HighFIVE: Peggy Bernardis

For the past 29 years, Peggy Clarke Bernardis has been a tennis professional with Club Greenwood, but she is most well-known for her passion for the development of young players and embracing the youth pathway. 

What not everyone knows is what’s at the heart of it. Peggy’s passion for kids started from day one at Club Greenwood, when she was (secretly) pregnant with her second child, Kelly (28) who joined firstborn PJ (30) who has Downs Syndrome. Two daughters, including Colleen (24) and Lilly (19) and almost three decades later, Peggy’s devotion for tennis has only grown.

Peggy went to East High School and got a tennis scholarship to play tennis at St. Mary’s in the Bay area. There she met her husband, who she calls “Mr. Amazing Pete”.  Married now for 32 years, Peggy explained that with the birth of PJ and his Downs Syndrome diagnosis, they returned to Colorado for the support of their large family (she’s one of 11 children). 

Having this large family experience, Peggy appreciate the dynamics that team competition is bringing to the young players. 

“It’s that camaraderie that might have been missing in youth tennis before that team competition brings in. In that way, it’s more like college tennis where you really are part of a team and everyone’s contribution matters,” she explained.

She said that in terms of parent involvement, the focus on team play/competition is also invaluable. 

“We are in an era of poor role modeling with many adults that kids see through media and with our political climate,” Peggy said. “But our focus is also on talking with parents and stressing why the core values such as integrity and sportsmanship are critical for their kids.”

Peggy can’t stress enough how the staff of Club Greenwood has positively affected her life and her love of her job. She said they always have each other’s backs and focus their approach to one another and their young athletes around a key word- kindness.

But at the heart of Peggy truly is the relationship and life lessons she’s learned from son PJ, who at 30-years-old holds several jobs including one with the Colorado Avalanche. He also sings the national anthem at Wisconsin Badger games, as well as Step Up for Down Syndrome.

“I want everyone to understand how he contributes to the world,” she said of PJ and why her own contribution to kids and adults alike through tennis is so meaningful to her.

“It’s the whole idea of what’s the most important thing and that’s instilling core values-honestly, integrity, and a healthy lifestyle.”