The Jamestown Area YMCA with its Lakewood branch has long been established as a “Tennis hot-bed” for enthusiasts from around the Chautauqua County region. Sporting several in-door tennis courts, an equipment shop, group and private lessons, camps and much, much more, the Y’s been hailed as being a year-round service establishment for all players of all ages from the area.

With such a large-scale operation, and with more than 400 tennis players a week entering its doors, along with at least two large-scale tournaments happening a year, someone needs to keep things on track for the Y’s ever expanding tennis program.

The Jamestown Area YMCA is proud to announce the hiring of its new director of tennis, Tyler J. Beaton.

Beaton, 26, started coming to the YMCA at a young age, and he excelled at sports to include soccer and tennis. After graduating high school he next attended college at Baldwin Wallace where he continued in the sport of tennis with great success.

Then, rounding out his education in all things “racket” related he earned the coveted P.T.R. (Professional Tennis Registry) distinction, this year in South Carolina. Where Beaton fine-tuned his teaching skills in the tennis arts and expanded his already impressive skill sets.

Several of the YMCA’s management teams appear to be thrilled to have Beaton on staff.

“We’re thrilled to have Tyler on staff here at the Y,” said Tom Anderson the Lakewood YMCA branch manager. “We’ve got up to 400 people a week who play tennis here, and 150 kids in our J.D. (Junior Development program) who will benefit from someone with Tyler’s skills and passion.

Although Beaton just took over the tennis program, he appears to have some lofty goals for it.

“I hope to really help the program grow and thrive in our area,” Beaton said. “Tennis is a sport for a person’s whole lifetime. It’s low-impact, great for cardiovascular conditioning, helps with eye-hand- coordination and is really good for developing youth.”

Additionally, the YMCA’s top manager added. “Tyler is enthusiastic, and energetic … he’s got lots of great ideas for the sport,” said Mark G. Eckendorf, the chief executive officer of the Jamestown Area YMCA.

With Beaton as the newest addition to the YMCA staff it seems its tennis program is destined for great things, which means good things for up and coming tennis players in the area, and even better for YMCA members and potential members who wish to play or learn the “Sport of a Lifetime.”

Registration for tennis clinics, lessons and leagues is now open at the Y. The Y is also running youth tennis programs after school Monday through Friday and on Saturdays.

For more information on the Lakewood YMCA’s tennis program contact the Y or contact Tyler Beaton at 763-0303

Beaton, by choosing to join an organization dedicated to giving back to our community, servicing those in need and caring for people’s fitness and health has proven himself to be a man of character and promise.