Rome, Georgia (January 9, 2025) — Rome Tennis Center at Berry College, an expansive tennis facility that opened in 2016 and features 57 courts on a 30-acre site, has named Jim Richards Head Tennis Professional.
Richards, a USPTA certified P1 Elite Professional originally from Oxford, England, has extensive tennis playing, coaching and management experience. Richards played collegiate tennis for the University College of Wales and since coming to America, has directed tennis programs at resorts, regional tennis centers and country clubs in Florida, Texas and Georgia. While in Florida, Richards also founded a tennis academy that produced several #1 state players along with national and ranked ITF juniors. Throughout his tenured career, Richards has served as a Georgia Professional Tennis Assocation (GPTA) Board Member, been awarded GPTA Pro of the Year, and spoke at USPTA and GPTA events. 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.
“We are very excited to bring Jim on board at Rome Tennis Center at Berry College,” said Colt Gaston, General Manager at Rome Tennis Center at Berry College. “Jim’s extensive tennis coaching and leadership expertise will be imperative in delivering an exceptional member and guest experience at our renowned facility.”
“I am thrilled to join the Rome, Georgia team this year,” said Richards. “I look forward to diving in and not only continuing RTCBC’s legacy as an outstanding tennis center but also finding new opportunities to elevate our Rome tennis experience through comprehensive programs, social events and play options.”
The Rome Tennis Center at Berry College is an award-winning center that hosts local, national, and international tournaments and is the largest contiguous hard-court facility in the country. The 57-court facility is comprised of USTA standard, asphalt tennis courts and includes six NCAA regulation courts, six indoor courts and three center courts for tournament and collegiate play. All courts have lighting and access to shade structures. The facility hosts daily programming to support and build tennis play locally. Local programs and lessons are offered for all ages and abilities from leisure play to competitive league play.
For more information about Rome Tennis Center at Berry College: www.rometenniscenter.com
For more information about Cliff Drysdale Tennis: www.cliffdrydsale.com
About Rome Tennis Center at Berry College
The Rome Tennis Center at Berry College is an award-winning center that hosts local, national, and international tournaments and is the largest contiguous hard-court facility in the country. The 57-court facility is comprised of USTA standard, asphalt tennis courts and includes six NCAA regulation courts, six indoor courts and three center courts for tournament and collegiate play. All courts have lighting and access to shade structures. The terraced design provides ADA accessibility to all courts. The facility hosts daily programming to support and build tennis play locally. Local programs and lessons are offered for all ages and abilities from leisure play to competitive league play.
About Cliff Drysdale Tennis
Founded in 2001 by International Tennis Hall of Fame member Cliff Drysdale and partner Don Henderson, specializes in daily tennis and fitness operations and management for resorts, hotels and private clubs; sports design and construction consultation for companies interested in building world-class facilities; educational programs, summer camps, clinics and retreats; and resort, hotel corporate outing planning and leisure operations. Cliff Drysdale Management’s property portfolio currently boasts 33 tennis facilities nationwide, including multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal ranked tennis resorts on Tennis Resorts Online’s Top 100 list. In July 2018, Troon®, the leader in club management, development, and marketing acquired Cliff Drysdale Management. The acquisition brings together two influential sports management companies that have been excelling at locations around the world for more than two decades. For more information, visit www.cliffdrysdale.com
Media Contact
Emilie Moeller: e.moeller@cliffdrysdale.com
Cliff Drysdale Tennis
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