Marie was born and raised in France where she started playing tennis at 7 years old.  As an avid tennis player, she was very active in her local womens’ leagues.  Discovering Pickleball in 2017, Marie made a full transition to the sport and has been teaching at Rancho Valencia since 2019.  Marie excels at instructing beginners’ fundamentals and holding group clinics. She has successfully organized and run many round robins and tournaments, infused with her charismatic spirit and attitude. When not on the courts, Marie loves the adventure of international travel.

Born and raised in San Diego, Brent Davis was a highly competitive NCAA D1 player with the University of Massachusetts and UC Riverside. He has over 20 years of experience teaching tennis at all levels and directing tennis tournaments and junior programs in the San Diego region . A former European Pro Circuit player, he is currently ranked #9 nationally in the 40s doubles division and won the 2022 and 2023 40s National Doubles with his team.

Some of his key accomplishments include:

• Directed the Annual La Jolla Tennis Championships for over 10 years with over 1,000 entrants.

• Led the La Jolla Tennis Club to win the 2008 Tournament of the Year award and the 2008 Club of the Year by award from the San Diego Tennis Association.

• Coached and toured talented juniors and designed a skills development program.

Brent is bilingual in Spanish and English. He enjoys teaching tennis to people of all ages and skill levels. His teaching strength lies in breaking down complex techniques into easy-to-understand steps and using analogies from other sports to help intermediate players improve and advanced players refine their skills. Brent also teaches pickleball and padel tennis. He currently lives in La Jolla and enjoys skating with his family.

Denny Fafek hails from Mountain View, California, and moved to San Diego in pursuit of his 20+ year passion for tennis. Playing a wide range of highly competitive tennis throughout his career, Denny was a top nationally ranked junior who went on to play Division 1 tennis at Fresno State and finished at the Fresno Pacific as National Runner-Ups.While   played internationally in Europe and Canada, much of Denny’s tennis career and development stems from success in prize money events and open tournaments in the US.  A major injury in his 20s threatened his tennis career, however after 18 months of rehab on his post-surgery right wrist, he quickly sprung back into sport and ended up ranked #1 in California, receiving Player of the Year Award in 2015 and 2016.
Today, Denny coaches all levels of the game, bringing his love for the sport and sharing his knowledge with those who seek it.  His coaching depth reaches from training competitive junior prospects and the women’s tennis team at UC San Diego, to amateur tennis lovers of all levels.  His philosophy of the game comes with keeping things simple, keeping balance on your shots, and just breathing and having fun- simply passionate about the sport!  Off the court, Denny likes the beach, camping, and traveling.

Francois “Franco” has more than 25 years of coaching experience. He has
developed all levels of players from beginners to athletes that have reached the pro
circuits. During his employment at various clubs, he had the opportunity to direct
racquets programs and run clinics, lessons, events, tournaments and exhibitions at
clubs around the world, including Venezuela, Ecuador, Spain and the USA. Most
recently he directed the Del Mar Country Club and Morgan Run racquets programs.
He’s passionate and committed to teaching and applies sports sciences tools to
continuously improve his student’s game and develop all-around athletes. He is
very excited to meet you all soon and is committed to your success and fun on the
court.
CERTIFICATIONS & EDUCATION
• CRSE (Certified Racquet Sport Executive) program
• USPTA Elite Certification
• Masters of Tennis Management, Teaching and Training from the
Valencian International University in Spain (2012)
• ITF level 2 International Certification
• IPTPA Pickleball Certification
• Attendance of multiple world and regional USPTA, USTA and ITF
tennis conferences
• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering
RANKING & AWARDS
• ATP ranking in singles and doubles.
• Gold ball in singles in the USTA 35+ National division
• Achieved the year-end top position in the National Singles
Ranking in 2016.
• Selected to represent the U.S. and competed at the 2017 ITF Young
Seniors World Team Championship in Cape Town, South Africa.
• Awarded “Player of the year” by the USPTA San Diego division, 2017

Mark Davis is a sports professional in the field of Tennis and Basketball.  His experience started in both sports at a young age in his hometown of Andover, MA, and developed from youth intramural YMCA play through Junior High School, Collegiate, Military, and on into the coaching and professional teaching careers.  Mark is an active USPTA/PTR certified tennis instructor, USAPA and International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) certified instructor, Etcheberry Certified Trainer, and a USRSA Master Racquet Technician.  He has also participated in a number of seminars on Nutrition, Sport Physiology, Motor learning, Sport Psychology, and Fitness and conditioning for tennis players.

