Its been around for 20-plus years and members love it. They hit a ton of balls and get that much-needed Zone 2/Zone 3 cardio workout while having a blast with friends. The Stairmaster will never compete.26'