Submitted photo
Ocean Pines Racquet Sports Manager Tim Johnson, who temporarily resigned from his position last week. poses with a handful of racquets in front of the racquet center. After what Pines officials characterized as “misunderstandings and a lot of information,” Johnson was promoted this week to director of racquet sports reporting directly to the general manager.

Johnson resigns but GM smooths over problems

By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(Oct. 12, 2023) Tim Johnson, the Ocean Pines Association racquet sports manager who arrived in April and jump-started the racquet sports community by offering lessons, tournaments and lots of positive energy, resigned unexpectedly last week, with no notice.

And now, he’s back … with a promotion.

A statement issued Tuesday by OPA General Manager John Viola said, “I had a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 10 with Tim Johnson to discuss some misunderstandings and a lot of misinformation in the Ocean Pines Community regarding the Racquet Sports operation.

“We had a very positive discussion about some of the issues that had been encountered and, based upon this meeting, I’m pleased to announce that Tim will be promoted to Director of Racquet Sports effectively immediately, and he will report directly to the GM.”

The general manager’s support of Johnson indicates just how popular he is among the racket sports set.

“Many members are very upset and disappointed about Tim’s sudden departure. As you can imagine there are many rumors concerning the reasons for Tim‘s departure,” Cathy Noble, the chair of the racquet sports advisory committee said.

“We are all hoping that management can work something out and he will return.”

Rick Farr, president of the Ocean Pines Association said he wasn’t sure what happened, and Claire Walker, the president of the Pickleball Club asked residents to write letters to both the board and the general manager.

“This is an operations issue, and the board doesn’t get involved with personnel issues,” Farr said.

Whatever the situation was, the decision to have Johnson answer directly to the general manager makes Ocean Pines racquet sports an entity unto itself, whereas before it fell under the purview of the recreation department.