Walla Walla, WA – After two successful summers, the Walla Walla Tennis and Wine Camps will return in 2013 with camp dates of June 13-16, July 11-14, and July 18-21. The camps combine world-class coaching with wine touring in Walla Walla, including wine education and winemaker dinners. Each camp will be limited to 24 participants.
Greg Patton, who has had a hand in shaping American tennis, has announced his return to the camps. Currently the coach at Boise State, Patton spent years working with the USTA coaching Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Michael Chang, and Andy Roddick (among others). Coach Patton also coached World Team Tennis in Boise and St. Louis.
Assisting Coach Patton are Whitman College coaches Jeff Northam and John Hein. Northam has been at the helm of the Whitman College Men’s team the past 15 years and turned Whitman into one of the top Division III programs in the nation. In 2012, Northam guided his team to a fifth straight NWC title and achieved a high ranking of #8 in the nation. Northam was recently named DIII West Region Coach of the Year.
In his short time at Whitman, Coach Hein guided the Women’s team to its first NCAA III tournament appearance in 2012, NWC Tournament title, and had two players invited to the NCAA III singles tournament. Prior to taking the helm at Whitman, Hein worked for the Lawn Tennis Association and was a member of the UC Santa Cruz National Championship team.
Off the courts, campers will meet some of the Walla Walla Valley’s top winemakers during chauffeured winery and vineyard tours, guided tastings, and VIP winemaker dinners. Although participating wineries and chefs differ with each camp, some highlights for 2013 include a rare vineyard tour and winemaker dinner with Chris Figgins of Figgins Family Estate and Leonetti, a winemaker dinner prepared by Chef Dan Thiessen of the Wine Country Culinary Institute at Charles Smith Wines, and a dinner at the exclusive Cadaretta Glass House which overlooks their estate vineyard.
For information on the camp itinerary, participating wineries and winemakers, and registration, visit www.tennisandwinecamps.com.