Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) presented its annual awards last month during the 2016 PTR International Tennis Symposium. The event, which includes more than 40 educational presentations for tennis teachers and coaches, was held February 17-20 on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Tomas Catar, of Orange Beach, has been named PTR Member of the Year for the State. This award is presented to a PTR member who has shown dedication and diligence in promoting and supporting tennis and PTR.

Catar is the Head Tennis Professional for City of Gulf Shores. A PTR member since 2003, Catar serves the organization as the Alabama State Representative. He is a certified Professional in three PTR Education Pathways, and earned a PTR Master of Tennis - Performance. Catar is a Clinician for 11 to 17, teaching others how to coach this very important age group. In this capacity, he has conducted multiple certification workshops for PTR.

Catar grew up playing tennis in Slovakia, and reached a No.1 world ranking on the ITF junior circuit. On the ATP Tour, he had wins over Mark Philippoussis, Justin Gimelstob, Ivo Karlovic and the Bryan Brothers.