Southlake Tennis Center's Kevin Folse. Photo courtesy of Kevin Folse.
Southlake Tennis Center announced the addition of former Brock High School tennis head coach Kevin Folse in June. He will be replaced by Greg Joy, who was Folse's assistant from 2007 until 2014. Folse, along with his wife and most recent assistant head coach, Andrea, leave the program in light of the new opportunity.
"When I was offered the opportunity to be part of thisbracademy, I jumped at the chance," Folse said, "and Ibrbelieve I bring great experience to the club, as well, with more than 30 years ofbrcoaching tennis, including coaching six players to Texas state high school titles. I also enjoy working with the amazing staff - allbrof whom have collegiate playing experience."
Folse said SouthlakebrTennis Center has one of the best tennis training programs in Texas. He further explained that the academy employs cutting-edge tennis instruction, similar to the training employed bybrthe most elite tennis players in the world, and applies it to the local playersbrin an individualized way.
"My childrenbrhave trained at STC for years and they have bought into the trainingbrsystem," he said, "and the results speak forbrthemselves: STC has produced manybrhigh-level tennis players since 1999 - many of whom have played at thebrcollegiate level or higher."
Folse referred to the academy's director of tennis Stephen Poorman as "one of thebrbest tennis teachers around."
"He not onlybrhas an amazing record as a player himself, but he is unsurpassed in developingbrhigh level players," Folse said. "I am honored to bebrworking with someone of his caliber."
Coming in, Folse has aspirations to partner with area high school coachesbrand help them develop their players to the highest possible level. While some programs focus on coaching a largebrnumber of players, Folse said the academy is different in that the focus there is on a more select group ofbrathletes to ensure the best quality of coaching is provided.
To do that, Southlake Tennis Center's coaches continually attendbrongoing education programs so they can bring the best practices to their players. The academy encourages its players to play at both the high school level and at USTA tournaments in order to gain thebrbenefits of varying types of competition.
"As a parent, Ibrunderstand that parents want to give their children the best quality tennis programbrat a permanent facility with excellent coaches who parents can count on," Folse said. "We provide that and our results speak forbrthemselves.
"In addition, we also see tennis as a means to help individualbrplayers gain confidence, self-reliance and a sense of accomplishment,brregardless of their level. These are allbrskills that players will carry with them long after their junior tennisbrcareers. I am proud to be part of thebrtennis community that is the hallmark of our program."