The Largest Certified Teaching Staff in Northern Michigan Welcomes You! 

 
          Mick

Chris ("Mick") Michalowski, USPTA: Director of Tennis
Mick has been the Director of Tennis at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa since 1988.  He oversees the Resort’s tennis instruction, leagues, and tournament programs.  He attended Ferris State University (FSU) from 1986 to 1988 where he majored in Marketing/Professional Tennis Management.  While at FSU, as a member of the Men’s Tennis Team, he was named the 1988 Professional Tennis Management Student of the Year.  During the summers of 1990 through 1994, Mick was  alsothe Director of Tennis at the Country Club of Detroit, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.  In 1995, he was named USPTA Midwest Tester of the Year, administering the USPTA test in the Midwest to players interested in becoming certified teaching professionals.  In 2003 and 2005 Mick was awarded the State of Michigan USPTA Tennis Professional of the Year. In 2006 Mick was awarded: The Midwest junior Team Tennis Coordiantor of the Year Award, the USPTA National Star Award and the USTA/USPTA National Community Service Award. He was also Awarded the Midwest "Cap Leighton" Tennis Professional of the Year and the Northen Michigan tennis Volunteer of the Year award.

Brett

Julie

Brett Barnett, USPTA: Head Tennis Professional
Brett heads up the Junior and Adult Tenis Programs at the resort an is a certified USPTA P1 Tennis Professional.  He is a Native of Colorado Springs, CO.  and he attended Methodist College and New Mexico State University.  Played college tennis at Methodist College for 2 years.  Coached Midwest Section 12's team at Zonal Championships in 2002.  Racquet stringer for Connors, McEnroe, Borg, Noah at the Nuveen Challenge in 1997.  Has taught as an Assistant Professional in Fort Wayne, Indiana at Pine Ridge Racquet and Fitness Club and Wildwood Racquet Club and in Charlotte, North Carolina at Carmel Country Club.   

Julie Barnett, USPTA: Head of Junior Development
Julie Barnett is a certified USPTA P1 Tennis Professional. As a native of Iron Mountain, MI she is happy to return to northern Michigan and maintains close ties to the tennis community of the Upper Peninsula. Julie is a graduate of Indiana University of Fort Wayne with a Business Management degree. Julie will now be overseeing our new “Quick Start” program. 

Julie played two years of college tennis at Lake Superior State University in Sault Saint Marie, MI, and also played was captain of the tennis team at Indiana Purdue University Fort Wayne. While attending IPFW, she worked as an Assistant Professional in at Wildwood Racquet Club. Julie worked as an Assistant Professional at both Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, NC and Pine Ridge Racquet & Fitness Club in Fort Wayne, IN where she also served as manager of the tennis pro shops.  

Josie

Karen

Josie Caldwell, Tennis Instructor, ACE Certified Personal Trainer
 Formerly Josie Schumde a big tennis name in Northern Michigan, Josie is a native of Traverse City graduating from St. Francis High School.  Josie attended Michigan State University, played 3 years and was the captain of the 2003 Women’s Varsity Tennis Team.  Understanding how “fit” she had to be to compete, she took a deep interest in fitness training to where the University started giving her training jobs that led to her co-training the MSU Women’s Golf Team.  She also assisted in the training of the Women’s tennis team and for the MSU Football and Basketball Camps. Josie will be completing her American Council of Exercise certification this month.  Josie has also been an assistant tennis professional at the Court One Athletic Club in Okemos, Michigan and at the Lansing Country Club. She currently works with all levels of juniors and adults and she directs all of the sports conditioning classes (French Open, Australian Open...).  Strength and Conditioning tied in with personal training, Josie does it all!

Karen Merrill, M.S. ATC. LMT, Tennis Instructor
Karen Merrill earned her Master of Science in Exercise Science and completed the curriculum to be a certified athletic training at the University of South Alabama in 1996. She is a nationally certified and licensed massage therapist, an ACE certified personal trainer, clinical exercise specialist, lifestyle and weight management consultant, Cancer Exercise Specialist, American Red Cross instructor and a Pilates and Spin instructor. As a master trainer and the 2004 ACE Personal Trainer of the Year, Karen teaches exam preparation and practical training educational classes, as well as helps with test development for the American Council on Exercise.  Previously, she was the director of personal training for two Gold’s Gyms in Virginia and developed a physician referral program for a variety of medical disciplines to aid in the overall health and wellness of their patients. In 2005, Merrill and her husband founded Body Resolve, Inc., a company emphasizing personal training, athletic training, sports specific conditioning and massage therapy. Body Resolve Inc. focuses on individuals with multiple needs and goals from elite athletes to rehabilitative clientele. Merrill is on the advisory board for the Exercise and Sports Science department at Kapiolani Community College. Over the last three years, Merrill was the sports and conditioning specialist for the Marine Corps Kaneohe junior tennis team and the Athletic Trainer for Marine Corps Kaneohe Football league.  As a fitness expert, Merrill has contributed to fitness/wellness articles in publications such as: Shape, Prevention, Outside Magazine, Runner’s World, Bridal Magazine, The New York Times, Latino Bride, Fitness Magazine, Associated Press, Bicycling, ACE Matters, The Honolulu Advertiser, Newsday and Club Business Magazine.  Merrill’s latest passion has been with working with cancer patients and survivors and teaching them the benefits of exercise in their road to recovery. She started a non-profit called the Ho’ola Cancer Exercise Wellness Program in 2006 which provides cancer patients undergoing treatment and in remission a structured exercise class free of charge, twice a week for 10 weeks.  The class empowers cancer patients through exercise to improve the quality of their life. Merrill is married to a Coast Guard Officer and they have two children, Fin and Alexis. The Merrill family excited about their move to Traverse City and are enjoying their new experiences on the Great Lakes.

Cliff (Mr. "G")

George

Cliff Girard, Tennis Instructor
Cliff (Mr. "G") has been a member of the teaching staff for the past 5 years.  A former Junior College finalist, playing for Northwestern Michigan College and Junior high Head Tennis Coach for 24 years.  Cliff work with both juniors and adults, privately and in groups.  he has taught for the Grand Traverse Tennis Camps and for the Grand Traverse/USTA Team Tennis Academy.  Everyone who has hit a ball knows Mr. "G."  he is a huge asset to the tennis teaching staff.

George McDonald, Tennis Instructor
George joined our teaching staff in March 2007 with over 30 years of on-court experience.  He started teaching in 1983 at racquet clubs in the Metro Detroit area, including Crescent Lake Racquet Club, Warren Racquet Club and, most recently, Square Lake Racquet Club in Bloomfield Hills.  George coached at the high school varsity level for 3 years and later coached men's varsity tennis at all five Oakland Community College campuses for 3 years.  He is an instructor in the junior program at the Grand Traverse Tennis Camps during the summer, and has led and assisted with many of our junior and adult programs.  George's students include some of the top juniors in northern Michigan, and in addition to his teaching activity, he has owned and operated Harbor View Entertainment since 1977.

Mike

Kasey

Kasey Klein, Tennis Instructor
Kasey Klein a former student in the program and Division 1 State Doubles Champion has been teaching at the resort for the 2 years.  Kasey works with all levels of juniors in the program and assists in out of class activities as well.  She is currently the coach of the Varsity "B"" Girl's Team at Central High School.  In the summers, she is an instructor at the Grand Traverse Tennis Camps. We are very excited to have Kasey on board!

Anne

Marilyn

Dan

Callee