Staff

Rome Tennis Center: 706.236.4490

COLT GASTON
General Manager

Colt is from Rome, Georgia. He played tennis at Rome High School before playing collegiately at Louisiana State University where he was an All-American and SEC-Indoor Doubles Champion for the Tigers. After graduating from LSU, Colt went on to play professionally where we ranked among the top 500 ATP. Colt has been working with juniors for over 15 years and has an expertise in player development. He has worked with 2 top 100 players ATP/WTA and helped over 30 kids obtain college scholarships. Colt is joining us from the University of Missouri where he was the Head Women’s Tennis Coach for the past 4 years and also helped the Tigers obtain their highest ranking in program history. Colt also helped oversee the Mizzou Tennis Complex that has over 400 members.

EMILY ALVARADO
Pro Shop Manager

JIM RICHARDS
Head Tennis and Pickleball Professional

Jim Richards grew up in Oxford, England and was a top county junior before playing college tennis for the University College of Wales. Since coming to America Jim has directed tennis programs at Resorts, Regional Tennis Centers, and Country Clubs in Florida, Texas, and Georgia. In Florida Jim founded a tennis academy that produced several #1 state players along with national and ranked ITF juniors. He has also done short-term project work for professional players. Jim is a USPTA certified P1 Elite Professional, a GPTA Board Member, USPTA & GPTA speaker and has been awarded GPTA Pro of the year. He is also an article contributor for Florida Tennis, Net News, USPTA Standard, USPTA ADDvantage Magazine, and a contributing Editor for Serve It Up magazine.

LUIS ROJAS
Lead Racquets Professional

Luis was born in Santa Monica, Mexico, and as a junior, he competed in state, regional, and national tournaments throughout his home country. Luis then competed in multiple ITF tournaments as well as several professional tournaments in Mexico before moving to the US for college. Luis played his entire college career at Linfield College, Oregon, where he was recognized as the captain of the men’s tennis team. Luis competed in the top positions in both the singles and doubles lineups throughout his entire college career, ultimately graduating with a degree in international relations.

CALEB MCCURRY
Lead Coach of Junior Development

Originally from Rome, Georgia, Caleb played at Rome High School and collegiately at Young Harris College. Caleb was top 25 in the nation in doubles, and 2nd Team All Conference while winning the conference championship for Conference Carolinas. Caleb has worked multiple years at the facility as a part time instructor before transitioning to a full-time role with a dedicated focus on junior development.

RYLAN PICKENS
Collegiate Tennis Instructor

ETHAN ELLISON
Collegiate Tennis Instructor

Ethan Ellison graduated from Model High School in 2024. He will be a freshman at Berry College and will play for the Berry College men’s team in the fall of 2024. Ethan helps teach our middle school and high school prep classes along with our middle school and high school tennis camps.

ZACH NELSON
Collegiate Tennis Instructor

CLUBHOUSE STAFF

EDDIE BETHUNE
Maintenance Director

KYLE WILLIAMS

Front Desk Attendant

DEBRA AULT-BUTENKO
Front Desk Attendant