Greater Midland Tennis Center Boasts Over 80 Years of Coaching and Development Experience and Embraces the Rise of Pickleball
Friday, January 14, 2023
The Greater Midland Tennis Center (GMTC) has made two more strategic moves toward becoming the best tennis and pickleball facility in the Midwest by offering proven national-level experienced and decorated coaching staff and expanding its pickleball opportunities. Jeff Rekeweg, the GMTC Executive Director, has been making key decisions and putting items into action since his leadership began in the spring of 2022.
By offering the best training available with an elite coaching team, he sees young athletes reaching their full potential, and it allows adults the ability to train and improve with the best.
“I can confidently say that we have the most experienced staff in the region and one of the best in the country, all under one roof,” stated Executive Director, Jeff Rekeweg. “One of my main objectives is to rebuild our junior program and put us in a position to have, once again, one of the best junior development programs in the country. Building off this strong team, I believe this group is the one to do it.”
The GMTC professional coaching staff now consists of three additional directors with different focus areas, and accomplished tennis teaching professionals from around the nation and the globe. Jon Bemisderfer, Director of Adult Tennis, comes to Greater Midland with 35 years of experience. Jon has developed everything from beginners to nationally ranked juniors and NCAA Division I Collegiate athletes. Throughout his career, Jon has gone from a utility pro all the way up to director of tennis and owner of his own tennis business. Jared Flick, Director of Junior Tennis, returns to Greater Midland from the Boston area, after propelling junior athletes to colleges and universities including Duke, Harvard, UofM, MSU, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth and more. The newest addition to the team and under the direction of Flick, is Jason Winegar, who is returning to Midland after gaining over a decade of coaching experience on the ITF/WTA professional tour circuit, coaching college, and most recently, being a performance/sports scientist for the MLS Chicago Fire. These three pros have collectively coached both boys and girls to number-one national rankings at every age level.
“We are transforming the structure of our competitive tennis program and opening avenues for players that want to compete at the high school level, at the national level, and those looking to reach the highest level in college,” states Rekeweg. “In total, these leaders are bringing over 80 combined years of experience and offering it to our community. Our facility within the Great Lakes Bay region is accessible to thousands of area youth, we are priced competitively, and we have an experienced and talented team just waiting to help athletes of all ages reach their ultimate potential.”
In addition to expanding the team, Rekeweg is utilizing the 65,000-square-foot indoor facility to its full capacity while adding benefits to members and those who reside in the region. “Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the nation. We have recognized the popularity and need for more availability to play year-round.” Offerings include new monthly pickleball memberships, learn to play clinics and tournaments.
Since opening in 1974, the Greater Midland Tennis Center, part of Greater Midland Community Centers Inc. has been a valued asset in the community and strives to promote vitality and build belonging for everyone who walks in the door. “We have classes and programming for all age levels and playing abilities. We are a great place to just come out and have fun with a great lifetime sport”. As with all the Greater Midland facilities, they foster connections on and off the court, and hope to create further assets within the community, and their families.
