Meet the Wellesley Pros
The Longfellow Tennis Club has certified USPTA/PTR professionals who are always available for private, semi-private or small group instructions, based on your individual schedule.
Eric Westcott
Director of Wellesley Tennis
- Philosophy
“Have fun with playing tennis, always. Everything else will fall into place!” - Year Started at Longfellow
Tennis Pro since April 2007 - Experience
Head Tennis Professional of Longfellow Tennis Club, Wayland, MA
Director of New England Tennis Academy
Westboro Tennis Club, Westborough, MA
Director of High Performance Tennis at Cap Juluca Resort, Anguilla, BWI
Director of Tennis at Kelly Gunterman School for Tennis, Stratton, VT
Director of Junior Tennis - Certifications
USPTR Certified
USPTR High Performance Certified
Northern Arizona University - Accomplishments
Coaching players on the WTA Tour, Junior ITF, and USTA National Level; highly ranked USTA Men’s OPEN and Junior. - Personal Background
I enjoy skiing, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, hiking, running, and golfing.
Hilary McCarthy
Tennis Professional
- Coaching Philosophy
I believe in using encouragement, a supportive environment and positive feedback to build a player’s confidence, motivation and mindset. - Education and Awards
USPTA Elite Professional (1998–Present)
USPTA NE Regional Professional of the Year (2020)
USTA Volunteer Service Award (2017) - Experience
Head Professional, Dedham Health & Athletic Complex, MA (2016–2024)
Tennis Director, Milton Hoosic Club, Canton, MA (2017–2018)
Head Professional, Duxbury Yacht Club, MA (2016)
Junior Director, Dedham Health & Athletic Complex, MA (2010–2016)
Tennis Director, Wimbledon Metrowest, Walpole, MA (1994–2010) - Personal Background
My love of tennis began when I started playing at an early age. I grew up as part of a large tennis family. I competed as a junior in Ireland and began coaching tennis as a teenager. When not on the court, I also love to compete in the sport of triathlon. I have completed over 80 triathlons of various distances and qualified multiple times for USTA National Championships.
Wizzie Phelps
Tennis Professional
- Education and Experience
Tennis Professional at Longfellow Wellesley
B.A. in History, Denison University
M.Ed. in Elementary Education, Lesley University
Former coach of tennis, field hockey, and lacrosse at The Winsor School, Boston
Three-time All-American in field hockey
NCAC Field Hockey Player of the Year (1994)
Lacrosse Captain, Denison University - Personal Background
In my free time, I enjoy running, playing tennis, walking my dog, and spending time with family and friends. I’m married to my husband, Gus Phelps, and we have two children, Hope and Luke, as well as our dog, Jimmy.
Philip Goldberg
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
- Education and Experience
Tennis Professional at Longfellow Wellesley (Started August 2024)
Over 30 years of teaching experience
Certified USPTA Professional
B.A., Bentley College
Varsity Boys Tennis Coach, Newton North (since 1990)
Extensive experience in singles and doubles tournaments around New England - Personal Background
I enjoy playing tennis, cards, spending time with animals, reading books, and traveling.
Richard Ryzi
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
- Teaching Philosophy
There's no way around hard work. No matter how much natural talent you have, hard work will give you far more success than talent ever could. - Education and Experience
Played varsity tennis at Littleton High School for 4 years (2014–2017)
Played DIII Men's Varsity Tennis at Gordon College for 4 years (2017–2021)
Tennis Professional at Marcus Lewis Tennis Center for 2.5 years (2021–2024)
Head Coach of Boys Varsity Tennis at Littleton High School for 3 seasons (2021–2024)
Private coaching experience - Certifications
PTR Certified
CPR Certified
USTA Safe Play Approved
USTA Tournament Director Approved - Personal Background
In my spare time, I love making music and playing instruments, including guitar, piano, drums, and saxophone. I also enjoy hiking and anything related to sports, with soccer being my close favorite next to tennis. - Achievements
Ranked in the top 20 leaderboard at Gordon College for overall wins
Coached the Littleton High School Boys Varsity Tennis Team to win their first-ever Divisional Championship
Led the Spring League B2 Women's Team at Marcus Lewis Tennis Center to win their division
Commonwealth Coast Conference DIII 3rd Team All-Star during my senior year of college
Ling Zheng
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
- Philosophy
Tennis is a fun and lifelong sport. Not only does it help improve your mind and body, but it also helps form your character. - Education and Experience
Tennis Professional at Longfellow Junior Program (since 2022)
Coach for the Red Ball Program at Wightman Tennis Center
Player on USTA doubles team, women's CMITA, and spring league
Part-time researcher at Harvard Graduate School of Education, assessing and developing academic curriculum for K-5 students - Certifications
PTR, PPR, and Net Gen Certified
Certified Taekwondo Black Belt - Personal Background
My son, Max, trained at Longfellow and became a high-level competitive tennis player. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, painting, cooking, and Chinese dancing.
Dave McNaughton
Pickleball Co-Director and Tennis Professional
- Philosophy
Tennis and pickleball are lifetime sports that build not only physical skill but also mental toughness, strategic thinking, and camaraderie. I believe in fostering a love for the game while helping players reach their full potential. - Education and Experience
Former Director of Racquet Sports at:
Wellesley Country Club
Weymouth Club
Prouts Neck Country Club
Savannah Yacht Club
Head Coach at Bowdoin College and Emmanuel College. - Certifications
PTR, PPR, PPTR, USPTA, USTA, CPR/AED - Personal Background
In my free time, I enjoy racquet sports, biking, hiking, fishing, skiing, and spending time with my family.
