Meet the TOPS'L Tennis Professionals

Joe D'Aleo, Director of Tennis
Joe has been with TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort since 1995 and has played an integral part in pushing the resort to be one of best in the country.  Joe’s passion and devotion to the game makes him successful in the roles of player, coach, and teacher.  Joe began his tennis career in junior tennis and was ranked #5 in the state of Georgia. From there, he played collegiate singles and doubles tennis for Georgia Tech. Throughout Joe’s career he has coached many state and nationally ranked juniors and adults.  Joe has been a certified USPTA professional for over 10 years, has been designated a “Best of the Emerald Coast” teaching professional and was nominated a USPTA District Pro for the Emerald Coast in 2006. Joe is the tournament director for the Helen Drake Invitational Tennis tournament, which is hosted at TOPS’L and is the largest USTA adult tournament in the state of Florida. 

Sam Vickroy, Head Tennis Professional
Sam joined the TOPS’L tennis staff in 2004. A top ranked Junior player at the state and southern level, Sam played tennis for Virgina Intermont College NAIA. There, he went undefeated as a #3 singles and #2 doubles player the year the team finished 14th in the nation. After college, Sam went to work for world renowned tennis professional, Bill Tym, at Richland Country Club in 1996where he had the opportunity to work with some world ranked juniors. Sam has beena USPTA certified professional for 10 years and continues to grow his knowledge of the game. His enthusiasm and love for teaching makes him a great instructor for both private lessons and group clinics. Sam’s experience adds a wealth of knowledge to the tennis program at TOPS’L and we lookforward to many more years of him being part of the team.

Byron Townsend, Assistant Tennis Professional
Byron joined the TOPS’L staff in February 2008 after participating in tennis at the resort for years. Byron is a certified USPTA tennis instructor, an avid tournament player, and has been teaching tennis on the Emerald Coast since 2004. After graduating from Louisiana Tech University, his passion for tennis and his desire to compete continued after winning the Helen Drake Men’s 40 Singles Championship in 2006. Byron tried a few different professions before he finally fulfilled his desire to become a tennis professional when he joined TOPS’L, a world renowned tennis resort. Byron’s enthusiasm and intensity for the game can be seen as soon as you walk on the court for a private lesson or clinic - he is an excellent teacher to work with.