It was great seeing so many of you at our recent Missouri Valley Conference held at Quail Creek Country Club in Oklahoma City February 20-21. We had some great speakers presenting including a Directors Panel including Bunny Bruning/Suzanne Labelle/Mike Woody and Mark Faber as well as classroom and on court sessions with Craig O’Shannessy, Robert Cox, Laura Puryear, Jenna Hessert, Mike Woody and finishing the Conference with Tennis Drills and Games presented by our very own Missouri Valley Board members.
As we reflect back on this Conference, the RSPA Missouri Valley Board has already started preparing for our next Conference. The first thing we need to do is pick a location for next year's Conference. If you and your facility would be interested in hosting next year's Conference there is a link in this newsletter to fill out your application.
Congratulations to all of our Award winners Nicole Berger, Bunny Bruning, Darren Cobble, Whitney Flesher, Colin Gillam, Kevin Heim, Jenna Hessert, Melissa McCorkle, Santiago Munoz, and Carlos Salazar. Keep up the good work and good luck with the National Awards.
The next big education event is the 2026 World Racquets Conference September 20-23 in Dallas, Texas at the Omni Hotel. If you have never attended one of these before I highly recommend you try this one as it is within driving distance for most people in our Division. There will be teaching Professionals from all over the world coming to learn from some of the very best in our business. It is a great opportunity to network, learn, collaborate with your fellow Professionals. As the saying goes “Your net worth is only as big as your network.”
The 2026 World Conference will immerse you in practical leadership, coaching and operational learning designed for a fast-evolving industry. You will gain the skills and mindset needed to lead multi-sport facilities, engage new generations of players, learn innovative programming and build thriving communities.
There is a scholarship available to a Professional who has never attended a World Conference before to help with your expenses. There is a link in this newsletter to apply. If selected we ask that you write an article for our next Momentum newsletter.
Sincerely,
RSPA Missouri Valley Professional of the Year
Colin Gillam
Colin Gillam Since becoming Director of Racquets at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas in 2025, Colin Gillam transformed what was once a dormant racquets program into a vibrant and thriving community for both tennis and pickleball. Through his leadership, Prairie Dunes has seen significant growth in junior and adult participation, including the development of a junior program and consistent adult clinic programming. Colin has introduced new opportunities for member engagement through leagues, socials, mixers, and special events, including the club’s first-ever USTA League team in 2025. His efforts have sparked renewed enthusiasm for racquet sports throughout the club, creating an environment where players of all ages and skill levels feel welcomed, supported, and excited to play. In addition to program growth, Colin is actively mentoring a new RSPA professional, helping to develop the next generation of industry leaders. Colin’s passion for the game, commitment to player development, and ability to build lasting relationships have revitalized racquet sports at Prairie Dunes and strengthened the broader tennis community in the, Missouri Valley. His leadership, professionalism, and dedication make him a truly deserving recipient of the RSPA Missouri Valley Professional of the Year Award.
My First Division Conference
written by Isabella Serrano
I want to say how lucky I am to have gotten my level two certification in October, and then to go on to experience a RSPA Missouri Valley Conference in February shortly after receiving my certification. The certification marked off a goal of mine, to become Pro Certified, and the division conference was an experience I’ll never forget. Being able to attend the divisional conference in my own city shortly after getting certified was truly a gift. The conference exceeded my expectations. I learned so much from other wise and experienced coaches and leaders, and I also was reminded of what is important in my career.
In this career, I coach, and coach, and coach. I am constantly coaching my students to improve their tennis. This conference was an opportunity for me to take a moment for myself and to improve as a coach so I can continue to help my players and the game of tennis. This conference was my time to stop for some more fuel before I get back on the road of coaching.
The presentations from the Managers Panel, Mike Woody, and Craig O’Shannessy’s doubles presentation on reducing errors and building stronger defense were extremely helpful and so valuable. I took all that I learned back to my club, The Greens Country Club. The pickleball presentation by Jenna Hessert was also helpful to me as a tennis player trying to familiarize myself with the growing game. The social event was just a blast. I recommend any upcoming pros stay at the social event, because that is where you can make connections with other pros. I also highly encourage any upcoming pros to stay at all the workshops, from start to finish. The knowledge is beyond valuable, and I promise you will use every last bit of what you gained at the workshop in your career.
One speech that I really enjoyed was Robert Cox’s “Golden Nuggets for All Levels of Tennis.” What he said toward the end of his speech specifically stuck with me: “thank the person who got you into tennis.” After the conference, I went home and wrote a letter to my dad, thanking him for helping to light the fire in me for tennis, because without him I would not have been sitting in that conference room getting to experience my first divisional conference.
