Assistant Tennis Professional
Jim Morton has been much more than just a familiar face around The Reef over the past 35 years. Having first stepped foot on Ocean Reef courts in 1987, he would go on to spend his decades-long career at both the Racquet Club and the Tennis & Games Center. Jim took over the ORC Director of Tennis role in 1995 and continued to lead the charge at the Tennis & Games Center until his retirement in May of this year. Now, Jim remains a part of the ORC tennis community as a seasonal assistant professional this season.
- From: Geneva, OH
- Achievements: USPTA Division Professional of the Year 2019, USPTA Elite Pro, USPTA Florida District 19 President, Director of Lawn & Tennis Ocean Reef Club for 20 years, Achieved Top 10 National Ranking in USPTA Men’s 45 doubles, National Speaker at USPTA World Conference on Tennis 2013
- My Philosophy: Positive reinforcement delivered with endless energy and enthusiasm with an emphasis on changing ones game to match the way the modern game of tennis is played.
- “Learning to play tennis is like reading a great novel. Don’t try to do it all in one day. Enjoy each chapter and absorb it.” –Bill Lufler USPTA’s 1st President
Congratulations to Club Tennis Director, Jim Morton
On June 1st in West Palm Beach, Jim Morton, Ocean Reef Club Director of Tennis, won a top honor awarded by USPTA, the United States Professional Tennis Association. Jim’s award, Division Professional of the Year, recognized his excellence at their annual conference. The award honored him for his outstanding contribution to the game and his participation in the organization that oversees 14,000 tennis coaches in Florida.
For 30 years, Jim has been teaching Ocean Reef Member families, guests, and associates to play and love the game. The Ocean Reef Communications Department made a wonderful video about his accomplishments at our Club. It was shown to over 300 people. Among the guests were Jim’s mentors throughout his career, past and current Club pros and Willie Cakans, Racquet Club Pro. Jim’s proud family was with him to experience the thrilling honor.
Jim’s innovative programming at the Ocean Reef Tennis & Games Center has created a vibrant facility that keeps getting better and better. He has just returned from London after taking a group of Members to the Wimbledon games. Next year, he is planning to lead a group of Members to Rome for the Italian Open Tennis Tournament. He is interested in the USTA’s mission to combine education and tennis to under-resourced boys and girls.
Jim’s acceptance speech mentioned the Club’s Pickleball program that is thriving and daily brings excited players to the Center. In his humble manner, Jim thanked everyone who helped him, the pros who guided him throughout his career, his associates, fellow pros, and court maintenance team. He emphasized the pleasure and pride of heading the tennis program at Ocean Reef Club, the best Tennis Center in the country. The Club honors you, Jim!