Your Guide to Long Island Tennis Clubs

January 1, 2010 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff

 

Bethpage Park Tennis Center

99 Quaker Meeting House Road, Building #4       
Farmingdale, NY 11735      
Phone #: (516) 777-1385
Bethpage Park Tennis Center is located just a few hundred feet from the Black Course at beautiful Bethpage State Park, home to the U.S. Golf Open. Four indoor hard and four indoor red clay courts are air-conditioned for year-round play.
Bethpage Park Tennis Center offers an array of adult seasonal, leagues, lessons and walk-on court opportunities. It’s free and low-cost program for seniors and special populations is perhaps the largest of its kind in New York State. The Center is best known for its renowned junior development program, led by top coaches Steve Kaplan and Keith Kambourian. Collectively, they have developed more players than anyone else in the east.
Steve Kaplan is widely acknowledged to possess an unparalleled ability to understand, analyze and teach the technical and mental aspects of tennis. Steve has guided many touring professionals at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon, as well as coached more than 30 nationally-ranked junior players. Steve’s background combines a rare blend of competitive and scholastic achievement. In 1979, Steve won the Big East Conference Singles Championship. In 1983, he received his master’s degree in physiology. Steve develops the games of both Keith Kambourian and two-time NCAA Singles Champion Sandra Birch, from the 12-year-olds through the pro tour. Steve’s direction ensures that all students receive the finest mechanical, strategic and mental advice.
Keith Kambourian is a voice of reason in the often-stressful world of junior tournament tennis. Keith’s philosophy is simple, “Train hard and compete hard, and you will achieve.” This outlook has enabled Keith to excel as both a player and a coach. He was ranked top 30 nationally in the boys 18 division. His playing career flourished at Duke University, where he received a full scholarship and was ranked nationally among the best collegiate players. He directed the Reebok Urban Youth Tennis Academy at Flushing Meadow, N.Y. and has since coached players from beginners to international touring professionals. In 1998, he was awarded the ETA Long Island Region Tennis Professional of the Year Award. Keith has a master’s degree is sports management. His level-headed approach to junior tennis ensures that students develop and maintain a positive and productive mental outlook.
Bethpage Park Tennis Center offers a comprehensive program of group and individual lessons, workshops, match plays and tournament team programs during the indoor session.
In the summer, the finest players in the east join us for summer camp on our eight indoor courts, four outdoor red clay courts and eight nearby outdoor hard courts. Lunch is provided and transportation is available. While our standards are high … our prerequisites are not! We charge no membership fee and encourage and value our beginners equally with our nationally-ranked players. All we require at the Bethpage Park Tennis Center is the desire to attend a serious tennis camp and to learn in an intensive, personal and fun environment … and the drive to achieve your personal best!
 

Carefree Racquet Club

1414 Jerusalem Avenue       
North Merrick, NY 11566    Phone #: (516) 489-9005
Web site: www.carefreeracquetclub.com
Carefree Racquet Club is Long Island’s finest indoor tennis facility. With seven indoor nova hard courts, Carefree offers programs for all ages and abilities. For children ages six through 18, Carefree offers a 15-week junior program from September to January, and January through May. Children are placed by age and ability, starting with beginners, up to the Tournament Training Program for competitive tournament players. To keep their skills honed, Carefree offers a four-week pre-camp program from mid-May to mid-June.
During the summer months, Carefree offers a summer camp for juniors of all ages on its air-conditioned courts. Camp is held daily, from noon to 5:00 p.m., with a lot of scheduling flexibility. Carefree also excels with programming for younger children. They have a 45-min., six-week class for tots ages three to five, which runs year-round. Adults are also offered many different programs. Carefree has seasonal courts for groups of friends who want to play together on a regular basis.
For those who want to play a variety of players in a competitive format, Carefree offers singles, doubles and team doubles leagues which are formed by the facility’s league coordinator. There are learning and playing programs for all levels that are arranged by our director of tennis. This is a 15-week program that offers a one-hour group lesson each week along with 90-min. of practice time. In addition, Carefree offers private lessons, Stroke of the Week Clinics, Cardio Tennis, and is are the home of “Walter’s Crunch.” All of the teaching pros at Carefree are United States Professional Tennis Association-certified, bringing years of experience and expertise to the court.
For those players with limited time, Carefree offers an “Early Bird Program” from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m., Monday-Friday and a “Senior Program” from 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m., also Monday-Friday.
Carefree fields many USTA teams at all levels for men, women and mixed-doubles, with clinics and practice time in addition to match play. Two Friday nights each month, Carefree hosts “Karen’s Tennis Parties” for some tennis, refreshments and socializing. The parties are a great way to meet new tennis friends.
All of Carefree’s programs are competitively priced and they do not charge “membership fees.” In addition to the club’s seven air-conditioned/heated tennis courts, Carefree has two racquetball courts, a half-court basketball court, and full locker room facilities. Carefree has a full-service pro shop, which offers racquet stringing and gripping, along with all the top brands of clothing, sneakers and racquets. Carefree Racquet Club looks forward to being able to service you for all your tennis needs.
 
