2017 USTA Hawaii Pacific Yearbook September

2016 TENNIS HALL OF FAME ALA MOANA HOTEL | November 19, 2016 Every year, the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section selects inductees to its Hall of Fame. The Player Award commemorates an individual that is recognized for outstanding competitive achievements with considerations of sportsmanship and character. In 2016, the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section proudly inducted two fine recipients for this category: JOHN GREER | Player Award John Greer, who grew up in Kaneohe, is Hawaii’s most accomplished wheelchair tennis athlete to date. At age 19, he was involved in a serious car accident that left him paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. As a form of therapy, John got involved in various wheelchair sports, but immediately loved the game of tennis. John progressed his tennis game all the way to the professional level and became a top athlete for the United States. His top singles ranking was number six in the world (1998) and doubles ranking number ten (1999). In 2004, he competed in both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. He is a three-time USA World Team Cup Member (Davis Cup equivalent). He holds a total of 27 singles and 37 doubles career titles (in ITF, USTA, and locally). Although John holds many prestigious accolades under his belt, he says his best tennis moment was making it to the 2004 Paralympic Games representing the USA. He is beloved by his friends and family and never took anything for granted in life. His perseverance shows through his many accomplishments, which has made him a role model for tennis players across the world. John gives back to the community conducting wheelchair clinics and motivational talks to many local schools, hospitals, organizations, and city parks. His impact has made Hawaii tennis history. Career Highlights: • Career High ITF (world) Ranking – 6 in Singles (’98), 10 in Doubles (’99) • Career High USTA (national) Ranking – 2 in Singles (’04) • #1 Ranked player in Hawaii from 1987 through retirement in 2004 • Competed in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece -Quarterfinals in doubles (one round short of medals) • Competed at Wimbledon in 2004 • Competed at the US Open in 2004 • 3-time USA World Team Cup Member (Davis & Fed Cup equivalent) –’98 Barcelona, Spain (5th), ’99 New York, NY (2nd), ’04 Christchurch, NZ (3rd) • Competed in 2 NEC Singles Masters (’97 & ‘98) – World top 8 qualify • Competed in 2 Camozzi Doubles Masters (’03 & ’04) – World top 8 qualify • Career Titles: 27 in singles & 37 in doubles (ITF Tour, USTA & local) Special Awards: • Received the Y. Nakamura Sportsmanship Award ’92 - Japan Open • Received the Int’l Sportsmanship Award ’89 – Tahoe/ Donner Grand Prix, California • Received the PBI Sportsmanship Award ’88 – S.W. Nat’l Championship, Texas HENRY SOMERVILLE Player Award Henry Somerville was born and raised in Kailua, Hawaii and grew up in a prominent tennis family. His parents, John and Harriet Somerville were accomplished tennis players. Henry’s father, John, was the former tennis director at the Waialae Country Club. Henry’s mother, Hattie, was the number one ranked women’s player in the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s age group until her retirement from tennis. Henry’s sisters, Betsy and Hannah were also prominent pl ayers in Hawaii. Betsy was a three-time high school state champion, top collegiate player, and holds a career-high professional singles ranking of 400 and career high doubles ranking of 129 in the world. Henry’s brother Jim shared many of the same accomplishments as they were doubles partners on tour. The Somerville’s are known to be one of Hawaii’s first tennis families. Henry Somerville holds a high school single state championship in 1980 and two doubles championships in 1979 and 1980 attending Kalani High School. Upon completing high school, Somerville attended U.C. Berkley on a full-ride scholarship where he played the number one singles and number four doubles positions. In 1984, he was selected for the Olympic Trials. He would later turn pro and compete in the ATP from 1984-1990 achieving a career-high singles ranking of 715 and a career-high doubles ranking of 380 in the world. Henry currently holds the Director of Tennis position at Punahou School. Career Highlights: • Hawaii High School State Singles Champion 1980 • Hawaii High School State Doubles Champion 1979,80 • Selected for National Junior Davis Cup tryouts 1982 in which the top 16 national prospects were invited • Awarded a full scholarship to U.C. Berkeley 1982, played #1 doubles and #4 singles • Team finished with an NCAA D1 ranking of #8 1983 • Selected for 1984 Olympic Trials • Hawaii Grand Prix Year end singles and doubles champion multiple years • #1 ranking in State of Hawaii both singles and doubles • Played on the ATP tour on the challenger and regular tour establishing a world ranking in singles and doubles. 1984 – 1990 • Winner of 4 Kailua Men’s Night Doubles Titles • Coaching HPU Men’s tennis team to three NCAA finals in a five-year span. 1999 – 2004 Special Awards: • USPTA Player of the Year 1994 • ITA Western Region Coach of the Year 2000 • Pacific West Conference Coach of the Year 2002 • USTA Hawaii Pacific Section President’s Award 2013 HAWAII PACIFIC YEARBOOK 2017 27

2017 USTA Hawaii Pacific Yearbook September | Page 29