For over half a century, Dave Beerman has devoted his time and efforts to his community and to the sport of tennis.  Originally born in Detroit, Michigan, Beerman has lived in Polk County for 50 years. After graduating from Lakeland High School in 1961, Beerman went on to attend Samford University on a full tennis scholarship. During his four-year career at Samford, he lost only one match in singles competition.  Following college, Beerman became the City of Lakeland’s tennis pro and has continued mastering the sport for over 50 years.   

Beerman’s contributions to the community date all the way back to 1965, when he became the Lakeland’s tennis pro. In 1971, he started the Polk County Tennis Association.  Shortly after, Beerman established the Linder Junior Super Series, a series of tournaments that were held throughout Polk County.  Beerman did all of this while also serving as Lakeland High School’s tennis coach during the 1970s.  From 1990 to 1994, Beerman was named the administrator of the United States Tennis Association/Florida Tennis Association Area Training Center in Lakeland.  Now Beerman serves as the Polk County’s representative in Region 3 of the United States Tennis Association’s Florida Section. 

Over a long and notable career, Beerman has gathered many awards and honors including the 1985 Florida Tennis Association Special Award for his dedicated service; the Eve Kraft United States Tennis Association Community Service Award in 1991; the Florida Section Merit Award given out by the USTA in 1998; and the 2003 USPTA Award for 35 years of service. In 2004, the City of Lakeland dedicated the tennis courts in his families honor. Beerman was also only one of 15 recipients for the United States Tennis Association’s Outstanding Facility Award, and he was also inducted into the United States Tennis Association/Florida Section Hall of Fame.