 

Eastern Athletic Clubs

100 Ruland Avenue 
Melville, NY 11747   
Phone #: (631) 420-1310
 
9A Montauk Highway         
Blue Point, NY 11715          
Phone #: (631) 363-2882
 
384 East Jericho Turnpike  
Dix Hills, NY 11746  
Phone #: (631) 271-6616
 
Web site: www.easternathleticclubs.com
With three Long Island locations, Eastern Athletic Clubs is one of the premier tennis facilities in the area. With great teaching professionals, a friendly staff, along with perfectly-kept courts, your tennis game is sure to strive. You can take advantage of group and private lessons, leagues, match play, or get a group of your friends together for seasonal court time.
Eastern Athletic Clubs also offer a wide array of other activities for you as well. There is a weight room where you can exercise using free weights or strengthen your cardio by doing sports conditioning, spinning, pilates and yoga.
In addition to top-notch tennis and a beautiful gym area, Eastern Athletic also has other sporting activities to offer. Along with being a top local tennis facility, Eastern Athletic Clubs also offer basketball, racquetball, walleyball and boxing.
After your workout is done or after a stressful day at work, you may be in need of some rest and relaxation. At Eastern Athletic Clubs, you can sign up for a massage and have a certified massage therapist help your body recover.
Also for adults who would like to take advantage of tennis and/or other activities during the morning or early afternoon, Eastern Athletic offers free childcare programs, so that you can bring your child to the gym and know they are safe and occupied while you hit the courts and/or the gym.
If you are looking for a great tennis club that also offers a large amount of other activities Eastern Athletic Clubs is the place to go.
 

Glen Head Racquet Club

95 Glen Head Road  
Glen Head, NY 11545          
Phone #: (516) 455-1225
The Early Hit Training Center is located in the Glen Head Racquet Club, at 95 Glen Head Road in Glen Head, N.Y. Home of the ALPS Program, they specialize in accelerated learning through a combination of private lessons, group sessions and physical training in tennis-specific exercises. The program was designed by Carl Barnett with the help of Pat Etcheberry.
The program focuses on the players and their need for accessible court time, coupled with a flexible schedule and parent-friendly budget. Early Hit also features a 6:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. adult program that is open 365 days a year. Late Hit is on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
During the indoor season, Early Hit is a terrific value. They feature a fabulous summer camp, pro shop, restaurant and private training all year long.
 
 

Point Set Indoor Racquet Club Inc.

