Cape Coral tennis pro scrambles to keep players on court
Lisa Zuk had a plan ready for down the road when the courts at the Cape Coral Yacht Club eventually closed for renovations. Hurricane Ian had other plans.
After the Yacht Club was forced to close from damage from the storm, Zuk had to immediately find somewhere for her players to play. It was no easy task.
She worked with the city’s parks and recreation department and the Lee County Community Tennis Association to begin holding clinics and group and private lessons at Kurt Donaldson (Hancock Community), Jim Jeffers and Burton Memorial parks, all in Cape Coral, and Judd Park in North Fort Myers.
In January, she began conducting clinics for ladies’ teams of yacht club members on four Cape Coral High School courts — coordinating especially with Jason Bowman of the parks department — and tiny tots (ages 4 through 6) at Kurt Donaldson.
“I’m used to having everything at a club, but I’m grateful to be helping people play,” Zuk said while piling tennis balls into the trunk of her car after a recent lesson.
The Great Britain native and U.S. collegiate tennis player with USPTA Pro 1 and USPTR certifications entered the local tennis scene as Tom Funk’s assistant at the Cape Coral Golf and Tennis Resort in 1994. She remained there until it closed in 2000. She then became tennis director at the Estero Country Club at the Vines until 2005.
“I had my second child and couldn’t work full time," she said. "Tom was at the Yacht Club then and when I said I was looking for part-time work, he expressed interest in the Vines. We kind of switched!”
“She’s a very good player,” said Funk. “She understands the game and knows how to get along with people.”
Zuk's oldest son Chris, who played for Fort Myers High School and was nominated for the 2021 News-Press boys’ tennis player of the year, has been Funk’s assistant at the Vines since last June and played in the current Southwest Florida Pro League. He's entering his freshman year at the University of South Florida in Tampa this month.
“She taught me everything,” said Chris of his mother. “She pushed me a little early on and led by example to always be a hard worker.”
Cape resident Christy Ellis had never picked up a racket until attending a mom’s cardio class run by Zuk at the Yacht Club in 2014.
“I saw such positivity from her in teaching my daughter, MaryJo, beginning the previous year, and Lisa encouraged me to give it a try,” she said.
MaryJo went on to play for Ida Baker High School and a Florida Gulf Coast University club team and became Zuk’s assistant last year. Christy now plays “four to five days a week,” including at 3.5-level clinics that Zuk leads at Burton Memorial Park.
“I just love the game and the lasting friendships with her and others,” said Christy.
“Teaching technique is most important, but it also has to be enjoyable, so I incorporate fun, especially for beginners,” Zuk said, adding tennis seems especially beneficial for women “looking for something else to do. They exercise and make new friends. I love seeing that.”
For more info or to register, email Lisajash@aol.com or visit leecountytennis.com.
Winter junior tennis program
What: Seven-week program for ages 4-18 with USPTA/USPTR instructor Lisa Zuk. Levels include Tiny Tot (ages 4-6) up through Level 3 and 4 Juniors (ages 10-18). All levels welcome
When: Jan. 9-Feb. 25
Where: Kurt Donaldson Park (Hancock Park), 2211 Hancock Bridge Parkway, Cape Coral
Cost: $120, including season-ending tournament at Judd Park on Feb. 25
Information or to register: Email Lisajash@aol.com
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Longtime Cape Coral tennis pro scrambles to stay on court