Nicole Welburn
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
- Philosophy
Improving players of all levels in technique, form, and skill while building lasting relationships and having fun. Teaching players to be knowledgeable in game play rules, regulations, and strategies. - Education and Experience
Tennis Professional at Longfellow Health Clubs (since 2024)
Women’s Varsity Tennis Player, University of Connecticut (1991–1995)
Head Pro, Harwichport Tennis Association (1996–1998)
Head Coach, Girls Tennis, Joel Barlow High School (1995–1998)
Tennis Professional, Murray Hill Racquet Club, New Providence, NJ (2010–2016)
Tennis Professional, Boston Sports Club, Wellesley, MA (2016–2023)
Tennis Professional, Needham Platform Tennis Club (2023–2024)
Tennis Professional, Needham Pool and Racquet (2024)
Assistant Women’s Coach, Boston College (Spring 2024) - Personal Background
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and skiing.
Daniel Queen
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
- Philosophy
IT IS ALL ABOUT THE BE: BE confident, BE motivated, BE focused and BElieve in yourself. - Education and Experience
Tennis Professional at Longfellow Health Clubs (since 2025)
M.S. in Sports Management; Springfield College, Springfield, MA
B.S. in Sociology; Union College, Schenectady, NY
Played 4 years on varsity tennis team for Andover High School, Captain Senior Year.
Taught tennis at Camp Skylemar (1994, 1995, 1996).
Needham Parks & Recreation Tennis Coach 2023- 2024 - Personal Background
In my spare time, I like to ski, play pickleball and tennis, attend any sporting event, and I like to spend time with my family and firends. - Accomplishments
My beautiful family including two daughters.
20+ years in the Sports Industry with roles at Major League Baseball and Northeastern University.
Marcy buckler
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
- Philosophy
Tennis is about team camaraderie, continued growth in skill, learning how to lose as well as win with grace. But above all - tennis is about FUN! - Education and Experience
Tennis Professional at Longfellow Health Clubs (since 2024)
Played Varsity EBHS, NJ team; State Championship and American University; won City Championship.
Played on teams in NJ and continue to play on various teams in Boston area where USTA teams have won sectionals and regionals in recent years. - Certifications
PTR Certified Tennis Coach - Hobbies
Pickleball, Biking, Hiking, Snowshoeing, and Traveling.
Jason Wen
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
- Philosophy
Tennis is the best "Medicine" - Education and Experience
Tennis Professional at Longfellow Health Clubs (since 2024)
More than 20 years of tennis coaching experience for juniors and adults. - Certifications
PTR and RSPA certified Elite Professional (Level 3) Tennis Coach - Hobbies
Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Meditation - Accomplishments
Coached high schoolers to be MA Public High School Team Champion and MA Private High School Team Champion.
President and Founder of Boston Chinese Tennis Association.
emma davis
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
- Philosophy
Trust the process and embrace the challenge. - Education and Experience
Tennis Professional at Longfellow Health Clubs (since 2024)
Played on the WTA tour from 2019-2021
Assistant Coach at Yale University from 2021-2023
Private tennis lessons at Yale University from 2021-2023. Worked with a range of ages from 5 - 80 years old.
Head Women’s Coach at Babson College from Jan 2024 to present. - Hobbies
Walking with my golden retriever Sadie, hiking, traveling - Accomplishments
Ranked number 1 in MA as a Junior player and top 4 in New England.
Ranked 5 star/ blue chip recruit by tennisrecruiting.net.
4-time MA individual high school state champion
4 year starter at Wake Forest University.
Team Captain at Wake Forest in 2018-2019.
All ACC first team and second team in Spring 2018 and 2019.
ACC player of the week in February 2018, 2019.
Finished ranked number 11 in ITA doubles rankings and was ranked as high as 16 in singles rankings
191 career singles and doubles victories, sixth all-time in Wake history
ITA Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award, Spring 2019
Earned career high WTA rankings of 630 in doubles and 670 in singles
Achieved career high ITF rankings of 336 in doubles and 478 in singles
Coached a Babson doubles pairing to a national championship in 2024.
Jennifer Poulos-Gopen
TENNIS PROFESSIONAL
- Philosophy
I love working with students of all levels and ages. I focus on noticing where each player is at in their game and together create goals and improvements they would like to make. Small improvements every day leads to big results. - Education and Experience
Tennis Professional at Longfellow Health Clubs (since 2025)
University of California at Berkeley (1997)
UC Davis, Men’s Tennis Varsity, Division 1, Assistant Coach
Harvard Women’s Tennis Varsity, D1, Assistant Coach
USTA/Southern California National Junior Intersectional Team Head coach, 18-under
USTA/New England National Junior Intersectional Team Head coach, 16-under girls
USTA/Southern California School Tennis Manager
WTA tour, full time head travel coach, professional female player
WTA tour professional tennis player best wins vs Mary Pierce and Hana Mandlikova, competed on WTA and ITF tour internationally
UC Berkeley, D1, played top lineup singles and doubles.
NCAA, D1, collegiate ranking high of #4 in country
Top National junior player in US, Gold Ball National Hard Courts, Gold Medal Junior
Competed in US Open Juniors and Professional/singles and doubles - Hobbies
Loves to run, practice yoga and hang out with her twin daughters when they let her
Boston Marathon 4x finisher (pr 3:12) , New York Marathon (1x /pr3:11)
NCL National Charity League, mother/daughter philanthropy - Accomplishments
Brookline High School Athletic Hall of Fame
UC Berkeley: Co Captain, 2 time All- American, Hellen Willis Moody Leadership Award.
International Tennis Association (ITA) collegiate awards: PAC 10 All Decade Team, ITA Regional
Rookie of the Year, ITA Regional Senior Player of the Year, Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship nomination.
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