3065 New Street       
Oceanside, NY 11572           
Phone #: (516) 536-2323
Web site: www.pointsetracquetclub.com
Since it opened its doors in 1971, Point Set Indoor Racquet Club in Oceanside, N.Y. has been a tennis haven for the casual player just looking to get out on the court and hit some balls, as well as for the serious player who fantasizes of cracking an ace on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
Point Set enjoys success with effective management, keeping a watchful eye on expenses, and making up for a drop in tennis play by making the club available for alternative uses, such as lacrosse, while continuing to offer top-level tennis instructional programs, leagues and tournaments. And with ownership’s willingness to make necessary repairs and renovations to the 30-plus-year-old facility, Point Set is very much living in the present and anxious to be a part of the return of tennis’ popularity that head pro and managing partner Dan Dwyer feels has begun. In the past 10 years, ownership has spent more than $500,000 for, among other things, a new roof, new reflective ceilings, furniture and locker room renovations.
Dwyer understands that the extra effort is needed to attract business at a time when tennis is no longer king, and people have many other leisure and recreational pursuits. “[The business is] a lot more costumer intensive,” Dwyer said. “You have to make a lot more accommodations.” One such accommodation is a new indirect lighting system, installed a few years ago, that complements the reflective ceiling and significantly improves the lighting on the courts. “The lighting in there now meets the requirements for a professional tournament,” he said.
And the club’s seven rubber-based courts, installed 10 years ago (replacing the courts’ original carpet-like surface) were resurfaced with seven new rubber and Nova acrylic material courts. Dwyer says the rubber-based courts, the only ones of their kind in any indoor club on the South Shore, are more forgiving on the feet, ankles, knees and hips than other indoor surfaces, including, contrary to popular belief, Har-Tru, a clay-like surface.
“There's a myth about Har-Tru indoors that it’s better for your legs,” Dwyer said. “It's not, because indoors, Har-Tru is like cement, because it never gets rained on.”
Tennis won’t be the only game played on the resurfaced courts. On weekends from November through March, in the afternoons (a time when tennis play has traditionally been light), the nets are removed to make way for local lacrosse teams, providing Point Set with a substantial source of revenue. Little league baseball teams and soccer teams also rent out the facility. Gone are the heady days of tennis, all day, every day, and such alternatives uses are a must as Point Set continues into its fourth decade. Tennis though, is still number one at the venerable South Shore club.
Point Set offers daytime and nighttime leagues for both men and women, in both singles and doubles. It is also the home court to 13 teams in the USTA League Tennis program, as well as the host to about 14 Eastern Tennis Association tournaments annually.
And, continuing a Point Set tradition is the use of the club, free of charge, by various charities that conduct fundraising tennis parties. It’s a “win-win” arrangement: The charities raise thousands of dollars, and the club gives back to the charities, many of which have been a part of the community for as long if not longer than Point Set. Juvenile Diabetes, Five Towns Community Chest, and South Nassau Community Hospital are just few of the beneficiaries. “We enjoy being part of the community,” Dwyer said. “We want to do as much as we can to remain that way.”
But Dwyer isn't content to rely only on Point Set's traditional tennis programs. “We're always trying to come up with something new,” he said. “My newest idea this year that I'm working really hard on is having a high school league and a college league at off times, which is good for us, but to do it [at very reasonable prices] so the kids could afford it.” Dwyer is hopeful that his strong connections with many area schools and the fine reputation he has built over more than 30 years as a leading figure in Eastern tennis will help being the idea of fruition.
“I don't think there’s any doubt that tennis is on the rise again,” Dwyer said.
And Point Set, the stalwart indoor club on the South Shore with a fresh look, is ready.
 

