Gulf Harbour Snares Top USPTA Pro Mike Curran
New Director of Tennis & Fitness on Board for July 4th Celebration
One of Southwest Florida’s premier tennis professionals, Mike Curran, has accepted the position of Director of Tennis and Fitness at Gulf Harbour Yacht and Country Club, leaving the same position at The Club at Grandezza. A fixture at the upper echelon of Southwest Florida tennis as a junior player, Curran has maintained his elite status as a player, and has achieved similar stature as a United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) Teaching Professional.
Curran a Top Junior & Collegian
As a junior player, Curran was ranked as high as No.3 in Florida’s junior rankings, and was awarded Fort Myers Player of the Year honors in 1991. As a collegian, Curran captained the Western Kentucky University tennis team, playing No.1 singles and doubles for four years.
Curran's Stellar USPTA Rankings
As an adult, Curran has finished in the top ten in the USPTA’s national open singles and doubles rankings for the past three years, finishing No.4 and No.1 in singles and doubles respectively in the 2007 rankings. By virtue of a recent 35th birthday, Curran has entered the ranks of “senior players,” and promises to continue his stellar on-court performances. As evidence, Curran recently won the USPTA’s Men’s 35s division at the USPTA Florida Division convention.
Mike Curran Junior Academy
As accomplished a player as he is, Curran may be an even better Teaching Professional. An examination of this summer’s attendees of the Mike Curran Junior Academy Summer Camp shows that, even in an environment where many are concerned about the price of gas, parents are willing to travel considerable distances so their kids can take advantage of Curran’s expertise.
Campers travel to Estero from as far away as Charlotte County. Chelsea Kahle, now a sophomore at University of Carolina Wilmington, travels four days a week from Punta Gorda when she isn’t at school. Asked why she is willing to travel such distance when there are scores of tennis programs closer to home, Chelsea responded, “I really like Mike’s style of coaching. It works really well with kids and he has a really good group of players that he trains.”
Ziegler Tells why Parents Travel
Commenting on his willingness to bring his eight-year-old son Ian from North Fort Myers, John Ziegler explained that he looked at multiple programs before settling on the Mike Curran Junior Academy. “When I first took Ian to Mike, Ian really liked his upbeat approach and just taking the time on the court when he first met Ian. So far that has been a first.”
Curran's Impact on Grandezza
As Director of Tennis and Fitness at Grandezza, Curran showed that he has considerable acumen as an administrator as well. He elevated the tennis program at Grandezza from practical non-existence, when he assumed the directorship in 2006, to a thriving tennis community with several league teams, weekly competitive and social playing opportunities, as well as game-enhancement clinics.
Curran Gulf Harbour's Choice
The tennis community at Gulf Harbour took all of the above into consideration when they tapped Curran to be the new steward of their tennis and fitness programs. According to Bob Ostrom, chairperson of Gulf Harbour’s Tennis Committee, “From dozens of outstanding resumes, Mike was a clear standout for the job.”
After only two days on the job, it appears that the members are happy with the selection. Amy Ciarrocchi, an avid player and member of Gulf Harbour’s Tennis Committee, reported that she already had heard good things from other members, and stated, “I personally am thrilled to have a pro who is enthusiastic and is passionate about the game. Mike has a very keen eye when analyzing a player’s game. He won't stroke you just to get you to take a lesson…He tells it like it is and will work as hard as we will let him to improve our tennis.”
Curran Explains the Move
Understandably, the members at Grandezza have expressed their regrets to see Curran go, and although he admits that it was tough to leave the terrific environment at Grandezza, Curran expressed his excitement about taking the helm at Gulf Harbour. “It is just a wonderful opportunity for me and my family. Gulf Harbour is one of the premier country club communities in the southwest and there’s a vibrant tennis community here,” Curran said.
Regarding his experience at Grandezza and making the transition to Gulf Harbour, Curran remarked, “I’m going to miss the great working relationship I had with Charlie Howlin (General Manager), the other Stock Development staff, and, of course, the terrific members at Grandezza. But I expect to have a great relationship with everyone at Gulf Harbour as well. It will just take a little time for me to get the lay of the land. So far, the welcome I’ve received has been outstanding.”
Gulf Harbour Challenges
Curran is fully aware that the new position will bring new challenges. “Gulf Harbour has about three times the number of teams that we had at Grandezza, so that will require some adjustment on my part. But I have no doubt that with a competent, cohesive staff and the continued support of a very active and knowledgeable tennis committee, we’ll ace the transition,” Curran stated confidently.
Curran Confidence Key to Success
It is perhaps this type of confidence that has made him a superb player, and what allowed him to assume and successfully negotiate the Longshore Lakes Tennis Club’s Director of Tennis position at the youthful age of 28. Surely such confidence will stand him in good stead as he embraces his new challenge. Anyone who knows Mike Curran knows that, with his inimitable humor, quick wit, and boy-next-door charm, Gulf Harbour has landed one of Southwest Florida’s unique tennis personalities, as well as one of its foremost tennis professionals.
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