Hilton Head Island, SC - - Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) presented its annual awards last week during the 2012 PTR International Tennis Symposium. The event, which includes 50-plus on court and classroom presentations for tennis teachers and coaches, a tennis trade show and tournament, was held February 24-28, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, in Orlando, Florida

Betsy R. Smith, of Daphne, Alabama, was named PTR Member of the Year for the State. This award is presented to a PTR member in the United States who has shown dedication and diligence in promoting and supporting tennis and PTR.

Smith is currently the Associate Dean of Academic Administration and Continuing Education at the United States Sports Academy (USSA). A former playing and teaching professional, Smith has been a certified member of the PTR for 25 years.

As a longtime member of the South Florida tennis community (30 years), she has held head pro and director positions at both public and private tennis facilities. Also, during this time, Ms. Smith was a USTA/NTRP district and regional verifier and director/participant in various community and charity tennis events.

As a member of the United State Sports Academy faculty, she lived in the Kingdom of Bahrain for two years involved in a series of special physical education projects with the Ministry of Education. Smith received a BA from Stephens College, an MS in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and is currently finishing her doctorate in sport management. She has been included in the 2010 World Who’s Who of Women, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and Outstanding College Athletes of America.

Smith was instrumental in PTR attaining USSA Continuing Education Credits (CEU) for its members who complete the Master of Tennis - Performance program.

PTR is the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals with more than 14,000 members in 117 countries. It has the greatest percentage of multicultural and women members of any such organization. PTR is dedicated to educating, certifying and servicing tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to grow the game.