Rockville Racquet Club

80 North Centre Avenue     
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Phone #: (516) 764-5350
Ideally situated in the heart of Rockville Centre, Rockville Racquet Club is a comprehensive tennis facility, offering state-of-the-art courts, equipment and amenities. Under the direction of manager Susan Alvy, the club is open from early in the morning until 11:00 p.m., seven days a week. Seven nova acrylic courts are available to the public for seasonal rental, league play, junior development, adult lessons and court rental when available.
Rockville Racquet’s highly regarded tennis professionals provide an outstanding junior development program for all ages and abilities. Students can choose from private, semi-private and group lessons. Included in the junior development program are weekend drills and ladder matches, as well as free court time and discounted private lessons. A Team Tennis Program is available for those youngsters who are committed to tennis and wish to compete on a local level. In 2009, junior development director Pat Mosquera led the Rockville Racquet USTA Junior Team to the Nassau County Championship.
The pros at Rockville Racquet make learning an enjoyable experience for all students. Holiday parties provide safe entertainment and tennis practice. A contest to select a “funniest experience” at the club resulted in numerous comical and some tender tales about good times at Rockville Racquet. The students’ stories were a reminder that junior development should be fun, as well as challenging.
Adults are offered a variety of programs at Rockville Racquet. Men’s and women’s singles and doubles leagues are available for all levels of play. League players enjoy friendly competition and winners receive trophies at the end of each season. Adults who would like to learn to play or want to improve their game can participate in learning leagues, drills and private lessons with our accomplished professional team. A learning league is a weekly group lesson with three or more players of similar ability. Learning leagues provide an inexpensive way to improve skills. The Rockville Racquet staff is available to help new or returning players to find a compatible group. Drills and Cardio Tennis are another exciting way to enjoy learning and improving tennis strokes. Drills are group lessons, with a maximum of six players, which stress tennis skills. Cardio drills, with a maximum of eight participants, combine and aerobic workout with tennis movement. These hour-long sessions are available at one’s convenience throughout the week. Simply sign up in advance to participate.
Women or men with young children can take advantage of the free babysitting available weekdays at Rockville Racquet Club. Children will enjoy the toys, television and videos under the loving supervision of an experienced sitter.
The Pro Shop at Rockville Racquet is open for customers to test the latest racquets and equipment. Fashionable tennis attire and gift items are available at competitive prices. Stringing, grips and other services are available.
The front desk staff is always glad to assist customers with purchases or to provide information about Rockville Racquet’s programs and services.
 
 

Sportime

Randall’s Island, Syosset, Roslyn, Bethpage, Kings Park, Quogue, Amagansett, Mamaroneck, Lynbrook, Massapequa and Schenectady
Phone #: (888) NY-TENNIS           
Web site: www.SportimeNY.com
Why does Sportime have the best tennis programs in New York? We have a system—and it works!
Tennis Kinetics—The Accelerated Learning Method
Tennis Kinetics is Sportime’s innovative approach to teaching the sport of tennis. This teaching method is founded on the belief that the optimum method of learning the hitting skills needed for tennis requires the development of the essential movement skills that relate to them. At Sportime, a Tennis Kinetics student learns how to strike the tennis ball as part of a sequence of reactions and movements that begins when his/her opponent strikes the ball. By having students develop and execute the entire sequence for every shot in the game, the learning process is accelerated. In a very short time, Tennis Kinetics students become capable of combining these sequences to play successful points and, ultimately, to change their weaknesses into strengths and their strengths into a winning game!
 
We use the games approach
Traditional teaching methods focus too much on developing tennis skills, and not enough on helping students to apply those skills. At Sportime, junior players and adults learn tennis through the experience of playing points and games. Not only do Sportime students have a lot more fun, our guided discovery method of teaching empowers our students to problem solve as they progress. By making sure our students understand the tactics of the game, while continuing to perfect the technical skills required to execute those tactics, Sportime produces fundamentally sound players whose games do not break down under pressure.
 
We have the best pros
Sportime has assembled a staff of top teaching professionals from all over the world. All of our staff professionals are certified by USTA High Performance, USPTA, PTR or by their home country’s tennis federation. Sportime pros receive continuing education and extensive training designed to keep our instruction on the cutting edge. Sportime directors of tennis roam from court to court to continually analyze lesson dynamics, to evaluate student progress, to supervise the staff and to assure that each and every lesson is up to Sportime standards.
 
We have a program for everyone
Juniors: From our QuickStart developmental programs, which start with toddlers ages two to four, to our Elite and High Performance programs for nationally-ranked juniors, Sportime offers a complete menu of tennis programming for every level of play. For the competitive junior, Sportime clubs host over 100 USTA-sanctioned tournaments a year, as well as ladders, supervised match play programs and USTA Team Tennis competition. Sportime works extra hard to make every kid feel special.
Adults: Sportime’s Adult Tennis Kinetics program is one the largest adult group lesson programs in the country. For those looking for the ultimate challenge, we offer Adult Elite, modeled after our highly successful Junior Elite programs. Major League Tennis, Cardio Tennis, and our signature “Zone” high-intensity competitive games program are not only great workouts, they are challenging and a lot of fun! Mixed Doubles parties, Round Robin mixers, Club Tournaments and other special events, round out our adult schedule throughout the year. And for those who are always in search of more tennis at their level, the Sportime Player Network offers a comprehensive Game Arranging service that provides great tennis matches “on demand.”
 
