Meet the Pros
Gigi Fernández - Tennis Touring Professional
A Hall of Famer with an impressive list of accomplishments and notable accolades, Ms. Fernández is responsible for strengthening and developing the tennis offerings at Innisbrook – including clinic programs, inviting notable guest coaches, and more. Considered to be one of the best doubles players of all time, she is the winner of 17 Grand Slam doubles titles (six French Open, five US Open, four Wimbledon, and two Australian Open, winning at least one Grand Slam title every year from 1988 to 1997, except 1989, and for three straight years winning three of the four Grand Slam doubles titles in the same year (1992–1994). Ms. Fernández has also won two Olympic Gold Medals with Mary Joe Fernandez.
A native of Puerto Rico, Ms. Fernández became the country’s first female professional athlete in any sport. Since then, she has been coaching recreational players for more than a decade – traveling across the country for clinics and camps, working with the Puerto Rican National Team, and more.
Bryan Fox | Director of Racquet Sports
With more than two decades of experience as a tennis professional, Mr. Fox will be responsible for directing and leading day-to-day operations of the resort’s racquet sports programming, including pickleball, which will be introduced in early 2023. Prior to joining Innisbrook, he had served as a tennis professional for Lancaster Country Club and Hempfield Recreational Center in Pennsylvania, as well as director of tennis for Palisades Tennis Center in California. Mr. Fox has also collaborated with Fernández in the past – coaching adult clinics through her own program. In his career, he has served as the hitting partner for professional female players in the 2009 U.S. Open and played a variety of professional tournaments and circuits.
Judi Alford – Head Tennis Professional
Judi has over 25 years of experience working in resorts, hotels, and tennis clubs. Judi has a USPTR Professional Certification. Originally from the UK, Judi started playing tennis at the age of 10. Growing up playing many LTA ( Lawn Tennis Association ) Junior Tournaments, High School and College Tennis, reaching the National Finals in 1992 and 94, at the prestigious Queens Club in West Kensington, London.
Most recent achievements –
2013 - # 1 National Ranking Mixed doubles over 35's
2014 - Team National Champions 4.5 level
2016 - # 8 National Ranking Husband/Wife, winning a Bronze Ball in Charlotte, NC.
Judi works to bring out the joy and passion in children and adults as they progress through the game both skillfully and tactically.
2021 - National Finals Mixed 9.0
Greg Houck- Tennis Professional
Born in Evreux, France Greg grew up in northwest Indiana, where he began playing tennis at age 12. He attended Easton Senior High School where Greg played number 1 singles for the Varsity Team. He reached a junior ranking of 5 in the Midwest and received a Tennis scholarship to The University of Evansville.
After college Greg still played competitive Open tennis but, discovered a passion to teach the game. He has been teaching for over 30 years from strict beginners to advanced players. Greg has been a Head Coach at both High School and Collegiate levels and is a USPTA Elite instructor. He is married to his lovely wife Michele and has two wonderful daughters Gabrielle and Isabelle.
Linda Thomson- Tennis Professional
Linda Thomson has been a Tennis Professional at Innisbrook Golf and Resort for the past 10 years. Linda is a certified USPTA Elite Professional, who is qualified to coach students of all ages. However, her primary passion and enthusiasm are teaching children tennis with a game-based style.
Linda is also a certified Registered Nurse with over 34 years of experience with a multitude of certifications including CPR, advance cardiac life support, stroke, and progressive care.
Linda’s most recent tennis accomplishment: Organized “Stroke4Stroke” charity tennis tournament that raised over $22,000 for stroke awareness and prevention, and 2014 18 & Over 4.5 level Women’s Team National Championship.
Linda’s motto “Make learning tennis fun for everyone so they will enjoy tennis for a lifetime
Certifications: Gigi Fernandez Certification
Craig "Jockomo" Brown, PhT - Associate Tennis Professional & Physiotherapy/Biomechanical Consultant
With over 30 years of experience in the tennis and physio industries, Craig joins the Innisbrook Tennis Team from Greenville, SC. Craig was the owner and developer of a successful Integrative Medicine Practice bringing Sports Medicine/Therapy/Nutrition to the courts for junior athletes, college athletes and professional players for all sports. Craig’s passion is providing our members and guests the same level of expertise on the courts as well as off the courts, with instructional lessons, clinics, and programs for all ages. Craig attended Grambling State and Georgia State University in the field of exercise physiology, athletics training and physical therapy while being a member of the tennis team. Craig continued to play professional tennis on Satellite and Invitational Tour while studying Integrative Medicine at University of Miami Medical School (R&D Program), Columbia University (Pain Management) and Harvard Medical School (Complementary & Alternative Medicine.