Toby Curtis
Tennis Director, 
USPTA Certified Level 1  

Toby@ljclub.com

(336) 282-6465

Toby Curtis started playing tennis when he was twelve years old.  Soon after, the British Tennis Association, through the Cliff Richard “Search for a Star” national competition, gave him a scholarship to continue training. After two years of learning the game he was competing at the national level. He reached the semi - finals of the British 18 and Under Doubles Championships and was chosen to represent England in International competition. As a junior he attended national training camps, traveled to numerous European countries and competed in Russia.  

After Toby's junior career he moved to America and played tennis at Midland Junior College in Midland, Texas and The University of Utah in Salt Lake City. During his college career, he won two junior college National Doubles Championships, was a junior college All-American and received All Conference honors at the University of Utah. Toby was a highly recruited player who received over twenty College Division 1 scholarship offers. 

One of his most treasured accomplishments was being a practice partner for British players at the 1992 Wimbledon Championships. He recalls it was like a dream come true to play with the pros on the sacred turf of Wimbledon .  

After his playing career, Toby began teaching tennis in England. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Australia to work and teach at The Royal King’s Park Club.  Fortunately, Toby returned to the United States and eventually landed in Greensboro, N.C. where he is the Lake Jeanette Tennis Director.  He won the USTA 5.0 National Championship in 2009 and most recently won the USTA 5.5 National Championship in October 2011. He has had the pleasure of working with state, sectional and nationally ranked players. 

Steve Prueter
Head Teaching Pro/Adult Coordinator,
USPTA Certified Level 1

Steve@ljclub.com

(336) 314-9587

Steve Prueter began playing competitive tennis at age 12.  Steve practiced for Plymouth Canton High School in Michigan while still attending middle school.  He played #1 singles his sophomore through senior years and was all state for three years.

Steve joined and played #1 singles and doubles for two years at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan .  While at community college, his school qualified for Nationals for the 14th and 15th straight years in a row.  Steve then played for Purdue University, a division 1 school, for two years on a full scholarship.

After graduation, Steve traveled to Germany where he worked as the Head Professional for the Vic Braden Tennis College on Sylt, an island off the northern coast of Germany and later for the Vic Braden Tennis College in Reit im Winkl, a ski and tennis resort in the Alps.  It was during this time that Steve, learning from Vic Braden, developed his ability to not only dissect and analyze a tennis stroke, but also teach this to his students at their individual level of play.  This special talent earned him the nickname "The Stroke Doctor”.    

Steve’s personal tennis achievements while in Germany include #1 National German Tennis Federation Ranking in 2000, Top 10 State of Hamburg Ranking since 1996, four-time state of Hamburg Champion (Singles for years 2000, ‘02, ‘04 and Doubles 2003), and he was invited and played in the International Tennis Federation World Championships in Hannover, Germany in 2003.

After many years of playing and teaching tennis in various locations, Steve made Greensboro, N.C. his home and became a part of the Lake Jeanette professional staff.  It is at Lake Jeanette that Steve has the pleasure of working with all levels of students from beginner basics, intermediate footwork and strategy to fine tuning the strokes of an advanced player on a week to week basis.  Steve feels that his greatest reward is seeing the results of his teaching efforts together with his students’ hard work and determination that produces vast improvement in their game. 

Dipesh Rao

TeachingPro /Junior Coordinator,
USPTA Certified Level 1  

Dipesh@ljclub.com

(336) 337-7712
 
 

Dipesh started playing tennis at the age of 6. He was ranked Top 10 in Under 10s in India . At the age of 12 he was selected to attend Britannia Amritraj Tennis Academy (B.A.T) which was the most prestigious academy in India. Only eight selected players from all over the country trained at this academy. Dipesh was top 10 in India throughout his junior tennis career and won the under 16 Nationals.

At age 16 Dipesh started playing International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments. He traveled all over Asia playing these tournaments and played The Japan Open (Grade 1) in 1999.

When Dipesh was 17, he decided to play college tennis in the United States. Recruited by top division 1 schools, he accepted a scholarship to the University of Toledo in Ohio. He played #1 singles his last three years and was two-time MVP and three-time All Mid American Conference player.

After his college career, Dipesh traveled over Asia and Africa playing Futures and Satellites in the Men’s ITF circuit

After the Futures circuit, Dipesh moved to Florida in 2004 to work at the Chris Evert Tennis Academy where he was able to work with world class junior players and was a hitting partner for visiting professionals.

Dipesh moved to Greensboro, N.C. in 2006 and became a part of the Lake Jeanette professional staff.  He received the USPTA certification as a Competitive Player Development Specialist in 2009 being one of only two professionals in the Triad to be recognized for this expertise.  Dipesh is also a Master Racquet Technician certified through the United States Racquets Stringers Association. 

Dipesh not only enjoys teaching, but continues to play. He is proud to be a two time USTA National Champion at both the 5.0 and 5.5 levels.