First APTA website proposed and over skepticism becomes a reality

The Platform Tennis News, Summer 1996 had a summary of the Annual BOD meeting which included looking at the development of a website:

….”Looking to the future to provide greater service to the membership, John Horine was directed to look into an Internet site…”

The BOD Minutes of Sept 19, 1996 indicated a somewhat luke warm response to the proposal subsequently presented by Horine and funding was not approved…

“The Board’s reaction was varied, ranging from enthusiastic to skeptical. A motion to appropriate up to $5,000 to fund an adventure (sic) on the Internet was defeated.

John, however, was not dissuaded and the website became on eventuality in 1997.

The Sept. 24 1997 Minutes of the BOD reflected the reality:

“John Horine reported the revised Web site looks good, and it has generated much activity. He asked each Regional President to sell advertising space for their regional page. The cost for the year would be $250, and if each region sold the space, the cost to support the site for the APTA would be cut in half Each advertiser would have their own banner on the region’s page, and if the advertiser already had an Internet site, a link will be created to connect the two sites. Also, John reported that three applications were received via the Internet and many application forms have been printed from the Internet site.”