Great Tennis Towns Where the Pros and Amateurs Make the Game No. 1
Residents of many a GolfCourseHome community belong to the wave of Americans who have helped make tennis a resurgent recreational sport, creating active tennis towns across the country.
During the game’s robust rise from 2004 through 2010, tennis participation in the U.S. grew over 43 percent. GCH communities can be found in virtually every town that’s considered a tennis hotbed—places where amateurs play spirited matches and the professional tours make a stop to show the very best players compete.
Daniel Island, South Carolina
Undoubtedly one of the top tennis towns is Charleston, South Carolina–a perennial contender for the honor of being named America’s Best Tennis Town and winner of that distinction in 2010.
The Charleston community to reside in for tennis lovers is obviously Daniel Island, home to the annual Family Circle Cup tournament and a spectacular 18-court tennis center—plus the amenities and service of the private tennis offerings at the Daniel Island Club.
Charleston has over 13,000 players, and more than 7,500 of them play in USTA league events. The city has more than 580 courts and hosts the Family Circle Cup women’s professional event on Daniel Island each year.
Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club, Florida
One Florida community where passion for tennis is part of the social fabric would be Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club in the charming coastal town of Stuart, Florida.
It’s home to the long-admired training programs developed by the Peter Burwash International (PBI) training program, on-site at Harbour Ridge.
PBI has been the leader in professional tennis management since 1975. Residents of Harbour Ridge benefit from PBI training right at their own club, with the help of Harbour Ridge’s highly trained, specialized staff.
Whenever state-level team or individual championships are contested, contestants from small but tennis-mad Stuart end up at or near the top.
Tennis fans at The Landings have a place to see all the action.
The Landings on Skidaway Island, Georgia
Along the South Carolina coast, there is no private island community that can compete with The Landings on Skidaway Island for tennis enthusiasm and an appreciation for great play.
With 34 courts, 11 lighted for night play, tennis courts can be found in three different facilities across the island.
Amateur club play at The Landings is overseen by USPTA and USPTR pros, who conduct weekly clinics and drills, teach private and group lessons, and happily assist with all aspects of a player’s game from court reservations to racquet selection.
In addition, they coach The Landing Club’s teams and organize charitable, sanctioned and membership tournaments of every variety from mixers to Club Championships.
Coming up next month is the Savannah Challenger Wildcard Tournament (Feb. 25-26), where the winner earns qualifying rights for the $50,000 Savannah Challenger in late April.
Sea Pines, South Carolina
While it’s men’s pro golf stop every spring, the Sea Pines Resort enclave of Harbour Town is just as welcoming to tennis enthusiasts as golfers.
When Tennis Magazine bills you as America’s No. 7-Ranked Tennis Resort and on top of that awards you the No. 1 Ranking for Tennis Programs, you’re doing something right.
Sea Pines residents and resort guests rave about the 23 clay courts at The Sea Pines Racquet Club, and tennis fans fill its 1,800-seat stadium court for tournaments like the Dupont All-American, CBS Classic and the World Invitational.
Under the direction of former U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion Stan Smith, The Sea Pines Racquet Club is a magnet for anyone seeking the tennis lifestyle, from a wide selection of teaching clinics, instructional programs to great value in tennis vacation packages. For more tennis communities and tennis towns on Golf Course Home, go here.
