LCTA September 2026 Newsletter
In this Issue
- Facility Improvement Award Application Now Available – News from our President
- Updates from our Director of Adult Leagues!!
- LCTA All-Star
- Fun Tennis Fact – US Open Edition
News from Our President – Creating A Better Tennis Experience
I am pleased to announce that the LCTA Facility Improvement Committee (“the Committee”) has developed a PDF Facility Improvement Award application (“the application”).
The purpose of the LCTA’S Facility Improvement Award is to aid LCTA facilities to create a better tennis experience for LCTA players and grow tennis in the lowcountry.
The application provides the Committee with an overview of the scope and impact of proposed projects.
Key points:
- The facility must be currently and actively participating in LCTA programs and leagues.
- The Award must positively impact LCTA league participation.
- A facility can receive only 1 award per calendar year.
The Committee will endeavor to select projects that will have the greatest impact on the greatest number of LCTA players.
Previous LCTA Facility awards have included wind screens, tables and chairs, picnic tables, score keepers, and benches.
The application can be located at lctatennis.org/facility-award/
Facilities Refurbishment at Creekside with Collaboration of USTA SC
Creekside is excited to share some big updates to our facilities! As a laid-back social, racquet, and swim club focused on connecting families, friends, and neighbors, they are always looking for ways to bring the community together through play days.
With their tennis community growing, they have restored two tennis courts to an area that once held courts in years past, and resurfaced four connecting courts so all six now match with a smoother, consistent playing surface.
They are grateful to USTA SC for awarding them a grant that helped make this court project possible! These upgrades reflect their commitment to providing high quality facilities in a welcoming, family friendly environment where everyone can play and connect.
Ally and her team can’t wait for everyone to come see and play on the new and improved facilities!
submitted by Ally Clarke, Manager of Creekside
Nancy Pitcairn Serving Up Flowers & Sunshine from the Cape
Registration Date Updates for Fall League Tennis and Flex League
18 and Over, 39 and Over, 54 and Over, 64 and Over, 69 and Over Registration now:
Opens 8/9/2026 Closes 9/6/2026 Play Starts 9/21/2026
Flex Registration now:
Opens 7/6/2026 Closes 9/13/2026 Play Starts 9/14/2026
Combo playoffs are September 8-13 at MPR.
Doty is under construction and Danny Jones, Crowfield and Hawk’s Nest have graciously opened their courts to the misplaced teams.
Many Thanks!
Mixed Doubles Local League Champions
In July the Mixed Teams battled at local playoffs.
Good luck to all the winners at States!
State Champions – Mixed Doubles 55 and Over 3.5
from Ashborough East with Captain Tammy Karika
CONGRATULATIONS to Maybank’s 4.0, 40+ Mixed team State Champs!
Captains: Kronsberg/White
It’s a REPEAT! 2nd year in a row!
Tri-Level LCTA Teams -Headed to the 2026 State Championships September 18-20
18 & Over Women
3.5-2.5 – Snee Farm – Captain Heidi Hildreth
3.5-2.5 – MPR– Captain Alex Austin
4.0-3.0 – Snee Farm – Captain Lauren Courcoux
4.5-3.5 – CTC – Captain Katie Richey
5.0-4.0 – CTC – Captain Katie Richey
18 & Over Men
4.5-3.5 – Maybank – Will Barrett
40 & Over Women
3.5-2.5 – MPR – Captains Katie Catalana and Ryan Kelly
4.0-3.0 – Snee Farm – Captain Lauren Courcoux
4.5-3.5 – CTC – Captain Katie Richey
Maybank – Captain Kimberly Faust and Corene Kronsberg
40 & Over Men
4.5-3.5 – Maybank – Captain Daniel Strickland
55 & Over Women – Local League at State
4.0-3.0 – MPR – Captain Neyse Barkley
MPR – Captain Chris Jones and Becky Williamson
Doty Park – Captain Rie Gibbons
I’On – Captain Kari Roever and Vanessa Hinson
55 & Over Men – Local League at State
4.0-3.0 I’On – Captain Tripp Fellabom
Maybank – Captain Bill Keiper and Lance Tyner
MPR – Captain Chuck Lee
Red Ball for All – The LCTA has partnered with USTA SC “Red Ball for All” and The Pilot Program Has Officially Launched in Mount Pleasant!
We are thrilled to announce that the “Red Ball for All” program is underway across Mount Pleasant Fire Stations 3, 4, and 6! A huge thank you to Don Wollenbecker for your collaboration. Station 4 is already off to a rallying start—it was incredible to see our firefighters at the station and witness that friendly firefighter competitiveness take over almost instantly!
What’s Next?
- Daily Fitness & Fun: With firefighters required to complete one hour of daily physical fitness, our immediate focus is supporting the stations so they can easily integrate Red Ball Tennis into their routines as a fast, engaging workout option.
- First Responder’s Day Event (Target Date: October 25): We are partnering with USTA SC and the Town of Mount Pleasant to plan a blockbuster event at the Mount Pleasant Tennis Center at 889 Whipple Road! Highlights will include:
- A fun, competitive Pro-Am tournament pairing firefighters (wearing custom Station # T-shirts provided by Mount Pleasant!) with LCTA volunteers.
- Free family clinics led by Mount Pleasant pros for spouses and kids.
This joint effort between LCTA, USTA SC, and the Town of Mount Pleasant is just the beginning. As we build momentum in Mount Pleasant, our goal is to expand Red Ball play to neighboring counties and towns across the Lowcountry.
September All Star – Wil Barwick
Wil Barwick’s Tennis Journey: From State Titles to Community Coaching
Wil’s impact on the court spans both the adult and junior leagues. His journey began at age ten in Orangeburg, SC, where he joined the Orangeburg Prep Varsity team as an eighth grader, eventually helping lead the team to four state titles.
His competitive spirit transitioned seamlessly into his adult life for fifteen years, Wil has captained over 100 adult teams across the 18+ and 40+ divisions. His leadership has guided numerous Mixed and Combo teams to state championships, including a standout run with his Men’s team in 2019. Wil plays out of St. Andrew’s.
Wil’s passion for the game took on a new dimension in 2019 when his son, Allen, began playing. Stepping up as a Junior Team Tennis (JTT) captain, Wil has spent the last seven years from 2019-2026 mentoring Allen’s teams through the orange, green dot, and yellow ball levels.
His commitment to youth tennis includes:
Five years captaining teams in the Tricounty Elementary and Middle School leagues. Currently Wil is acting as the Assistant Coach for the West Ashley High School boys’ team.
On the court, Wil’s signature move is his backhand volley. Off the court, he’s known for a different kind of expertise. Since a transformative trip to the 2023 US Open, Wil has become a self-proclaimed “pizza snob.” After discovering Scott’s Pizza in Brooklyn, he has been on a quest for the perfect slice. If you know of a world-class local pizzeria, be sure to share the tip—finding great pizza is now a mandatory part of any travel itinerary for the family!
Ever Dream of Being Part of the US Open?!?
Ball boys and girls (officially called the ball crew) at the U.S. Open are paid an hourly wage of $16 to $17 per hour.
Unlike other Grand Slam tournaments like Wimbledon or the Australian Open which largely rely on unpaid volunteers, the U.S. Open uniquely treats its ball crew as paid hourly employees.
It’s a very selective and rigorous application process.
