RON COBB
From the 1970s to the 1990s, Ron covered tennis for newspapers in Columbia, Mo.; Bloomington, Ind.; Memphis, Tenn.; and St. Louis, writing well over 700 articles over a period of 25 years. … His career included 31 years as a writer and editor at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where he produced his tennis coverage almost entirely during his free time. … At the U. of Missouri, Ron earned a letter in tennis and a journalism degree. He won four St. Louis District titles in men’s 35s and the No. 1 ranking in that division.
PAT PURCELL
Pat started in public parks and became a nationally ranked junior and the No. 1 St. Louis women’s player in the 1980s. … After graduating from Washington U., she was a club owner, a USPTA pro and built one of the largest recreational World Team Tennis programs in the country. … Returned to competitive tennis after a 20-year break and won national titles in women’s 55 singles and doubles. … Member of the U.S. Women’s 55 team that won the Maureen Connelly Cup at the 2013 World Competition in Turkey.
CRAIG SANDVIG
Craig arrived from South Dakota in 1971 to attend Washington U. and coached there two years. … Joined Sunset Tennis Center in 1977 and helped build its learning center. … Coached juniors and adults, state champions, sectionally and nationally ranked players, college players and league winners. … Served as district officer, on sectional committees and on the board of Dwight Davis Center. … Five-time state high school champion, two-time Big Ten runner-up at Iowa and won the Iowa Big Ten Medal as its top scholar athlete.
DOUG SMITH
Doug came to St. Louis from South Dakota in 1977 and built a strong junior development program at Sunset Tennis Center, where he later became part-owner. … He developed and directed national tournaments, coached Sunset juniors to 50 Top 10 MVTA rankings, and in the 1980s and 1990s served the Missouri Valley as its first-ever circuit coordinator. … As coach at St. Joseph’s Academy, Doug guided the Angels to nine state championships over a stretch of 18 years.
TERRY WARD
Winner of multiple city championships and was the city’s top-ranked player. … Teaching pro, tennis director, manager and co-owner at Frontenac Racquet Club, and tennis director at Old Warson Country Club. … Played at the University of San Diego. … In pro events, Terry was a singles finalist in one tournament and won four times in doubles. … Achieved a world ranking in singles and doubles. … Active on the business end of tennis and invented the Turboliner, a machine that removes nails from clay court lines.