We have Sportime Team Elite
Sportime 's Team Elite provides our most dedicated junior players with access to cutting-edge technology, and to the latest instructional, educational and motivational tools and techniques. If your child enrolls in two or more of Sportime 's trademarked Junior Tennis Kinetics programs, he or she will receive complimentary access to our exciting, new, members-only Team Elite tennis channel on Dartfish TV. This innovative video channel will foster additional one-on-one interaction between your child and his/her coaches and will help your child to maximize his/her Sportime instructional experience. Check out Team Elite by going to the Sportime Web site, www.SportimeNY.com, and clicking on Team Elite on the “Tennis” menu.
 
Our facilities can’t be beat
Not only does Sportime offer 155 hard and soft surface courts, indoors and outdoors, our courts, facilities and club environments have set a new standard of excellence, and we are getting even better. When you are at a Sportime club you won’t want to leave, because you will be having too much fun! And that also goes for Sportime’s great fitness and multi-sport facilities.
 
We’re bringing tennis back to New York City
On June 30, 2009, Sportime unveiled the largest and finest tennis facility to open in New York City in the past 30 years! Sportime’s $17 million facility, now open to the public, has immediately become New York City's premier tennis destination. The new Sportime at Randall's Island features 160,000-sq.-ft. of tennis courts and five-star support facilities. A stunning building designed by award winning architects houses five hard courts, year-round, as well as a beautiful clubhouse. Another five hard courts and 10 clay tennis courts are housed in three state-of-the-art air structures during the indoor season, and are available for outdoor play during the outdoor season, with 10 courts lighted for outdoor evening play.
 
 

USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

12402 Roosevelt Avenue      
Flushing, NY 11368 
Phone #: (718) 760-6200
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is the largest public tennis facility in the world. Operated by the USTA for the City of New York, the facility opened in 1978 when the USTA moved the US Open from the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, NY. It is, most certainly, a “Tennis Welcome Center.”
In 1997, the USTA opened Arthur Ashe Stadium as its main stadium and expanded the tennis facilities at the USTA National Tennis Center. The construction increased the number of courts on the grounds from 25 to 45 and saw the acreage more than double to 46.5 acres. In 2006, the USTA renamed the entire facility the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in honor of one of tennis’ finest ambassadors and a product of public courts in her native Long Beach, Calif.
Expansion of the USTA National Tennis Center has increased the number of outdoor courts available for public play to 30. This does not include Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium or the Grandstand. In addition, there are nine indoor courts for public use and that number will increase to 12 with the completion of the new Indoor Tennis Center.
In actuality, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is open to the public seven days a week, 11 months a year, closing only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has a staff of more than 20 USPTA and/or PTR-certified professionals conducting programs, clinics, private lessons, leagues and tournaments year-round. The NTC also supports all USTA Community Tennis and Player Development initiatives.
Other tournaments held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center include the Men's and Women’s College Tennis Invitational (an ITA event) and other ITA college events and conference championships; the Jana Hunsaker Memorial Eastern Wheelchair Championships (an ITF event); the USTA Men's and Women's National Open Indoor Championships and a host of USTA Eastern sectional tournaments for juniors, adults and seniors as well as New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) and New York City Parks Foundation programs for junior and senior players.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center professional staff also conducts community tennis programs, including QuickStart Tennis for children 10 and under to learn tennis in a fun and dynamic way; USTA Jr. Team Tennis for youth match play; USTA League Tennis for competitive, level-of-play competition and an official Cardio Tennis site for on-court heart pumping fitness.
Initiatives for USTA Player Development include an Invitational USTA Competition Training Center for ranked players, Player Development programs for top-ranking juniors residing in the Northeast and a year-round USTA Tournament Training Program for ranked juniors.
In addition, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center hosts events for coaches training and education, including United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) functions, four Certification Training Courses and Developmental Coaches Workshops each year, annual meetings and conventions and at least four Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Teaching Essentials Workshops and Professional Development Workshops.

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Century
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