MEET THE TENNIS TEAM
Learn from our experienceD team
Since 1967, The Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club has offered the finest in quality tennis instruction, clinics, leagues and camps in a relaxed family setting. Our professional staff has set the highest standards by which all other programs in the Southwest are measured.
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Tennis Staff
Gretchen Schantz
Tennis, Pickleball, & Camp Director
Gretchen Schantz
At TRFC since 2004
Hometown: Taos, NM
Education: University of California, Davis 2003
Email: gschantz@tucsonracquetclub.com
- University of California, Davis: Varsity tennis, nationally ranked in doubles all 4 years
- Assistant Pro: Natomas Racquet Club, Sacramento, CA 2003-04
- Head Coach: Pima Community College Women’s Tennis Team 2006-2017 (ACCAC Coach of the Year, 2009, 2011, 2012; ITA NJCAA Coach of the Year 2013)
- USTA SAZ Executive Board 2008-2010
- USTA SAZ Outstanding Tournament Enrichment Award 2013
- USTA Safe Play Certified
- USTA SAZ Outstanding Facility Award 2016
- 2005 Tucson Marathon / 2010 Ragnar Relay / 2015-23 Tour de Tucson
- Enjoys extreme skiing @ Taos Ski Valley, the best skiing on earth!
Sam Ciulla
Associate Head Tennis Pro | Camp Director
Sam Ciulla
At TRFC since 1971
USPTA P1 Certified
Hometown: Boston, MA
Education: University of Arizona
Email: sam@tucsonracquetclub.com
- Co-Director of the Tucson Racquet Club Summer Camp
- Worked with Fred Stolle and Margaret Court as part of the Racquet Club Ranch
- Most Famous Lesson: Oscar winner Charlton Heston most famous for playing Moses in “The Ten Commandments” and “Ben Hur”
Nelson Payne
Tennis Coach
Nelson Payne
At TRC since 2007
Hometown: San Angelo, TX
Email: npayne@tucsonracquetclub.com
- Works with all levels of junior and adult from beginner to nationally ranked players
- Also serves as teaching pro for the Tucson Community Tennis Program
- Head Pro at several clubs in Texas including Head Pro at San Angelo’s Brentwood Country Club and Director of Tennis at College Hills Country Club
- Most Famous Lesson: Hailey and Tatum Rochin …ranked number 1 in the Southwest
- Dances a mean 2 step to any song by Brooks & Dunn
Gregg Baker
Tennis Coach
Gregg Baker
USPTA Certified
At TFRC since 2011
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Education: University of Virginia 1986
Email: gbaker@tucsonracquetclub.com
- USPTA certified since 1993
- Over 20 years teaching and coaching tennis to all ages and ability levels
- Director of Tennis at La Mariposa Fitness/Sports Club from 2000 – 2011
- Assistant Tennis Pro at Canyon Ranch Spa and Resort from 1994 – 2000; clients included Julia Roberts and Dustin Hoffman
- Assistant Pro at Westward Look Resort from 1993 – 2000
- Also an avid hiker and mountain biker who will never again live on the East Coast!
Torrie Browning
Tennis Coach, Jr Excellence Director
Torrie Browning
At TRFC since 2022
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Education: Wichita State (BA) & George Washington University (MS)
Email: tmbrowning@tucsonracquetclub.com
Torrie is a former #1 player in the USTA Southwest Section and ranked in the top 100 Nationally USTA 18&under. She is also a two time 4A Arizona State High School Champion – Ironwood Ridge High School (2004 and 2005). Torrie played Division I tennis at Wichita State University from 2005-2009, where she was a 4 time Missouri Valley All Conference Selection, earned a top 20 ITA Central Region ranking, and finished her career with 100 wins.
Torrie received her Masters of Science in Sports Management from The George Washington University. Since then she has accumulated 13 years of Division 1 collegiate coaching experience.
- Tennis Pro at Piping Rock Club, Locust Valley, NY: June 2022-September 2022
- Head Women’s Tennis Coach at The George Washington University, Washington DC: July 2016-May 2022
- Interim Head Coach of Men’s and Women’s Tennis at The George Washington University, Washington DC: January 2016-July 2016
- Associate Head Coach of Men’s and Women’s Tennis at the George Washington University, Washington DC: July 2014-January 2016
- Assistant Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach at Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA: September 2009-July 2014
- USTA Safe Play Certified, Certified in Adult First Aid, CPR, AED- American Red Cross
Ravi Bhat
Tennis Coach
Ravi Bhat
USPTA Certified
At TRFC since 2017
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Education: University of Arizona
Email: ravi@tucsonracquetclub.com
- Served as volunteer teaching pro for the Tucson Community Tennis Program (2015 – 2018)
- USTA/ITA Certified Official
- Hobbies when not on the tennis court include running and gardening!
Brian Ramirez
Tennis Coach
Brian Ramirez
At TRFC since 2009
Hometown: Menlo Park, CA
Education: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1994
Email: brianr@tucsonracquetclub.com
Brian spent eight years at the collegiate level with both men and women at schools like Stanford University where he helped coach the team to the 2004 National Championship. Ramirez also coached Pima Community College for four years. During his career he has also had the pleasure of working with some of the worlds’ best junior players and pro players while at the Palmer Tennis Academy in the late 90s. Palmer Academy was known internationally as one of the worlds’ premiere academies during that time.
Over the years Ramirez has coached and mentored players that have attended schools like Stanford, Cal, UCLA, Duke, Harvard, Princeton, University of Florida, University of Georgia and University of North Carolina among others and has personally coached or done extensive work with players.
- 39 NCAA team championships (17 players)
- 14 All Americans
- Four NCAA doubles titles
- Four Junior Grand Slam titles (two Jr. U.S. Open, two Junior Australian Open)
- Two Junior Orange Bowl titles
- Five USTA Junior National Team members
Tom Clarke
Tennis Coach
Tom Clarke
At TRFC since 2017
Hometown:
Email: tom-clarke@tucsonracquetclub.com
- Started teaching tennis in 1978
- Ran one of biggest adult and junior development programs in New York State over 600 students a week
- USPTA certified pro 1983
- Worked with all levels from beginner to tour player; has developed students from pee wee to college
- Most famous student is Harrison Ford!
