Beth Choate-Wortmann
In October 2009, the Peachtree City Tennis Center decided to name its Junior
Tennis Academy after Beth Choate-Wortmann. It is now called the “Beth Choate-Wortmann
Tennis Academy”. Beth Choate-Wortman was a talented tennis player and coach who
started her tennis career at an early age and whose life was cut tragically
short by a car accident on June 3rd 2006 while on her way to warm up her
students at the Georgia Junior Qualifier. Her students were family to her and
she never drew a line between her personal life and the lives of her students.
Beth is survived by her husband, Dave Wortmann, her children Matelyn and Luke,
her loving parents Bob and Mary Choate, and the numerous students whose lives
she touched with her teaching and guidance.
Beth Choate-Wortmann – For the Love of
the Game
Beth was born in Morganton, North Carolina on January 24, 1971. She began
playing competitive tennis at an early age and was ranked #1 in the state in
girls 14’s, 16’s and 18’s. During her early tennis career, Beth was chosen to
represent the Southern Region in the Junior Olympics as well as play for the
Wrighman Cup for the State of North Carolina.
When it was time for higher education, Beth was offered and accepted a full
tennis scholarship to the University of Arizona where she served as team captain
during her senior year. In 1990, she reached round of 16 in NCAA doubles and in
1993 her team finished 4th in the nation (Division 1).
After college graduation, Beth decided to use her tennis skills to improve
others and pass along her love of the game. In 1995, Beth joined our team at the
Peachtree City Tennis Center as the Academy Director. During this time, she
helped develop the Peachtree City Tennis Center into the premier public tennis
facility in the country.
Also under her guidance, the Junior Program in Peachtree City was awarded
“Georgia’s Junior Program of the Year” in 1998. She also coached the Georgia
Junior/Fed team to victory in 1998.
Even though she is no longer around to pass on her tennis wisdom, her student’s
consistent and ongoing successes remain as a testament to her skills and the
amount of heart she put into her students. The Beth Choate-Wortmann Adidas Most
Outstanding Performance Award – set up by the Peach State Junior Tennis Classic
– recognizes one boy and one girl at the Peach State for their tournament
successes each year. Kevin King, a former student of Beth’s (who currently plays
for Georgia Tech) received the award in 2008. In fact, many of Beth’s students
have gone on to be awarded college scholarships – five scholarship recipients in
2008-2009 and two so far for 2009-2010.
Just last year, the University of Arizona honored her memory by hosting the Beth
Choate-Wortmann Memorial Celebration.
Her passion for her students both adults and juniors was unmatched and she was
loved by all. She was an intense competitor – an attribute she passed on to all
who knew her and worked with her. She is missed by her students, former
co-workers, and everyone who was touched by her passion.