Michal Zaluski, known by many as “Z,” has been part of the Bald Head Island community since the summer of 2023, sharing his passion for tennis and pickleball in a positive, inspiring way. He truly enjoys seeing his students and fellow coworkers succeed—both on and off the court—and is committed to helping people grow in their personal and professional journeys.

Z loves working with players of all ages and strives to provide a fun, welcoming, and memorable experience for everyone he coaches. Over the past few summers, he has been deeply involved in developing junior programs on the island. These programs have grown tremendously and now include Tiny Tots classes three days a week and junior tennis and pickleball programs five days a week—all focused on learning, confidence, and having fun.

Michal’s path to Bald Head Island has been an exciting and meaningful one. He grew up in Poland and later lived in Libya, where he first learned to play tennis, before moving to the United States. He played four years of high school tennis and then competed for four years at Montana State University, a Division I program. During his college summers, he worked alongside his coach, helping run tennis camps and gaining valuable coaching experience.

After graduating, Michal moved to the Orlando area to work at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy during the early years of Venus and Serena Williams’ careers. There, he gained exceptional experience working with highly ranked national junior players.

A few years later, he moved north to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, where he worked at Creekside Swim & Tennis Club and fell in love with the East Coast lifestyle. After two years, he joined Chapel Hill Tennis Club, where he spent nearly 30 years—25 of them as Director of Racquets.

During his time at Chapel Hill Tennis Club, Michal helped develop countless junior players who went on to compete in college, with several becoming national junior champions. He also transformed the club from a primarily retired membership into a vibrant, family-focused community filled with leagues, programs, and high energy.

While working at Chapel Hill, Michal purchased a place at Carolina Beach and grew to love the coastal lifestyle. Today, he is proud to be part of the Bald Head Island team, continuing his passion for coaching while enjoying a more balanced life—doing what he loves, in a place he loves.

Anne Carlton brings a strong combination of competitive playing experience and a passion for coaching and development. A standout junior player, she was named NCISAA Player of the Year and earned both First Team All-State and First Team All-Conference honors, while competing in USTA state and regional tournaments. Anne has developed her coaching background over three years at Sardis Swim and Racquet Club, where she worked with a variety of player levels, and further demonstrated her commitment to the game by coaching a Special Olympics team for two seasons. Anne will be attending the University of Florida to study Biomedical Engineering, Anne continues to bring energy, leadership, and a well-rounded perspective to her work on the court.

David Mirzoyan, a PTR Certified Tennis Professional, brings extensive teaching experience and a passion for player development to the court. He has spent the past two years as an independent private coach, working with players of all ages and skill levels—from beginners to advanced juniors and adults—while leading private lessons, group sessions, clinics, cardio tennis, and junior development programs. David’s coaching background is further highlighted by his time at Chapel Hill Tennis Club, where he played a key role in summer camps, working with both QuickStart youth players and advanced juniors. He has also gained valuable seasonal experience at Figure 8 Island Club and through programs at Wrightsville Beach Park, contributing to a variety of instructional settings. A former #1 singles player and team captain at Chapel Hill High School, Conference Singles Champion, and Top 50-ranked USTA junior in North Carolina, David continues to compete in Wilmington’s highest-level leagues and tournaments, bringing a well-rounded and competitive perspective to his teaching.