Murray Offers Tennis Lessons at Grand Hotel
By Eric Fish

Layne Compton (left) and Hailey Bean prepare to return serves Wednesday, June 13.

Grand Hotel tennis professional Jerry Murray will conduct junior clinics at the hotel tennis courts again this year.

The clinics began June 11 and will continue through August. They're open to all Island children ages six to 15, including residents and hotel guests. Mr. Murray teaches the fundamentals of tennis, from the rules to advanced techniques.

"It just gives people a chance to get to know each other," Mr. Murray said. "It just gives the kids a chance to get out and get exercise and get to know kids from different parts of the Island."

The clinics are broken up into age groups. A Tots Junior Excellence clinic is held every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and for children ages six to eight.

"I like teaching it to the little kids," Mr. Murray said. "Younger kids, you basically try to show them a good time. Give them a little basic fundamental, but it's mostly about having fun on the court."

A Junior Excellence clinic is held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon for children ages nine and 10, and a Super Junior Excellence clinic is held Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages 11 and older.

Year-around Island resident Hailey Bean, 12, and seasonal resident Layne Compton, 10, are two regulars at Mr. Murray's Junior Excellence clinics on Mondays and Wednesdays.

"They're starting to learn everything and get into it," Mr. Murray said.

Miss Compton watches professional tennis on television and hopes to become a professional player someday. So far this season, she's learned advanced techniques and has improved her skills through the guidance of Mr. Murray and practice.

"I usually come up and play with a friend, but I do lessons on Monday and Wednesday," Miss Compton said. "I haven't missed one yet."

Miss Bean said she enjoys how active tennis is, and has also benefited from Mr. Murray's clinics.

"He's teaching me how to hit it right," she said.

In addition to the junior clinics, Mr. Murray holds a Beginning Practice Clinic for adults Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. New this year is an Adult Doubles League on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

"It's for intermediate to advanced players," Mr. Murray said of the new adult league.

Mr. Murray is from Livonia and has played tennis since he was a child. He grew up playing junior tournaments, played two years of college tennis at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, and is currently a student at Michigan State University. He's taught lessons for the past seven years, and is now in his second summer of offering lessons at Grand Hotel.

"It helps promote fitness and health, and also it's a good sport," he said. "I've played it my whole life, so it's fun teaching everyone else what I've learned, and then to make it fun for them as well."