Marcelo Gouts

USPTA Director of Tennis General Manager

Marcelo Gouts is the president and founder of MG Tennis.  Marcelo has directed the tennis operation at Lake Cane Tennis Center since 1988 and has been an active leader in the tennis community for over 3 decades, making him one of the most experienced Tennis Directors in the State of Florida.  A USPTA Elite Teaching professional with over 35 years of experience as a tennis instructor and over 30 years managing public tennis services in Central Florida, Marcelo is a hands on tennis director and facility operator that continues providing on court coaching to several adult and youth students that play at the Lake Cane Tennis Center. His primary role is to provide direction and leadership to the programming and staffing of the facility as well as ensuring that all operation policies and procedures are in place and implemented.

Alvaro Layrisse

Head Tennis Professional

Alvaro Layrisse has been the most influential tennis professional in our organization over the last 10 years of operation at Lake Cane Tennis Center.  Besides his outstanding ability to teach a great technical game to students of all ages and abilities, Alvaro has been instrumental in the coordination and training of the many members of our teaching staff.  Currently serving as Head Pro and Coordinator of Junior Programs, his duties include the support of over 12 members of the teaching body at Lake Cane Tennis Center.  Alvaro’s organizational skills and problem solving ability makes his work an essential part of the success of our facility.

Tasi Batista

Lead Tennis Pro

Tasi Batista, a member of the teaching staff at Lake Cane Tennis Center for the last 4 years, has been a key part of the success of our Junior Academy and High School Program training at Lake Cane Tennis Center.
Rollins College graduate and top member of their tennis squad, Tasi’s local popularity and experience teaching the game has made her one of the most popular tennis coaches in Central Florida. 

 

Nelson San Pedro

USPTR Lead Tennis Pro

Nelson San Pedro, a USPTR Certified Instructor, with more than 28 years of tennis experience teaching and coaching the game at all levels, has served at Lake Cake Tennis Center since 1989 when he was appointed as the Assistant Director of Tennis to Marcelo Gouts.  It was during those early years of planning, development, promoting and teaching the game to new and prospective future students and patrons of the tennis center that Nelson worked closely with MG Tennis to provide the foundation for the successful tennis operation currently established at the park today.  Up to this day, Nelson San Pedro continues sharing with his loyal students his passion and knowledge for the game he so much loves.

Jaime Kirkman

Lead Tennis Pro

Jaime Kirkman, a USPTA Certified Instructor, with more than 20 years of tennis experience teaching and coaching the game at all levels at a National and International level, has been able to provide the technical and strategic training necessary for the development of top junior players training in our Junior Academy Program every day.

Juan Mantilla

Tennis Pro

Juan Mantilla has been an outstanding addition to the team at Lake Cane Tennis Center.  Early last year, Juan was hired in the capacity of Pro Shop Attendant and stringer position and he soon became a valuable asset to the front desk and management.  Due to his background as an accomplished junior player and past experience with the teaching of the game, Juan was selected in 2015 to also join our teaching staff at Lake Cane Tennis Center; a position that he soon fulfilled with outstanding energy, effectiveness, commitment to lessons plans and motivational and fun encouragement to the body of students.  As a teaching pro, Juan has been given the on court responsibility of overseeing our Quickstart class (Beginners) since the Spring Session of 2016.

Jose Bruno

Tennis Pro

Jose Bruno, a member of the teaching Staff at Lake Cane Tennis Center since 2008 has established himself as a specialist of 10 and under junior development, an area of teaching that requires an outgoing personality along with knowledge of children's motor skills and developmental pathway. Jose Bruno has also been involved with the Fun and Sun Summer Camp at Lake Cane Tennis Center since 2010.  Because of his fun and unique approach to teaching children, he is well liked and appreciated by the many children that work with him during the after school programs.

Kevin Merrigan

USPTA Tennis Professional

Kevin Merrigan, a USPTA Elite Tennis Professional, has been involved with MG Tennis since 1997 when be joined the team in the capacity of Manager and Instructor. Ever since, MG Tennis and Kevin began a long term working relation that has lasted almost two decades. Along the way, Kevin and MG Tennis actively supported many initiatives and programs geared to promote and grow the sport of tennis in schools, YMCA and other venues across Central Florida. From 2008 until 2011 Kevin served as the Director of the Fun and Sun Summer Camp at Lake Cane Tennis Center.  He is currently involved in many of the afterschool programs that MG Tennis offers as well as private and semiprivate lessons.

Bokang Setshogo

Teaching Pro

Bokang Setshogo, known as "BK", is a member of the teaching staff at Lake Cane Tennis Center.  For the past 3 years, he has been a key player for the growth and wellness of our junior and adult program at the center. His passion, knowledge and dedication to the teaching of the game of tennis, has gained him a spot among the top instructors here in Central Florida. Bookang has also been a sparring partner and trainer for many of the top junior players in our Junior Academy program that benefit from his ability to play and coach the game at a high performance level.  In contrast to the high performance training, Bookang (BK) also demonstrates a caring and positive attitude while working with younger children with disabilities or slower motor skills development.

