Doug Barthel

Manager / Director of Tennis 

Doug began his tennis career in 1986 as Program Director for the Jackson, TN Athletic Club and then moved to Memphis in 1988 as an Assistant Pro at both the Racquet Club of Memphis and the Memphis Country Club. Two years later, Doug took over as lessee and Director of Tennis at the Forest Hill Tennis Club, an indoor-outdoor facility in Collierville (suburban Memphis) affiliated with the Ridgeway Country Club. In his eight years there, Doug was successful in developing a variety of attractive programs for juniors, building an active roster of adult team tennis participants and gaining a reputation as an excellent tennis teacher and coach. During this time period, Doug also directed the community tennis program for the City of Collierville.

In 2001, Doug accepted the challenge of starting a new tennis facility for the City of Brownsville (Texas) and the Brownsville Tennis Association where he has been responsible for developing and directing tennis programming for this public/private partnership serving a city of 150,000 people. Doug's desire to move his family (wife, Kathy, and son, Drew) closer to home and return to a smaller, member based club in an area where he had often vacationed coincided perfectly with our search. We believe that Doug has the skills needed to lead BBTC's tennis programs to a new level of excellence.

Jay Walpole

Head Pro / Junior Development Coordinator 

Jay, a USPTA certified professional, moved to Bluewater Bay by way of Memphis.  Jay grew up in Memphis playing competitive junior, high school, and collegiate tennis. 

Coached by Doug Barthel, Jay achieved a top state ranking as well as a sectional ranking.  He then went on to play #1 singles and doubles for three years at Christian Brothers University.  There Jay compiled the most singles victories by a CBU player as well as being named to the All Gulf South Conference Team.  

After college, Jay has continued to play competitive tennis; including captaining a sectional championship 5.0 USTA team.

Jay worked part-time during college and has worked as a full-time tennis teaching professional since completing his studies.  He has shown great success with all aspects of his teaching.  He has helped develop many strong highly-ranked juniors in the Mid-South area as well as coaching championship level USTA teams.  He looks forward to doing the same for Bluewater Bay Tennis Center.

A great opportunity has led Jay and his new wife, Emily, to Bluewater.  An even greater opportunity has arrived for the players at Bluewater Bay Tennis Center with the addition of Jay Walpole to the staff.