Nate Lipson
Tennis Director
[email protected]
919.225.2286
Nate joined The Farm tennis staff in March of 2001 as an Assistant Tennis Professional and became the Director of Tennis in January of 2012. He grew up in Chapel Hill and played his collegiate tennis at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Nate enjoys teaching anyone from age 3 to 93 as well as any skill level. He has coached High School State Champions, National Level players, USTA League Local and State Champions and a NCAA Division 3 Champion. Having taught for almost 20 years, Nate is ready for almost anything on the court.
Ryan Lewis
Head Assistant Tennis Pro
[email protected]
919.672.2204
Ryan has been coaching tennis at the Farm for over five years. He grew up in Chapel Hill and discovered his love of tennis through the tutelage of both Howard Schroeder and Nate Lipson. Though a late comer to the junior tournament circuit, Ryan was able to achieve a top ten ranking in the state and top forty ranking in the southern region in USTA play and all state honors in both singles and doubles at Chapel Hill High by graduation. He went on to play top six singles and number one and two doubles at UNCG before returning to Chapel Hill to rejoin the Farm community and share his love of the game with others.
Emily Kutner
Assistant Tennis Pro
[email protected]
Emily played her college tennis at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she she graduated with the 5th all time highest total wins in 49er tennis history. She went on to be an assistant coach for the Lady Tarheel tennis team for 2 years under Coach Kitty Harrison. She joined The Farm staff in 1990. After a short break, she returned as a full time tennis professional in 2013.
Sam Weissler
Assistant Tennis Pro
Sam Weissler was born and raised in Chapel Hill, and took lessons and attended clinics at The Farm throughout his childhood. Under Nate and Emily’s tutelage, Sam reached the #1 ranking in North Carolina in the Boy’s 16’s age division. Sam played his high school tennis at East Chapel Hill High School under Coach Lindsey Linker, where they won a state championship in 2008. Sam went on to play tennis at Johns Hopkins University, where he finished top 20 in total wins. He also currently holds the school record for the best single-season win percentage. Sam has been working camps and clinics for The Farm since he was in high school, and joined the staff full time in January, 2015.
Jack Devonport
Assistant Tennis Pro
Lauren Herman
Assistant Tennis Pro
Lauren joined the Farm team in March, 2021. A native New Yorker, she has called North Carolina home since 2001. Lauren played collegiate tennis at SUNY Albany (a proud Great Dane!) and continues to compete socially in local USTA leagues alongside Farm members. In addition to teaching tennis, she is a certified personal trainer and health coach and brings her passion for health and fitness to the tennis courts and fitness room. Lauren gets tremendous joy from helping people stay active and healthy. Lauren lives in Hillsborough, NC with her partner and three pups.
Dave Keeney
Assistant Tennis Pro
Dave Keeney feels lucky to have been a part of the Chapel Hill tennis community for the past 20 years. Growing up in Fayetteville, Dave played his junior tennis out of Dark Branch Racquet Club before eventually helping Terry Sanford High win multiple conference titles. As a member of the Terry Sanford team, Dave was privileged to win multiple All-Conference honors before an injury on the soccer field paused his tennis career. In 1998, Dave enrolled in UNC-CH and immediately fell in love with the Triangle area. Although a knee injury prevented him from playing sports in college, he enjoyed being a UNC student and graduated with Honors in English and Chemistry. Following graduation in 2002, Dave began his teaching career at the Chapel Hill Tennis Club, eventually becoming Head Pro at CHTC from 2010-2020. Moving on from CHTC he settled briefly at Hope Valley Country Club before finding his way to The Farm. Dave loves the quiet tranquility of The Farm and adores all of its members, as well as his tennis colleagues. The Farm is a truly unique and Dave hopes to spend many years enjoying this special place alongside his wife, Jennifer, and son, Thomas.
Our pros offer half hour and one hour private and/or group lessons.
Gift Certificates for tennis lessons may be purchased from the pros or through the Tennis Shop. These are popular for special occasions such as birthdays and the holidays.
To schedule private lessons, email Nate at [email protected].
Rates
Email [email protected] to inquire about teaching rates.