Prior to joining Rancho Valencia Tennis Resort and Spa, Mark was the Director of Tennis and Pro Shop Owner at the Sheraton at Harbor Island in San Diego, and he also ran the Youth Tennis Program at the John Davis YMCA for the City of La Mesa, was a Recreation Leader for the City of Lemon Grove, and is a former University of San Diego High School Varsity Boys Tennis Coach.

Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Doug started playing tennis at the age of seven and moved to San Diego to attend a tennis academy in Ramona, California,

Doug was a highly competitive and successful NCAA Division 1 player with Drake University, proudly dominating men’s doubles in 1990 and 1991.  He then led UNLV doubles teams to championships as their coach.   Doug also coached internationally in Germany, Italy, and Puerto Rick before returning to the states and ranking top 5 USTA Senior Singles and #1 Senior Doubles in 2012.   He has since attained his USPTA Elite Professional certification and joined Rancho Valencia.

Doug holds a Master’s of Education in Leadership from the National University here in San Diego, which brings great versatility to his coaching styles and enables him to teach across the lifespan of a player, from beginner to expert.  He loves teaching at every level and age provided the student is eager to learn and wants to have fun.  He takes great satisfaction in watching his students progress, and excels at team-building and doubles strategies.  Off the courts, Doug mountain bikes and hikes, loves the San Diego Safari Park, and is passionate about international travel.

Charlie Mazzarelli

Tennis, Padel & Pickleball Professional

Originally from Argentina, Charlie Mazzarelli developed his love for racquet sports on red clay courts, competing for his club in tournaments across the country and becoming a recognized clay court specialist. His international experience and deep understanding of the game have shaped a coaching philosophy centered on skill development, strategy, and enjoyment for players of all levels.

Now based in San Diego, Charlie serves as a USTA team captain, actively competes in USPA Padel tournaments, and is a valued member of the Wilson Advisory/Staff team, helping players stay on the cutting edge of racquet technology and gear. With over 10 years of coaching experience, he leads adult clinics, junior programs, and private lessons in tennis, padel, and pickleball, combining technical expertise with an approachable, motivating style.

In addition to his coaching, Charlie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and is an entrepreneur, leveraging his business insight to develop successful programs, leagues, and demo events that promote the growth of racquet sports in Southern California. Deeply connected to the local racquet sports community, he is passionate about creating opportunities for players to improve, compete, and enjoy the game. Outside the court, Charlie enjoys San Diego’s active outdoor lifestyle and staying engaged in the region’s vibrant tennis, padel, and pickleball scenes.

Steve Crawford is a Certified U.S.P.T.A. Tennis Professional, Professional 1 Elite Pro, and has taught ranked juniors throughout his 25-year career.  Since 1999, Steve has worked at the Rancho Valencia Resort in Rancho Santa Fe, CA as a Tennis Pro and Clinic Coordinator. Steve enjoys teaching children and adults of all ages and ability levels and puts the “fun back into the fundamentals” to make tennis enjoyable for all.  Steve grew up in Northern California and was an undefeated player on his high school and college tennis teams.

Prior to his 21 years at Rancho Valencia, he taught private lessons throughout North County San Diego and also worked at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad, CA.  Steve was the Assistant Tennis Pro at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club and was the Tennis Coach for the Men’s High School Tennis Team at Santa Fe Christian School in Solana Beach, CA.  Steve enjoys travel, kayaking, cycling, and music concerts.

Mason grew up in Davis, California, and started playing tennis at the age of 10.  After playing and competing at the University of San Francisco, he traveled on the pro tour, gained ATP points in doubles, and won a Futures Pro tournament.  In addition to coaching at Rancho Valencia, Mason is the assistant coach for the men’s team at UC San Diego, now a division 1 program.  His coaching experience also extends to the pro circuit, as coaches and travels with Artem Sitak, currently ranked #73 in the world on the ATP tour in doubles (and reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2018.)

Mason loves teaching players of all ages, and his strengths as a coach stand out in the small technical details of each stroke, as well as strategy and point development.

In addition to his incredible tennis career, Mason practices residential real estate in North County San Diego.  He loves to golf, enjoys time with his 9-year-old daughter Leila, and has recently enjoyed learning more about astronomy.