The USTA Southern California junior staff selects one tournament director each month who goes above and beyond to run a successful and enjoyable tournament for our junior players. They demonstrate excellent communication, great customer service, and provide a positive experience for everyone. We would like to congratulate Bakersfield’s Buddy Turl, the January 2024 recipient, on this recognition.

Buddy grew up playing tennis, competing in junior USTA tournaments. After two years of Junior College Tennis, he dropped his racquets to focus on school. Nineteen years later, he picked up a racquet again and hasn’t looked back. He started helping out with Junior drills at the Bakersfield Racquet Club and at the suggestion of the head pro there, he got his USPTA professional certification, left his job, and started teaching full-time.

He has been running Junior tournaments now for about 3.5 to 4 years and is loving every moment of it. He enjoys watching the local kids develop their tennis game as well as witnessing some kids from out of town make the trip to Bakersfield and engaging with their parents and coaches during the tournaments.

Buddy and the tournament staff at Bakersfield Racquet Club have received praise for their accommodation, friendliness, and care. Parents have emphasized the exceptional organization, cleanliness, and inviting atmosphere of the tournaments Buddy oversees, dubbing them as some of their favorites in Southern California. Several parents expressed their intention to return in the future, highlighting the cordial and respectful atmosphere, with one stating, “We will definitely sign up again.”