ABOUT PENN OAKS
Nice to meet you. We are a hybrid gym and tennis club conveniently located in Chester County.
WHO WE ARE
JAMIE SULZMAN
Owner & Tennis Pro
Jamie has taught tennis for 23 years and played No. 1 singles and doubles tennis for West Chester University. In addition to owning Penn Oaks, Jamie also owns multiple health and racquet clubs in the greater Philadelphia area.
TENNIS PROS
Jonathan Hodess
Tennis Instructor
Jonathan is a USPTA certified tennis instructor who has been bringing passion and enthusiasm to the courts of Penn Oaks since 2010. He currently coaches various adult teams and practices, is the Director of our Junior Program, and in 2025 took over the role of General Manager of the club. Jonathan enjoys working with players of all ages and skill levels. Over the years he has successfully turned beginner level juniors into tournament level players, worked with nationally ranked juniors, as well as taken an adult USTA team to compete at nationals. Jonathan always works hard to see his students improve, while constantly trying to create a fun and welcoming environment on the court for everyone.
Jonathan Hodess
Tennis Instructor
Jonathan is a certified USTA tennis instructor. Jonathan brings a great deal of passion and enthusiasm to the court. Along with giving private lessons, Jonathan runs adult practices and is one of the primary instructors for our junior clinics and summer camp programs. He also coordinates the USTA JTT teams out of Penn Oaks.
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Mobile: 610-506-1710
Chris Louis
Tennis Instructor
Chris is a USPTA certified instructor who has been working on the court since the age of 16. He is local to the community and is known for working on his game at Penn Oaks where he reached #2 ranking in Middle States and was in the top 60 nationally. He was the only student to claim Chestmont singles title during his four years at Henderson High School. Chris went on to play tennis at Boston College and the University of Richmond, capturing a conference title and "player of the year" honors. Chris gives private lessons, runs adult team practices and assists with junior programming.
Kyle Hawthorne
Tennis Instructor
Kyle has been USPTA certified since 1992. He has been teaching tennis in the West Chester area for over 20 years. He graduated from Temple University with a degree in Economics. He played varsity single and doubles while at Temple and was ranked as high as #3 in MSTA and in the top 100 USTA as a junior. He won the district doubles title and finished 3rd in the state for doubles as a junior. Kyle had his professional training at Bolletieri Tennis Academy with Agassi, Courier and Wheaton.
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Kyle is one of our primary instructors for our adult clinics including point play and beginner/intermediate. He also gives private lessons.
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Ana Ochoa
Tennis Instructor
In her home country of Argentina, Ana achieved a top 3 national ranking as a junior player. Ana came to the US and earned a bachelors degree from Grambling State University where she also excelled on the tennis court playing 3rd doubles and 2nd singles. She continued her academic and athletic journey at West Chester University where she played 1st doubles and 4th singles, while completing her master's degree in genetics and earning PSAC first team doubles honors. Following her time as a player on West Chester's team, Ana served as the team's assistant coach. Ana has also coached in Argentina, as well as Canas Racket Academy in Miami, teaching everyone from beginners to nationally ranked juniors. Ana has been part of the Penn Oaks team since 2024.
Sal DiBenedeto
Tennis Instructor
With a racquet in hand since a young age, Sal has built a lifelong career around competitive tennis and coaching. He played four years of varsity tennis at Salesianum in Wilmington, DE, earning a ranking among the top 10 players in the state. He continued his collegiate career at Arcadia University where he became one of the program’s top players and a MAC Conference finalist. Beginning his coaching career at age 20, he has spent more than six years as a USTA-certified coach, working with players across a wide range of ages and skill levels. His experience includes organizing and leading successful junior and adult clinics at Penn Oaks Tennis & Fitness. While tennis provided the foundation, padel has become his greatest passion. Its unique combination of athleticism, strategy, creativity, and social connection has driven his focus toward growing the sport and creating an exceptional padel community.
Cookie Marinella
Tennis Instructor
Cookie has been teaching tennis for 25 years. She is USPTA and USPTR certified and has coached 10 and under USTA teams. Cookie gives private lessons and is one of primary instructors for our 10 and under junior clinics.
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Penn Oaks is more than a gym, more than a tennis club:
we're an active community. We believe that the best gym and fitness facility is the one that feels like home.
TALK TO US
STOP BY,
56 Penn Oaks Drive
West Chester, PA 19382
GIVE US A CALL,
610-399-3800
OR SEND A MESSAGE: