Georgia

Bryan M. “Bitsy” Grant, Georgia, 1977

Bryan M. “Bitsy” Grant, Georgia,inducted in 1977 Bitsy Grant

Nicknamed “Itsy Bitsy the Giant Killer” because of his five feet, four inch frame, Grant was a pioneering representative for the game of tennis in Georgia.
In 1954, The Bitsy Grant Tennis Center, which was once the headquarters of the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association, was named in his honor.
Two time quarterfinalists at Wimbledon, and played four U.S. Davis Cup Teams between 1935-1938.
Played on the University of North Carolina’s 1931 team that won the Southern Conference title. Selected All-American that same year.
Served in the Pacific Islands around New Guinea during WWII where he was involved in heavy firefights.
Inducted into the International Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island in 1972.
Bitsy Grant died at the age of 76.

Randy Stephens, Georgia, inducted in 2014

Began playing tennis as a freshman in college and played on the Georgia State University varsity team in 1976 and 1977.
Tournament Director for the Southern Closed 14’s and a teaching professional for twenty years before becoming a financial advisor in 2007.
Elected President of the following organizations and served two terms for each: Macon Tennis Association, USTA Georgia, the Georgia Professional Tennis Association and the Southern Professional Tennis Association.
Chaired numerous USTA Southern Committees, including Junior Competition, Sanction and Schedule, and Nominating (twice), elected Southern President in 2001 and later served two terms as Chairman of the Southern Tennis Patrons Foundation.
USTA Southern Delegate and a member of the USTA Executive Committee, chaired the USTA Tennis Innovation and Wheelchair Committees and served on numerous other national committees as well as the ITF Wheelchair Committee.
Ranked number 1 in Georgia and in USTA Southern Men’s 35’s, 45’s and 55’s Doubles and 35s Mixed Doubles.
Received the USTA Southern Jacobs Bowl in 2000, the Charles Morris Volunteer Service Award in 2003 and has been inducted in numerous Hall of Fames including the Georgia Tennis Professionals Hall of Fame, the USPTA Southern Tennis Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame.

Armistead C. Neely, Georgia, inducted in 2014

Outstanding junior player and a member of the United States Junior Davis Cup team
Played number 1 for the University of Florida in the late 1960’s where he never lost a SEC singles dual match in 3 years of competition, was a 2-time All American, served as team captain and won 2 SEC singles and 2 SEC doubles titles
Began a 7-year pro career in 1971 where he won 11 titles on 5 continents, appeared in 3 Grand Slams and cofounded the first international tennis satellite tour, the first tournaments to award ATP points for satellite competition and established a Masters satellite tour-ending event
Coached the University of Alabama men’s team from 1977 to 1981
Supervised or directed more than 50 professional and junior tournaments, along with USTA satellite tour stops in Florida and Texas
Won 9 singles and 17 doubles titles at USTA National Championships in various age categories and played for 9 United States teams in international team competition, including 5 championship cup teams
Inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame and the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame

Al Parker, Georgia, inducted 2010

Recognized as the most accomplished junior tennis player in history
Won 25 national junior titles
The only player to be ranked number nationally in all 4 junior age divisions….Boy’s 12U in 1981, 14U in 1982, 16U in 1985 and 18U in 1986
During 1980-81 won the Boy’s 12U singles and doubles titles at all 4 national tournaments, the only player ever to capture all available national championships in one age division in one year….called the “Double Grand Slam”
Competed in 66 national singles and/or doubles tournaments and either won or was a finalist 38 times
Played number 1 singles at the University of Georgia, was a 4 year All-American and won 2 National Collegiate Singles Championships and 10 other collegiate singles and doubles titles, never losing a finals match
Inducted into the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 2007

Jerry Caldwell, Georgia, inducted in 2010

Made his mark as a doubles player in the world of adult tennis, securing ranking of No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 in the South in 1981 with three different partners
Won the 1986 National Men’s 45s Clay Court Doubles Championship and played in 11 national doubles finals
Won over 25 Georgia championships and an equal number of Southern championships
Ranked No. 1 in the nation once, in Southern 10 times and in Georgia 15 times in his age group and consistently ranked among the top 5 nationally
Served the sport as a distinguished volunteer, including President of the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association, Vice-President of USTA Georgia and a founder of the Senior Tennis Players of Georgia and the Atlanta Cup
Member of USTA Southern’s Olympics Facilities, Information Technology and Marketing committees
Inducted into the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame in 1997