Chris Langdon & Melissa Tafoya - Owners and Directors of Arizona Tennis & Golf Academy, Mesa, Arizona
Melissa Tafoya originally from Mesa, Arizona was a top junior player growing up in the Southwest. She was ranked both in the Southwest Section and Nationally. Melissa was awarded the Mesa Tribune Female Athlete of the Year at Westwood High School as well as the prestigious Mutt Ford Memorial Athlete of the Year Award. Melissa spent years training in Santa Barbara, California with world class tennis player and coach Michael Cory. Mike was a contemporary of Poncho Gonzales. With Mike in Southern California Melissa received some of the best tennis education in the world. Melissa graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degress in political science emphasizing international strategic policy with a minor in history. She then went on to recieve her Masters in Business Administration. She worked for over 10 years as a government relations specialist (lobbyist) in both Arizona and Washington DC. Melissa then came back to the love of her life tennis in 2001 and received her certification as a tennis professional from the United States Professional Tennis Association. In 2004 Melissa was awarded the USPTA female player of he year. Melissa and Chris were married in 2003 by her father who is the Presiding Judge for the City of Mesa. Melissa's mother Barbara Tafoya is a retired Registered Nurse and successful business woman. She is also a former USTA sectionally and nationally ranked tennis player.
Melissa is a certified USPTA professional and specializes in technique development and foundation building. Start out with good form and go as far as you want to with your tennis game. Melissa is available by appointment for private lessons, private group lessons and clinics.
Director of Tennis at the Maine Golf and Tennis Academy in the summers, Belgrade, Maine
Chris Langdon returns to the valley of the sun for his 20th season as owner and Director of ATGA. He is certified by the USPTA as a P-1 Tennis professional and is also a member of the USTA and USRSA.
Langdon spent his third summer in Belgrade, Maine as the Director of Tennis at the Maine Golf and Tennis Academy. This Academy was voted the #1 camp in the United States by Sports Illustrated. Chris got to work with world class pro’s such as Tennis Ledgend, Tony Palafox, who was John McEnroe coach. Chris also got to work with Dave Parker who played at UCLA and Thomas Rizk who played in the us Open as a junior and is currently ranked on the ATP Tour. Chris was in Maine for June, July and August but did stop to watch a day of the US Open September 2nd.
Chris’s playing career started in Idaho as he won 3 State High School Singles Championships. He then played for Boise State University and won 3 Division 1 NCAA Big Sky Championships.
Chris played professionally for a couple of years before being hired by Boise State. He has played some of the best players in the world including Stephan Edberg, David Pate, Butch Waltz, Mike Tammen, Brian Joelson and has a win over Andre Agassi. Boise State University hired Chris to be their Head Tennis Coach for the Men and Women’s team 1986-89. Chris has won 4 USTA National Doubles titles and is ready and willing to help you improve your doubles game. Chris was the top ranked player in Singles at Division 1, Boise State University and can help you with your singles game too.
His most popular lessons are of course private lessons for those who really want to improve but he specializes in groups and 3 or 4 and me lessons too. Check out our specials for 4 and me lessons as it is our best deal!
Call Chris to come out and help you or your team or group with their tennis games or bring the team to Montesa for a fun, educational and enjoyable tennis experience!
Sign up for a free introductory class and see why Chris Langdon and MGTA has been rated #1 by Sports Illustrated.
Chris Langdon and Greg Arnold after winning National Fiesta Bowl in the Men's 40 Doubles, December 2008!
Picture taken at Maine Golf & Tennis Academy