The First Annual Nick Shultz Memorial Junior Open begins this Saturday, September 20. It is the Coronado Tennis Center’s first United States Tennis Association (USTA)-sanctioned junior tournament. The competition will take place over two weekends, with the finals being held Sunday, September 28.
The tournament is named for Nick Shultz, one of Coronado’s most beloved tennis players, whose passion and love of the game inspired nearly everyone who crossed his path. Nick died last year, but not before leaving an indelible mark on generations of Coronado’s tennis players.
“He was the tennis guru of the Glorietta courts,” said Jennie Portelli, president of the Coronado Tennis Association (CTA), which is co-sponsoring the tournament.
270 of the best young tennis players from throughout Southern California will compete, including Coronado’s brightest young tennis stars, such as Hannah Quirk, Billy Rowe, and Ryan Segerman.
“These are super good players who have never had the opportunity to compete at home,” said Sue Hites, the Tennis Center’s coordinator/director.
The opportunity to play before a home crowd is cherished for any athlete. However, for some, like Coronado’s Hannah Quirk, the Nick Shultz Memorial Junior Open holds a special significance.
“Nick was my friend, and I miss him a lot,” the 13-year old said. “Every time I go onto the court I think about him.”
Shultz worked in the pro shop at CTC for many years. He lived just across the street, and was a familiar face around the courts. He also collected videotapes of famous tennis matches and would invite people over to watch them, Portelli remembers.
Shultz’s love of wooden racquets was also legendary. He sang their virtues to any and all that would listen; although, like most contemporary players, he had transitioned to newer, state-of-the art composite racquets, Shultz never lost his enthusiasm for the classic wooden designs.
“His favorite was the Wilson, Rodger Federer signature,” said Portelli.
As such, winners of the event will be taking home a somewhat non-traditional prize for their mantle.
“In his honor, winners will receive a classic wooden racquet, instead of a trophy,” Hites said. “All were donated and have been fully restored.” Each will be engraved with the division and the winner’s name.
Racquets division winners will receive
Portelli knew Shultz for over 40 years, and it was Portelli who introduced him to tennis when he returned home from Spain in the 1970s, where he had been studying Transcendental Meditation (another lifelong passion of Shultz’s).
Quirk, the junior player, first met Nick at the old pro shop; her then-coach Phil Hopkins introduced them. Shultz called her Hannah Banana. Later, he gave her a banana pendent.
Quirk wearing the banana pendent Shultz gave her
She always wears it when she competes. “It makes me feel stronger, more comfortable on the court.” Her friend, Maya Antes, was also a friend of Shultz’s. He called her Maya Papaya, and gave her a papaya pendent.
Antes and Quirk will be partners in doubles competition as their personal tribute to Shultz. “We’ve never played together; usually we play against each other in the singles,” said Quirk.
Many other local junior tennis players were lucky enough to call Nick a friend. “Nick was good to all children,” Portelli said. “He treated them just like he did adults, with kindness and respect.”
Quirk concurred, “He always listened to me, and never talked down to me.”
Playing in the Nick Shultz Memorial Junior Open also provides a bit of extra motivation for those young local players who knew Shultz. For Quirk, who has won many tournaments, including five Crown Cup victories, this one is special.
“I want to win this one for Nick,” she said.
