Columbia County’s Linda Williams named USTA Florida Tennis Volunteer of the Month

If you are in the tennis community in Lake City then you know that Linda Williams is one of the best volunteers in the area. She is known for always going above and beyond to make sure everyone has an opportunity to play the sport.

She first got involved with tennis volunteering back in 2014, when she decided that she wanted to make a difference in Columbia County.

Linda Williams has been a massive asset to the Lake City area

Williams is extremely active in the Lake City Columbia Community Tennis Association (LCCCTA), where she has served as Board Secretary, involved with Youth and Adult Programs, Publicity and Communication Coordinators, and other small roles within LCCCTA.

Linda loves to be hands-on in her community, which is why she decided to get started with volunteering. At first, she would help around LCCCTA wherever she was needed, but Williams knew she had more to offer.

This led to her joining the Youth Tennis Foundation of Florida as their Secretary. She became an advocate for Florida youth tennis, especially in the Lake City area, on top of working in the adult space.

In 2022, Linda organized and directed summer camps for youth of all ages across the entirety of Columbia County. It turned out to be one of the most successful camps the area has ever run. With the help of Williams, Columbia County expects to be able to run camps more often and with larger crowds.

When it comes to the adult scene, Linda is always setting up new programs, clinics, and other play opportunities to get people out to the courts. She has family that plays the sport, so she knows what the sport can do to unite a family and bring lasting memories.

Linda has been a massive asset to the LCCCTA and her peers have noticed just how much she is dedicated to providing tennis in the community. “Linda has been an integral part of the Lake City Columbia Community Tennis Association since its inception in 2014,” they said. “Linda was very involved in the LCCCTA’s support of the renovation and the expansion of the lighted courts and is part of the ongoing effort of the organization to have a 24-court public tennis complex built in the area.”

USTA Florida thanks and congratulates Linda Williams as the USTA Florida Volunteer of the Month for October 2022 as a volunteer, organizing tennis and pushing for positive change in the community of Columbia County. 

ABOUT LINDA

Birthplace: West Runton, England

Family Members: Guy Williams, Erin Weiffenbach, Laurie Giebeig

Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump

Favorite Food: Lobster

Favorite Travel Spot: Nova Scotia

Favorite Shot: Backhand

My earliest tennis memory was… “Watching my uncles play doubles in the New England Championships.”

If I could play tennis with three people, they would be… “Chris Evert, Bjorn Borg, and my uncle.”

When I’m not playing tennis I am… “Teaching my 6 year old granddaughter to play tennis, taking photos, or exercising.”

My best tennis memory is… ” Taking my daughters to watch the women’s championship finals in the Bausch & Lomb Tennis Tournament at Amelia Island.”

I like to volunteer in tennis because… “I have always loved the sport and want everyone to know tennis is a sport that can be played by ALL ages–truly a sport of a lifetime! It’s so satisfying to see the progress of beginner players developing skills and becoming more confident as they master the game. Excitement passes on to their friends and family–increasing our tennis world.”

Interested in volunteering in tennis? Visit www.USTAFlorida.com/Volunteers to learn more about available opportunities.