Pam Austin bids farewell to Riviera Tennis Club members at her retirement celebration.
Director of Tennis Pam Austin Honored with Star on Riviera’s Walk of Fame at Her Retirement Party
It was only fitting that everyone enjoyed themselves at Riviera Country Club Friday evening, because making tennis fun was Pam Austin’s specialty in her 12 years as the famed club’s Director of Tennis.
Hundreds of club members, family, friends and business associates gathered on the upper courts to play “Riv Ball,” drink cocktails, eat a hearty meal and say their goodbyes at a retirement ceremony for Austin, who has dedicated her life to the sport she’s played since childhood.
The outpouring of love and support was overflowing, with numerous members expressing their appreciation for Austin and her tireless efforts to make Riviera one of the most notable tennis venues in the country.
“Pam always greeted everyone with a warm welcome and a big smile,” Martha Quigley said. Added fellow Riviera member Sara Singer: “Pam made our Village School charity event at Riviera really special.”
Fran Aponte called Austin “a breath of fresh air whose efforts were always appreciated.” DottieWeiss said “Pam did so much for the club” and Monique Lafia credited Austin with forming women’s groups, saying“I wouldn’t have gotten to know other members without her help.”
Austin, 66, is the older sister of two-time U.S. Open champion Tracy Austin. She played collegiately at UCLA, won the U.S. Hardcourt doubles championship with Tam O’Shaughnessy in 1970, won the National Amateur doubles championship with Margie Cooper in 1971 and was a member of the 1974 World Team Tennis champion Denver Racquets along with her brother Jeff.
One of her primary roles as Director of Tennis was organizing and promoting the Women’s All-American Tennis Championships, an NCAA event hosted every October at Riviera. She was named the USPTA Southern California Pro of the Year in 2001 and has been heavily involved with the Davis Cup, Fed Cup and Olympics.
“This is the best tennis patio in the world and I have so many memories,” Austin said. “My joy in being here was trying to make you happy, do some fun and interesting things and engage different people to make friends. Through it all, I ended up being the one who is happy and made the most friends. This is a great send-off. It means so much to me that I feel loved tonight.”
The ceremony began with players taking the courts for lively doubles play, after which dinner was served and a presentation was made to Austin, who received a giant “Thank You” card signed by everyone in attendance, a bouquet of flowers from the Riviera staff and a “Martha Stewart Yellow Cake” baked by Paula Griffin.
Joanne Laing lauded Austin’s “incredible attention to detail and tennis knowledge” while Sara Essner, a Riviera member since 2001, cited Austin’s friendliness and dedication as two of her strongest attributes.
Among those who showed up to honor Austin were Rance Brown, who runs the UCLA Camp Riviera; Annette Buck, Director of the Southern California Tennis Association; SCTA Executive Director Bruce Hunt and Jane Goodman, head umpire for the WAATC and Riviera General Manager Donald Emery.
To Austin’s surprise, she was bestowed Riviera’s highest honor with a star on the club’s Walk of Fame.
— Steve Galluzzo
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.