Pro Staff

Chris Thatcher

Director of Interclub and Pro Staff

Born in Chicago, Ill and raised in Cincinnati, Chris played 4 yrs of varsity tennis at Sycamore High School and was ranked in the Top 30 in the Midwest.  He played for the University of Cincinnati for 1 year and 3 years at the University of Illinois where he also received his Business Administration Degree.  Chris has taught tennis for 11 years and has worked with several nationally-ranked Juniors and Division 1 College players. 

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Tony Fanning

Director of Mens and Juniors Activities

Tony has been a tennis professional since 1980 and is PTR certified.  He attended Briarcliff College in Sioux City, Iowa and Sangamon State University in Springfield, Illinois on a tennis scholarship.  While at Sangamon State he ranked as high as #1 in doubles in the NAIA.  He has been affiliated with Camargo Racquet Club since 1996 and is the Director of Tennis for the City of Blue Ash Recreation Center since 1997.  He has 5 children and lives in Kenwood with his wife Jill.

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Tricia Brink

More info on one of our new pros coming soon.  Welcome Tricia! 

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Terry Adkins

Terry has been playing tennis for nearly 20 years and in 2003 earned his Instructor level teaching certification through PTR.  Since then, Terry has been teaching both beginner and intermediate players the basics and fundamentals of tennis in order to help them get the most out of their tennis experience.  Terry also serves as the tournament director for all USTA sanctioned junior tournaments held at Camargo Racquet Club.

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Marmee Fry-Cook

Marmee went to The Ohio State University where she held the #1 playing position from 1966-1969.  She has been the State of Ohio Intercollegiate Champion, and a Semi-finalist in NCAA Doubles Championship.  Marmee has worked at a variety of Tennis Clubs and Country Clubs from California to Columbus.  Marmee has 48 years of teaching experience.

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Jennifer Gelhous

We welcome Jennifer to our staff!  Her bio and photo will be coming soon!

John Gould

John went to Morehead State University where he played #1 Doubles and #2 Singles.  He was the #1 ranked doubles player in Northeast Ohio in 1992.  He won the Thomas E. Price Metropolitan Tennis Tournament in 35+ Singles in 2006.  John has 15 years of teaching experience.

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Marie Matrka

Marie was born in Wilmington, Ohio where she played four years of high school tennis on the Boy’s Tennis Team. She earned degrees in Biology and Chemistry and played Division I Tennis all four years at Coastal Carolina University. While at Coastal, she received several academic and athletic awards including Coastal Carolina’s Most Distinguished Student Athlete, two time Women’s Scholar Athlete of the Year at Coastal Carolina and for the Big South Conference, Player of the Year for the Big South Conference, and
named to the First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Women’s At-Large Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America for Division I Women’s Tennis. She is also a 3 time Cincinnati MET Champion.

Email Marie!

Mark Matthews

We welcome Mark to our staff!  His bio and photo will be coming soon!

Kate Rippe

Kate Rippe comes to Camargo after being at Eastern Hills Indoor for 5 years. She has also been the Assistant Pro at the Hyde Park Country Club for the past 3 summers. Kate was a top level Junior player in the state of Texas while in high school. She decided to attend Xavier University where she broke the All-Time Singles Wins record. After graduating Xavier, she has continued her commitment to the University as assistant/volunteer assistant with the Xavier University tennis team.

Email Kate!

Dave Russell

Dave was a two time High School All America player growing up in New York.  As a four year starter at Indiana University, he helped the varsity team achieve their highest national ranking ever!  His USPTR training guides him in understanding how to work with children and build their game to be as good as they want it to be.
Dave specializes in bringing beginners to high-level juniors to the top of their game.

Email Dave!

Gary Samuels

Gary was formerly ranked in the Top 15 for US Singles players and he is currently ranked #28 nationally and #2 in the Midwest in the USTA 45+ Singles.  He’s the winner of the 2003 National Singles Championship and is on the advisory staff for K-Swiss shoes and Volkl racquets.  Gary has been at Camargo Racquet Club for 5 years and is the current boys Varsity Tennis Coach for Cincinnati Country Day.

Email Gary!

Jim Schutty

Jim has been a USPTA P1 Teaching Professional for 17 years.  He created the Blue Ash Rec. Center Tennis Program and was the Director for 12 yrs until he moved to Head Tennis Professional at Five Seasons Country Club for 5 yrs.  Jim is also known for his expertise behind the grill and stepped out of tennis briefly to become managing partner of Paxton's Grill in Loveland.

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Brian Siler

Brian was born and raised in Cincinnati and played tennis at Elder High School in 1997.  He attended Walsh University on scholarship and was a 3-time NAIA national qualifier and named 1st team All-American of the Mid-Ohio Conference.  Brian graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2002.  He has taught tennis for 11 years, is certified through the USPTR and is currently the Tennis Director at Madeira Swim Club.

Email Brian!