Tara Merrigan

Teaching Pro / Assistant

Tara Merrigan, a member of the teaching staff at Lake Cane Tennis Center since 2012, has been able to transition years of training as a Junior competitive player to the coaching of young tennis students that enjoy her methodology and approach to teaching fundamentals of tennis with an outgoing, rewarding and positive approach.  Tara also has served as the Assistant Director for the Fun and Sun Tennis Camp at Lake Cane Tennis Center since 2013.

Farook Ali

USPTR Lead Tennis Pro

Farook Ali a USPTR Certified instructor, with more than 20 years of tennis experience teaching and coaching the game at all levels, has served at Lake Cake Tennis Center since 2009 when he was appointed as the Adult Tennis Program Coordinator and Lead Teaching Pro.  Gaining vast experience during his years working at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa Florida, Farook quickly gained popularity among many of the adult and ladies' teams that seek his coaching and advice and support on a daily basis as they compete in the various League venues in town.  Farook also coaches our junior students as Lead Coach in our Junior Tournament Training Program.

Traci Balao

League Coordinator

Traci Balao was born and raised in the Conway area of Orlando, Florida where she grew up playing tennis in the community and is very familiar with the needs and history of the patrons and players that support programs at our facility.  As a junior player she participated in many tournament and High School team competitions before going to college and ultimately returning back to Orlando to raise her family and continue supporting her passion for the sport of tennis.  Her background in business administration and tennis instruction provides support for the operation at Lake Cane Tennis Center.  Traci is also responsible for the coordination and support of over 25 league teams play.

Daniel Gouts

Retail Pro Shop Manager

Daniel Gouts has been serving as the Retail Pro Shop Manager for MG Tennis since 2011.  He is responsible for the inventory levels and sales in in our Pro Shop.  His attention and dedication to the retail department has allowed our current operation at Lake Cane Tennis to remain competitive and continue providing a good level of services to our customers and patrons.  Daniel’s customer service approach has gained him the loyalty of many regular customers and patrons that enjoy his honest, knowledgeable and caring approach to customer service.  Daniel is also the Lead Stringer at Lake Cane where he supervises a staff that supports the retail of tennis goods and racquet services.

David Fang Yuen

Pro Shop Attendant

David Fang Yuen has been an exemplary member of our front desk staff at Lake Cane Tennis Center since 2014. His genuine and caring approach to dealing with members of the public and customers have made him the popular go to person when first arriving to the tennis center.  As the first greeter Monday thru Friday, David has been the designated opening person for the tennis center; job he has done remarkably well over the years. He is extremely prompt, responsible and self starter and conducts himself with a remarkable high level of professionalism and customer service.  He is well liked and respected by all the ladies that play league tennis at the center in the mornings.  He is a true example of our company values and customer service philosophy.

Alex Perez

Tournament Director

Alex Perez has been an icon in the operation at Lake Cane Tennis Center since the starting of his career back in 1990, making him along with Nelson San Pedro (28 years of service), the second longest career staff at the tennis center. Known for his caring and welcoming approach to customer service, Alex has been the front face and smile that many patrons over the years have come to appreciate and enjoy.  By his over caring attitude towards any person that comes to the facility, Alex has gained the love and respect of hundreds of players and patrons that have had the opportunity to deal with him in matters such as court reservations or special events and tournament play.  He is a true team player and loyal member of our organization.  Many of the success stories behind the Lake Cane Tennis Center have been influenced by Alex’s decision making and “Yes We Can” attitude.

Laura Gouts

Director of Operations

Laura Gouts, Co-owner and Vice President of MG Tennis since 1989, year the company was founded, currently assists with all financials and operations of the company.  Laura’s role and responsibilities at Lake Cane include overseeing vital areas such as:

  • Human Resources
  • Payroll
  • Bookkeeping
  • Accounts Receivables
  • Accounts Payables
  • Customer Accounts
  • Online registration management

Eduardo Rivas

Maintenance

Eduardo Rivas is the person responsible for the daily maintenance of the tennis courts and tennis building.  His job is performed before opening hours, providing us with a safe and sterically appealing tennis facility with courts free of sand or debris, trash cans empty, and nets and windscreens in perfect playing condition. In addition, his responsibilities include the cleaning of the Pro Shop and locker rooms.  Also as part of his duties and responsibilities, Eduardo assists the facility in providing maintenance to court equipment such as score devices and squeezes.  Eduardo is an extremely punctual and reliable employee that cares about delivering a clean and safe facility for patrons to enjoy.