Q&A with Milan Norgauer, Tennis Pro at Tiburon Peninsula Club

As a kid, Milan Norgauer dreamed of being an archeologist (and a famous one at that), but the new teaching pro at the Tiburon Peninsula Club now concedes that tennis might have been his true calling all along. He even won the United States Tennis Association’s 4.5 National Singles Championship in 2019, a 50-and-over tournament. When he’s not hiking in the redwoods, enjoying time with friends and family, and admiring Tiburon’s views, the high energy outdoor enthusiast is on the courts of TPC, hoping others fall head over heels for the game he’s loved and played all his life.

“With me you’ll find a sincere passion for the sport, a personal interest in people and their growth, and the heart of a teacher,” he said.

Can you tell us a little about your tennis ‘career” and how you ended up at the Tiburon Peninsula Club?

My father was a competitive tennis player and a teaching pro, so I grew up around tennis. It was the family sport and in the air that we breathed. I began to take it seriously around the age of 10 and played competitively in high school. For two years, I sought to make the tennis team at UCLA, until I got distracted by beach volleyball!

I grew up in the Bay Area, and after many years, and with jobs in other states as a teacher, professor, pastor, chaplain, and tennis pro, this position at TCP opened. It brought me back to the place that still feels like home. My family is here, not to mention endless recreational opportunities and the beloved redwoods.

2. What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you living the dream now?

I wanted to be Indiana Jones (really, an archeologist with secret maps in my hands and bones, artifacts, and treasures to be found). In my mind, there was always a cave to hide things in.

I didn’t realize when I was young what a gift tennis was to me, not only the sport, but also the character building, the commitment to sportsmanship, integrity, and fair play that the sport is built upon. Truly, it’s a lifetime sport that has delivered innumerable lessons.

This is a “dream” position for me at TPC, doing what I love, with people who are driven, receptive, and full of passion. There’s nothing like fulfilling what you feel you were made to do.

3. You’re new to Tiburon—what are your favorite things about the town so far?

Three things: The views, the views, and the views!

I love the spot at the end of the Tiburon Peninsula, looking out over the city and the bridge. Wow! I love natural beauty, clean, fresh air, endless trails to hike, beaches to discover and trees to climb. I don’t think I could be in a better place.

4. What is one of the most surprising things about being a tennis pro that people might not know?

That learning to play tennis at a high level is an incredibly difficult, demanding, and time-consuming enterprise. It’s a long, hard climb with many little steps along the way. But it’s worth the effort!

5. What is the best piece of tennis advice someone ever gave you?

The spirit of the game of tennis is one of honor, respect, and integrity. The game is bigger than any one of us.

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