Fun! Growth! Learning to Succeed
49th Annual Tennis Camp at Suwannee Parks & Recreation

Group photo of some of the kids and counselors that attended the 49th Annual Suwannee Parks & Recreation Tennis Camp. -Photo by Vivian Chastain

By Tami Stevenson

The 49th Annual Tennis Camp Awards Ceremony was held recently at the Suwannee Parks & Recreation Center in Live Oak with tennis instructor Bob Palmer, along with Pam Sherburne. The tennis camp normally begins the first or second Tuesday after school lets out for summer break. There are two groups, the seven and under group and the eight to twelve group.

Palmer said it is like a day camp where the lessons last only about an hour and fifteen minutes each day, because of the heat. They have a lot of fun during that time as they work out hand-eye coordination and other logistics of the sport.

“The real purpose of the camp is not so much the tennis but is to help them gain confidence. To help them learn how to deal with failure, then come back. You fail and come back, you don’t give up,” said Palmer.
The winners of this year’s 2021 tennis camp are as follows:

Seven and under group:
First Place - Ayush Thakor
Second Place - Dev Thakor
Third Place Maan Thakor
Fourth Place - Victoria Chastain

Nine and older group winners:

First Place -
Z Raj Thakor

Second Place -
Lebron Journey Sims

Third Place -
Carolina Ponder

Fourth Place -
Gideon Wendt

Palmer has had an admirable career in tennis throughout his high school, his college years and beyond. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he received a scholarship to LSU. He was playing and winning so many tournaments he received an offer to travel through Europe – and took it.

“I was good enough to play the great players, but not good enough to beat them. I think at the time I was too young. But maybe I didn’t have the talent,” Palmer admitted, chuckling.

Palmer has been coaching tennis nearly his entire life, since high school. He has many success stories about his students through the years. Today, with the 49th annual tennis camp, he has had the pleasure of teaching the grandchildren of his first students in Suwannee County.

For anyone wishing to have their child in next year’s tennis camp, the cost is $20 for six lessons. That money goes towards paying the high school students that serve as counselors and help out at the camp. Private and semi-private lessons are available. For more information call 318-840-4802.