Posted on: August 31, 2026 | Read Time: 4 minutes
A new face is stepping onto the courts at The Club at Iron Lake, bringing deep Ocala roots, national-level competitive experience and a career spent helping players enjoy and improve at racquet sports.
Drae Centonze has joined the private club in Ocala, Florida, as Director of Racquets – Head Tennis & Pickleball Professional, leading programming across the Club’s seven lighted Har-Tru tennis courts and four pickleball courts. For Centonze, the appointment brings together two pursuits that have defined much of his life: competing and coaching.
An Ocala Racquets Professional With a National Competitive Record
A lifelong Ocala native, Centonze began playing tennis at age nine and competed throughout the country as a junior, consistently ranking among the top 20 players in Florida in his age divisions. By age 15, he had begun coaching, a role that would grow alongside his own competitive career.
Today, Centonze is both PTR- and PPR-certified, reflecting his professional credentials in tennis and pickleball. He has led approximately 60 USTA adult league teams across men’s, women’s, mixed, combo and tri-level divisions and has organized social leagues, tournaments and community events, including events benefiting local charities and nonprofit organizations.
His leadership has also earned recognition from USTA Florida. In 2022, Centonze was named a USTA Florida Superstar Volunteer and earned the distinction of ranking third all-time in Florida for the number of USTA adult league teams captained. In 2024, USTA Florida recognized him as its Volunteer of the Month.
Centonze brings competitive credentials to his coaching as well. He captured the 2024 USTA National Championship in Men’s 4.5 Singles (18 & Over) and returned in 2025 to finish as the national runner-up in Men’s 5.0 Singles (18 & Over). In 2026, he was a member of a 4.5 pickleball team that won the Florida state championship and earned the opportunity to compete at the national championships.
Tennis and Pickleball at The Club at Iron Lake
At The Club at Iron Lake, Centonze steps into an established racquets environment with seven lighted Har-Tru tennis courts and four pickleball courts, supporting lessons, clinics, social play and opportunities for both casual and competitive players.
Centonze’s background is particularly well suited to that mix. His career spans individual instruction and competitive coaching as well as organizing leagues, tournaments and social events. Throughout that work, his focus has remained on helping players improve, enjoy the game and connect with others on the court.
His personal motto, “Making Days Joyful,” captures the approach he intends to bring to the Club.
“I’m excited to join The Club at Iron Lake and build a racquets program where members can improve their game, compete, meet other players and simply enjoy being on the court. Tennis and pickleball have given me the opportunity to compete at a high level, coach players with different goals and build communities around the sports I love. With the seven tennis courts and four pickleball courts here at the Club, we have a great setting to create programming that keeps people playing and looking forward to their next time on court. My philosophy has always been ‘Making Days Joyful,’ and that’s the energy I want to bring to every lesson, clinic, match and event,” said Centonze.
A Racquets Program Built Around Participation
Centonze’s arrival comes as The Club at Iron Lake continues to build an active calendar around the ways members actually use the Club. Racquets complement golf, dining and social programming with another reason to spend time on property, and another way for members to connect through shared interests.
For tennis players, that might mean working on a specific part of their game during a lesson, joining a clinic or meeting other players for a match that can continue after sunset. Pickleball players have opportunities for instruction and social play of their own. Competitive players can also benefit from a director whose experience extends from local league leadership to national championship competition.
Just as important, Centonze’s coaching background spans players of different ages and abilities. The goal is not to define the program solely by competition. It is to create reasons for members to pick up a racquet, return to the courts and keep playing.
That combination of instruction, competition and social play gives prospective members another way to understand The Club at Iron Lake beyond a list of amenities: through what they can actually do once they arrive.
Explore Membership at The Club at Iron Lake
The Club at Iron Lake is currently accepting membership applications. For tennis and pickleball players considering private club membership in Ocala, Centonze’s appointment introduces a new point of contact on the courts and a clear commitment to active racquets programming.
To learn more about membership and explore the Club’s tennis, pickleball and broader programming, visit ClubatIronLake.com, email membership@clubatironlake.com or call (352) 400-4653.