Staff Bios
Senior Staff
David Taylor – Sales Director / Instructor
As Dave puts it – “True success permeates from fun and passion!” His love for the game started at the very early age of four beginning at the Greenville Country Club, Greenville, DE. His internship continued with local Master Pro and State Champion, Greg Barkley, and continued competitively at the High School (Alexis I. Dupont 83′) and Collegiate Level ( Lynchburg College 87′).
Following college, Dave pursued his passion with tennis through his involvement with Corporate and USTA tennis leagues before reluctantly putting his racquet down while helping to raise his family which now includes a five yr. old son and nine yr. old daughter. During his hiatus, Dave spent 12 years in client services and sales before returning to tennis. He immediately immersed himself in coaching and pursued and completed the USPTA certification. Dave combines the perfect blend of passion for the sport, the understanding of a parent, the competency of a professional coach, and the importance of having fun as you play at the both competitive and recreational levels. Coupled with his coaching responsibilities, Dave currently serves as Marketing Director for MyServe in charge of new business development and the school and organizations coordinator.
No wonder Dave has found the MyServe Tennis program to be as fulfilling for him as it is for the kids – “My only regret is that this program was not around when I was a kid!”
Eddie Gilmore – Head Instructor
Born and raised in Greensboro North Carolina, Eddie played just about every sport as a child with one notable exception – tennis. To make up for “lost time,” as a young adult, Eddie began his tennis odyssey as both a player and coach lasting now for over thirty years. His realization was simple – give kids a passion for the game early in their lives and it will last forever! His enthusiasm and love for this sport is obvious and draws much admiration by those in his presence.
As an accomplished coach, Eddie is a long standing Professional Instructor (PTR certified) and Recreational Coach (USTA certified). His skills are especially grounded in developmental tennis programs for youth, including, his experiences as Director of Youth Summer Tennis Camps, Ambassador, Carnival, and several after school programs. His development approach in the fundamentals of the game, along with his vast experience and infectious personality, makes it easy for children to learn and love the sport of tennis.
Bob Bratcher – Instructor
If there are kids playing tennis you’re likely to find Coach Bob. His love of the game began from teaching his granddaughter and continued ever since with Day Camps for the Wilmington Tennis Foundation, USTA after school programs, Rodney Street Tennis & Tutoring Association, Wilmington Parks & Recreation, and serving as Director of the Berks Regional Tennis Association.
Coach Bob is a Certified PTR instructor, USPTA Developmental Coach, and perpetual student of the game having attended many USTA, USPTA and PTR clinics, seminars and coaching workshops.
Coach Bob reminds all of us that this game is truly a lifetime sport having recently become a National Champion by winning the Mens National 75 yr olds singles title and a finalist in the 70s doubles at the American Tennis Association National Championships held in Miami, Florida this past summer.
Nicole Welding – Instructor
Raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Nicole began playing tennis at the age of five and by the time she was nine was competing throughout the state in USTA sponsored tournaments. As her love for the game grew, she was later offered a scholarship to play Division I tennis at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Nicole played on the team all 4 years and holds the university’s record for wins at the #5 position from her freshman year. She then went on to play #1 for the team both her junior and senior year.
However, as Nicole says, “I enjoy tennis the most when I am able to instill a love for the sport in others, especially children.” Nicole began teaching tennis about 12 years ago at Veltri Tennis Center in Florida where she taught children, juniors, and adults. After college, she attended various USTA workshops and played on USTA teams. Once she moved to Wilmington last year, she became a USTA Certified Rec Coach and began teaching children and adults for the USTA and now MyServe. She finds MyServe to be an excellent program that she wishes they had when she was teaching in Florida. Currently, Nicole is finishing up her Masters in Elementary Education at Wilmington University where she hopes to keep improving her teaching skills off the court as well.
Gus Graham - Instructor
Gus will tell you that as a coach his singular mission is to create great tennis players. In addition to coaching many of the state’s top players, Gus helped his son, Gus Jr., finish runner up in 2011 State Championships. His success as a coach and his pursuit for excellence is rooted in his belief that tennis doesn’t need to be complicated and rigid in technique. He stresses the fundamentals, yet takes a non “cookie cutter” approach that embraces the unique qualities of every child.
Gus knows sports and understands what it takes to achieve. As an accomplished athlete, Gus has competed and coached in several diverse sports including: basketball, football, baseball, boxing and wrestling. His athleticism, diverse coaching background and his perspective as a parent, makes him uniquely qualified in teaching young, aspiring players. When not on the court, Gus is studying the game and looking for advancements in the sport and methods to simplify the fundamentals. What he enjoys most is taking a student with little or no background and giving them the tools and confidence to achieve great things.