dana bozeman

from Mammoth Times 6-4-09

Tennis pro Dana Bozeman is back for his second year as director of tennis at Snowcreek Athletic Club (SAC), which is also the second year since the club was purchased and remodeled by Ron and Connie Black.Tennis lovers will recall that transitional year as the one year the club didn’t offer its signature Mammoth Snowcreek Open event, which returns for its 34th go-round this Aug. 12 - 16.“We’re just really trying to build up what we had last year,” Bozeman said.

Bozeman’s resume includes working as a tennis pro at the Laguna Nigel Racquet Club in Southern California, teaching for the Emerald Bay Community Association, coaching high school tennis in Dana Point and playing on the Challenger Series satellite tour, which he likens to the Triple-A series of baseball.

As director of tennis, Bozeman teaches clinics, runs tournaments, events and helps set up matches with local tennis player Cleland Hoff.

“Last year, we ran a summer junior program,” Bozeman said. “It’s to generally introduce kids to tennis and make some players out of it. We teach the kids to play and we have fun.” The weekly program, which runs Monday through Thursday starting on June 15, is formatted like a summer camp program. As part of the tennis coaching, they practice the stroke-of-the-day, play some matches, have lunch, then go swimming and play in the pool.
There were around 110 participants last year and Bozeman hopes to see that number shoot up to around 200 this year.

For adult players, the club offers standard clinics for intermediate levels Mondays and Wednesdays, beginner levels Tuesdays and Thursdays; and all levels on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

In addition to the Mammoth Snowcreek Open, there will also be a 5th of July inter-club tournament and several mixers over the summer, such as the Tri-Tip and Tennis mixer.

“We barbecue and have a good time,” Bozeman said. “It’s a very social thing.”Regarding the format of these mixers, Bozeman noted that it varies from mixed to women’s to men’s doubles to give players a variety of experiences and to keep it fun.