Meet Our Tennis Staff

OWNER/DIRECTOR OF TENNIS/GENERAL MANAGER

Certified Tennis Professional

Current GCTA Board Member, Current Ohio Valley USTA Board Member/VP

Master's Degree in Business Management

Former General Manager of Bollettieri Tennis Academy - Paris, France

Former Director of Tennis for 18 years at New Albany Country Club

KTA’s unique teaching system is based on Coach Paul Kobelt’s 43 years of teaching experience which includes positions as Director of IMG/Bollettieri Tennis Academy, Paris, France and 27 combined years as a Country Club Head Pro/Tennis Director at the Milwaukee Country Club, New Albany Country Club and currently, Columbus Country Club. In 2005, Paul founded the New Albany Tennis Center, which is a famiy owned and operated year-round tennis facility open to the public.

During his 30 years as a USPTA Elite Professional, Paul received extensive training by the USTA’s National Coaches as a Competitive Training Center Coach and also while earning their “High Performance Specialist” Designation. He has also attended over 1500 hours of continuing education and, over the years, has had the great fortune of learning from dozens of very talented co-workers, college coaches, WTA/ATP players and coaches and from organizing and conducting clinics with over 25 former Grand Slam Champions

INSTRUCTOR

Eric started playing tennis when he was 14 years old, and has been in the tennis industry for over 15 years. He currently has an NTRP rating of 4.5, and still actively plays in World Team Tennis and USTA. He is also an accomplished tennis photographer, doing work for the ITA, Tennis Week Magazine, Ohio State University, Wright State University, Toledo University, and Ohio Dominican University, as well as our very own New Albany Tennis Center. Eric works at the Western & Sourthern Open Tournament in Cincinatti each summer as a staff photographer, having his work featured daily on their website. Eric aslo enjoys watching old matches of tennis legends.

INSTRUCTOR

-Coaching Certifications:  USPTR Certified, NTRP Ranking of 4.5

-Where are you from:  Reynoldsburg, OH

-Tennis Playing Background:  State Qualifier at Reynoldsburg High School, OCC Champion, Honorable Mention All State

-Favorite Grand Slam:  US Open

-Favorite Tennis Memory:  Playing the Ohio State Stickney Center at the State Tournament in High School

Head Pro

-Coaching Certifications/ Areas of Study:  USPTA Certified and Wheelchair Tennis Certified.  Bachelor of Science in Business from University of Oregon, Minor in Philosophy

-Where are you from/cities where you have coached:  Born and Raised in Irvine California.  I was a tennis pro for the City of Irvine Tennis Program, University of Oregon and an Assistant Pro at Umpqua Valley Tennis Center in Roseburg, Oregon. 

-Hobbies:  Running and Hiking

-Tennis Playing Background:  USTA Tournaments in Southern CA and Club Tennis for University of Oregon

-Favorite Grand Slam:  Australian Open

-Favorite Tennis Memory/ Favorite Player or Coach that Inspired You:  2008 Wimbledon Final.  After watching that match I was inspired to compete and practice my heart out and not let any practice go to waste.  My coach at the University of Oregon inspired me to pursue a career in tennis.

INSTRUCTOR/ Operations

-Coaching Certifications and Continuing Education:  PTR Certified Coach, USTA Net Generation Provider and Safe Play Certified, PTR Mentee at Roy Barth Tennis Center, Kiawah Island Summer 2017 - 2021, PPR Certified Pickleball Coach and Middle School Tennis Coach at Columbus Academy

-Where are you from:  Louisville, OH

-Tennis Playing Background:  High School Tennis and USTA Eastern League 

-Favorite Grand Slam:  Watching US Open on outer courts at Flushing Meadows every year from morning until night when I lived in NYC. 

- Favorite Tennis Memory:  Winning Riverside Park Tournament on Clay in NYC and coming back from 3-0 deficit in 3rd set high school match to help  team win.

INSTRUCTOR

-Certification: USPTA Certified Instructor 2018 and Professional in 2024. Safe Play Certified

-Where are you from: Kalamazoo, MI; Home of the USTA boys 16/18 championships

-Education: Bachelor of Science Degree from Michigan State University with a double major in Retail Management and Political Science.

-Tennis Playing Background: Played High School Tennis, plus 1 year of College. Currently play on USTA/GCTA 4.0/4.5 teams

-Favorite Grand Slam: French Open; love the red clay

-Favorite Tennis Memory: Ball Runner in Kalamazoo for John McEnroe, Paul Annacone and Stan Smith

-Brian teaches part-time evenings and weekends, as he works during the day as a demand planner for Frontgate

OFFICE STAFF

OFFICE STAFF

-Where are you from/cities where you have coached:  I am from Columbus, OH and previously worked in daycare for 5 years and pre-k for 2 years

-Areas of Study:  Working on my early education degree, focusing on Kindergarten and 1st grade

-Hobbies:  Taking my dog on walks to the dog park and playing volleyball with friends

-Tennis Playing Background:  My only background in tennis is from gym class!  I hope to widen my horizons and join in on some of the clinics we offer at NATC!

-Favorite Age to Work With:  I enjoy teaching the Pre-K age.  They are always so eager to learn new things which keeps every day interesting.

-Favorite Teaching Memory:  My favorite memory from teaching would be when I took my class on a field trip to the movies over the summer.  The excitement of each student made the trip special.  Being able to build a connection with each student is what motivates me to continue with my degree.