Instructors

Hometown: Winnipeg, Canada

What brought him to TD: “The opportunity to direct Tahoe Donner’s tennis programs.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “Besides playing tennis, I love the bike trails and rock climbing areas all around the Tahoe Donner area.”

Background: “I started teaching tennis 20+ years ago in the Palm Springs area. I have worked at La Quinta Resort since 2001 and at Tahoe Donner since 2008. I have called the Tahoe area my summer home since 2005, and I always look forward to time at the beaches, lakes, trails, restaurants, shops and all of the other wonderful things that Tahoe Donner and the surrounding areas have to offer.”

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

What brought him to TD: “I love the people, the courts, the setting, and the robust programming.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “Mountain bike, SUP on the lakes, ski the mountains, rock climb, and all the amazing activities Tahoe offers.”

Background: “Started teaching tennis in Tahoe in 1999. Have worked at several tennis centers in the area, as well as La Quinta. Just returned from running a club in Florida pan handle for one year. Happy to be back in Tahoe Donner!​”

Hometown: Duderstadt, Germany

What brought me to TD: “Listening to Ian Mindell, who always spoke so highly about TD. And he was right…”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “Besides Tennis and Pickleball, I love the Golf Course in this area. And swimming in Donner Lake after a workout is just fantastic.”

Background: “I started teaching tennis when I was 16 years old. After working with kids, I became a coach for juniors, adults and high performance teams in Munich. Since I came to the US in 2016, I’m working for La Quinta Resort & Club as a Tennis and Pickle Ball Pro. And since 2017 I’m happy to spend my summer in the beautiful Tahoe area.”

Hometown: Livermore, CA now in Reno, NV

What brought me to TD: “While raising my kids in Truckee I had the opportunity to coach the Truckee High School boys team. I am excited to have the opportunity to return to teach this summer with the wonderful Tahoe Donner Tennis Center Staff.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “The opportunity to sit on the dock and enjoy Donner Lake, bringing much peace to life!”

Background: “I started playing tennis at a young age, played through the junior circuit and eventually for Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. I have taught in Livermore, Grass Valley, Truckee and Reno over the years. I love to start the young down their journey of tennis, developing players of all ages and bringing families together on the court.”

What brought him to TD: “During the winter months I live in Palm Desert, California, and coach at The La Quinta Resort. I was offered the opportunity to work alongside Ian Mindell at the Tahoe Donner Tennis Center as one of their premier tennis and Pickleball professionals.”

Background: “From my earliest memories, I’ve held a tennis racquet in hand. My dad was a long-time director for the Indian Wells ATP/WTA tour event as well as the Washington D.C. ATP/WTA tour event. I played juniors USTA tournaments growing up and played #1 for the California State Championship Team at Palm Desert High School, CIF Division 4 in 2002. During the winter months, I live in Palm Desert, CA and coach at The La Quinta Resort. It’s going to be a great season… I look forward to seeing you on the courts!”

Hometown: Keokuk, Iowa

What brought me to TD: “The combination of great people and top-notch facilities. The vibrant tennis/pickle community at TD is the best in Tahoe.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “All of them! I enjoy staying active in different ways all year long. Tennis and pickleball fill my summers and fall. In the winters you’ll find me strength training at the gym, or sneaking in some morning laps at Alpine.”

Background: “I grew up playing competitive tennis in the Midwest. I went on to play singles and
doubles for Quincy University in Illinois. After becoming PTR certified at age 19, I taught tennis
across the country. Including The Meadow Club of Southampton, NY, Four Seasons in Lake of the Ozarks, and most recently Northstar here in Tahoe. I am excited to join Ian and the crew of seasoned pros here at Tahoe Donner. Teaching tennis has always been such a rewarding experience for me.”

Hometown: Hampden, Maine (30 minutes inland from Acadia National Park)

What brought me to TD: “I was first introduced to Tahoe Donner’s Tennis facility, in my Tennis days, playing on the 4.5 men’s team with Ian, Malcolm and others. I’m excited now to share my love and knowledge of Pickleball in the hopes of helping to grow the program in TD.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “I love chasing Ian around on the amazing TD trails on mountain bikes in the summers, wake surfing on Donner Lake and then occasionally suffering to the Drifter hut on XC skate skis in the Winter. The Tahoe Donner amenities are so well maintained, the views are amazing and the staff are always so nice and welcoming.”

Background: “Breaking away from a baseball-family mold, I found tennis on my own organically around the age of 10 and started playing and winning a few tournaments that first year and the years to follow around Maine and New England. I was hooked and never looked back. I went on to help lead our high school team to multiple state championships and then went on to play Division II college tennis for Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, while also teaching summers back home in Maine at a local summer camp throughout my college years. In 2003-2004, I moved to San Diego and taught at the Rancho Arbolitos Swim and Racket Club in between surf sessions, as well as the Convention Center Downtown and the Hyatt, before moving to Tahoe in 2005-2006. I traded the rackets out for some ten years for snowboards until I met Malcolm and Ian, who re-ignited my love for racket sports. Fast forward now to the last three years, Pickleball has me feeling like that 10 year old kid again who was banging groundstrokes against the garage door for hours, as I continue to work on improving my own skills, play tournaments, and share my love for the game with all of you.”