USPTA’s Gill Recognized
May 6, 2010
The Association of Private Clubs and Directors, along with The BoardRoom magazine, recently honored Chuck Gill, United States Professional Tennis Association vice president and tennis director at Ibis Golf & Country Club, with its Distinguished Club Award. This award, created to spotlight professionals who set the bar for excellence in the club industry, recognizes Gill’s accomplishments and improvements in the Ibis Golf & Country Club tennis facilities, staffing, and programming, along with his numerous charitable efforts.
As director of tennis for Ibis Golf & Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., since 1995, Gill oversaw a five-year, $1.2 million capital improvement program, which included new hydro-grid courts, re-grading and resurfacing 10 existing courts, replacement of all awnings and windscreens, and pro shop renovations. His extensive knowledge and management abilities contributed to the entire project being completed within budget. Gill also implemented a computerized court reservation system to maximize court use and provide more convenience to members.
Gill has been a member of the USPTA since 1984, currently serves as vice president of its national board of directors and served two years as the president of the Florida Division.
He inspires excellence on the part of his staff with his emphasis on continuing education and customer service. Under Gill’s direction, all Ibis tennis professionals are certified by USPTA and regularly attend seminars and conferences.
Gill’s expansion of summer tennis programming has allowed staff to maintain employment year-round, giving Ibis the ability to retain quality employees. He facilitated the new Ibis Junior Summer Sports Camp which consists of tennis, golf, swimming, and other athletic activities and generates $70,000-$80,000 each summer. An annual calendar of events provides the Ibis membership with the most dynamic schedule of tennis activities anywhere. The addition of innovative programs such as Tennis Jai-Alia, “Ladies’ Member/Guest Day at the Spa”— a day of tennis followed by the rewards of spa treatments and a spa menu lunch, and “Mixed Sticks” golf and tennis events. Gill has also implemented a data base for all tennis team members to target specific questions and information for the 200-plus league tennis players at Ibis, a cost savings compared to postage and a more efficient way to communicate with the players.
The Distinguished Club Award also recognizes Gill’s continuing efforts for a variety of charitable organizations. As host and tennis tournament director of “Swingtime” charity golf and tennis events, Gill assisted in raising more than $350,000 for the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation, which provides assistance for brain tumor patients and their families. The events were hosted by the Ibis Golf & Country Club and included participants such as Chris Evert, Andy Roddick, Venus Williams, Jim Courier, James Blake, and Todd Martin. While president of the Florida Division of the USPTA, Gill helped to established the “Hurricane Relief” fund to aid fellow tennis professionals who were impacted by the four hurricanes of 2004. More than $12,000 was raised to assist tennis professionals who had lost jobs due to clubs being closed. Chuck’s charitable efforts also include Toys for Tots, Swing for the Cure, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.