Staff

Scott Smith (USPTA) Executive Director
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Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee Scott has over twenty five years teaching experience. Scott played at Walters State Community College and then transferred to the University of Tennessee. He worked for the prestigious Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy the early 80’s training such stars as Andre Agassi and Jim Courier. Scott then progressed to direct some of the top clubs in Florida such as the River Hills Country Club, Meadows Country Club and Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club. He also spent ten years at the Cayman Islands Tennis Club where he served as the Tennis Director and Club Manager. He directed the largest junior program in the Caribbean with over 200 children per week. Before obtaining the Vineyard Youth Tennis position, Scott served as the Tennis Director for the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club for the 2005 & 2006 summers. Prior to being named the Executive Director at Vineyard Youth Tennis he served as the City of Auburndale’s Tennis Director. Scott is also very active in the USPTA serving as District President for Pinellas and Polk Counties and at one time contributed a weekly tennis column in the Tampa Tribune. Scott was also selected to the Eastern New England USTA Board of Directors and is the Committee Chair for USPTA's Tournament Committee. Scott was also awarded the 2007 USPTA Regional Pro of the Year for eastern Massachusetts and the 2010 New England USPTA Industry Excellence Award. Scott also produces and hosts Tennis Talk with Scott shown on local television station MVTV.

Jean LaPlante
Jean is rather new to the island and is still surprised by all that the island has to offer. Such as getting stuck behind a horse and wagon on State Road, a great lunch and bluegrass music at the Winter Farmer's Market, and mostly the people, who when they wave you on when you're stopped at an intersection, look you in the eye and smile! And not to forget the traveling sheep of West Tisbury, or the "sheep with a view" in Chilmark. Prior to Vineyard Youth Tennis, Jean spent eight years providing administrative support in the biotech industry and also volunteered at the Martha's Vineyard Museum. Jean is looking forward to getting to know the families that are the Vineyard Youth Tennis community.

Michael Halisky (USPTA) Head Tennis Professional
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Michael is from Clearwater, Florida where he excelled as a junior player. However, baseball and other sports took him away from tennis at an early age. After resuming his passion for the sport, he became one of the top Open Division players in Florida. Michael is also ranked in the top 27 in the nation in the 30 & over age division, and is ranked # 1 in New England in the 35 & over age division. Known for his power ground strokes and serves, Michael continues to play exhibitions and tournaments around the area. He also served as the Assistant Tennis Professional at the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club in 2005 and 2006 respectively. Michael was also employed at the St. Petersburg Country Club for three years and the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club for a year. He has been teaching since 2001.

Nina Bramhall

Originally from Dedham, Mass, Nina summered on the Vineyard her whole life and moved here full time in 1998. Recently she returned from Bradenton, Florida after a four year stint where her son Natty attended the world famous Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. Nina began the Vineyard’s first USTA women’s 4.0 team which she captained for nine years and advanced to District Championships all but one year. She also served as the Tennis Committee Chair for the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club for many years. Nina has played tennis her whole life and loves the Vineyard and looks forward to sharing her tennis knowledge with the children on the Island.

Jackson Koorse

Born in Richmond, Virginia Jackson moved to the Vineyard when he was eight. He has worked with different tennis professionals from all around the island, and has spent one summer working at Farm Neck, and the past two summers working at The Boathouse. Now in his Junior year at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, he will be working at Vineyard Youth Tennis behind the desk and also assisting the pros on the court.