2015 TENNIS HALL OF FAME
2015 TENNIS HALL OF FAME
ALA MOANA HOTEL | NOVEMBER 22, 2015
PAST RECIPIENTS
Kahiau: A Tennis Foundation, is responsible for establishing the criteria and handling the
selection of inductees to the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section Tennis Hall of Fame. There were two
Tennis Hall of Fame awards recognized among the community: Player and Education. The
Player Award commemorates an individual that is recognized for outstanding competitive
achievements with considerations of sportsmanship and character. The Education Award is
presented to an individual who has demonstrated leadership and creative skills in such areas
as instruction, writing, organization, coaching, and promotion of the game of tennis. In 2015,
the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section proudly inducted two fine recipients for each category:
Peter Burwash
Education Recipient
A former touring professional, Peter
Burwash captured 19 international
singles and doubles titles during his
career, however, his services to the game
would continue to grow even after his
touring days ended. Upon his retirement
from tour competition, Peter took up residency in Hawai’i
in 1974, where he became Hawaii’s top ranked tennis player
and an influential teaching pro.
That following year he established Peter Burwash
International (PBI) in Hawaii. The Aloha Spirit embedded into
the foundation of PBI was then carried to the far reaches of
other countrie s, allowing it to become the world’s largest
tennis management company. In 1976, PBI was the first to
initiate wheelchair tennis by founding the Wheelchair Tennis
Foundation. Shortly afterward new and innovative ideas were
created by Peter to make it possible for blind individuals to
enjoy tennis in the PBI Blind Programs as well as developing
a Hawaii State Prison tennis program. This year celebrates
40 years of guiding Burwash’s philosophy of “taking tennis
to every part of the globe.” In addition, he emphasizes to
his tennis professionals the importance of customer service,
commitment to excellence, and the opportunity to make a
difference in the lives of others.
Elite USPTA Professional and local born, Art Santos, spoke
about Peter as he remembers his 36-year career with PBI.
“What attracted me to PBI was the opportunity to explore and
travel the world through tennis, something that growing up in
Hawai’i was always limiting for me. PBI has given me so much
more, and if not for this PBI-Hawai’i connection, I would have
doubted my career path in tennis would have transpired.”
Aside from being the founder and president of PBI, Peter is
currently a world renowned and highly sought-after author,
motivational speaker, and certified sports physiologist and
nutritionist. He is a USPTA Master Professional and has
educated coaches throughout numerous counties such as in
Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia.
His impressive awards include:
•
The International Tennis Hall of Fame
Educational Merit Award
•
USPTA Professional of the Year
•
Inducted into the Tennis Industry Association
Hall of Fame 2015
Peter Burwash’s dedication and passion vision has always
been about promoting tennis and laying the foundation to
improve people’s lives through professionalism and teaching.
His legacy has allowed tennis to be shared with all facets of
life in Hawaii’s local community and across the world.
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Hawaii Pacific Yearbook 2016
Lurline Fujii
Player Recipient
Lurline Fujii began playing tennis in her
60s and still continues to compete at the
age of 74. She is the definitive example
of tennis being a longevity sport, earning
numerous Sectional, National and
International titles.
Through sheer and determination, Lurline found herself
competing as one of the four women on the 2012 Althea
Gibson Cup (70+) Team that represented the United States
in Croatia. Representing her country as well as the state of
Hawaii, Lurline competed in doubles and help the USA win
the 2012 World Title. Her on-court tenacity would continue to
earn her multiple achievements on the USTA national circuit.
In the last decade her local, national, and international
achievements include:
•
Total National Senior Games Association Medals: 7
gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze
•
Total USTA National Balls won:
•
3 gold, 9 silver, 2 bronze
•
Member of the 2012 Althea Gibson Cup TeamWorld Champions (Umag, Croatia)
•
2012 World Individuals: Doubles Finalist
2015
Lurline Fujii, Player Award
Peter Burwash, Education Award
2014
Masu Kusume Dyer, Service Award
Jean Okada, Player Award
Dr. David Porter, Education Award
2013
Sam Caldwell, Service Award
Sinclair Bill, Player Award
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2012
Jane Sakakihara, Service Award
Sinclair Bill, Player Award
2011
Annie Miller, Service Award
Betsy Somerville Purpura, Player Award
2010
Jane Forester-Leong, Service Award
Murial Ann Osborne, Player Award
More information about the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section’s
Tennis Hall of Fame please visit www.kahiautennis.usta.com
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One of Lurline’s team captains, Susan Ashford, writes: “Lurline
has accomplished what many of us wish we had the talent
or energy to do. As one of her team captains, I know that she
is a great team player. She understands fair competition and
team dynamics. I’ve been lucky enough to witness many of
Lurline Fujii’s acts of kindness and generosity.”
Lurline currently competes in the Adult 65 and Over
League while working to enhance the skills of others. She
devotes her time coaching teams that are in preparation
of going to nationals, along with novice players and their
contemporaries. Lurline’s teammates praise her loyalty,
generosity, and great story telling ability as her pidgin is
enviable. When she is not playing tennis, Lurline initiates
to work and improve the City’s Diamond Head Facility and
volunteers running the Sr. Olympics every year at Kailua
Racquet Club.
Lurline will continue to add to her already remarkable tennis
career. On and off the court she is a true champion blessed
with the tremendous support from her friends and family.
Hawaii Pacific Yearbook 2016
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