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Glenview Park District hires paddle tennis pro for new facility
Tony Marino of Northbrook will be the new head platform tennis professional at the Glenview Park District. He's currently director of racket sports at Valley Lo Club in Glenview. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: April 8, 2013 6:11AM
GLENVIEW — The new $2.2 million clubhouse at Glenview National 9 Golf Club also will feature four outdoor paddle tennis courts when it opens in April.
Tony Marino, a platform tennis professional since 2006, has been hired to oversee all paddle tennis programs and instruction at the new golf facility, operated by the Glenview Park District.
Marino joined the district from the Valley Lo Sports Club in Glenview, where he had been director of racquet sports since 2006.
“My entire career has been spent in the tennis industry and I look forward to promoting, teaching and growing paddle tennis at the new facility,” Marino said.
He also said playing paddle tennis at a park district is less expensive than paying several thousands of dollars a year a private country club.
“And summers are packed with things to do, but paddle tennis can be played pretty much all year.
“It’s also an option for exercising that’s fun in the winter,” Marino said.
From 2001 to 2006, he was the head tennis/platform professional and junior program coordinator at North Shore Country Club, Glenview.
“Not only will he bring more than 12 years of platform tennis experience as both a player and instructor, but Tony is also a great asset to the team as we open and grow the new facility and programs in the Glenview community,” said Dave Woolf, director of racquet sports for Glenview Park District.
National 9 Golf Club at 2800 W. Lake Ave. broke ground for the new facilities last year that includes a small pro shop, food and beverage service, an outdoor patio overlooking the ninth hole and four ground level paddle tennis courts with elevated indoor viewing of the courts.
Outside, a large berm with evergreen trees planted along West Lake Avenue will screen the paddle tennis courts from the neighborhood.
The courts would be raised above ground and heated for play from September to March.
A survey issued last year to a residential database found 89 percent favored paddle tennis courts — divided evenly between men and women.
Another 70 percent had never played the sport, the survey reported.
The new clubhouse replaces a trailer that was more than 10 years old.
