Tennis : Schultz Got a Net Gain by First Hitting Books

People keep telling Bud Schultz that he has made a big mistake. He keeps hearing how a 26-year-old bookworm has no business joining the professional tennis tour.

Perhaps they have a point. The 6-4 Schultz played basketball at tiny Bates College (in Lewiston, Me.), but only when he wasn’t studying or renewing his library card.

To further underscore the point, Schultz didn’t even take up tennis until he was 15. So, how did he reach the third round of the U.S. Open?

“Oh, I don’t know, but it’s been fun,” Schultz said during a break in the Volvo tournament at the Los Angeles Tennis Center at UCLA. The unseeded Schultz was eliminated in the second round by third-seeded Scott Davis.

Schultz drifted away from basketball to tennis in his last two years of college. After earning a degree in psychology, Schultz entered Boston University to work toward a master’s degree in education.

“It wasn’t until I became the assistant coach for BU’s tennis team that I really began to get the feel for tennis,” he said. “I began to play some pro tournaments. At the end of that year, I thought, ‘Why not?’ I had no responsibilities, financial or otherwise. By that time, I was disenchanted with graduate school.”

Schultz took the plunge. At last year’s U.S. Open, he gave himself a year to work into the top 100. As with many of Schultz’s tennis goals, the overachiever overshot. He is currently ranked 57th in the world.

“People told me I was stupid to turn pro,” he said. “But it can be an advantage. Doing this for such a short time, everything is new to me. I’m fresh mentally. I’m a lot more eager than other players. I haven’t been playing tournaments since I was 12; I’ve been in tournaments since I was 21.

“I think my basketball background has been an invaluable assest. But, on the other hand, the change to an individual sport has been a welcome change. I think team sports are tremendous--the camaraderie, working toward a goal. But I enjoy the individual aspect of tennis.”

Schultz has had little time to be alone. Since CBS-TV commentator Bud Collins “discovered” Schultz at the Open, the gregarious blond has had more than his tennis game with which to deal. His stock rose with the media when he gained the label of “good interview,” meaning that he speaks in complete sentences and doesn’t throw punches at reporters.

“Most of it is still awfully new for me, the dealing with sponsors and promoters,” Schultz said. “Some of that is starting to come my way, thankfully, because I need the money.

“I have been given a lot more opportunity. Tennis can help me in the future, not just in financial terms or on the circuit. But it can give me selling power down the road. I would like to coach on the college level and eventually work into athletic administration.”

Schultz is pleased with his progress on the tour. But just to be safe, he has continued to work on his degree. Only two classes to go.

Brad Pearce played two fine matches before being ousted by Stefan Edberg in the second round of the Volvo tournament. The UCLA sophomore said he was satisfied with his performance and enjoyed playing on what he considers his home court.

He’ll have a chance to do so again. Pearce, from Provo, Utah, has entered the Volvo All-American championships Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.

The 19-year-old had a 24-5 match record last year while playing No. 3 singles for UCLA. He teamed with Ken Diller on the No. 1 doubles team for the Bruins.

Pearce gained some attention with his aggressive play last week. He entered the tournament as a wild card and swept through the qualifying rounds with ease.

Then he defeated Peter Fleming in the first round before losing to the second-seeded Edberg.

Still, it was a valuable experience.

“I’m satisfied with the way I played in the tournament,” Pearce said. “It has given me good exposure--that’s always helpful.”

Tennis Notes The eighth annual Tracy Austin Pro-Celebrity tennis tournament begins today at Rancho Verde Tennis and Racquet Club in San Pedro. The event is a benefit for the South Bay Children’s Health Center. . . . Charlie Pasarell, director of the Pilot Pen tournament and director of tennis at the La Quinta Hotel and Tennis Club, has left the hotel. Pasarell announced that he and his partners have begun construction of the Grand Champions Resort at Indian Wells. The resort will have two 18-hole golf courses plus hard courts, grass courts and clay courts for tennis. Pasarell also plans construction of a 10,000-seat tennis stadium, complete with luxury boxes. The Pilot Pen tournament is scheduled to move to Grand Champions Resort in 1987.