1926 NCAA doubles titlist with Edward Bud Chandler

1931 – 1942 Pro Claremont Country Club

1932 – 1943 Coach UC Berkeley

1942 – 1960 Tennis Pro and manager Berkeley Tennis Club

1965 – 1973 Tennis Director Silverado Country Club

1983 Tennis Education Merit award for outstanding service rendered to the tennis education program by a teaching professionals was presented posthumously to Tom Stow.

Tom Stow was a man known among his contemporaries as “the coaches coach.”

Over the course of more than half a century, Stow was the most successful and respected coach in Northern California, working at the Claremont Country Club, Berkeley Tennis Club, and finally the Silverado Country Club.

Although best known for his work with Grand Slam champion Don Budge, Stow also coached two other players who were later inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Margaret Osborne DuPont and Sarah Palfrey Danzig.

“What Stow contributed to tennis coaching can be likened to what Amos Alonzo Staff, Pop Warner, and Knute Rockne did for football” said Jack Kramer.

Even in his later years Stow was sough out by other professionals for advice on how to improve their performances.  He helped foster the careers of such successful teaching pros as Dennis Van der Meer, John Gardiner and Steve Stefanki, the United States Junior Davi Cup and Olympic tennis coach.

His manner was gruff and forthright, which instilled fear into some.”He taught a philosophy of life through discipline.  He taught you how to know yourself, to dig down deep.  You came away with an inner strength.” (Steve Stefanki)Jack Kramer, “Stow was a coach’s coach.  Even in the later years, some of the foremost coaches would seek his advice.  He had a knack for working with exceptional talents.  He could make the person extend himself way beyond normal.”

Gladys Heldman, the founder of World Tennis magazine, “I have seen, written about and worked with some of the best teaching pros of this generation.  Many are great.  But Tom Stow is the maestro.”

 

3 Comments

  • Diane

    Reply Reply December 30, 2015

    Scary, but what a great instructor. He had what it took to get the job done. Thank you Mr Stow! diane

  • Bill Guilfoil

    Reply Reply February 24, 2014

    Hi Jim as mentioned to you before met TomStow and he was wth me selling ome of his items and he was a great guy remember something about the goose step and don budges forehand? Alsowhen he was leaving Berkley he mentioned to me he was leaving and wanted to apply but had a large family and could not change. Also Tim Noonan is my son in law and lives in Chapel Hill nc met him at a clay court nationals when my age was 70?Still teaching at overland park Racquet Club in Op Kansas near Kansas City now nearing 92Saw Nick Savino in a clinic in fairway Kansas he knew Tim from Stanford they both attended school and John embree new president of uspta. Bill Guilfoil Lifetime pro Jim playe in mens singles in 2012 Olympics in 2012 in Table tennis your doing a good job Best Bill Guilfoil

    fernado velasco put me in the mens singles t think 70 Tim played he was on team at stanfor and yesterday at a meeting with NickSavino

  • Sally

    Reply Reply January 22, 2013

    It’s nice to see a photo of Tom Stow after hearing so much about him.

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